End of commitment and need advice on what to do

1807 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by dpeters11, Jun 8, 2012

nbpc77

Discussion Starter · Jun 8, 2012

Hello all,

I'm looking for advice on how to handle the end of my commitment. I want to be upfront and say I'm not looking to screw over DirecTV or extort some kinda mega deal.

Background:
I've got 4 x HD DVRs and 2 STD DVR (R-15s). I keep getting 771 signal issues on 2 HD DVRs. DTV has been out to the house at least twice. Yesterday's tech, who seemed more knowledgeable than most and said that the 771 is happening because with 6 DVRS and two switches to support them, the signal is a wee bit too low at times. He said the only way to really fix my issue long term is to put in a SWM-16, but my R-15s are NOT SWM compatible.

I also want to sign up for DirecTV thru my local phone company who will give me a bundle discount with DirecTV and home phone, which saves me about $20 a month.

What I'd like to do:
Replace my R-15s with HD DVRs (I'd pay for one)
Get on SWM-16 to get rid of 771 and get whole-house-dvr
Switch my DirecTV so that I can get the telephone bundle...

What a long time DirecTV guy told me was to:
1. Cancel DTV
2. Order it thru my phone company, but put it under my wife's name and cell #
3. As for the whole-house DVR plan which would force the HD DVRs and SWM16
4. Get the added bonus of prem channels and Sunday Ticket (which my main reason for DTV).

Thoughts? Been a DTV guy since 2006. Again, not looking to screw over DTV, but 771 issues popping up randomly isn't a "working" setup either.

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damondlt

· #2 · Jun 8, 2012

Well if your equipment isn't working properly, thats not your fault.

They need to fix it! That swim should be automaticlly be upgraded to make the system operate as it should.

UNLESS you added/ over loaded most of your own equipment yourself. Then thats on you.

But never the less, if they want you in a commitment again, just see what kind of deal they can give you on some receiver upgrades, or MRV upgrade. If you do the MRV upgrade, they will bring the proper receivers and switches for your upgrade.

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lparsons21

· #3 · Jun 8, 2012

While some have cancelled and then re-upped by using the wife for a new account status, D* doesn't consider that to be a valid way to do it. If you tried and they figured it out, you'd be without D* for at least some time, and wouldn't get anything from them. Not saying I agree with D*'s position, but that is the way I see them feeling about it.

You could try to talk to retention and tell them your issues and what you would like to accomplish and see what they would offer. You might get the 2 units to replace your R15s and a new SWM switch for free or some very reduced amount. Of course, when you get SWM, you can also get MRV which would somewhat negate the need for additional HDDVRs and just get a couple Hxx receivers.

How much free or reduced programming you could get would be a point of discussion too. Unfortunately it won't be as much as a new customer would get.

Also, with 6 units needed, even a new customer is going to see some significant amount of upfront money, especially for more than one HDDVR, and that needs to be taken into consideration too.

Or you could just roll the dice and cancel and wait to see what they would quickly offer as a 'returning' customer. Some have reported some nearly new customer deals when they did that, but it isn't a certain thing.

With your desire for NFLST, a switch to Dish for a couple of years and then come back doesn't seem to be a desirable solution for you. If it wasn't for that, a switch to Dish could be a good move too.

Good luck in whichever path you choose.

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damondlt

· #4 · Jun 8, 2012

lparsons21 said:
Also, with 6 units needed, even a new customer is going to see some significant amount of upfront money, especially for more than one HDDVR, and that needs to be taken into consideration too.

.

Yep.
If you are going to do all DVRs.
You are going to get one Free HD DVR, the next one $99, the other 4 $199 each!
Total $895 thats a new customer with a very good credit score!

Or you can do
HR34 with 3 H25s thats $99 , Plus you still need 2 more rooms .So your looking at $300 -600 upfront as a new customer.

Yea you might want to look into Just doing a simple Whole home DVR upgrade.

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The Merg

· #5 · Jun 8, 2012

And the reason why it is being pointed out about the upfront cost is that if you cancel and then re-up under your wife's name is that you will have to return all your equipment to DirecTV as most likely it is all leased equipment.

Something to look at though... Have you thought of having Whole Home DVR installed? This will automatically get you upgraded to SWM and your R15 DVRs will be swapped out for SWM compatible SD-DVRs (most likely R16s with a very, very slim possibility of a R22). The standard cost for the upgrade is $199, plus sometimes a $49 tech visit fee, but some people have gotten it for less. Considering you would be getting two DVRs swapped out, DECAs for each of your non-HR24 DVRs, a Cinema Connection Kit, and a SWM16, $199 is not a bad deal.

With regard to the SD-DVR swap-outs, you might even be able to get a good deal to upgrade those to HD-DVRs so they will then be able to work with MRV. Just be advised that upgrading them to HD-DVRs will extend your commitment for an additional 2 years.

- Merg

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damondlt

· #6 · Jun 8, 2012

The Merg said:
Have you thought of having Whole Home DVR installed? This will automatically get you upgraded to SWM and your R15 DVRs will be swapped out for SWM compatible SD-DVRs (most likely R16s with a very, very slim possibility of a R22).
.

- Merg

Just a note, for the OP : Even though they are Swim Compatible, that doesn't mean it becomes part of your Whole Home system.

Keep that in mind. The Standard rooms will not be part of the setup, you have to upgrade them, they won't do it for free most times either.

In easy to understand terms. If you want Whole Home DVR at All your receivers, you need to upgrade them 2 SD DVRs to HD receivers. These models H24,25, R22 Marked as a SD receiver,HD compatible,HR21,HR22,HR23,HR24,HR34

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nbpc77

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 8, 2012

Not gonna go the wife/phone number route.

Will look at talking to DirecTV about MRV & SWM

Any advice on how to convince them that I want to cancel and sign up via my phone company?

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MalcolmG

· #8 · Jun 8, 2012

You should not need to cancel in order to bundle with your phone company.

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chasandjayg

· #9 · Jun 8, 2012

If your going to bundle with the local phone comapany you just have to call them. What I have seen is people calling Customer service and DTV taking care of them. You are usually eligable for a free upgrade every year or so. This is what I would do an upgrade to whole home which would switch it over to swim. I think you could get a HDDVR for free and a second one for $99 if you really push the issue. I know they are offering Sunday ticket for half off, so you may not be able to do anything there. Going swim would also allow you to connect all of your HDDVRs to broadband with one simple device. I see this everyday. Of course they would require a 2 year commitment also.

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dpeters11

· #10 · Jun 8, 2012

You may not be able to keep a discount with Cincinnati Bell. I can't, it is there for about a month then goes away. This is because their TV service is available here. If it isn't in your part of Mason, then you likely would keep it. But no need to cancel and re sign up etc. before Fioptics came to this neighborhood, I got a discount, but it wasn't bundled. The DirecTV bill still came from DirecTV.

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