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Possible trade-up to HR34??

7894 Views 30 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  mark40511
I'm just now finishing up my 1st year back with Direct and thinking about what would make it better for me from a recording management point of view.

Currently I have 3 HR24's, 2 of which are located in my AV rack that are under my complete control. Managing series and other recordings is a bit of a PITA since I have to switch the remote for one or the other and also switch the input to the AVR so I can set recordings.

For broadcast it is simple, 2 of them solely on one, the other 2 solely on the other. For the 'cable' type channels not so easy. It is a relatively major irritation.

I would like to take out the 2 HR24s and swap to one HR34, but I don't want to have to sell the farm to do it. Last time I talked to D* about it, the offer from them was horrid. $399 for the HR34, $50 install, and $50 upgrade fee. That will never happen with me as I would just switch if it became that important.

As I see it, I don't have much leverage since I'm still under contract and I'm not offering them anything that adds to my bill. But then again, I've got the Everything package and that should have some bearing as well as I'm on CC autopay and no bill has been paid late or any other financial issues.

Any suggestions as to how to get one in a swap type deal for much, and I do mean MUCH less than what has been offered a number of months ago?
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"lparsons21" said:
I'm just now finishing up my 1st year back with Direct and thinking about what would make it better for me from a recording management point of view.

Currently I have 3 HR24's, 2 of which are located in my AV rack that are under my complete control. Managing series and other recordings is a bit of a PITA since I have to switch the remote for one or the other and also switch the input to the AVR so I can set recordings.

For broadcast it is simple, 2 of them solely on one, the other 2 solely on the other. For the 'cable' type channels not so easy. It is a relatively major irritation.

I would like to take out the 2 HR24s and swap to one HR34, but I don't want to have to sell the farm to do it. Last time I talked to D* about it, the offer from them was horrid. $399 for the HR34, $50 install, and $50 upgrade fee. That will never happen with me as I would just switch if it became that important.

As I see it, I don't have much leverage since I'm still under contract and I'm not offering them anything that adds to my bill. But then again, I've got the Everything package and that should have some bearing as well as I'm on CC autopay and no bill has been paid late or any other financial issues.

Any suggestions as to how to get one in a swap type deal for much, and I do mean MUCH less than what has been offered a number of months ago?
More than likely you can call and see what you qualify for. Every account is different so no one but an employee looking at your account can tell you. If you are outside of your first year as a returning customer, that is typically when your account is eligible for an upgrade...
Good to know, thanks for the info. Guess I'll wait the month and find out then.
I'm not even under contract any longer and here is what they are telling me. So roughly $647 and that's just replacing one box and continuing to use my other DVR's. Ridiculous.


The HR34 receiver is the next generation HD DVR, which you can get for the upgrade fee of*$399 *plus applicable tax. Since Whole Home DVR Service is required, an*additional $199* fee applies. This covers all necessary hardware additions and replacements as needed to network your existing receivers.

Due to the complexity of the advanced receiver's installation process, standard professional installation is required. This will be included in your work order for*$49*. Our customers who engage a pro typically have fewer technical concerns after installation. Furthermore, if you already have a broadband Internet service, you may also be eligible to include the Cinema Connection Kit (coax) for free with this upgrade (valued at $99.00 on a regular basis).

This offer is available for a limited time only and if you accept, it will include a*programming agreement of 24 months*. Additionally, $3 monthly fee applies for the Whole Home DVR Service.
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Dmclone: What equipment/receivers do you have now?
dpeters11 said:
Dmclone: What equipment/receivers do you have now?
HR20, HR20, and HR 22. I planned on trashing one of the HR20's and replacing it with an HR34.
I certainly don't think you should have to pay the Whole Home upgrade fee and installation on top of it. You would need a SWM16, those sell online for $279, so not really cheaper to do it yourself.
SWM16's aren't that expensive, you can pick them up on eBay for around $70 bucks brand new with PI & 2 8-way splitters. Example
dmclone said:
I'm not even under contract any longer and here is what they are telling me. So roughly $647 and that's just replacing one box and continuing to use my other DVR's. Ridiculous.

The HR34 receiver is the next generation HD DVR, which you can get for the upgrade fee of*$399 *plus applicable tax. Since Whole Home DVR Service is required, an*additional $199* fee applies. This covers all necessary hardware additions and replacements as needed to network your existing receivers.

Due to the complexity of the advanced receiver's installation process, standard professional installation is required. This will be included in your work order for*$49*. Our customers who engage a pro typically have fewer technical concerns after installation. Furthermore, if you already have a broadband Internet service, you may also be eligible to include the Cinema Connection Kit (coax) for free with this upgrade (valued at $99.00 on a regular basis).

This offer is available for a limited time only and if you accept, it will include a*programming agreement of 24 months*. Additionally, $3 monthly fee applies for the Whole Home DVR Service.
This sounds like an email message from cyber customer service. I recommend that you actually call customer service that has access to special promotions and offers as well.

lparsons21 said:
Good to know, thanks for the info. Guess I'll wait the month and find out then.
No problem. If I can be of any other assistance feel free to let me know.
Sim-X said:
SWM16's aren't that expensive, you can pick them up on eBay for around $70 bucks brand new with PI & 2 8-way splitters. Example
I was going by Solid Signal's price, not eBay.
Sim-X said:
SWM16's aren't that expensive, you can pick them up on eBay for around $70 bucks brand new with PI & 2 8-way splitters. Example
Yup. Just got the SWM16, 29V PI and 2 8-ways about a week ago for $59 + $12 shipping on ebay.

EDIT: It was actually on $54.99 + $12.00 shipping
I'm in email negotiations with D* for a swap out of 2 of my HR24s to an HR34. So far we haven't come up with a price I'm willing to pay although they have offered a somewhat decent price, but then negotiations are not over yet.

But one question for those that have done the upgrade/swap. Do they just add it to the next billing or take the money at time of order? The reason I ask is that I use a very low limit CC for all my bill paying and make sure it is funded for whatever I need whenever it is needed, but I keep available cash in it at a very low amount so that a billing glitch doesn't end up with me getting hosed.
I believe they normally charge when the order is placed, or possibly when it is shipped. I am fairly certain they won't add it on your next month's bill.
Thanks. That will let me plan accordingly.
I called in the other day to ask about getting an HR34 and was quoted $399, when I said this wasn't good enough he then quoted me $299, still not good enough so I thanked him for his time and hung up.

I'm a 5 year customer with 2 HR2X boxes and whole home service. I'm under contract until mid 2013 because I just upgraded my old SD DVR upstairs to one of the HR boxes last year.
Keep trying, but it definitely helps if you are out-of-contract. I was for over a year and I got it for $99 plus free installation (they said $49, but never charged me for it). Call in, get a nice person and see what happens.
Well, after a couple emails, D* called me to talk about trade-up. Actually offered a fairly good deal if I needed more tuners. But since it was really nothing more than a convenience upgrade, to control recordings easier, I didn't think the price was one I wanted to pay.

So it looks like I won't be doing it at this time. Thanks to those that responded.
They are offering the HR34 to new customers for only $99. Crazy what they do for new customers, but long time existing customers usually do not get much. If you are out of contract, you might be able to talk them into the $99, but might take a few calls.

Also, make sure you are going to the retention department. DTV has changed their phone system recently. When you say cancel, you still go to regular CSRs, not the retention/cancelation department. And when you ask the CSR if they are the retention department, expect them to lie to you. Seems DTV does not want their customers getting to the retention department unless you really want to cancel service.
KsBillsFan said:
They are offering the HR34 to new customers for only $99. Crazy what they do for new customers, but long time existing customers usually do not get much. If you are out of contract, you might be able to talk them into the $99, but might take a few calls.

Also, make sure you are going to the retention department. DTV has changed their phone system recently. When you say cancel, you still go to regular CSRs, not the retention/cancelation department. And when you ask the CSR if they are the retention department, expect them to lie to you. Seems DTV does not want their customers getting to the retention department unless you really want to cancel service.
Saying long time existing customers don't get much is utter nonsense.

Why does everyone get butt hurt when they offer things to attract new customers?? They do plenty for existing customers.

I am a long time customer, 12+ years. I get a significant discount on Sunday Ticket every year. I just called in last week, to see what they can do to help cut my bill down. They did the following:

-Offered me Sunday Ticket with MAX for half price - $24.99 for 6 months.
- $30/mo credit for the next 12 months
- $15/mo credit for the next 6 months
- Whole Home Service upgrade, including switching out a SD receiver with a HD DVR. No charge for all parts and installation.

So......$450 worth of credits, $150 discounted off of ST, parts and installation (including replacing a SD DVR with an HD DVR) saving me at least a couple hundred more.

If you are an existing customer they will help you out. It helps to not be in a contract, but even if you are they will help you out.
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