[Stuart Sweet]

Since a lot of people have been experiencing confusing from DIRECTV CSRs today, here is the official word on HR34 pricing from someone who really knows.

• The HR34 box is $399 and is available starting today for existing customers
• There is a $300 rebate for NEW customers only.
• Select customers may be eligible for a lower price. This varies depending on your history with DIRECTV.

There is no rebate program for existing customers.

 

[lparsons21]

I didn't get offered any deal on the HR34, but I didn't actually think I would since I've only been with them a relatively short while.

That said, at $399 the HR34 is a non-starter imo, and I can't imagine many willing to pay that other than the ones that just had to have it already and did pay it.

It will be interesting to see how many post here that they got it at full retail.

 

[dakeeney]

:nono2: Yeah me too. I got no break at all. I've been with DTV for over 2 weeks and could not get anything. I'm not paying $399 for a leased DVR. If this is how DTV treats new customers I'll be back with Dish soon.

 

[jmf243]

Great customer since 2002. After being told by a horribly misinformed CSR that I needed a 6000 series Samsung TV to order the HR34 I finally convinced her to transfer me to Customer retention where I was taken care of. $99 for HR34 and $49 for install. Install on Sunday.

 

[bosoxfan]

What was the point of locking the other thread and starting a new one?

Anyhow, called D*tv retention and was told once again $199 for box, $49 for install, & $99 for CCK. I told then about others getting the $99 price ($300 credit) and I wouldn't order one unless I get the $99 price. So he put me on hold, came back and said he was giving me the $99 price and $99 for the CCK and waiving the install fees. It pays to be persistent and to let them know you have been here on DBS and that others have gotten the $300 credit (not rebate).

Best thing, they are going to be here tomorrow to install!

 

[mhammett]

As far as the monthly rate, does it just use one receiver or is it something special?

 

[bosoxfan]

:nono2: Yeah me too. I got no break at all. I've been with DTV for over 2 weeks and could not get anything. I'm not paying $399 for a leased DVR. If this is how DTV treats new customers I'll be back with Dish soon.

Why didn't you wait until the HR34 was available before switching to DTV? Sounds like poor planning on your part. You are not a long term customer so they have no reason to give you the loyalty discounts. You are already in a 2 year contract so they don't have any reason to give you a mulligan on your contract and let you be treated like a new customer. I am sure you were given some great deals to sign up, right?

 

[tonyd79]

Great customer since 2002. After being told by a horribly misinformed CSR that I needed a 6000 series Samsung TV to order the HR34 I finally convinced her to transfer me to Customer retention where I was taken care of. $99 for HR34 and $49 for install. Install on Sunday.

Any magic words you used? I'd like to revamp my very old system using this.

 

[Odys]

I got it for $99 (with a $300 instant credit) and a $49 installation fee. I also paid $99 for the Cinema Connection kit. Total was $247. I've been a customer for over 5 years, was not currently under contract and have been a NFL Sunday Ticket customer for the last several years. Any or all of those reasons probably accounted for my getting a deal as an existing customer.

 

[lparsons21]

:nono2: Yeah me too. I got no break at all. I've been with DTV for over 2 weeks and could not get anything. I'm not paying $399 for a leased DVR. If this is how DTV treats new customers I'll be back with Dish soon.

Why would you think they'd give you a great deal only 2 weeks into it? I've been with them 5+ months and wasn't a bit surprised that I didn't get offered the $300 rebate at all (upfront or otherwise), but I was hoping.

As to going back to Dish, well if you leave now it will cost you more in ETF than it does for the new HR34 and at this short period of time, you'll most likely not get any deal from them either.

I'm waiting until I'm at least a year into D*, then if they will do something for an HR34 with the new HDGUI at that time I'll most likely stick with D*. If not, I may do some thinking.

As it sits right now, if I was willing to pay D* the $500 with install and upgrade fee, I'd come closer to going back to E* myself and save about $120. But that's just all talk!

 

[shaun-ohio]

i called about 20 mins ago, i am a returning customer, i had directv until last december then i cancelled, here is the deal i got hr34 didnt want any extra receivers, just the hr34 that records 5 shows at once, so all i had to pay was shipping and handling fee and they are coming out between 8am-12 noon tomorrow, i got 3 free months of hbo,sho,starz,cinemax for free and if i sign up for auto pay i get free hd for life, the only charge on my card was the 19.95 shipping and handling fee and i got a locked in price for the ultimate package with 30.00 off the first year and 16.00 the second year, talk about a sweet deal for valentines day, oh i forgot to mention, i got the 300.00 off rebate and only cost me 99.00 for the hr34, but they probably wont charge me this until it is activated, thanks again dtv for welcoming me back as a customer.

 

[ffemtreed]

do they force someone to come install it? If I decide this summer to stay with DTV I want one of these HR34's. But I don't want to pay an install fee for something I can do myself, more importantly I don't want to waste a day off work sitting at home waiting on the install person.

 

[dakeeney]

Maybe I was a little hasty. I guess I can wait for 6-9 months for the HR-34 and that way they may have all the bugs worked out. The 24 will serve my needs until then.

 

[RobertSeattle]

Unless you have a dying HR-20 like I did, I too would recommending waiting to get the HR34. Mine is basically useless for whole home as about 75% of the time I get the can't connect error even though my H21 and 22 dvrs have no problem.

 

[kevmo88]

I just spoke with a regular CSR and then a retention rep and was told both times that there is no discount for existing customers. (I have had Directv for 5+ years)

In fact, the retention rep told me that they have not given any discounts to any existing customers and he said that anyone who said otherwise was not telling the truth.

He said that since it just came out today, there will be no discounts, and when I mentioned that people are reporting that they are getting discounts, he stated that he was monitoring dbstalk.com (he spelled the site out for me) and that he knows for a fact that the people on here are "reporting untruths".

Quite an interesting conversation. Needless to say, I wasn't happy about it.

 

[trh]

I got no break at all. I've been with DTV for over 2 weeks and could not get anything. I'm not paying $399 for a leased DVR. If this is how DTV treats new customers I'll be back with Dish soon.

Please define "over 2 weeks"? Are we talking months or years over 2 weeks? Because if you signed up 2 weeks ago, you could have gotten the HR34 as a new subscriber for $99.

 

[Alan Gordon]

In fact, the retention rep told me that they have not given any discounts to any existing customers and he said that anyone who said otherwise was not telling the truth.

He said that since it just came out today, there will be no discounts, and when I mentioned that people are reporting that they are getting discounts, he stated that he was monitoring dbstalk.com (he spelled the site out for me) and that he knows for a fact that the people on here are "reporting untruths".

Quite an interesting conversation. Needless to say, I wasn't happy about it.

It must be the same CSR I spoke to years ago, as it sounds remarkably like what I was told then.

~Alan

 

[markrogo]

I just spoke with a regular CSR and then a retention rep and was told both times that there is no discount for existing customers. (I have had Directv for 5+ years)

In fact, the retention rep told me that they have not given any discounts to any existing customers and he said that anyone who said otherwise was not telling the truth.

He said that since it just came out today, there will be no discounts, and when I mentioned that people are reporting that they are getting discounts, he stated that he was monitoring dbstalk.com (he spelled the site out for me) and that he knows for a fact that the people on here are "reporting untruths".

Quite an interesting conversation. Needless to say, I wasn't happy about it.

Right, multiple people with long histories on a forum would come lie about getting a discount... Their motivation for that would be what, exactly? :lol: :eek2: :nono2:

As for those of you who explained to me for months that no one would get it for $99, let me know how to prepare the crow.

 

[dsw2112]

As for those of you who explained to me for months that no one would get it for $99, let me know how to prepare the crow.

I was thinking the same thing when I started reading the reports :lol:

I think some even mentioned that it would never be discounted beyond $300...

 

[jonny4]

I have been with DirecTV since they launched in 1994, almost 18 years, I have been out of contract for almost 3 years and I pay for the Premier package. They basically insulted me, they wanted $647 for the HR-34, 1 HD Reciever, the swim upgrade, install charges and some internet kit, which I don't think I need but they do and trading in my old receivers. No offense but being out of contract for as long as I have and being with them for 18 years should get a little more respect. When I called in 3 weeks ago and was told at that time to call back today I was told they would discount for a person of my account standing. Gratz to the people who did get discounts and good luck to those trying, for the first time ever I am thinking of going to dish and getting the hopper when it comes out instead, at least they have BBC America in HD.