albertldee said:
Thanks Kaminar
i call and decide to go with the 2 year contract and the entertainment package
i notice you mention 2 box they only give me 1 they said the other box will be $6 more and to get a dvr it will be $10 more and to get HD it will be an additional ($20 i think)
now i have a situation i dont have time for installation and pickey about letting people in my hose i want to do the installation myself but they telling me it's not possible i already have a dish on the house from previous occumant that i know work and i'm handy at those stuff, do you think the tech will just deliver the exuiptment and let me install it
Ok, now you are in a totally different scenario. The lease option does not involve purchasing equipment, so you have the option to lease 1 or more (as many as you like). Until recently, a new customer could order a max of 6 receivers at point of sale and had to wait until after initial installation to add more. Now, a new customer can order 6 and then speak with another support agent to add more receivers (done manually) if needed, prior to initial installation. Of course, additional equipment charges apply..sorry to go off on a tangent there..
Public Service Announcement--the following post is VERY long
Since you are in a lease agreement, each programming package includes 1 standard receiver at no additional charge--for 1 tv. If you choose to upgrade with more options, or add receivers, there will be additional charges. That is understood, yes? Like a home or car or anything else, if you want extras, it will cost more.
Below are expected charges based on usual options:
1. Additional receivers: $6/mth EACH (per TV charge, not per receiver--however, must have 1 receiver per TV, so it's basically the same)
2. Advanced Receiver Services:
a. Standard DVR service (no HD): $10/mth flat fee (not per TV). Does NOT include HD service, does NOT include Whole Home; does not have ability to connect to online services
b. HD service (no DVR): $10/mth flat fee (not per TV). Does NOT include DVR service, does NOT include Whole Home service; does not have ability to connect to online services
c. HD-DVR or Genie: $25/mth flat fee (not per TV). Includes HD service, included DVR service, includes Whole Home service (for multiple TVs--must have additional compatible receivers); includes ability to connect to online services
3. Based on credit, you may qualify for $10/mth discount on HD-DVR/Genie service for 24 months,
If you agree to Auto-Bill-Pay and Email/paperless billing. Very well qualified, you have the option. Not well qualified, you will NOT have the option.
4. If you choose to order online at
http://Directv.com or by telephone, the installer will do the installation. There is no self-install option. Repeat, there is no self-install option. No point asking, whether you have a dish of some kind on your roof or not. The choice is yours.
5. If you order through an authorized retailer (Direct Sat TV; Direct Star TV; Sam's Club; Costco; Walmart; Best Buy, etc etc etc) and the equipment is delivered to your home, expect the installer to arrive at the assigned install date. If you choose to self-install without permission, the tech may arrive and notify his employer or he may not. Those techs are not DirecTV employees, but instead work for the authorized install company (Smart Circle). Good luck with that.
6. One way to self-install is to order equipment online from reputable dealers, such as
http://solidsignal.com.
a. Keep in mind, even though you PAY FOR the equipment,
it is not yours. It is leased equipment. Only the dish is yours to keep. There is only a 90day warranty on equipment purchased through an authorized dealer. All repairs and replacement costs are yours.
b. Monthly programming pricing is the same as offered currently on
http://Directv.com
7. You mentioned you don't have time for an installer, yet you have time for self-install. Good luck with that.
Some configuration examples--based on credit, you may have to pay a fee at time of your order. If not, then up to 4 (or 5) receivers may be "free" (depending on configuration)
1. Fee customer 1: $200 fee + $19.95 (delivery+handling charge) = up to 2 standard receivers at no charge for equip. Additional standard receivers = $69 each, charged at time of sale. HD not an option
a. Example: $219.95 + tax up front. Choice package + 1 standard receiver.
b. Monthly charges = $34.99/mth - $5/mth = $29.99/mth for months 1-12. $54.99/mth for months 13-24.
c. $5/mth discount is because $200 fee is refundable to customer in $5/mth amount until paid in full = 40 months (yes, 2yr agreement is 24mths, so to see full reimbursement, requires staying on for 16 more months)
2. Fee customer 2: $300 fee + $19.95 (delivery+handling) = pay for each HD or HD-DVR receiver. HD receiver = $99 each. HD-DVR = $199. Genie = $299. Genie Mini = $99
a. Example: Entertainment package + Genie + 3 Genie Minis (4 receivers total) = $915.95 + tax up front ($300 + $19.95 + $299 + $99 +$99 + $99).
b. Monthly charges = $29.99/mth - $5/mth (deposit discount--see below) + $25/mth (Genie advanced receiver fee) + $18/mth (3 additional TVs at $6/mth each) = $72.99/mth for months 1-12. $103.99/mth for months 13-24.
c. $5/mth deposit discount is because $300 fee is refundable to customer in $5/mth credits until paid back in full = 60 months (yes, 2yr agreement is 24mths, so to see full reimbursement, requires staying on for 36 more months)
3. Non-fee customer with excellent credit
a. Example: Choice package with Genie + 3 Genie minis = $19.95 (delivery+handling) + tax up front and $0 charge for equipment
b. Monthly charges = $34.99 + $25 -$10 (auto-bill-pay option) + $18/mth (3 additional TVs) = $67.99 for months 1-12 and $88.99 for months 13-24**
c. **Currently, for very well qualified customers: Choice package has instant rebate of $31/mth for months 1-12 and $10/mth instant rebate for months 13-24 and months 25-36 (but still only 2yr agrement--for months 25-36 and beyond, it's month-to-month). Other packages have similar instant rebates--see Directv.com website for details (Entertainment package does not have instant rebate for months 13-24)
4. Sometimes the $19.95 delivery+handling charge can be waived and only $1 temporary hold is required. Can be done on Directv.com website or by calling 800-531-5000. Not available for everyone and if order is already placed, must cancel and replace the order to get that $19.95 refunded and then waived on new order--this includes ANOTHER credit check, so good luck with that.
To put it plainly, you are MUCH better off financially and psychologically going with a 2 year agreement and letting DirecTV do the installation. Not only will you save a lot of money, you won't be responsible for equipment failure (except for obvious abuse). Additionally, you are not responsible for installation errors. It's all guarantied (yes, that is the correct spelling).
Further, for $7.99/mth additional (called Protection Plan), any tech visits are covered for free; equipment return/exchange shipping is free (normally $19.95 shipping for replacement receiver) and you will qualify for free equipment upgrades after 24 months, regardless of account history (at least that's how I read it). There are several Protection Plan upgrades, all the way to $19.99 or $24.99/mth..for customers that have their DirecTV setup
connected with multiple high end HD TVs, expensive audio equipment, computers and tablets (but not mobile phones), those plans cover abuse, neglect, repair, replacement and more (up to a certain maximum of course). In such cases, it's a no-brainer.
Example: for any HDTV repair of 37" tv or larger, a certified tech comes to your home to fix it. You are not required to bring it to the repair shop or ship it out for parts/repair. Pretty cool if you ask me.
Much like some other companies (i-cough--Apple--i-cough), DirecTV has created a closed system (mostly), in which they control the quality and the customer experience. Studies have shown (along with much improved customer service) that this increases the bottom line for DirecTV, as well as the all-around customer experience. Trading dollars for convenience that works is the American way.
Good luck!
-=K=-