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DirecTV Contract Conundrum

Discussion in 'DIRECTV General Discussion' started by mirak, Dec 28, 2019.

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  1. Dec 28, 2019 #1 of 40
    mirak

    mirak New Member

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    I’ve been a DTV customer for over 5 years. Other than the not-insignificant hassle of resetting the pricing each year, I’ve been very pleased with the service.

    This past year, I had been getting the Choice package plus 50mbps internet with one Genie for about $95/mo. $100 is my threshhold - anything more and I’m ready to chuck it and stream.

    Then last month, my promos expired and my price shot up to $150. I called a few times - played the typical “game” - and now they’ve got me down to $78/mo for the next year - which is a pretty sweet deal for all that I mentioned above.

    There’s just one wrinkle: I’ve added a TV and now I want a second Genie mini. And that’s only an extra 5-6 bucks a month which is no big deal, BUT they are insisting on a 2yr contract commitment!

    So is that 2yr contract commitment just for the price of the extra mini, or for all my services? I assume the latter, in which case I can’t possibly commit to a 2yr contract when my pricing is only good for the first year. After that, they’d have me by the short hairs, so to speak.

    Anybody know a way around this? The advantage of streaming service is I don’t have to hassle with receivers at all, but the DTV deal I’ve currently got is a way better price than what standalone internet plus a couple streaming services would cost.

    It all seems so ridiculous: I’m offering to pay DTV more money for that second Genie and stay with their service, but they won’t give it to me without a 2yr commitment. Hell, I’d even give them a 2yr commitment if they gave me a 2yr price commitment!

    Thoughts?
     
  2. Dec 28, 2019 #2 of 40
    NR4P

    NR4P Dad

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    If they provide a receiver, you are locked in for 2 years. A way around is this is if you have have a Directv Ready/RVU TV. They aren't too popular any more but that doesn't need a receiver.
     
  3. Dec 28, 2019 #3 of 40
    compnurd

    compnurd Hall Of Fame

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    I dont think they will activate a RVU TV Anymore They also havent been made in 2 years i think
     
  4. Dec 28, 2019 #4 of 40
    bnwrx

    bnwrx Icon

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    A possible idea is to install an HDMI powered splitter to feed 2 TV's from 1 box. The same channel must be viewed from each TV. I'm using this setup .
     
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  5. Dec 28, 2019 #5 of 40
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    I had a couple D* installers in my home a couple weeks ago. They had no idea RVU was dead. Had to take them to the newer sets to prove my point.

    Rich
     
  6. Dec 28, 2019 #6 of 40
    carlsbad_bolt_fan

    carlsbad_bolt_fan Icon

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    Another alternative, use a splitter and an HDMI over Ethernet extender. I've had very good results with those. As before, you're viewing the same channel.
     
  7. Dec 28, 2019 #7 of 40
    mirak

    mirak New Member

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    Ok. This is a brilliant but obvious idea. Unfortunately the TVs are on two different levels so it’s not an ideal setup for channel surfing, but as long as the hdmi can work over WiFi without significant degradation in quality, that’s a decent workaround. I’ll look into splitters on Amazon but let me know if you have any recommendations. Thanks!
     
  8. Dec 28, 2019 #8 of 40
    inkahauts

    inkahauts Well-Known Member

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    Well another though... how many TVs do you have? Put a streaming box on the least used one and just use apps to watch tv on that one.
     
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  9. Dec 28, 2019 #9 of 40
    slice1900

    slice1900 Well-Known Member

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    There are no "HDMI over ethernet" extenders, they are HDMI over cat5/cat6 wiring extenders. You can't run it wirelessly, it will only work wired.
     
    Rich likes this.
  10. Dec 28, 2019 #10 of 40
    DirectMan

    DirectMan AllStar

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    Just get the additional mini if you ask them nicely they might supply it for free. So big deal an additional 2 year commitment. I had a new 2 year commitment last year when I upgraded to a Genie for free. This year I called them after 1 year and they renewed my discount for an additional year. The ETF (Early Termination Fee) was only $10 / month but they gave me a $45 / month discount so I am way ahead even if I had to cancel and pay the ETF.
     
  11. Dec 28, 2019 #11 of 40
    mirak

    mirak New Member

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    Huh. So that’s even easier. I think I can get a DirecTV app on my new LG OLED. So can I use that to stream all the channels I get? Can I use it playback stuff from my DVR?
     
  12. Dec 28, 2019 #12 of 40
    WestDC

    WestDC Well-Known Member DBSTalk Club

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    Do you think you will leaving in 2 years? --The Price goes up every year anyway - How often and who is viewing the other TV? all that depends on your use alone.

    Get the receiver - 2 years will be by you before you know it
     
    Rich likes this.
  13. Dec 28, 2019 #13 of 40
    mirak

    mirak New Member

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    If I commit to two years, then what reason would DTV have to negotiate my price when my promos expire in one year? I have all the leverage now because I can walk.
     
  14. Dec 28, 2019 #14 of 40
    compnurd

    compnurd Hall Of Fame

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    You cant As Stated several times RVU is no longer supported

    2018 was the last LG Model Year that supported the app You also cant download it anymore
     
  15. Dec 28, 2019 #15 of 40
    DirectMan

    DirectMan AllStar

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    I think you would be better off cancelling at the end of your commitment. Obviously the chance that they might not renew your discount for the second year of a two year commitment is a risk you cannot or will not accept, even though many posters including myself have mentioned that they have been able to renew the discount while still under contract. I would suggest switching to a streaming service other than ATT where there is not a commitment.
     
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  16. Dec 29, 2019 #16 of 40
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    Try that. They will tell you to hit the road. You have no leverage.

    Rich
     
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  17. Dec 29, 2019 #17 of 40
    b4pjoe

    b4pjoe New Member

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    That is the situation I am in now. The first year of my contract they gave me a $50 per month discount. Would not renew it for the second year and after calling multiple times I finally was able to get a $20 per month discount for the second year. However it seems others here can call while they still have multiple discounts on their account still get more discounts. No rhyme or reason to the way they hand out discounts.
     
  18. Dec 29, 2019 #18 of 40
    compnurd

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    Agreed. There is no “leverage” anymore
     
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  19. Dec 29, 2019 #19 of 40
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    Same thing I went thru and ended up with the same discount. They have a plan, might be the usual goofy plan, who knows?

    Rich
     
  20. Dec 29, 2019 #20 of 40
    mirak

    mirak New Member

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    Not sure what we’re even talking about anymore, but obviously there is leverage. I’m getting 50mbps Internet, 100+ channels, and a DVR for around $75 a month. You’d think I’d have gotten that pricing if I was still under contract?

    I don’t have a problem with contracts, btw, just contracts that lock me in for longer than my price commitment. I’ll commit just as far as DTV will. Fair is fair.
     
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