[Ken S]

I think this is a new page on the DirecTV website. You can get to it by a small link entitled "commitments" on their main page (it may have links from other locations as well).

I also noticed a much more complete sign about the terms of DirecTV's lease program at Costco the other day. The first line in big, bold letters being "At no time will you Own this receiver" (or something similar).

While we can argue that ETFs and the lease program are good/bad it is a much needed and positive step that DirecTV is making the terms of business better known.

Here's the link:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/globa....14_A&_DAV=5&_dynSessConf=4031039268804901536

 

[CJTE]

DVR Service Fee $5.99/mo per DVR If you select a DVR or HD DVR, the cost is $5.99/mo per receiver.

Interesting.

 

[DodgerKing]

Interesting.

I always thought the one DVR fee was good on all receivers? I am only paying one fee for all of my DVRs. This is either a posting/typing mistake or they are about the change this fee. The latter would not surprise me since every other company charges per receiver.

 

[CJTE]

I always thought the one DVR fee was good on all receivers? I am only paying one fee for all of my DVRs. This is either a posting/typing mistake or they are about the change this fee. The latter would not surprise me since every other company charges per receiver.

The way DirecTV has it set up now, 1 DVR fee covers all DVR's on the account. It would seem as though there is a slip up on the website, OR, maybe they're converting to DISH style and we're going to get charged for every individual DVR, which will break people like me, and Tom Robertson.

 

[convem24]

It might be a slip up. My bill still shows $5.99 monthly DVR fee, no per box DVR fees.

 

[junkhead]

The way DirecTV has it set up now, 1 DVR fee covers all DVR's on the account. It would seem as though there is a slip up on the website, OR, maybe they're converting to DISH style and we're going to get charged for every individual DVR, which will break people like me, and Tom Robertson.

The contract has actually read that way for some time. That verbiage that's in there is nothing new. I think they put it in there so that have the right to start charging that fee at any time.

 

[CJTE]

The contract has actually read that way for some time. That verbiage that's in there is nothing new. I think they put it in there so that have the right to start charging that fee at any time.

Yup.
We had a discussion, I think 2 weeks ago, about that verbiage being in the contract. I know the words aren't new, but its popped up in a new place.

That also makes me think... They're gonna get a crapload of calls from DVR customers who see that and think they're being overcharged.

 

[gfrang]

Deactivation Fee $15 I didn't know you had to pay extra to leave.Or is that to shut off a receiver?

 

[CJTE]

Deactivation Fee $15 I didn't know you had to pay extra to leave.Or is that to shut off a receiver?

They may charge up to $15 to deactivate a service/receiver, but they dont.

 

[jimb726]

Actually I think this is great, it seems that one of the biggest complaints that we see is that people claim they were not told something or that the contract wasnt explained to the clearly. Now there is no excuse at all for not knowing exactly what the contract says.

 

[spartanstew]

Yup.

That also makes me think... They're gonna get a crapload of calls from DVR customers who see that and think they're being overcharged.

Wouldn't the DVR customers think they're being undercharged after reading it?

People don't usually call for that.

 

[Upstream]

If the summary identifies multiple charges that don't exist in reality, then lot's of people will still be confused about what they should be charged.

 

[RobertE]

One small changed I'd like to see made is how owned/leased receivers are show. Currently leased receivers show up as:

Leased Receiver - Charge $4.99

Owned are:

Additional Receiver - Charge $4.99

It would be nice, and at least IMHO, be much easier to understand if they showed up as:

Additional Receiver - Leased - Charge $4.99
Additional Receiver - Owned - Charge $4.99

Then maybe some of the endless debate about lease fees will die down. I know it's a pipe dream, but I can dream can't I?

 

[MIAMI1683]

Interesting.

If they would start charging a "per" DVR fee. I would get down to 2, and return two boxes. It was one of the things I really thought was a fair deal. 1 fee for the whole acct. Even if they do "change" thier policy and start charging the fee. Would the "grandfatherd" people still get charged, or would we keep it the way it is untill we change or package?:nono2:

 

[Thaedron]

So this would mean that if someone has (2) HD DVRs that they would be charged as follows:

For their package of choice (which includes receiver #1)
a DVR fee for receiver #1 $5.99
an additional receiver fee for receiver #2 $4.99
a DVR fee for receiver #2 $5.99

?????

I hope this is a typo or other mistake, or they are simply considering raising the $4.99 lease/mirroring fee up to $5.99.

I would seriously reconsider my options if DirecTV maintains an up front "purchase" ($199.00 MSRP) price for a leased HD DVR and then charges $11 (ok $10.98) per month for the second and subsequent DVRs in the household.

With 4 DVRs in the house, This would be an $18/mo price increase. Not exactly the direction DirecTV should be going in a shaky economy.

 

[msmith]

Once they get to their future direction - one DVR per house with satellite non-DVR receivers able to use MRV to see the programs, a fee per DVR will make sense. If you need two DVRs because you watch/record that much stuff, you'll probably pay the extra $6.99.

Today? No - it doesn't make sense.

If you consider that the DVR costs more to manufacture and support than a non-DVR receiver, it does make some financial sense (to DirecTV) to charge more per DVR. Of course, they're getting a lot of that upfront in the insane "lease fee" at installation.

Having said that, if DirecTV starts charging me another $6.95 for the 2nd DVR, it goes back and gets replaced by a non-DVR receiver.

 

[Upstream]

So this would mean that if someone has (2) HD DVRs that they would be charged as follows:

For their package of choice (which includes receiver #1)
a DVR fee for receiver #1 $5.99
an additional receiver fee for receiver #2 $4.99
a DVR fee for receiver #2 $5.99

?????

Actually according to the contract and lease addendum you signed, they could charge you the following for a 2 leased DVR setup:

$4.99 Additional TV Authorization Fee for receiver #2
$4.99 Monthly Lease Fee for receiver #2
$5.99 DVR Fee for receiver #1
$5.99 DVR Fee for receiver #2

There is nothing in the customer agreements which indicate that if you pay the Lease Fee then you don't have to pay the Additional TV Authorization Fee. And the contracts clearly indicate that the fees are for two different things: the lease fee is for leasing the equipment; the Additional TV Authorization Fee is for mirroring programming.

 

[msmith]

I wonder if this leaves them open to a lawsuit based on the fact that there are charges in the agreement that aren't advertised.

For example, if they started charging both the lease fee and mirroring fee on the same receiver. Their advertising and csr's are certainly not telling people it would be charged that way.

 

[Upstream]

I don't think there is a problem with charging the fees in the agreement, unless the CSRs and advertising are saying those fees won't be charged.

If the CSRs and advertising are telling people that they will only be charged one fee, and DirecTV suddenly started charging both, then I think they could have some problems.

But if DirecTV notfied their customers that effective some date that they would be charged both fees (effectvely a rate increase), then I think that is clearly covered by the agreement.

 

[Drew2k]

For 6 DVRs with DIRECTV I currently pay $30.94 ($5.99* + 5 x $4.99). *Assuming DVR fee is not included in a base package.

If DIRECTV goes to a service fee per DVR, that would jump up to $60.89 (5 x $4.99 + 6 x $5.99) just for mirror and service fees.

Cablevision currently charges $6.50 per each cable box (DVR or not), with no first receiver "free". They also charge $9.95 per household for the DVR Service, and $1.50 per household for Premium programming on additional outlets (ie, if you have 2 or more cable boxes).

For 6 DVRs with Cablevision, I would have to pay $50.45 ($9.95 + $1.50 + 6 x $6.50).

If DIRECTV ever considered charging a per-DVR service fee, I would seriously have to consider switching providers ...