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Get Discounts or switch to Dish???

6K views 100 replies 26 participants last post by  harsh 
#1 ·
I posted part of this in another thread but it's been hijacked! I have been with directv since 2006. I have a hr-20 hd dvr, 1 HD receiver and 1 standard receiver. My channel package is the old total choice. I have been out of contract now for several years. I have been thinking about how to lower my bill some. I am thinking of dropping to the entertainment package. I also would be interested in the genie if the cost was only an extra $3 a month for the whole home thing. I called and asked about getting one and they wanted $299. Told them to forget it. Several weeks passed and I called and talked to them about if I were eligible for any discounts to help lower my bill other than dropping to a lower channel package. They offered me 6 months of stars. WTF? Anyone have any suggestions? I seriously considering switching to dish for 2 years. My dream would be to drop to the entertainment package and save $12 a month and get the genie. Is this possible? I think that all together would drop my bill $9 a month which isn't much but I don't know how to get it any cheaper. It's over $100 a month right now.
 
#4 ·
omartinjordan said:
I just tried that yesterday. They offered 6 months free of Stars. I declined. I was super nice.
A member here who's a Customer Retention CSR told you because you're on an old package is the reason you likely weren't offered discounts.
 
#5 ·
sigma1914 said:
A member here who's a Customer Retention CSR told you because you're on an old package is the reason you likely offered discounts.
Are you (or the CSR) saying that significant discounts are not forthcoming as long as the OP subscribes to a deprecated package?
 
#6 ·
As one who oftens switches, here's the way I look at it.

Call and talk to retention to see what is the best deal you can get. If that deal isn't what you want, or you feel it isn't good enough, then look at the other service to see if they have what you want.

If that other service has the channels you want, and the ones in HD you care about, then the switch is a money saver for you and is worth seriously considering. And while each SAT provider approaches how you interact with their gear, the task isn't daunting.

From a money standpoint, switching every two years makes a lot of sense unless you need gear that will end up with a lot of upfront money, IF the other has the channels you want.
 
#7 ·
harsh said:
Are you (or the CSR) saying that significant discounts are not forthcoming as long as the OP subscribes to a deprecated package?
Here...
Volatility said:
The Total Choice Package and other grandfathered packages do not qualify for the monthly base package discounts. She should of explained the benefits of moving to the Xtra or Ultimate package with a discount if she did not already.
...
 
#10 ·
sigma1914 said:
Here...
Originally Posted by Volatility View Post
The Total Choice Package and other grandfathered packages do not qualify for the monthly base package discounts. She should of explained the benefits of moving to the Xtra or Ultimate package with a discount if she did not already.
That information is not correct. I have a grandfathered package, and I'm currently getting a $10/month base package discount and several other discounts.
 
#11 ·
omartinjordan said:
How do you word it properly when you call? I want to switch to the entertainment package and are there discounts for that? I would think no since I would be going from $66 to $54 a month.
Try: "I'm looking for opportunities to reduce my monthly bill. Via social media, I've been informed by a DirecTV CSR that the fact that I currently have a grandfathered package may be preventing possible discounts from appearing on my account. If that's the case, I'd be open to moving to a newer package if that could help me reduce my monthly bill".
 
#12 ·
lesz said:
That information is not correct. I have a grandfathered package, and I'm currently getting a $10/month base package discount and several other discounts.
I agree. I have a grandfathered package and I receive monthly discounts. Besides, we were also referring to a discount on equipment. He should be eligible for that being a long time customer.
 
#13 ·
It sucks you have to go through all this crap. I will try again this evening and see if they give me a different answer. If not, I am going to call dish and see what offers they can give and then try and weigh my decision. I really love the service but for what I currently have it shouldn't be a $100 a month.
 
#14 ·
omartinjordan said:
I just tried that yesterday. They offered 6 months free of Stars. I declined. I was super nice.
I don't think getting 6 months of Starz is reducing anything. They just hope you forget to cancel at the end of 6 months. If I'm looking for credits/cuts it has to be actual cuts from my current bill. I liken this to Washington, where reducing the RATE of increase is the same as a cut.
 
#16 ·
harsh said:
Are you (or the CSR) saying that significant discounts are not forthcoming as long as the OP subscribes to a deprecated package?
Exactly. The expired packages were at a time customers could get more channels and pay less money than they do today for the channels. Most of the really good discounts are either grayed out or just do not appear unless you are put on a current package of choice or higher. Alot of industries are trying to weave customers off expired stuff. Like how some cell phone companies delete your unlimited data plan for upgrading your smart phone.
 
#17 ·
Canned again today and asked if I switched to current package were there any specials or discounts. Offered $5 off a month if I enrolled in auto pay. I also asked about genie if it wou ld increase my bill per month. Told me no and quoted $397 to get it. Caulking dish in a day or two to see what they have.
 
#18 ·
lesz said:
That information is not correct. I have a grandfathered package, and I'm currently getting a $10/month base package discount and several other discounts.
Sorry, but that information is correct nowadays. Their was a time where we could give customers on an expired package discounts higher than 5 by changing to a current package, add the discount, then go back and reinstate the old package and the discount remained, but it got changed to where the discount gets deleted by doing so. Their are other CSR's in here in both Crg and Ace who can verify grandfathered packages can not get good discounts nowadays really. I have nothing to gain by making up info-- just trying to help customers
 
#20 ·
omartinjordan said:
Canned again today and asked if I switched to current package were there any specials or discounts. Offered $5 off a month if I enrolled in auto pay. I also asked about genie if it wou ld increase my bill per month. Told me no and quoted $397 to get it. Caulking dish in a day or two to see what they have.
Are you being transfered before any of this information is given? The first group you usually speak to is billing who can only quote regular prices. Do not get aggressive with it but call them and say you are looking at other providers because you do not feel you are getting your money's worth. Billing will transfer you off. Free Starz for 6 months does not roll to regular price after the 6 months period. It's cancelled automatically.
 
#21 ·
lesz said:
That information is not correct. I have a grandfathered package, and I'm currently getting a $10/month base package discount and several other discounts.
No it's not incorrect. Late last year, almost all grandfathered packages became ineligible for discounts over 5 dollars. The only package that qualifies now is Choice Xtra Classic. If you received discounts before that time, you maintain them. You will be urged to update your package in the future if you continue looking for discounts.
 
#22 ·
lesz said:
That information is not correct. I have a grandfathered package, and I'm currently getting a $10/month base package discount and several other discounts.
You are correct, lesz.

I am in the final months of a $10 monthly programming credit which I got when I had PLUS DVR which was a grandfathered package at the time of the credit. In fact, my monthly bill STILL says "$10 programming credit-PLUS DVR" even though this package doesn't exist at all any more! (I have Choice Extra Classic with a separate DVR charge)
 
#23 ·
goinsleeper said:
No it's not incorrect. Late last year, almost all grandfathered packages became ineligible for discounts over 5 dollars. The only package that qualifies now is Choice Xtra Classic. If you received discounts before that time, you maintain them. You will be urged to update your package in the future if you continue looking for discounts.
You just contradicted yourself. You said you can't get discounts, then you said you can if you have Choice Extra Classic. That's exactly the package I have. So the truth is that you can get discounts if you have an expired package, just not every expired package!
 
#26 ·
I looked up the dish network pricing. It's pretty good. Even the same package I have with directv is only $59.99 compared to $64. Plus, I would get a free hopper and not have to pay $399. I am going to give them one more chance and then that's it.

Also, does directv offer the ala carte packages like dish? You can and a few more sports channels for just $5 a month.
 
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