hd tivo MAJOR price drop today

[Richard Chalk]

OK... A few questions I hope you can help me with...

1. What is the best legitimate deal you can get now for an HD TiVo...

By "legitimate", I mean not having to call retention and pretend that you are going to leave if you don't get a good deal?

2. Can I output to a regular SDTV?

Reason I want to do this is I plan on hooking up the high def outputs to the co-located HDTV (or future HDTV :D )... In the meantime, I want to take the RCA outputs and add it to my RF modulation distribution box and feed my other household TVs...

Can I do this?

You don't have to threaten or pretend. Just explain to them that you understand there is a special offer on the HR10-250, and you would like to buy one at the special price. You should get $299 less $100 rebate. Other program discounts may also be available - just ask nicely if they have any promotional offers on programming.

The programming specials are not a cost - they are given with the expectation that you will like the programs and continue them after the special pricing ends.

As for the technical part, yes you can. The HD TiVo has composite, S-Video, and Component as well as HDMI. The only catch is that the Composite and S-Video outputs are only active when the mode is set to 480i, and disappear when selecting the HD modes.

[newsposter]

Am I missing something? I have a triple LNB with a multiswitch already on the house. Would I need installation? If so, what for?

DTV would tell you that they need to install it. It's so stupid it's not funny for a pure switchout with all the right hardware already. They told me I can't do self install because of warranty issues and stupid stuff like that.

[MikeekiM]

You don't have to threaten or pretend. Just explain to them that you understand there is a special offer on the HR10-250, and you would like to buy one at the special price. You should get $299 less $100 rebate. Other program discounts may also be available - just ask nicely if they have any promotional offers on programming.

The programming specials are not a cost - they are given with the expectation that you will like the programs and continue them after the special pricing ends.

As for the technical part, yes you can. The HD TiVo has composite, S-Video, and Component as well as HDMI. The only catch is that the Composite and S-Video outputs are only active when the mode is set to 480i, and disappear when selecting the HD modes.

Fantastic... Wow... $199 after rebate is quite a deal... I'll have to look into that!

On top of the hardware discount, you make mention of programming specials...are those also something I should expect/ask for?

Thanks!

[Guindalf]

It seems to be a matter of how much they like you as to what you can get. They will check your account and see what level of programming you have, how long you've been a customer, if you're payments are on time - stuff like that. I got $5 off the HD package for 6 months plus a choice of ALL the movie and sports channels for two months or Showtime for 6 month - I chose the former.

As for the guy asking about a 'legitimate' deal, there is absolutely no need to threaten to leave. I told the guy I spoke to (Jordan) that I'd read about the deal on the forum and wondered what they could offer me. In fact we laughed about those on this forum who ended up with less than they might have got if they'd been nice in the first place!!


Good luck and happy hunting!

[abruchis]

In talking with DirecTV about something else I had three different people tell me that if I purchased the new HD-Tivo that it would be compatable with any new hardware/channels released in the future.
I find that hard to believe, but then again, they have always been good about honoring agreements in the past. So if its not, i figure I can get a reasonable upgrade.

One other question i havent found a clear answer on. If i get locals OTA only for a bit, does the Tivo record the OTA feed?

Since I'm in the Atlanta market, we should be getting HD locals via Sat before the end of the year, but I would really love to be able to watch House and The West Wing in HD..

Thanks a heap!

Fantastic... Wow... $199 after rebate is quite a deal... I'll have to look into that!

On top of the hardware discount, you make mention of programming specials...are those also something I should expect/ask for?

Thanks!

[Guindalf]

I was told that there would be a free upgrade to MP4 equipment when it is necessary.

I'm also in the Atlanta feed area (too far away for OTA programming), so I can't wait for D* to offer it. But the answer to your question is yes, you can record OTA programming with the HDTiVo box. :up:

[abruchis]

Thanks for the info, although I'm far more loyal to Tivo than DirecTV I'll probably just have to chance it.

As much as i disliked my time with Comcast, when their DVR comes out, I'll probably jump ship unless the DTV DVR is amazing, which i admit i kinda doubt.



I was told that there would be a free upgrade to MP4 equipment when it is necessary.

I'm also in the Atlanta feed area (too far away for OTA programming), so I can't wait for D* to offer it. But the answer to your question is yes, you can record OTA programming with the HDTiVo box. :up:

[surfmaui03]

I ve been lurking here for the last month, and just wanted to thank everyone for the info on the hdtivo deal. Got it hooked up on labor day, without any hitches.
This forum is great.

thanks again!!

[ken_kimg]

Here's an experience from an 'already-own-one-HDTivo' guy; I already have one HDTivo, purchased Jul '04 and tried my luck this morning on a 2nd:

After cking my records, the very nice rep offered a 2nd unit at the going $299 - $100 rebate, to be sent in mail.

When i brought up my internet buddies had been extended courtesy services of free 6 mo. Sho $2 HBO, she said she could do the Showtime but not the HBO (already rec'd that discount previously). So...put on credit card up front $299 + $14 some-kind-of-fee + tax = $329 tot.

She said install dates are 6 days a week, so set it up for Sat Oct 1, morning (8-12 timeframe).

Asked can I just do my own installation, and she said no, techie had to do it. Since already have one HD Tivo and don't have the wiring ready for 2nd one, asked can i just use the wires to existing HDTivo for the new one and she said yes. She asked what was i gonna do with the old unit and I said as soon as i have the wires, would reconnect in same room.

She said antenna and standard installation were included. Since I already have antenna, told her I might need two more wires installed from attic; she said that might cost extra.

They give you an order# and installation ph# to call for questions/ cancellation. She said you can cancel with no penalty, up to install date. Two year svc. commitment.

Called back later to ask for more discounts. 2nd rep said they would include 2-wire install from my multiplexer, AND $10 off bill for next 6 months. Also reaffirmed this second unit is eligible for whatever is necessary to upgrade to the coming Mpeg4 new system.

Needless to say, i'm satisfied...

[tsmith167]

Thanks to this forum I purchased a HD DVR today. This was my deal.

Free superfan
5.00 credit per month for 1 year for total choice plus
first 3 months of HD programming for free
free off air antenna
299.00-100 rebate

dvr fee goes to 5.99 and 2 year committment required.

[ddockery]

Wow, it took 35 minutes but my order is in for Thursday. First he told me I can't get locals - then I explained that I just needed the second dish. I was in the system as Chicago and it still worked so I hadn't bothered to change it. Next I explained that my current Series one box can't handle the locals - they offered to replace it, but I have 20+ movies waiting on there plus it's upgraded, so I kept it for now. Then he asked if I wanted that box moved - I explained that I want them both in the Living Room and he said that I can't do that - so I finally told him I could relocate it myself. It was a frustrating call - but at least I got in on the $299 deal with the $100 rebate. I didn't ask for other discounts, but I'm sure the install will go bad as I have 2 separate work orders, so I'll go for the freebies when I call back about that.

[newsposter]

Then he asked if I wanted that box moved - I explained that I want them both in the Living Room and he said that I can't do that - so I finally told him I could relocate it myself.

that's one of the funniest things I've heard on here yet. I would have had to grill him and ask him why not? why am i forbidden from 2 tivos in my own house? What is the logic behind it. Would have been an interesting but frustrating call for sure. Wonder what his supervisor would say.

I wonder if these people even use their own product half the time and realize the potential needs of customers. Probably not.

[mobouser]

Hi I am new to this forum and recently took advantage of the promo on the hd tivo unit. I have been a member of directv since 1998 and had no trouble in getting the special with extras. I do have a question about the rebate since it says on the rebate form that you agree to a two year commit and details, so if you don't send the rebate in technically are you locked in for two years.Thanks for information. Paul D.

[bear_brian]

I would like to sincerely thank the many members of this forum who have shared their experiences with customer retention. I called today, and was amazed at what I was presented:

$ 349 HD DVR for free ($ 249 credit + $ 100 MIR
$ 99 HD receiver for a credit of $ 20 per month for six months - in essence I make $ 21
Upgrade to my satellite dish
Multiplexer, switch or whatever is needed
Hook up of my current SD TiVo receiver in another room of my house
All cabling
All installation

The lady in customer retention could not have been nicer. I explained to her that I had called yesterday, talked to a CSR and a manager and the best they would do was $ 698 for all of the above. She told me that my ten years with DirecTV was valued and that this was their way of showing me appreciation. Wow!

[brad639]

SWEET...

Well i called one time and got some stingy guy, Only offered the DVR for 299 plus rebate..


Then I called back and got a nice sweet lady and turned on the charm:

ended up with 299 satellite
Free off air antenna
3 month HD programming discount
and Free superfan...


Thank you board!!!! I was saving up money to pay the full 500 next month for the DVR with no extras,
Now I get to get it a month early with some extras
WOO HOO!!!!!

[smak]

Well, i finally took advantage of this to get my 2nd Hd-Tivo.

I got the $299-100 rebate
$10 off 6 months of HBO
$5 off 12 months of Total Choice
Free showtime for 6 months.

I signed up for Sunday Ticket and Superfan. Couldn't get superfan at a discount, but the programming discounts will cover it. Although, i think i could have gotten that without getting anything additional.

Not the best of the deals, but not bad. Install is this Sunday, so that worked out fine.

Of course, the install will consist of me going downstairs and grabbing the box, since everything is already set up.

-smak-

[BigTuna]

FYI

The installer won't just give you the box, they are required to make sure it is working on all sats before they leave.

[Anubys]

FYI

The installer won't just give you the box, they are required to make sure it is working on all sats before they leave.

My installer came at 8 PM (he was due between 8 AM and Noon), I took the box from him and kicked him out...he didn't say a peep...

[Mark W]

Thanks everyone for the info. I got:

$299 - $100 rebate + $50 for antenna. I actually already have an antenna that I temporarily put up in the yard, but the $50 is worth it for me for a real installation.
$5 off HD package for 6 months

I'm happy because currently in the room, I have both a SD Tivo and an HD receiver. I'll be able to ebay those for about $200 on ebay, and I'll save $5 per month by having one less receiver. My problem is though that I have always been able to only pick up the 101 and 119 sats with two separate dishes because of trees. This was no big deal until recently because there wasn't that much on 110, but now ESPN-HD and others have moved there. So, I told the guy on the phone that I need to have the dish moved. Told him to make sure he put that on the work order because I didn't want to fight with the installer when he comes. He said he could put in a dish relocation order, but that would cost me $49! I said no. He finally said that he would put on the order that it may require a relocation of the dish.

So, I know now that I am in for a fight with the installer when he comes :mad: .

[newsposter]

. He finally said that he would put on the order that it may require a relocation of the dish.

So, I know now that I am in for a fight with the installer when he comes :mad: .

relocation should not be a big deal. Even my crappy installer (that never did the job) wasn't giving me hassle about moving my dish, he merely said I had no site to the 110 and 119.

I got the 101 and 110 in myself in the exact old location. so are you sure those aren't the 2 you are getting? The experts can chime in but my understanding is if you can get the 119 and 101, by default you can get the 110. I may be wrong of course.

I have the problem with 119 being too low and to the west at my exact current mounting point.

good luck!

[ljauss]

So here's a question.

I'm about to move into a new house, and will likely get an HDTV in the next 6months or so. HOWEVER this is a really great deal. How would you all play it with DTV?

Would you not tell them you don't have an HDTV?
Would you wait for another deal?

[Anubys]

So here's a question.

I'm about to move into a new house, and will likely get an HDTV in the next 6months or so. HOWEVER this is a really great deal. How would you all play it with DTV?

Would you not tell them you don't have an HDTV?
Would you wait for another deal?

I don't know if I was just a moron, but I couldn't start my HD-Tivo for the first time without an HDTV...by default, the HD-Tivo outputs to the HDMI...you can't tell it to output to the S-video because you can't see the screens to navigate to that...it was a catch-22...my new HDTV came two days later and I was able to set everything up...

so, unless I just missed something obvious, you can't set-up your HD-Tivo without first connecting it to an HDTV...

plus, this deal comes with strings attached, isn't one of the strings that you subscribe to the HD package? I didn't ask since I already subscribe...but it might be something to ask...

[chengka]

I don't know if I was just a moron, but I couldn't start my HD-Tivo for the first time without an HDTV...by default, the HD-Tivo outputs to the HDMI...you can't tell it to output to the S-video because you can't see the screens to navigate to that...it was a catch-22...my new HDTV came two days later and I was able to set everything up...

so, unless I just missed something obvious, you can't set-up your HD-Tivo without first connecting it to an HDTV...

.

Saw this at the top of this page. I hope you change resolution without menus!

"As for the technical part, yes you can. The HD TiVo has composite, S-Video, and Component as well as HDMI. The only catch is that the Composite and S-Video outputs are only active when the mode is set to 480i, and disappear when selecting the HD modes."

[ljauss]

"As for the technical part, yes you can. The HD TiVo has composite, S-Video, and Component as well as HDMI. The only catch is that the Composite and S-Video outputs are only active when the mode is set to 480i, and disappear when selecting the HD modes."[/QUOTE]


So, knowing that, should I get in on the deal before I get the HDTV, or is that just dumb for now?

[Anubys]

Saw this at the top of this page. I hope you change resolution without menus!

"As for the technical part, yes you can. The HD TiVo has composite, S-Video, and Component as well as HDMI. The only catch is that the Composite and S-Video outputs are only active when the mode is set to 480i, and disappear when selecting the HD modes."

yes, I know that...you do it by just pressing the up-arrow on your remote...very easy...but this only works if the HD-Tivo already went through the initial setup, you've entered the commands when it asked you (e.g. zip code, type of dish...etc.)...you can't enter the proper commands if you can't see the screen, and you can't see the screen if you don't have the unit connected through the HDMI port...

see the problem?

[TheRatPatrol]

yes, I know that...you do it by just pressing the up-arrow on your remote...very easy...but this only works if the HD-Tivo already went through the initial setup, you've entered the commands when it asked you (e.g. zip code, type of dish...etc.)...you can't enter the proper commands if you can't see the screen, and you can't see the screen if you don't have the unit connected through the HDMI port...

see the problem?

Wait a second, what if you don't have an HDMI input on your tv, then what?

[kbellve]

Wait a second, what if you don't have an HDMI input on your tv, then what?

Component...

I believe I had my HD Directv receiver installed before my HDTV projector was installed, but I had a normal HDTV receiver and not the HD Tivo version. I later installed my projector and screen. I don't remember the installer having problems with me not having a HDTV at the time.

[Dick Kalagher]

yes, I know that...you do it by just pressing the up-arrow on your remote...very easy...but this only works if the HD-Tivo already went through the initial setup, you've entered the commands when it asked you (e.g. zip code, type of dish...etc.)...you can't enter the proper commands if you can't see the screen, and you can't see the screen if you don't have the unit connected through the HDMI port...

see the problem?

I st mine up no problem without an HDMI port on my TV. I did use component.

[alexcue]

I just used the button on the front of the unit to change to 480i

not that difficult and you can do that without going into the menus

[BillAndMichelle]

Thanks to everyone for the info here about the 299 deal. I just called retention and asked nicely and received:
HD DVR for $299 minus $100 MIR
6 months SHO and HBO for $2/month each
$5 off per month for the HD package
Install included
I didn't fight the $15 S/H charge... for this deal I can eat that.

I asked about Locals in HD since I receive them now in SD. The CSR told me I'd have to wait until activated and then they will send out waiver requests to the networks. I live 80 miles away from Minneapolis so I don't think I'll have a chance at picking them up OTA.

I asked about exchanging the HD DVR for an MPEG2 box when available but she didn't know anything about that - she just generically said D* typically offers some type of upgrade plan as technology changes.

This will be my first HD experience - I am picking up my first HD TV tomorrow - 32" Sony LCD.

This forum has helped me *immensely*. Thank you to everyone. I saved a ton of money and gained the confidence that going HD is the right decision.

Thanks.

Bill

[psusteeler4life]

Hi there, I had a quick question for any of you that could provide some insight. I am new to the whole TIVO thing so sorry if this comes off as naive at all. Anyways, I ordered the Directv HD TIVO DVR under the 199 deal and she explained to me I need it hooked up to a phone line. It is going to be quite a challenege to be able to run a phone line to where the unit is in my wall unit. I recall reading somewhere that you might be able to use it my just initially plugging it into a phone line? Is this the case and if so are there any pitfulls or any alternative suggestions any of you might have?

Incidentally, after much haggling I was able to get the 199 deal plus the Super Fan for free and 6 months of Showtime for free and 6 months of HBO for free.

Thanks for any help!

[Anubys]

I just used the button on the front of the unit to change to 480i

not that difficult and you can do that without going into the menus

see? I told you I was a moron...I knew there had to be a simple way, I just couldn't think of it...

as for the guy who doesn't have an HDMI, do you have DVI? the HD-Tivo comes with an HDMI to DVI cable...

your next best choice is component, as another poster suggested...

[Anubys]

Hi there, I had a quick question for any of you that could provide some insight. I am new to the whole TIVO thing so sorry if this comes off as naive at all. Anyways, I ordered the Directv HD TIVO DVR under the 199 deal and she explained to me I need it hooked up to a phone line. It is going to be quite a challenege to be able to run a phone line to where the unit is in my wall unit. I recall reading somewhere that you might be able to use it my just initially plugging it into a phone line? Is this the case and if so are there any pitfulls or any alternative suggestions any of you might have?

Incidentally, after much haggling I was able to get the 199 deal plus the Super Fan for free and 6 months of Showtime for free and 6 months of HBO for free.

Thanks for any help!

yes, you need the phone for the initial setup (some people who don't have phones go to a friend's house to do it)...after that, you just get an annoying message every once in a while that you need to make the "daily" call (it's not daily anymore)...

You also need the phone when a new software version is available...the software is downloaded via the dish but is not activated until the phone call...I think you also need the phone for some PPV (don't quote me on that)...if you come to this forum, you'll know when new software is out...

what I do for the one receiver that is not close to a phone jack: I have a very long line attached to the back of the unit...about once a month, I plug it across the room, force the call (you can tell it to make the call now) and let it do its thing...no big deal...

oh, and welcome to the forum! :up:

[Mark W]

relocation should not be a big deal. Even my crappy installer (that never did the job) wasn't giving me hassle about moving my dish, he merely said I had no site to the 110 and 119.

I got the 101 and 110 in myself in the exact old location. so are you sure those aren't the 2 you are getting? The experts can chime in but my understanding is if you can get the 119 and 101, by default you can get the 110. I may be wrong of course.

I have the problem with 119 being too low and to the west at my exact current mounting point.

good luck!

Well,

I hope it won't be a problem to relocate, but whenever anyone has come from DirecTV, there is always a problem! I am sure it's the 110 I'm not gettting because I get my SD locals from 119. As I said I have two dishes pointed separately that feed into a multiswitch in the basement. The problem is that the new dish location is going to have to be pole mounted about 100 feet from where the mutliswitch is in the basement. I will already have the pole in when he gets there, and I will even bury the wire myself If I need to. I know he'll still give a stink though, it's always the way.

[jmgonzalez]

Damn, and I just paid $1,300 to buy my 2 new HD DVR's in the past 2 months (including the last one that I bought from Value Electronics).

I've put in my email request to DTV to have them look at my situation and hopefully offer some credits of some sort.

Quoting myself just now.

Got off of the phone with Retention and a supervisor.

They offered an additional $120 credit off of my second box and they even put a note in my account that I can call in for a $299 HD DVR in the future.

So, I paid $599 for the first HD DVR in July - received $250 in credit.
I then paid $549 for the second HD DVR in August - received $120 in credit now.
I also received 3 months of FREE HD programming - $30

I paid $1300 (I won't even count tax on the first one), and received $400 in DTV credit. On top of that, add the $100 mail in rebate for the second receiver, and my out of pocket cost is around $800.

Take it with a grain of salt, but the supervisor effectively said to me:

We'll take care of you with free replacement of equipment once MPEG4 arrives
150 national HD channels by end of the year, including TNT and USA

[Dssturbo1]

hey markw,

just make sure your pole mount is solid and most importantly that it is plumb/level and of course has a clear line of sight to the sats in the sky.

the new phase 3 dish has a built in internal multiswitch that combines all three lnbs then out to the 4 outputs, so unless you need more than 4 lines you will not need your multiswitch. IF you do need more than 4 lines make sure your multiswitch if used is cascadeable. If you need more than 4 lines the dtv/installer should have a multiswitch for you anyway. the hr10-250 takes 2 not sure what other receivers you have.
good luck with the install

to jmg...

everyone beleives they will work out swaps and take care of the mpeg4 needs when that arrives.
BUT there will not be 150 National HD channels by years end. maybe Local LIL HD, but not 150 national HD by this year end.

[Jack Stoddard]

:) Boy am I glad that I joined this site today, you guys just saved me big bucks! I was waiting for the installers to arrive and found your site, the rest is history. I have to wait 35 days for credit card refund on first deal was which was for $712. before rebate. Now it's $337 plus rebate.

[Mark W]

hey markw,

just make sure your pole mount is solid and most importantly that it is plumb/level and of course has a clear line of sight to the sats in the sky.

the new phase 3 dish has a built in internal multiswitch that combines all three lnbs then out to the 4 outputs, so unless you need more than 4 lines you will not need your multiswitch. IF you do need more than 4 lines make sure your multiswitch if used is cascadeable. If you need more than 4 lines the dtv/installer should have a multiswitch for you anyway. the hr10-250 takes 2 not sure what other receivers you have.
good luck with the install

to jmg...

everyone beleives they will work out swaps and take care of the mpeg4 needs when that arrives.
BUT there will not be 150 National HD channels by years end. maybe Local LIL HD, but not 150 national HD by this year end.

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I do already have a 5x8 multiswitch because I have 3 DTivos now. I have been wondering whether or not mine is cascadable. Does anyone know if there is a way I can tell? I think I remember someone else posting somewhere that if the inputs are labeled specifically as 22mhz or something like that?

[Dssturbo1]

can you get the make and model of the m/s?
alot of the older multiswitches were not cascadeable, they were just meant to combine the different dishes/sat inputs.

Since you do need more than 4 outputs then DTV should know that and provide the MS for you free as part of the install. BUT always good to call in and make sure they put that on the install order to the installer so he will have it on the truck when he comes to do the job.

[newsposter]

see? I told you I was a moron...

owners manuals are wonderful things :)

[Anubys]

owners manuals are wonderful things :)

real men don't read manuals! they just plow ahead and figure it out as they go along... :p

[roboron]

Hi All,

I just called and go the following quotes:

"Jessica" quoted:
$299 + $100 rebate
$50 for antenna ($349 total)
Said she couldn't find any programming discounts

"David" quoted:
$299 + $100 rebate
$50 for antenna ($349 total)
6 months SHO and HBO for $2/month

I asked David specifically if he could find the $5 per month discount for the HD package and he said he couldn't.

Question: is the $50 antenna and $5 discount something I should hold out for and keep calling different people until they give in?

Thanks,

Ron

[kr8z1]

If it were me I'd hold out....that's what I did (held out for weeks) and I got even more credits than that. Here's what I got: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3213644#post3213644

[newsposter]

real men don't read manuals! they just plow ahead and figure it out as they go along... :p

Ok ok, I'll give you that. But honestly didn't you see the button on the front of the unit and hear it say....presssss meeeee? :)

[Jack Stoddard]

Can anyone please tell me how I go about getting my $100 mail in rebate, I don't see a card or anything in my paper work, the installer knew nothing about it? thanks.

[kr8z1]

They will mail it to you (I've heard of people receiving in about 1 week after install) or you can go here: http://www.directv.com/imagine/pdf/dvr_rebate_form.pdf

[Jack Stoddard]

Thank you kr8z1!

[TheRatPatrol]

Hi there, I had a quick question for any of you that could provide some insight. I am new to the whole TIVO thing so sorry if this comes off as naive at all. Anyways, I ordered the Directv HD TIVO DVR under the 199 deal and she explained to me I need it hooked up to a phone line. It is going to be quite a challenege to be able to run a phone line to where the unit is in my wall unit. I recall reading somewhere that you might be able to use it my just initially plugging it into a phone line? Is this the case and if so are there any pitfulls or any alternative suggestions any of you might have?

Incidentally, after much haggling I was able to get the 199 deal plus the Super Fan for free and 6 months of Showtime for free and 6 months of HBO for free.

Thanks for any help!

Or you could get one of these (http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F008%5F008%5F001%5F004&product%5Fid=43%2D160) from Radio Shack. Wal-Mart or Target may have them cheaper. Turns any wall outlet into a phone jack.

[azpalm]

Thanks to everyone on this forum. I called Customer retention yesterday and received a deal similar to that others posted:

$299 + $100 rebate
$50 for the OTA
$5 off HD package for 6 months
Free Showtime for 6 months
$10 off HBO for six months

Since we already have HBO, the net cost (not counting the new programming) comes to $189. Installation in a weak. I never would have found this deal had I not been a longtime "lurker" on this forum

By the way, it was a pleasant conversation. I asked if there was a deal on the HD DVR and was offered the $299 deal right away. When I asked if there were any programming deals, I was given the programming deals tight away.

The CSR aslso told me that Phoenix should soon receive HD locals by satellite (and even explained the change in compression). She aslo said that new programmin on the HD package is in the works (I think she said that FX was being added, but I could be wrong).

In any event, a thank you to all on this forum,

[TheRatPatrol]

The CSR aslso told me that Phoenix should soon receive HD locals by satellite (and even explained the change in compression). She aslo said that new programmin on the HD package is in the works (I think she said that FX was being added, but I could be wrong).

Did she happen to mention if this new FX channel will be in MPEG4 or MPEG2? Any word on TNT-HD coming?
Thanks.

[craigshddvr]

I ordered today and got:

$299 for HR10-250
$150 instant credit
$16.11 shipping & handling
$5 credit for 6 months for total choice package
$5 credit for 6 months for HD package

Total: $166 minus my $60 in monthly credits equals $106.

I was told that I could have the $150 instant credit or the $100 mail in rebate, one or the other, not both. I chose the larger instant credit. I looked at the mail in rebate and I'll still send it in, but my customer retention lady said they'll just respond to me by saying I'm not eligible for this. Either way, I think this is still a pretty good price for an HD DVR.

Craig

[azpalm]

Did she happen to mention if this new FX channel will be in MPEG4 or MPEG2? Any word on TNT-HD coming?
Thanks.
I got the impression that all of the new HD channels will be MPEG4. She did mention that new HD programing in addition to the local channels. I thought I heard her mention FX, but I was focused on the deal at hand and I could have been wrong.

[ctcraig]

ANy thoughts on whaty a NEW person may pay for the HD-TiVo???

[DVRaholic]

ANy thoughts on whaty a NEW person may pay for the HD-TiVo???
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=259655

[Robdec]

How do you find out your Order confirmation number for the rebate. Do you have to call to get it ?

[jcoulter]

They gave it to me when I ordered it but I threw it away. So I called the regular customer service #, went through the menu to "equipment orders" and then asked for the Conf. #.
He gave it right to me, no problems.

[ebandman]

How do you find out your Order confirmation number for the rebate. Do you have to call to get it ?

Don't confuse it with the workorder number for the installation but mine was listed right under my name and address on the paperwork that I received from the installer before he left.

[lwmatt]

Called the retention center and complained to the csr. She gladly gave me the 200$ deal with the 100$ rebate. Said this was special for longtime good standing customers. Will have unit delivered to home in 3 days and setup by technician to maintain warranty.

[Citivas]

Few quick questions:

1. How long is the warranty on the box? What happens if it breaks after that? I love TiVo but I have burned through 6 DirecTiVo boxes since getting my first one in 2000 (I use 2), mostly due to HD failures. I just don't want to pay net $199 now to find in 14 months I need to pay many times that to continue, especially with a 2-year extended service agreement. Do they offer an extended warranty? If DirecTV is allegedly dumping TiVo, will they even have spare boxes to replace broken one's with?

2. To be clear, they offer to have an installer put up the OTA antenna? Is it an outside (roof-mounted) or inside antenna? What happens if they install it and I don't get clear OTA reception for my HD local network channels, whcih is the whole point of this exercise (versus swicthing to Comcast, with their lousy HD-DVR UI but at least I get the locals in HD)? Am I SOL, or would I be able to back-out if that happens?

3. How well integrated are the OTA channels with the program guide and season pass setups, etc.? Since a majority of the season passes would be OTA local HD feeds, this is critical.

4. What is the status of the DirecTV / TiVo and TiVo / Comcast relationships? I have heard it is soon over with the former and that the latter is coming out with a combined box in the vein of the HD-DirecTiVo one.

Thank for your help.

[Dssturbo1]

1. one year warranty through dtv
most problems have been hd failure and some hdmi failures. after the one year you can sign up for the monthly dtv equpment warranty to cover all your dtv equipment.

2.outside winegard ss 1000-2000 unit usually. looks kinda like a propeller. But dtv does not guarantee ota reception due to many variables. IF it does not work they may upgrade you to a different ota ant or refund your $50 for the ant and install.

3 your sat and ota are seamlessly integrated. works very well guides and season passes for the sat and ota are the same easy to use.

4. yes basically dtv is going away from tivo but should be around for awhile till the mpeg4 boxes are needed. had heard tivo and cable were working on a sbale card tivo box not sure others may have more info for ya.

[StangGT909]

I've tried to read through most of the 27 pages and haven't found the answer to my question.

If you are a NEW customer to DTV.... has anyone been sucessful at the $299 + $100 Rebate?

[creshando]

I just read on another forum of someone that subscribed, had the installation completed, and then got the deal 7 days after install. I don't think they got any of the credits, but they got the 299-100 deal. YMMV.

[newsposter]

Few quick questions:

1. How long is the warranty on the box? What happens if it breaks after that? I love TiVo but I have burned through 6 DirecTiVo boxes since getting my first one in 2000 (I use 2), mostly due to HD failures. I just don't want to pay net $199 now to find in 14 months I need to pay many times that to continue, especially with a 2-year extended service agreement. Do they offer an extended warranty? If DirecTV is allegedly dumping TiVo, will they even have spare boxes to replace broken one's with?

2. To be clear, they offer to have an installer put up the OTA antenna? Is it an outside (roof-mounted) or inside antenna? What happens if they install it and I don't get clear OTA reception for my HD local network channels, whcih is the whole point of this exercise (versus swicthing to Comcast, with their lousy HD-DVR UI but at least I get the locals in HD)? Am I SOL, or would I be able to back-out if that happens?

3. How well integrated are the OTA channels with the program guide and season pass setups, etc.? Since a majority of the season passes would be OTA local HD feeds, this is critical.

4. What is the status of the DirecTV / TiVo and TiVo / Comcast relationships? I have heard it is soon over with the former and that the latter is coming out with a combined box in the vein of the HD-DirecTiVo one.

Thank for your help.


1. 1yr per owners manual. I've never seen the contract but i'm assuming any extended warranty says 'comparable unit' which could mean their DVR.

2. looks like you are 40 miles from philly. Unless you have perfect line of sight I doubt the DTV local antenna will work. A channelmaster 4228 or a DB8 may work for you. it's best to find someone in your area who already gets locals to see their experience.

3. integration is great (i've loaded up the guide data for philly area), and actually the philly locals have more OTA stations that I knew. you can watch hurricane schwartz on this weather station 24/7 apparently lol And there are other stations and 'sub stations' that have varied programming.

[StangGT909]

I just read on another forum of someone that subscribed, had the installation completed, and then got the deal 7 days after install. I don't think they got any of the credits, but they got the 299-100 deal. YMMV.


Then can you sign up for the free SD TIVO then call them 7 days later and order the equipment?

Can someone help verify! Someone has to have signed up since this deal started. What's the best way to get the deal?

[rompca]

I've tried to read through most of the 27 pages and haven't found the answer to my question.

If you are a NEW customer to DTV.... has anyone been sucessful at the $299 + $100 Rebate?

I'm a new customer and my installation is scheduled for Thursday. I just called the 800-number (page 1 of this thread) and they told me the $299 deal is for existing customers with 1+ year of service and "other criteria" to meet.

So I'm stuck with my $599 HD TiVo (minus $100 rebate so final price is $499). Not terrible, but not as nice as $199 would be.

[montag]

OK, I'm about ready to jump on this deal but have a few questions. I'm a long time Tivo and DTV subscriber. My HDTV is a Sony 36XBR450. My TV has 2 sets of component inputs. I currently am using a series 2 tivo that I got for free from DTV about 3 months ago.

1. Is this even worth pursuing with my TV? I don't want to get the bug and then end up buying a new TV, just not in the budget right now. Does anyone else have experience with this TV and HD content?

2. I live near Hinsdale, IL and wonder if the dish mounted antenna will give me good OTA reception. Anyone know?

3. Finally, do I have to sign up for the HD packages? I may sign up at first but don't think I would keep them long-term. Probably just utilize this new tivo for OTA HD content.

[DerekT1975]

ordered the 10-250 over the weekend.
not as good as some quotes, but I got sick of arguing.
free installation
10-250: $299 - $100
local antenna: $50
superfan: $50
showtime: free for 6 months

Here's the problem: I tried to schedule installation, and they won't install until 10/25, over a month away!
I offered to install myself if they mail me the equipment. no go. they said I could get the equipment at CircuitCity. but I wouldn't get their discount.

any suggestions, other than suck it up and wait?

[Dssturbo1]

should work fine with your sony hdtv through component.
check antenna.org for info on your area ota stations.
the hd package is not required. they probably give you first 3 months free tho

[LPD]

found out about the deal by checking this forum. Called up and got the deal no problem. Stoked!

[Citivas]

Inspired by this thread, I called today and was given essentially the same deal widely reported here... For me it is ALL about the ability to get local network channels in HD (actually, I don't care if they are local, but they need to be the major broadcast networks). I have over 35 network shows in my season pass so without these in HD, and with a new 50” plasma set that isn’t going to be great with SD signals, it is all about the networks in HD. Comcast gives me that now, albeit with a terrible UI…

The CSR assured me I would successfully get the locals in HD with the antenna they would install. She also claimed that the 10-250 would be “software upgradeable” to the future MPEG-4 HD signals, already a bad sign of her accuracy… Anyway, I was skeptical so I asked for the contact # for the installer.

Turns out to be a national company that installs for them in multiple states. I eventually got a supervisor. He said, “off-the-record,” that based on where I live it is “doubtful” I will get the HD OTA signals and that even if I get a few, I was unlikely to get all the networks, even with an upgraded antenna from the one DTV has them install. He claimed, no joke, “between you and me, you’re better off with Comcast if you want HD network channels.” And this is from a major DTV installer that doesn’t do any business with cable! I said that I really hate the Comcast UI and have been a loyal DirecTV customer for 10 years and a TiVo user for over 5 years so I only want to drop them if there is no alternative. He then said that according to their internal information, they are supposed to be getting new boxes that offer new HD channels not based on TiVo “within the month” and “why didn’t I wait for that?”

Is it possible I am in one of the initial test markets rolling out the DTV HMC or NRS boxes? I live in central New Jersey (NYC market). Or is he just wrong or misinformed?

I really want to be loyal to both DirecTV and TiVo (TiVo especially), but they are making it hard. They are providing so much misinformation and false promises and simply don’t currently provide me any solution for the most important programming – i.e. HD broadcast networks. The 10-250 is useless to me without them. Any suggestions? Should I just switch to Comcast and wait for their TiVo box?

[LPD]

Turns out to be a national company that installs for them in multiple states. I eventually got a supervisor. He said, “off-the-record,” that based on where I live it is “doubtful” I will get the HD OTA signals and that even if I get a few, I was unlikely to get all the networks, even with an upgraded antenna from the one DTV has them install.

you can find out what OTA channels are reachable by plugging your zip into antennaweb (i'd post the url but this ghey bbs software won't let me).

I live pretty far from the TV stations in my area, so I ended up installing a 8 foot mast and a pretty beefy antenna on my roof. pain in the ass to set up but it works great.

[Citivas]

you can find out what OTA channels are reachable by plugging your zip into antennaweb (i'd post the url but this ghey bbs software won't let me).

I live pretty far from the TV stations in my area, so I ended up installing a 8 foot mast and a pretty beefy antenna on my roof. pain in the ass to set up but it works great.

I did exactly that even before talking to DirecTV. A couple stations came up red but almost all the rest were purple. Worse still, this required the most powerful, amplified directional antenna, but the networks I could receive were spread in totally different directions which would probably not work. Even then, it didn't list an HD for NBC in range under any circumstances...

The DirecTV rep simply instisted "it wouldn't be a problem." The installer wasn't prepared to back that up...

[shanew1289]

What are your miles from the tower? I am 35 miles out and have an antenna in the attic and it is a 60 mile antenna and works great. I also have a 6-12 pitch and the room for one up there.

[DerekT1975]

my friend got a small cheap antenna, 45 miles south of san francisco, with a hill in the way. He still gets the San Francisco channels perfectly. antennaweb said he'd need a huge yagi. He's got like a 4 or 6 element vertically oriented antenna mounted on the wall of the bottom floor, so there might be hope for you.
I'm also not sure about the waiver process, but if you really can't get a signal over the air, I would think that you could get a waiver for DTV to give you a national network feed. Actually, if you say you're in the NYC market, shouldn't DTV be able to give that to you, anyway? I thought they had NYC and LA markets?

[Citivas]

my friend got a small cheap antenna, 45 miles south of san francisco, with a hill in the way. He still gets the San Francisco channels perfectly. antennaweb said he'd need a huge yagi. He's got like a 4 or 6 element vertically oriented antenna mounted on the wall of the bottom floor, so there might be hope for you.
I'm also not sure about the waiver process, but if you really can't get a signal over the air, I would think that you could get a waiver for DTV to give you a national network feed. Actually, if you say you're in the NYC market, shouldn't DTV be able to give that to you, anyway? I thought they had NYC and LA markets?

I have applied for the waivers twice and been turned down both times, despite being in the NY market. Don't know why...

That is hopeful about the antenna. The issue is, if it doesn't work, then I have to unravel trying to get them to return everything, drop the 2-year commitment and take the equipment back for a full refund, etc., because I certainly don't need it if I can't get the networks in HD...

[Anubys]

Here's the problem: I tried to schedule installation, and they won't install until 10/25, over a month away!
I offered to install myself if they mail me the equipment. no go. they said I could get the equipment at CircuitCity. but I wouldn't get their discount.

any suggestions, other than suck it up and wait?

I had the same problem. I called D* and got the job number and the local phone number of the company that does the installation...I then called and tried to re-schedule...it worked...I cut the time from 6 weeks to 4 days (I promised the guy that no installation was required)...easy 5 minute job for him to just stop by and drop the thing off...

[montag]

Looking at antennaweb, all the stations I want are in yellow an roughly the same compass setting. It reports that I'm 13 miles away. Should I go ahead an still get the dish mounted antenna or can I just use a set top?

Also, if I already get locals from DTV, do I even need an antenna or will the HD locals come from the dish. It's my understanding that the dish will still provide SD locals, is this correct?

[DerekT1975]

I had the same problem. I called D* and got the job number and the local phone number of the company that does the installation...I then called and tried to re-schedule...it worked...I cut the time from 6 weeks to 4 days (I promised the guy that no installation was required)...easy 5 minute job for him to just stop by and drop the thing off...
Thanks. I might try that, since I was the one that installed my dish to begin with, and I had various "creative" solutions to make sure that my HOA wouldn't complain about unsightliness. I'm a little afraid a standard installer will just run a black wire straight down the beige wall, and then drill a new hole in the exterior wall to get the new OTA cable into the house.
My only concern is that I want to know that the new TiVo is working before I sign for it. Can I test the HDMI port with a standard def signal? Even if the TiVo doesn't work, do the installers, say, "Okay, here, have one that does work", or do they say, "Here's DirecTV's phone number, and here's the address to send broken units to. Good luck!"

[Anubys]

Thanks. I might try that, since I was the one that installed my dish to begin with, and I had various "creative" solutions to make sure that my HOA wouldn't complain about unsightliness. I'm a little afraid a standard installer will just run a black wire straight down the beige wall, and then drill a new hole in the exterior wall to get the new OTA cable into the house.
My only concern is that I want to know that the new TiVo is working before I sign for it. Can I test the HDMI port with a standard def signal? Even if the TiVo doesn't work, do the installers, say, "Okay, here, have one that does work", or do they say, "Here's DirecTV's phone number, and here's the address to send broken units to. Good luck!"

well, I already had a dish and all the lines I needed...so I didn't NEED and installation...if they have to install a new dish for you, they probably won't let you do it yourself...

but yes, you can test the HDMI with a standard definition...but I don't know how you would do that since you need the TV to have either an HDMI or a DVI port (which would mean it's an HDTV)...

[DerekT1975]

I'd expect the TV would be HD. but I was wondering about testing the HDMI port before getting the 3LNB dish installed. I had heard that 480i wasn't supported by HDMI, but I guess the TiVo can upconvert before it sends to the TV. Besides, maybe there are some HD channels available from my current 2LNB dish?

any thoughts on what the installers do if the TiVo has one of the commonly reported problems?

[askewed]

Now I have two HD TiVos and this one was not just free... I got $70 to take it!

[riekl]

There is a rather simple solution to all of your problems .. you simply give DirecTV a physical address in NY,NY and boom you get all the networks via Sat .. no antenna needed and your bill still comes wherever you want it to.


Inspired by this thread, I called today and was given essentially the same deal widely reported here... For me it is ALL about the ability to get local network channels in HD (actually, I don't care if they are local, but they need to be the major broadcast networks). I have over 35 network shows in my season pass so without these in HD, and with a new 50” plasma set that isn’t going to be great with SD signals, it is all about the networks in HD. Comcast gives me that now, albeit with a terrible UI…

The CSR assured me I would successfully get the locals in HD with the antenna they would install. She also claimed that the 10-250 would be “software upgradeable” to the future MPEG-4 HD signals, already a bad sign of her accuracy… Anyway, I was skeptical so I asked for the contact # for the installer.

Turns out to be a national company that installs for them in multiple states. I eventually got a supervisor. He said, “off-the-record,” that based on where I live it is “doubtful” I will get the HD OTA signals and that even if I get a few, I was unlikely to get all the networks, even with an upgraded antenna from the one DTV has them install. He claimed, no joke, “between you and me, you’re better off with Comcast if you want HD network channels.” And this is from a major DTV installer that doesn’t do any business with cable! I said that I really hate the Comcast UI and have been a loyal DirecTV customer for 10 years and a TiVo user for over 5 years so I only want to drop them if there is no alternative. He then said that according to their internal information, they are supposed to be getting new boxes that offer new HD channels not based on TiVo “within the month” and “why didn’t I wait for that?”

Is it possible I am in one of the initial test markets rolling out the DTV HMC or NRS boxes? I live in central New Jersey (NYC market). Or is he just wrong or misinformed?

I really want to be loyal to both DirecTV and TiVo (TiVo especially), but they are making it hard. They are providing so much misinformation and false promises and simply don’t currently provide me any solution for the most important programming – i.e. HD broadcast networks. The 10-250 is useless to me without them. Any suggestions? Should I just switch to Comcast and wait for their TiVo box?

[Wingman15]

All of you guys rock. I just called and placed my order. Got the receiver, new sat dish with trip LNB, off air antenna, and the rebate. The first person that answered said yes they have the deal for certain customers. I think its just based on how long you have been a customer.

Thanks again. Oh, and I will have it installed for free in just a couple of days. I can't believe it. The dude will be here to install everything on Friday. Sweet.

[Citivas]

There is a rather simple solution to all of your problems .. you simply give DirecTV a physical address in NY,NY and boom you get all the networks via Sat .. no antenna needed and your bill still comes wherever you want it to.

I wish it were so, but it is not. I have tried this now three times with DirecTV. They only give me the SD versions of the NY networks, which I have, not the HD version which is the whole point. I already am in the NY market, but they still denied me the East Coast HD feeds of the networks...

Is anyone else in the NY area being given the HD feeds by satellite?

[tellis100]

2.outside winegard ss 1000-2000 unit usually. looks kinda like a propeller. But dtv does not guarantee ota reception due to many variables. IF it does not work they may upgrade you to a different ota ant or refund your $50 for the ant and install.


My install is next week. So we get the winegard squareshooter 1000? That's a $100 square antenna. The winegard gs-1000 is a propeller shape for $40. This must be what we get for the DTV $50 OTA. I'm I right? Here is the site for pics (http://www.dishcountsatellite.com/accessories_supplies2.html)

[dwynne]

So I'm stuck with my $599 HD TiVo (minus $100 rebate so final price is $499). Not terrible, but not as nice as $199 would be.

If you get them to put in the tripe dish and a switch, you can get the HDTivo for $499.06 delivered (no tax for most) from 6th Ave in NJ. I don't know if you can combine that with the $100 rebate - but it would be $499.06 or $399.06. Not $199 after $100 MIR, but if you can get that you have to do the best you can....

Dennis

[belsokar]

I'm a new customer and my installation is scheduled for Thursday. I just called the 800-number (page 1 of this thread) and they told me the $299 deal is for existing customers with 1+ year of service and "other criteria" to meet.

So I'm stuck with my $599 HD TiVo (minus $100 rebate so final price is $499). Not terrible, but not as nice as $199 would be.

CANCEL YOUR ORDER!!! I just signed up last week,...my installation was Monday,...30 minutes after activating, I called the customer retention line and got the $199 deal...you have to ask customer retention,...and you have to get the right person....the first time I called, they said I couldn't get it whatsoever,...the second time I called, someone said I just had to activate service, and then they would give it to me as a one-time courtesy....so I took the chance, signed up for just regular service, activated, then called back in 30 minutes later to retention and got the deal on the first try...they are delivering in 2 days....so I'm definitely excited.

[montag]

Looking at antennaweb, all the stations I want are in yellow an roughly the same compass setting. It reports that I'm 13 miles away. Should I go ahead an still get the dish mounted antenna or can I just use a set top?

Also, if I already get locals from DTV, do I even need an antenna or will the HD locals come from the dish. It's my understanding that the dish will still provide SD locals, is this correct?
Hmmm, I don't know the answer to your question but I'm sure someone else will come along and help you out. :D

[vesperka]

Here's what I got today (Tuesday 9/20/05) after calling 1-800-600-8977.

HD Receiver w/Tivo for $299 plus a $100 mail in rebate
Free Showtime for 6 months, $2 for HBO (reflects $10/mo discount) for 6 months, $5 off HDTV package for 6 months (reg. $10.99)
$150 credit to the bill
$50 charge for off-air antenna (installation included)
$14.95 delivery and handling fee

I really believe that the basis for the package they'll offer is how certain/serious they think you are about switching to cable. Off the bat I told them I had an appointment next Monday to have the cable company come out and install their stuff and they offer programming with an HD DVR for $60/month. Then I mentioned that a friend gave me this number because he overheard that I was going to drop DirecTV. I said my friend told me that he got this deal and I should call to see if I could get it as well. So before she mentions the entire deal I tell her what a friend got (above) and she said she could do it.

Good Luck!

[Guindalf]

but yes, you can test the HDMI with a standard definition...but I don't know how you would do that since you need the TV to have either an HDMI or a DVI port (which would mean it's an HDTV)...


Not completely true. I was in BB this evening and I notice that EDTV sets have HDMI.

[chris_h]

Hmmm, I don't know the answer to your question but I'm sure someone else will come along and help you out. :D

Okay, here I am. I would vote for the outdoor antenna. Even if you move to an indoor one later, you at least get an extra wire from your dish to your "switch area" for your $50. At 13 miles from the towers, you should get everything just fine either way (assuming no multipath issues, etc).

I am a big fan of having extra wires as spares, and futureproofing for the mpeg4 thingy (5 lnb dish surrounded by mystery).

[sleeman44]

Ok...today I called and mentioned that I was thinking of going over to Dish Network but I friend of mine from work had told me about this deal with the HD DVR.

My deal...

$299 HD DVR
$100 Rebate
$5 off my Total Choice package for 6 mths
$5 off HD package for 6 mths
Center Ice Hockey package for half price $65 (reg. $129)
Agreed to a 2-year contract for all this.

Not bad!

For those who don't have the deal yet...get it while the getting is good!!

[montag]

Just got off the phone with a nice German girl from Idaho :D.

She gave me:
$299 HD-DVR
$100 rebate
$50 Antenna
$5 off HD Net for six months

I gently asked her if there were another credits available and she said not at this time. I didn't push it as I'm more than please with a $200 HD DVR!

Thanks to all!

[Mr. Big]

Just got off the phone with a nice German girl from Idaho :D.

She gave me:
$299 HD-DVR
$100 rebate
$50 Antenna
$5 off HD Net for six months

I gently asked her if there were another credits available and she said not at this time. I didn't push it as I'm more than please with a $200 HD DVR!

Thanks to all!
I got the same deal. I hope this doesn't screw me up in some way when MPEG-4 rolls out because I was going to wait.

[Anubys]

I got the same deal. I hope this doesn't screw me up in some way when MPEG-4 rolls out because I was going to wait.

that is extremely unlikely...one of the reasons I went ahead and got a second HD-Tivo is the likelihood (in my opinion) that I will get a better deal on the mpeg-4 units if I have more HD-Tivo units...

[riekl]

I wish it were so, but it is not. I have tried this now three times with DirecTV. They only give me the SD versions of the NY networks, which I have, not the HD version which is the whole point. I already am in the NY market, but they still denied me the East Coast HD feeds of the networks...

Is anyone else in the NY area being given the HD feeds by satellite?

I know for a FACT that this is so :) I happen to live in Grand Rapids, MI, however I receive the NY locals in both SD and HD, I also have a neighbor who I had do the exact same thing.

If you are in the NY,NY DMA you are entitled to BOTH the SD and HD locals (and no you do not need the HD package either)

[rompca]

CANCEL YOUR ORDER!!! I just signed up last week,...my installation was Monday,...30 minutes after activating, I called the customer retention line and got the $199 deal...you have to ask customer retention,...and you have to get the right person....the first time I called, they said I couldn't get it whatsoever,...the second time I called, someone said I just had to activate service, and then they would give it to me as a one-time courtesy....so I took the chance, signed up for just regular service, activated, then called back in 30 minutes later to retention and got the deal on the first try...they are delivering in 2 days....so I'm definitely excited. Tried again. Told her someone at my office has NEW service and got the $299 deal. She wanted a phone number to reference their account to see how it was done (not that I had one, but said I wouldn't give out their name/number). But she still wasn't able to do it. :(

My order may end up canceled anyway if the installer botches the job (they can't drill at my apartment, so we'll see).

[sjberra]

My install is next week. So we get the winegard squareshooter 1000? That's a $100 square antenna. The winegard gs-1000 is a propeller shape for $40. This must be what we get for the DTV $50 OTA. I'm I right? Here is the site for pics (http://www.dishcountsatellite.com/accessories_supplies2.html)

The one they installed for me was the Winegard GS-1000

[Mark W]

Called and got the deal last Friday, I was happy. They said that someone would call me within 72 hours to schedule the install. Well of course, nobody called. So I just called back and she gives me an appointment of October 24th! It especially pisses me off that while nobody called me back, other people got appointments before mine, I'm sure. And on top of it all, they already charged my card! NOT HAPPY. Just got a bunch of sorry, it already processed, there's nothing I can do.

[Dick Kalagher]

Called and got the deal last Friday, I was happy. They said that someone would call me within 72 hours to schedule the install. Well of course, nobody called. So I just called back and she gives me an appointment of October 24th! It especially pisses me off that while nobody called me back, other people got appointments before mine, I'm sure. And on top of it all, they already charged my card! NOT HAPPY. Just got a bunch of sorry, it already processed, there's nothing I can do.

Same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. They did charge my credit card. I called and cancelled and they did give me a credit. However, my D* bill showed up with a 2 year committment on it. I called and they said they would take it off.

[toneman]

The one they installed for me was the Winegard GS-1000
Since when did DirecTV start offering the GS-1000 (Squareshooter)? That's definitely not a $50 OTA antenna, IIRC...

[Citivas]

I know for a FACT that this is so :) I happen to live in Grand Rapids, MI, however I receive the NY locals in both SD and HD, I also have a neighbor who I had do the exact same thing.

If you are in the NY,NY DMA you are entitled to BOTH the SD and HD locals (and no you do not need the HD package either)

Then please convey this to DirecTV because for the fourth time they have now denied this -- all the way up through the supervisor ranks...

Can you supply some proof that I can throw at then to demonstrate they are poorly informed about their own company, which I grant is the status quo there...

[Citivas]

Then please convey this to DirecTV because for the fourth time they have now denied this -- all the way up through the supervisor ranks...

Can you supply some proof that I can throw at then to demonstrate they are poorly informed about their own company, which I grant is the status quo there...

BTW, if it is true it just adds to how crazy they are that they are paying a company to supposedly come out to install an antenna for me to get over-the-air NYC stations in HD, which would also eliminate the need for me to pay for their staellite locals for the same stations. Why would they do this if they had a sat option for NYC HD locals? Don't get me wrong -- I believe you -- but am stuck between reality and a disfunctional company...

[miketyler]

I am about to call DTV today and see what they offer.

I would like to buy two of these, one for the living room and one for our media room. Are they limiting the promotion to one unit per household? I'm sure the rebate is limited to one per household but was curious if anyone was able to negotiate a multi unit deal? I searched thru this growing thread and didn't find anything. If you have knowledge of this please post up your experience

TIA
Mike

[Anubys]

for what it's worth, I tried to get two and they would not budge...one CSR offered me the second one for $299 but when I called back after thinking about it, I couldn't get a better deal than $429 for the second one...

I've been a customer for 10 years and I subscribe to the most expensive package...so I figure I'm on the top of their list for getting goodies...

[richwesq]

I'm new to this thread and plan on adding a new HDTV to the media room to go with whatever I can get in the deal from D*discussed in this thread. Just a question -- will I need an OTA if the new TV has a built-in ATSC tuner? I live in a suburb of the NYC area.

[Anubys]

I'm new to this thread and plan on adding a new HDTV to the media room to go with whatever I can get in the deal from D*discussed in this thread. Just a question -- will I need an OTA if the new TV has a built-in ATSC tuner? I live in a suburb of the NYC area.

and OTA what? you mean an OTA antenna?

[dwynne]

I'm new to this thread and plan on adding a new HDTV to the media room to go with whatever I can get in the deal from D*discussed in this thread. Just a question -- will I need an OTA if the new TV has a built-in ATSC tuner? I live in a suburb of the NYC area.

You will need an OTA antenna either way - to feed the tuner in your new TV and to feed the HDTivo. The reason to HAVE a Tivo is to watch TV on your own schedule and to skip commericals - so if you have an HDTivo connected up you will find there will be FEW times you will want or need to watch anything via the TVs tuner.

Dennis

[richwesq]

Thanks, D - that's what I thought originally.
Just curious though -- other than the channels one gets through the "HD Package", what HD can be received through the satellite dish? Are the HD versions of the local channels (network affiliates) necessarily over-the-air on different channels?
More to the point of this thread, has anyone heard when the NDS version of an HD DVR may be available (reasonable presumption to be some time soon, with D* heavily discounting these HR10-250 TiVo units)?

[Anubys]

you will see both OTA channels...

assume ABC is channel 7 in your area...the SD version will be 7, the HD version will be 7-1

you can tune to either one...some network channels might have 7-2, 7-3...etc.

[dwynne]

Thanks, D - that's what I thought originally.
Just curious though -- other than the channels one gets through the "HD Package", what HD can be received through the satellite dish? Are the HD versions of the local channels (network affiliates) necessarily over-the-air on different channels?

If you pay D* extra for your locals, you will get them on the normal channels (e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, etc) and you will see the HD and SD digital sub-carrier channels (if in use) on the GUIDE (2-1, 2-2, 4-1, 4-2, etc). Your antenna set up will determine what, if any, of the HD locals you will actually pick up.

If you subscribe to HBO or Showtime you get the HD version of their main east-coast feed included in the price of the package. Starz and the others do not have HD feeds carried yet. So if you just paid for the basic package the only HD you get is your OTA ones. Pay extra for HBO, get HBO-HD included.

At full price, the HD package is a rip-off so I usually make do with the locals, HBO, and Showtime in HD.

Dennis

[richwesq]

On the HR10-250 HD DVR, will I still be able to get two lines coming in (so I can "watch and record" or simultaneously record 2 different programs) like I can now with my existing SD DVR without paying for a separate line? If so, will I be able to record both in HD?

[farbuckle]

Got:

+299 HDTivo
-100 Rebate
+50 OTA Antenna

Free HD Package for three months.
I didn't want any premiums.

Best part is, I called on Thursday at 1:30EDT, and got an install date of Saturday, 24 Sept from 1 -5PM. That seems quick to me!

QUESTION: Do you guys keep your local package with DirecTV, or rely solely on the OTA for locals?

[newsposter]

On the HR10-250 HD DVR, will I still be able to get two lines coming in (so I can "watch and record" or simultaneously record 2 different programs) like I can now with my existing SD DVR without paying for a separate line? If so, will I be able to record both in HD?

Yes 2 lines to HD tivo will do what you want. There are 4 lines from the oval dish and you can just plug 2 in to your HD receiver. If you need more than 4 lines, (other receivers) you need to use a multiswitch.

[ljauss]

I called up D* at the new number (800) 531-5000. I'm moving on 10/17 and I figured that would be a good time to upgrade to the HD Tivo and get in on the deal.

Not only did the guy not want to offer it to me (even though I have subscribed to the sunday ticket three years in a row), but when they transferred me, I got disconnected.

WEAK.

I called back and at least got the new HD capable dish installed for free when I move. Nothing else so far. The woman didn't see anything about the 10-250 being $299. She was really nice too...

Deal may be dead folks. :(

[ebandman]

Now that the 800-600-8977 customer is out of service, anyone here have the new direct line? A friend called the 800-531-5000 number which was referred and got nowhere.

[Sir_winealot]

Deal may be dead folks. :(


Naw...the deal ain't dead...you just gotta get the right CSR...

[Billy66]

Now that the 800-600-8977 customer is out of service, anyone here have the new direct line? A friend called the 800-531-5000 number which was referred and got nowhere.

That number is not out of service. I dialed it 30 seconds ago and it worked just fine.

[Richard Chalk]

That number is not out of service. I dialed it 30 seconds ago and it worked just fine.

Also try 800-824-9081

[DickBulltinkle]

This # works: 800-824-9081

Other posted # has message stating it is a non-working # in D*

Got mine for $299

[samuraisan14]

I've been a subscriber for 3 days, called and got the HD Tivo for $299 with the $100 rebate.

Called in August to order my system, got an install date for Sept. 20 (in the Wash. DC area, installers are apparently quite busy!). Called the (old) customer retention line on Sept. 16 to try and order the HD-TiVo for the $299 price (couldn't get that through the new system folks)...had the deal all set up, but they needed info on my account that I'd only have once I was actually installed. The rep said they'd make the notation on my account that I would get the deal once I was actually installed.

Called the 800-531-5000 number today, got the deal with no hassles. (being a new subscriber, I didn't push for programming credits or any of the other stuff...I'm happy enough to get the thing for a net of ~$200!) Should be installed Oct. 5.

[Budget_HT]

Just called Customer Retention at 800-824-9081 and received the same deal as everyone else. $299 - $100 rebate, $5 off 6 months of HD package, 6 months free Showtime, 6 months HBO at $2 per month, free installation, $14.95 handling fee and $27.64 sales tax. Will get need oval dish if needed (I already have the old oval dish). Will get multiswitch if needed.

Now my wife will have HD TiVo for the new LCD HDTV we just placed in our living room where she watches most of her TV programs.

[TheRatPatrol]

If you ask the installer to leave the unit so you can hook it up yourself, will he also leave the new 3 LNB dish as well, even if you already have one? Thanks.

[blossej]

After reading this thread I called and got the same deal.. I have had a flaky tuner in my regular DVR for several months now and with the new seaon starting this is a good time to do something. I got the $299 with $100.00 rebate.. Not bad at all!

[Anubys]

If you ask the installer to leave the unit so you can hook it up yourself, will he also leave the new 3 LNB dish as well, even if you already have one? Thanks.

99.99% chance that the answer is NO.

[Guindalf]

Ok, I have to say, as expected, my install was cancelled today!

After several recorded messages telling me to be here between 8 & 12 today, I got a call from the installation department TWO HOURS into my wait telling me that the shipment of receivers had not arrived and they had to reschedule my appointment. I purposely made a weekend appointment and waited two weeks as I work away from home and my wife insisted I be here when they install, so the next time they could do it is next Saturday. I said I expected them to make good and she told me to call D* and they probably would give me something for the inconvenience.

I called retention and told them I wasn't happy and (luckily) it was a supervisor that answered the phone. She immediately offered me a $200 programming credit (as well as the mir), making the total cost for the receiver $14.95 S&H! I also got six months of free Showtime and HBO for $2 for the same period. I got $5 off the HD package in my first call.

I was also told that HBOHD and SHOHD are both PART OF THE HD PACKAGE without having to subscribe seperately.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?


The CSR I spoke to gave me her employee number in case I had any problems with any of this later on. I told her I'd read stories about credits being removed after they were offered and she said she'd not heard this but would make a note on my account to make sure it didn't happen to me.

Not a bad day's work, even if it does mean I have to wait an extra week for my HD!

[Sir_winealot]

I was also told that HBOHD and SHOHD are both PART OF THE HD PACKAGE without having to subscribe seperately.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?




Nope...you gotta pay extra for both.

[Ed Dixon]

If you ask the installer to leave the unit so you can hook it up yourself, will he also leave the new 3 LNB dish as well, even if you already have one? Thanks.

I have done this twice with no problems. First was for a christmas present. Second a normal install with lots of gear. They did disk and left receivers for me (which I asked to do).

Next one is next week and we'll see how that one goes.

Ed

[Richard Chalk]

I was also told that HBOHD and SHOHD are both PART OF THE HD PACKAGE without having to subscribe seperately.

Can anyone confirm or deny this?


If you sub. to showtime and/or HBO, and have an HD receiver, you will get the HD feeds of the subscribed service(s) at no additional charge. However, they are not "part of the HD Package". I have both (for the moment) but canceled the HD package, so these are the only HD signals I get from the Satellite. Everything else is Over-the-Air.

[Citivas]

BTW, if it is true it just adds to how crazy they are that they are paying a company to supposedly come out to install an antenna for me to get over-the-air NYC stations in HD, which would also eliminate the need for me to pay for their satellite locals for the same stations. Why would they do this if they had a sat option for NYC HD locals? Don't get me wrong -- I believe you -- but am stuck between reality and a dysfunctional company...

All is well that ends well, I guess. I had my install today (only 5 days after ordering BTW, and they had even sooner available but I asked for the weekend. My appt. was 1-5 and they arrived at 1pm on the dot...

As expected, the OTA was a total bust. Didn't even remotely get a single station in any direction, HD or otherwise. The installers said it was inevitable and they don't know why they keep attempting installs in central NJ since they never work.

The good news was that despite being told four times from DirecTV that I could not get the HD local channels on the satellite despite being in the NY, NY, as soon as we tested the HD box they showed up automatically without DirecTV even doing anything. After working my way through several specialists, someone finally said I have been getting them all along as part of my New York locals package but just couldn't see them because I didn't have the HD box. All the previous DirecTV reps had no idea what they were talking about. They even paid for an antenna (which I got a $50 credit back since it was useless; but they left it up anyway) and installation, etc. all on the false presumption that I needed an OTA antenna...

The irony is if they had told me previously when I asked that I could get the NY locals in HD on the sat I probably would have bought the HD10-250 box when it cost a grand, but I only waited (and signed up for the Comcast HD package and DVR) because they were wrong. So it worked out well that their mistake allowed me to get it from them for $199 plus programming credits...

[johnny dollar]

Some years ago I first learned of the existence of SD DirecTivo units checking out the Tivo Community Forum. I was interested in Tivo but didn't realize they had a unit that integrated with DirecTV. That turned out to be one of the best electronics buying decisions I've ever made.

I've had an HD-ready Pioneer RP for several years but never had any HD programming. I wasn't interested if I couldn't tivo it. Over the weekend I noticed you had an HDTV Tivo forum and learned of the HD DirecTivo offer. It was too good to refuse.

I made the call on Monday and just for asking got pretty much the same deal as described: $299, $100 rebate, free install, 5x8 multiswitch, discounted HD package (I already receive HBO and Showtime). They told me they could install it on Thursday. So I spent three days worrying what could go wrong: could they see all the satellites, would the receiver malfunction, would the installers have to cancel, or worse, screw things up?

Come Thursday, two installers showed up with the equipment and a ton of supplies. It took several hours but they did all that had to be done, and their outside work certainly looked professional. I didn't need to install an OTA antenna as I have a big ol' roof antenna (with rotor that still works, after a fashion). Long story short, everything came up roses. My signal strength on satellite is, if anything, a tad higher than it had been. The OTA NBC station didn't appear at first, but after making a few adjustments with the rotor, it snapped into place. And OTA HD looks stunning.

So thanks for twice giving me a much-needed heads up on things I didn't know I needed! By the way, michiganmicrotech did my install. They did a great job, exactly the opposite of the installer horror stories you sometimes read.

[cheezheads]

Just called the 1-800-824-9081 and told them I would like to upgrade to the HDTV with TIVO and the lady could not have been nicer. She said that they indeed do have a special deal for existing costomers, 299.00 less 100.00 rebate plus shipping, handling and tax. They will be out Saturday to install, very easy. Did'nt bother to try to get any other deals I was happy enough with this seeing that we just bought one for 499.00 at C.C.

[veganfred]

Why not get as much as you can? If they're offering, I'm taking. I've supported them long enough, so now it's time I get something back. Why should new customers get all the incentives? It's about time we do. My only regret is that I didn't get more. :rolleyes:

I'd tell you exactly what I got, but everytime I try, I get this goofy message for being a newbie here:
"Your Post contains one or more URLs or image calls, please remove them before submitting your message again. To prevent the abuse of spam, we have set this restriction in place until after you make 5 posts."
But all I have is prices, so I don't get it.

Bottom line, I got the rebate, HBO, Showtime, HD package, and five bucks off per month, all for six months, plus free shipping, and the guy added an extra (free) install for my bedroom for a box I already had, so it cost me a whole buck. Rats! :rolleyes:

[DaveNinja]

Thank you, Cody!
I have no idea who Cody is but he helped me get an awesome deal on the HD box. My UTV box crashed and now cant be trusted (after years of trust). I also just got a HDTV so naturally want to be able to record HD. I read the threads on here about the deals and thought i'd give it a shot. Called one of the numbers listed here on saturday and asked what kind of deals they had on the HD tivo box. She said 299 with a 100 dollar rebate. I said "cool. a friend told me that you can sometimes make the deal better". At this she started laughing and said "Are you Toby's friend?" I guess a guy named Toby in texas called right before me and talked her into giving him an deal. She thought it was funny that i called right after him so she gave me the same deal:

$299 - $100 rebate, and then a $100 credit to the account (making the box 99 bucks after rebate, sweet!), also Hbo for 2 bucks a month for 6 month, showtime free for 6 months and 5 bucks off HD package when i start it. Pretty good, eh?

All thanks to this board! hoepfully i can get it all installed soon and be recording HD (which looks amazing on the tv (sony 50A10) with just the OTA).

-dave ninja (new guy to tivo)

[kalphoto]

Well all be damned. I think this is the 4th or 5th call I've made trying to get "the deal" and was offered the following right off the bat:

$299 HD Tivo - $100 Rebate = $199
$50 OTA antenna (optional)
$49 Superfan (even though it is after 8/31 she said she would offer a $50 credit)

She wouldn't offer much else but it seems like the normal deal at least. She noted my account as I am going to have to convince my fiance on this one.

Question: she couldn't see to answer if I needed the OTA. I am in Los Angeles and am already a subscriber to my local channels. Do I need the OTA? or will I get HD locals?

Also, she said that I had to subscribe to the $10.99 / month HD package (which I really do not want to do). Has anyone had success cancelling the HD package after getting this deal and everything installed? (if I have to pay one month that's fine).

Thanks in advance!

[lord-dogbert]

You wont have 6.2 software so go here and sign my petition:
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/hr10-250_6.2_update/

[blossej]

I just got my HD system installed today. Got my Season passes into the system (25 hehe) and I must say, the HD is AWESOME!!! I was watching Arrested Development and had my Tivo on 28-1 and put the other tuner on 28 just to see the difference and it's amazing. It's like looking through a friggin window!

[STPETER]

:) Thank you all for helping me get a great deal on my HR10-250 from direct tv. I got the $299. deal with the 100.00 rebate. I also go my Untimate tv unit replaced with a new 99.00 unit with a bigger tivo drive 80 gig instead of the ultimates 40 gig for free for my sons room. I got $5.00 off my current package total choice for the next year. 5.00 off the HDpkg for 6 months...and finally free install of a new oval dish and new lines to both rooms.

this forum rocks. thanks again everyone

[finaldiet]

I bought mine when it was $799-$250 on May 1. Called the other day and they gave me another $100 credit towards it. Can't complain since the HD viewing has been fantastic since then. Enjoy your new unit!

[peterbilt]

Nope...you gotta pay extra for both.

That it is to say, that they each are included with their respective premium packages. If you get HBO, you get HBOHD, and likewise for the other premium channels.

The channels included in the HD package are only available as part of that package.

[peterbilt]

For those of you receiving discounts on HBO and Showtime, are you currently subscribed to those channels? Or are those offers only for people who don't already get those channels?

[bma]

I tried twice this morning and both reps told me that the promotion ended yesterday and that their best deal is $499-$100 MIR. Anyone else getting this story? They weren't pleading ignorance or saying I didn't qualify for it, just sounded like the party was over.

[Anubys]

For those of you receiving discounts on HBO and Showtime, are you currently subscribed to those channels? Or are those offers only for people who don't already get those channels?

I was already subscribed to them...

[keefer37]

We were not subscribed to Showtime, nor HBO.

We just had Total Choice, HD Package and NFL ST w/ Superfan. Oh yeah, and the DVR charge and mirroring fees.

[lansman]

I got the exact same problem when I called just now - I was told that the "promotion ended this morning" and that DirecTV does not give discounts on programming, especially after they were willing to give me the HD DVR for $499 - $200 credit on upcoming bills - $100 mail in rebate.

The guy I talked to said that the people saying they got programming deals were providing 'misinformation' and were wrong. What a load of crap. Anyone else get the new 'company line' this morning?

[tazzman69]

called dtv for special offer and was told the same 499 with mir, i told them that i wanted to disconnect and ended up asking for a supervisor.
the supervisor confirmed that the 299 was no longer an offer due to being abused by customers who didn't deserve it. Not only that dtv removed the 800-600-8977 # because web sites were posting it to call for the offer and now they have found that the 800-824-9081 # was being giving and are now removing it as well.
i told the sup he needs to aunor the old offer due to it being advertised or i would disconnect and he said dtv does not support or condone the price listing on any website except for dtv's and he disconnected my service right there on the spot! amazing considering my customer status for 2 years with no interuptions.
I ended up calling right back reconnecting my account and ordered it for the 499. I will bow down to this offer still cause if you compare it to dish hd dvr or cable it still is worth gold. good luck all on getting the best price but be carefull. they are going to play hard ball now

[mczolton]

called dtv for special offer and was told the same 499 with mir, i told them that i wanted to disconnect and ended up asking for a supervisor.
the supervisor confirmed that the 299 was no longer an offer due to being abused by customers who didn't deserve it. Not only that dtv removed the 800-600-8977 # because web sites were posting it to call for the offer and now they have found that the 800-824-9081 # was being giving and are now removing it as well.
i told the sup he needs to aunor the old offer due to it being advertised or i would disconnect and he said dtv does not support or condone the price listing on any website except for dtv's and he disconnected my service right there on the spot! amazing considering my customer status for 2 years with no interuptions.
I ended up calling right back reconnecting my account and ordered it for the 499. I will bow down to this offer still cause if you compare it to dish hd dvr or cable it still is worth gold. good luck all on getting the best price but be carefull. they are going to play hard ball now

I can't believe you went so far as to cancel your service because they wouldn't honor an unadvertised sale price. Like it or not, D* has the right to cancel the offer at any time.

Mark

[jim tressler]

i agree.. when they are offering a deal, you gotta jump on it or risk losing it..

[riekl]

BTW, if it is true it just adds to how crazy they are that they are paying a company to supposedly come out to install an antenna for me to get over-the-air NYC stations in HD, which would also eliminate the need for me to pay for their staellite locals for the same stations. Why would they do this if they had a sat option for NYC HD locals? Don't get me wrong -- I believe you -- but am stuck between reality and a disfunctional company...

What address have you given them ? If you are in the NY,NY DMA you get both locals and HD locals . there are no waivers as you are only getting your local broadcast.

You are the first person i have ever heard of having difficulty getting them. The ONLY situation i can think of where you are entiled to the SD and not the HD is if you are outside the NY,NY dma and obtained waivers to get the SD channels.

[sphinxatl]

After initially seing this over at DBSTalk today I called the retention department and after some haggling and mentioning Comcast several times the CSR went from 649 then to 499, and finally after some extended hold time 299 plus the rebate.

[sbessel]

I tried twice this morning and both reps told me that the promotion ended yesterday and that their best deal is $499-$100 MIR. Anyone else getting this story? They weren't pleading ignorance or saying I didn't qualify for it, just sounded like the party was over.

I received the same response as well. Although they were willing to offer me the rebate on this unit as this would be my second HD unit, the first arrived a few weeks back.

[apoptosis]

Is there much difference in quality between the new square wineguard OTA antenna and the older propeller style antenna? Also, since having my HD tivo installed, my signal strenth on the 110 sat has dropped to around 60-65 on a calm, clear day, with the other two staying around 85. The tech told me that the low signal strenth on sat 110 was something I would have to deal with, seeing that all three sats are tuned in at the same time and can not be individually tuned in. Any input would be appreciated.

TIA!

Apop

[veganfred]

Well all be damned. I think this is the 4th or 5th call I've made trying to get "the deal" and was offered the following right off the bat:

$299 HD Tivo - $100 Rebate = $199
$50 OTA antenna (optional)
$49 Superfan (even though it is after 8/31 she said she would offer a $50 credit)

She wouldn't offer much else but it seems like the normal deal at least. She noted my account as I am going to have to convince my fiance on this one.

Question: she couldn't see to answer if I needed the OTA. I am in Los Angeles and am already a subscriber to my local channels. Do I need the OTA? or will I get HD locals?

You will get DTV's HD's for ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX, without the need for an antenna. As for the other channels, it could be a few weeks or months before they are offered. As for the HD's OTA, I live in the valley and cannot get 2, 7, or 13 at all, and many UHF's come and go as they please. Please save your money on their antenna, as it blows, and buy a real one. I got a refund for it, because it received less channels than my other antenna did, and it was even weak on regular channels.

Also, she said that I had to subscribe to the $10.99 / month HD package (which I really do not want to do). Has anyone had success cancelling the HD package after getting this deal and everything installed? (if I have to pay one month that's fine).

Thanks in advance!

I was about to cancel it, until I got it included for free for 3 mos., and I got another 3 tacked on @ 5 bucks. After that, if it hasn't improved much, I'll probably dump it. Get them to replace the antenna discount with the HD package. How long have you been a customer? Seems like you could do much better than that deal. Are you asking for what you want, or just taking what they offer? The latter doesn't work too hot. If you're not doing the asking, I suggest you read through previous deals here, and take notes of everything, then go down the list one by one with the CSR, with a smile in your voice. Ask and you shall receive. If not, call someone else.

P.S. If you have to convince the fiance on this one, you may already be in trouble in that dept., and might want to consider trading her in for the Tivo - as at least it lets you be the boss, and entertains you. :D

[veganfred]

For those of you receiving discounts on HBO and Showtime, are you currently subscribed to those channels? Or are those offers only for people who don't already get those channels?

I was already subscribed to them...

I was not subscribed to either and got both. So it apparently doesn't matter.

[kalphoto]

I was about to cancel it, until I got it included for free for 3 mos., and I got another 3 tacked on @ 5 bucks. After that, if it hasn't improved much, I'll probably dump it. Get them to replace the antenna discount with the HD package. How long have you been a customer? Seems like you could do much better than that deal. Are you asking for what you want, or just taking what they offer? The latter doesn't work too hot. If you're not doing the asking, I suggest you read through previous deals here, and take notes of everything, then go down the list one by one with the CSR, with a smile in your voice. Ask and you shall receive. If not, call someone else.

P.S. If you have to convince the fiance on this one, you may already be in trouble in that dept., and might want to consider trading her in for the Tivo - as at least it lets you be the boss, and entertains you. :D

Thanks for the info. Seeing as this is the 4th time I have tried for the deal, I was pretty happy to get it. Unfortuntately, I'm now in a challenging position to convince my fiance. I love her to death... she loves football as much as I do but alas, it seems that "honeymoon" is on the mind and an extra $300 right now is a tough sell. Hoping to find some money to get this...

[Dssturbo1]

Is there much difference in quality between the new square wineguard OTA antenna and the older propeller style antenna? Also, since having my HD tivo installed, my signal strenth on the 110 sat has dropped to around 60-65 on a calm, clear day, with the other two staying around 85. The tech told me that the low signal strenth on sat 110 was something I would have to deal with, seeing that all three sats are tuned in at the same time and can not be individually tuned in. Any input would be appreciated.

TIA!

Apop
i would call and complain to dtv. sounds like the installer does not quite have the dish tuned as best as possible, (are there any trees or obstacles in the line of sight to sky/sats?). Most good installers can get the dish tuned to the low 90s-high 80's on all 3 sats. It's not that he can tune one better but if he takes his time and knows what he's doing he should be able to get all three better.
What part of the country are you in? of course sat c 110 has the fewest channels but if it is at 60-65 it is easy to get reception or rain fade problems. usually it's the sat b 119 that is off when the dish is not tuned best it can be.

[newsposter]

this idea is so preposterous ..and simple...it must be true: If you don't want certain people to not get the deal TRAIN your CSR's, especially in retention, about it!!!! Don't blame the customer for the mgmt problem. If they are giving out too many deals, that means they weren't monitoring the deals very well and holding them back. After all, let's not forget DTV holds all the cards here. Most people genuinely won't leave.

This is no way is our problem, if the reports are true. Also maybe they have run out of boxes and that's why they are trying to slow the bleeding. ? nah that doesn't make sense.

[apoptosis]

i would call and complain to dtv. sounds like the installer does not quite have the dish tuned as best as possible, (are there any trees or obstacles in the line of sight to sky/sats?). Most good installers can get the dish tuned to the low 90s-high 80's on all 3 sats. It's not that he can tune one better but if he takes his time and knows what he's doing he should be able to get all three better.
What part of the country are you in? of course sat c 110 has the fewest channels but if it is at 60-65 it is easy to get reception or rain fade problems. usually it's the sat b 119 that is off when the dish is not tuned best it can be.

I live in Minnesota and have a clear line of sight to the southwest. Looks like I'll put a call in to directv and see if they can send another insatller out. Any feedback on the square wineguard OTA vs the propeller type. I am only about 12-15 miles from the HD tower.

TIA

APOP

[tetfsu]

I just called them (800-824-9081) and said I was going to cancel my service because I was unhappy with the ability to get Network HD channels, as my requests for waivers had been denied. The very nice rep offered to have make a deal on an installer to come and put an HD Antenna up for me in an effort to keep my business.

I worked in TiVo into the conversation some place and that I was disappointed about not being able to use my TiVo for HD and record local stations, she said that they have a very special deal right now for a new TiVo receiver that they have that will record HD Programming from both the satellite and OTA programming. I said that was awesome and if they really had that I would consider staying, she said that including the HD Antenna the special price including installation was $349.00.

I told her that I would give it a try but what if the local HD stations didn't come in. She said she would specially note my account and do something that they don't normally do and let me see what happened when the installer came out and set things up. If the signal quality wasn't up to the standards I had in mind, I could just send the HD TiVo back for a full refund and she would waive the 2 yr service commitment.

So here's the deal that I end up with.

HD TiVo $499.00 = $499.00
HD OTA Antenna + $50.00 = $549.00
Special Rebate - $200.00 = $349.00
Mail in Rebate - $100.00 = $249.00
Half off HD Package for 6 mo -$30.00 = $219.00
Showtime and HBO for 6 mo @ $2 each +$24.00 = $233.00
Free installation +$0.00 = $233.00

SWEET! Give it a shot and work your best deal :up: :up:

[jim tressler]

Check out the local ota section on avs forum - the propeller type is probably the sensar - I use it without problems in Cincinnati where I am about 23 miles out. ITs not the greatest and for $50 you can get a good channel master - but if thats what they bring then as long as you have decent line of site the sensar should work at 15 miles out.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=45

jim


I live in Minnesota and have a clear line of sight to the southwest. Looks like I'll put a call in to directv and see if they can send another insatller out. Any feedback on the square wineguard OTA vs the propeller type. I am only about 12-15 miles from the HD tower.

TIA

APOP

[Villanman]

I saw on Ebay that people are actually selling the Info on how to get the $299 deal and people are actually buying it!

[belsokar]

sorry to ask this, I'm sure it's listed elsewhere,...but where can I find rebate forms for the directv deals? Do I have to call in about them? Or download them somewhere?

thanks

[Kardinal]

Tetfsu, I called the same number you did and gave them a story about how a friend was very pleased with the Cox HD service around here and I wanted to see if they could do HD for me. I played ignorant and dropped the "Cox" name a lot, but despite whining about the $400 price tag on the HR10-250 they wouldn't budge on the price.

Glad you got yours, I may try again to get the deal, but I don't have much hope. Good job, man.

[Anubys]

sorry to ask this, I'm sure it's listed elsewhere,...but where can I find rebate forms for the directv deals? Do I have to call in about them? Or download them somewhere?

thanks

they send it to you in the mail about a week after activation...

[vwinterr]

spoke with a rep moments ago... she said there was a meeting this morning regarding the hr10250 and people not following the policies...

after a good 40min conversation she said she'd talk with a supervisor to see what she could do since just yesterday she would have been able to give $299 + mir... very polite, very cordial, but said the best she could do was $399, and that she'd note the account

so apparently they're cracking down... i'm sure it's not too much news, but just wanted to add my story... not sure how true the meeting today was, but she seemed sincere

[toneman]

For those of you receiving discounts on HBO and Showtime, are you currently subscribed to those channels? Or are those offers only for people who don't already get those channels?
Nope--I wasn't subscribed to any of the premium channels...but due to a combination of "asking" and screwups on DTV's part regarding installation appointments, I was able to get DTV to give me 6 months free Showtime, 3 months free Starz, and $2/month HBO (which technically shows up as a $10 credit on the DTV bill) for 6 months (they originally set me up with HBO/Cinemax for the price of HBO but I decided the $2 HBO deal was more worth it to me than the 2 for 1 deal).

But...you don't necessarily have to not be subscribed to the premiums in order to receive (if retention gives it to you) the premium discounts mentioned in this forum.

[Mr Pieces]

Figures they would start cracking down on the day I was going to call and get a second unit. (Just got a new 26" Sharp LCD TV for the bedroom and need HD TiVo for it) I'll call and give it a try but from what I have seen looks like no HD TiVo at a steal.

Brian

[Townie33]

First off, I greatly appreciate the input I've picked up from this forum. Here is my experience from about 30 minutes ago. I hope it helps. Called 800-824-9081 and got through immediately. I was excited about that. I explained I was a DirecTV cust. looking to replace my old HD receiver with newer technology (DVR). What could they do for me? Rep said prices "had just changed." I'm thinking, "OH NO!" I ask, "In my favor I hope." He replies, "I would say so." Anyway, he explains the much in demand TiVo DVR is now $499. He can get me that price with a $100 rebate. I wasn't too excited about this "deal" and explained that a friend got the same "deal" for $200 less 2 days prior. He said he'd check to see what he could do and offered me the NFL Super package for free, half off the HD package for 6 mos., and some HBO and Showtime deal. I hemmed and hawed a bit more and he said he'd see what else he could do. Next thing you know he offers me a $200 credit along with the $100 rebate. Wow! But then I wouldn't be able to get any of the other offers. I said that would be fine (since that's what my buddy had gotten anyway). I did then mention my friend still had gotten half off his HD package for 6 mos. He said he shouldn't, but he'd give that to me too. So I ended up getting the HD TiVo DVR for $499. Then a $200 credit, and a $100 rebate, and half off my HD for 6 months. I also picked up the HD OTA attenna for $50. I figured since they were gonna do the installation for FREE....why not? By the way, he also asked that I not tell anyone about the deal I had gotten. Things are getting tight guys!

[ginhead]

just to add a data point:

I was kind of bummed after reading this recent news because I called monday, got offered $299-$100 rebate but was holding out for more (programming credit).

anyway,the csr that I spoke with about an hour ago said the $299 deal had been discontinued on the 26th and the base price is now $499. after some discussion I go this:

tivo: $499
mail in rebate: - $100
programming credit: - $200
net tivo cost: $199 + tax + handling/delivery fee

it took the CSR about 15 minutes to get her story straight about the tivo cost - originally she said that the cost was $699 with a $100 rebate. I explained that 'my friend' got it last week for $299. It also took a little negotiating to get the $200 programming credit - I explained that Comcast would give me the box for free and that $400 is at more than $10/month. She offered a $150 credit, I asked for $200 and got it.

good luck.
-jeff

[Sir_winealot]

So now, seems that rather than it being $299 w/a $100 rebate....it's a higher price minus 'account credit' ...minus rebate....which still works out to the same thing?

And usually to receive such a credit, you'd need to be an exsisting customer that's been around for a while, and kept up w timely payments. This seems to be what this discount was intended for initially ....not meant for everybody, but to reward loyal customers....and perhaps some of the CSR's began giving it to everyone which got outta hand a little.

Dunno for sure....but if I had to guess....

[darthrsg]

it is kinda the same deal except for a 499 wallet hit, my wallet likes the 299 hit and so does the HOH, i might try again and play the sympathy card or suck it up and go for it now.
it really sucks though that i got the 299 w/100 mir and held out, and just that same afternoon got the 499/big credit. all this on the day it ended. i have been with D* since 97 and people who have been with them only a month or less got this deal. my 2 cents

[magicboy2]

Spoke to 2 different retention reps today and both said the $299 price is officially over, and the new price is $499 (with add'l $100 rebate).

[magicboy2]

Oh and one other thing- for all you folks calling back trying 4, 5 times... each time you call, the rep notes it in your customer file, and the other reps see that. Just FYI.

[mgeismar]

I just spoke to retention (I asked the rep who answered to connect me to someone in retention).
Here is what I got:
HD Tivo for $499
-$100 rebate
-$75 service credit
-$20 programming credit for 6 months ($120)
-$5.50 HD service credit for 6 months ($33)

So I paid $172 for my HD Tivo box.

Just keeping asking for stuff. His "best" offer was $499 +$100 rebate. I just kept asking for the rest of the stuff (I probably could have done better, but I'm happy with what I got).

[edrock200]

Oh and one other thing- for all you folks calling back trying 4, 5 times... each time you call, the rep notes it in your customer file, and the other reps see that. Just FYI.
Not entirely true....some reps are lazy and don't make notes...ie every single rep I've ever talked to...everytime I call after getting disconnected or calling back I hear "I don't see any notes on your account...."

[eajeff]

I have been watching this thread for a while now but have yet to take the plunge to get HD offer. Reason I have been hesitant is that I was granted a waiver for ABC, NBC (but not others) a few years. I live in Tampa and was surprised I was granted the waiver although I do have an RV ---- I have DTV at home. I do not want to jeopardize my ability to continue to get the NYC/LA feeds of these two networks. Do you think I will jeopardize this by calling in the get the deal?

[Mr Pieces]

Getting this deal has nothing to do with your programming. It is just adding (or replacing) a receiver and extending your contract with DTV. You should be fine.

[newsposter]

Not entirely true....some reps are lazy and don't make notes...ie every single rep I've ever talked to...everytime I call after getting disconnected or calling back I hear "I don't see any notes on your account...."

I had just the opposite with my bad install. They had so many notes they put me on hold. I think I talked to half the staff out there. I also could refer to "peter on this date" etc so they knew I had extensive notes as well.

[hiker]

I got the $299 deal one week ago. How do I get the $100 rebate?

[veganfred]

I got the $299 deal one week ago. How do I get the $100 rebate?

Mine was about two weeks ago. I heard they mail it to us a week or so later, but nothing yet.

[Mr. Big]

I have been watching this thread for a while now but have yet to take the plunge to get HD offer. Reason I have been hesitant is that I was granted a waiver for ABC, NBC (but not others) a few years. I live in Tampa and was surprised I was granted the waiver although I do have an RV ---- I have DTV at home. I do not want to jeopardize my ability to continue to get the NYC/LA feeds of these two networks. Do you think I will jeopardize this by calling in the get the deal?

I had my HD Tivo installed a couple of days ago ($199.00 deal) and I also got a waiver about 4 years ago. They automatically gave me the local HD channels without me having to say a word about it.

[veganfred]

I have been watching this thread for a while now but have yet to take the plunge to get HD offer. Reason I have been hesitant is that I was granted a waiver for ABC, NBC (but not others) a few years. I live in Tampa and was surprised I was granted the waiver although I do have an RV ---- I have DTV at home. I do not want to jeopardize my ability to continue to get the NYC/LA feeds of these two networks. Do you think I will jeopardize this by calling in the get the deal?

I've had both east and west coast SD feeds of the four networks since my Primestar days, and was very hesitant about making any changes to my account, but when the FCC recently pulled the plug on the HD versions of the east and west networks, I called to see what could be done to get them back. I was told that adding local channels would restore the west HD feeds, and leave the east/west SD in tact. I was very clear and used a supervisor to be sure nothing stupid happened, so they checked to see all the channels were working before hanging up. Now I have HD L.A., and SD L.A., N.Y. Hopefully it will stay that way.

That was also the call where the rep pitched me the HD Tivo, so I asked for everything I got last year when I switched to HD, and got most of it. Net cost $1 :up:

As for the deal now, it seems that where you were breaking even before, now it appears to be costing about $200 - same credits, but a higher base price. Either way, still not bad compared to the stores... Thank goodness for good timing. :D

[darthrsg]

i just got the hd tivo for 199 when all the dust settles, 200 instant credit, mir of 100, hd pack for a year at 5 bucks, install set for saturday, that on top of my already good discounts that i get, i will get a bill for the 299 plus regular monthly service, send them the 100 rebate and be golden, hopefully i will be watching hd saturday night :)

[jim tressler]

http://www.directv.com/imagine/pdf/dvr_rebate_form.pdf

[dwynne]

I got the $299 deal one week ago. How do I get the $100 rebate?

The fine print says once the new Tivo appears on your bill it triggers them to mail you a rebate form. Since you need a copy of that bill to GET the rebate, no need to worry about it NOW. If you get your first bill with the new equipment on it and have not received the rebate form, then you could start worrying or print your own from the link provided.

Dennis

[toneman]

How are some of you folks getting the $299 HD10 with both $100 MIR and $200 instant credit--not including any other programming credits? Heck, most of us didn't even get a $1 credit (spoken tongue-in-cheek) on top of the MIR, yet some of you guys are getting an additional $200, effectively making the net cost of the HR10 -$1 (not including tax).

[ALtheHokie]

Tony,
I hear you. I've been a loyal high dollar customer for 5 years. I have played hardball with them for 4 weeks now on this deal, and I can't get much of anything out of them. At this point, I'm just going to wait for the new equipment period.
Al

[edrock200]

How are some of you folks getting the $299 HD10 with both $100 MIR and $200 instant credit--not including any other programming credits? Heck, most of us didn't even get a $1 credit (spoken tongue-in-cheek) on top of the MIR, yet some of you guys are getting an additional $200, effectively making the net cost of the HR10 -$1 (not including tax).
Its all in who you talk to. I didn't demand anything, was up front but very polite. I think how you start off the conversation and social aspects play a big role, and hopefully this doesn't come off as sexist but whenever I speak to a woman in retention they seem nicer and more willing to work with you.

I always start the conversation with "hello, how are you today? how's your day going?" Make small talk. Connecting with the person on the other end and letting them know that you are a nice person goes a long way.

[ALtheHokie]

Ed,
Can you call them for me? Haha, I must rub them the wrong way.
Al

[edrock200]

Ed,
Can you call them for me? Haha, I must rub them the wrong way.
Al
hehe its not hard, a big part of it is who you get as well. Try calling durring non-peak hours and throw out lots of "please" and "thank you's!" If you feel the conversation is going south or get to a point where you think you need a manager, don't bother. Managers will generally side with the CSR's and will most definitely note your account.

The biggest thing to remember is CSR's deal with crappy people all day long. People that expect and demand things from them. When people are rude or demanding, it makes the CSR's stick to the strictest rules. If you are nice up front and give them a break they'll be nice in return. I realize this sounds like common sense but I use to work at a Helpdesk several years ago and remembered what a difference a friendly voice made in my day, and how much further I strived to help that person.

[chengka]

How are some of you folks getting the $299 HD10 with both $100 MIR and $200 instant credit--not including any other programming credits? Heck, most of us didn't even get a $1 credit (spoken tongue-in-cheek) on top of the MIR, yet some of you guys are getting an additional $200, effectively making the net cost of the HR10 -$1 (not including tax).


My conversation with retention went something like this, September 29th.

Hi I would like to take advantage of the $299 HD-DVR special.
Oh, that deal is gone. They are $499 with $100 MIR.
Wow, that's a lot. Cable is giving it away.. Can you do better than that?
Let me look at your account. I see you've been with us since 2002. HD, Sunday ticket.. I can give you $150 activation credit along with the rebate.
Hmm, are there any programming credits?
Let me look.. Ok, I can give you $5 off HD for 6mo and $18 off TC+ for 6mo.
How about Superfan?
Let me see.. That's $99 now.. Ok, I can see you'll stay if I give that to you, so I am giving you that as a retention credit.

That was it.. There was lots of idle chit-chat. My cost is $111, but with Superfan it's either $12 or $62 depending on what you think SF is worth. I could have done better last week, but you snooze you lose.

It's too bad it's the luck of the draw.

[dave3]

I just got $499 - 100 credit, 100 MIR, 120 programing credits. 9/29

[steff3]

Okay, here I go...............

After purchasing my new JVC HD56G866, last week I began following this thread and decided to stay with D* if I could upgrade with the same offer I had been reading about.

My first call last week did not lead to anything but the offer of 299.00 and 100.00 rebate. I called two more times during the course of the week and on the last call was offered the 299.00 & rebate plus 5.00 off HD plus plus Showtime free for 6 months plus 10.00 off HBO (2.00 a month total) for 6 months so I agreed. That was on 9-26-05. They said installation would call me in 24 - 48 hours. After two days I received a pre recorded message stating that I had not yet set up my appointment and I was to call the number for installation. When I did, they told me someone would be calling me back within 24 hrs from their local contractor. Well, no one called after 24 hrs (surprise!) so I again called last night. They told me it would be on the 14th and I assumed they meant 10-14-05. I pressed for a little earlier appointment and they gave me the # to the local installers. When I called, the phone rang for at least 50 rings before their automated greeting came on. I then waited for anther 20 minutes to speak to someone. When I finally did talk to them he said he sees that I am scheduled for NOVEMBER 14! He said that is the best he can do.
Called back D* to cancel. The young lady was very polite and apologized. I told her it is not her fault but that it is unacceptable. She put me on hold while she talked to her supervisor, came back and said she called the local installers and the best she could do was put me on a pending list where if anyone cancels, I will get first shot. She also offered me 10.00 a month credit for 12 months. I told her I would give them two weeks.

Today I called Comcast and they can have it installed in 3 - 4 days if I wish. 39.99 for std plus their silver pkg, 10.00 for their HD-DVR (only holds 15 hrs of HD programming) plus HBO for free. After one year, price would jump to about 80.00.

I am going to put up an OTA on the roof this weekend and if I pick up my locals in HD, I might wait and if not....I will be jumping to Comcast.
BTW...
D* said I will be charged for the HD-DVR on my next statement, even if it has not yet arrived.
Sorry for the long post, but I really needed to vent.
Anyone else gone through this long of an install wait period? Does anyone know if Comcast would disappoint after being with D* for the last 2-1/2 years?

[varneyb]

Just called last night and got:

HD Tivo + Dish + Antenna = $549 - $150 = $399 - $100 rebate = $299
$5/mo credit for 12 months = $60
3 months free HD Package = $33
Free install and shipping


Is that the best I can hope for, or should I call back?

[chengka]

Just called last night and got:

HD Tivo + Dish + Antenna = $549 - $150 = $399 - $100 rebate = $299
$5/mo credit for 12 months = $60
3 months free HD Package = $33
Free install and shipping


Is that the best I can hope for, or should I call back?

If you want it, take it. You might get $50 better, but is it worth the hassle?

[gmanstrand]

Without much prodding here's what I got:

HDTV Tivo $499
-$100 Instant Rebate
-$100 Mail-in Rebate
-$10 TC Package for 12 months
-$10 HBO Package for 6months ($2/month)
Free Showtime for 6 months
Free Installation
Still charged $14.95 for shipping

I tried to gently press for the $150 Instant rebate but this was the best I could do. Originally they quoted me $649 for the HDTV Tivo but when he checked the price was $499.

I've been a D* Tivo user for 5 years always paying of time.
Called the 800-824-9081 number and they were very friendly.

[toneman]

Don't get me wrong here--I'm not complaining about why/not getting additional instant non-programming credits, but just curious as to how some of you folks were going about getting them (apparently, getting a female CSR and essentially "hitting" on her is one's best bet! ;) ).

FWIW--I got "lucky" and was able to talk to a female retention rep; we talked about all kinds of stuff...including home gardening, if you can believe that...but I still didn't get any additional non-programming credits. ;)

Like I said, I'm not complaining--for someone who has just the basic DTV package (plus locals and TiVo sub), I was able to get retention to give me all kinds of programming credits...

[dwynne]

I think in addition to it being "rep roulette" when you call in they look at your account - how much you spend, are you ever late, when is the last time (if ever) they gave you a credit to keep you, etc. Someone that already has an HDTivo or two (for example) and may still be under a commitment may not be offered as much as someone that does not have as large an equipment investment. I mean, if you already had an HDTivo or two how serious will they take your "I just may get cable, since it is cheaper" statement?

It really is a YMMV and another part could be if you get unlucky and get a hard-nosed rep the first time they may ALSO put notes on your account. Then you call back later and get a nicer rep, but they see the note and don't give you all the goodies?

Anyway, who can figure these folks out :confused: ?

Dennis

[killerdc]

I called twice and got the same promotion options.

499 HDTIVO -100 MIR -100 Instant Credit $10 off HBO for 6 months and 5.00 HD programming for a year. Looks pretty standard. The second rep said that closer to the holiday, there may be another promotion like the 299 with 100 credit deal. She said that if I was willing to wait the month to month and a half, it would be worth the savings. I can only assume that she was hinting that something else was going to pop up soon and to wait and see. Hell I have had my HD TV for a year now with no HD TIVO, whats another month.

[BeanMeScot]

I called twice and got the same promotion options.

499 HDTIVO -100 MIR -100 Instant Credit $10 off HBO for 6 months and 5.00 HD programming for a year. Looks pretty standard. The second rep said that closer to the holiday, there may be another promotion like the 299 with 100 credit deal. She said that if I was willing to wait the month to month and a half, it would be worth the savings. I can only assume that she was hinting that something else was going to pop up soon and to wait and see. Hell I have had my HD TV for a year now with no HD TIVO, whats another month.

Anybody else get this kind of hint? I don't want to spend two hours trying to get my HD Tivo and I really can't afford to pay anywhere close to 499-100 for it (my house was flooded a couple of months back and I am strapped for cash now). I have even considered Comcast and I never would have before.

[killerdc]

Just called back a 3rd time and was promptly told how GREAT this deal was, and there was NEVER a 299 deal, and that there is NOOOOOOOO way they can do one year programming credits, etc.... Sometimes I want to yell out and say look here you stupid b%#$Q, go check out the 50 other people that did get that deal. :) Oh well, I guess I will heed the advice of CSR #2 and wait till closer to the holidays.

[dudeche]

After talking to 6 different people at DirectTV (2 supervisors) I had the following experience:

On Saturday after talking to 3 folks there, I got this offer:

$499 - $100 MIR
$5 x 6 Months - Off HD Service
$20 x 6 Months - Off Premeire Service
$125 Instant credit

After that conversation I still wasn't satisfied with the offer as I had 2 friends that got in on the $299 deal. On Sunday I talked it over with those two and figured I should just lock it up and go with it. So...On Monday, I call back and they tell me they can no longer give me the above deal (difference being a $75 instant credit as opposed to the $125). They told me that offer expired when I hung up the phone on Saturday.

Not only was this experience completely painful, the folks there at DirectTV were rude. It just blows my mind they can get away with this. I'm in the process of filing a complaint with the BBB, as I don't think it's lawful for them to keep my money for NFL Sunday Ticket considering the season is just a 1/4 over.

But, I can't stress enough how great it felt to tell them this "Ok, so what I'm going to have you do is cancel my account now". I'm not about to give those clowns another penny and I will most certainly urge others to do the same.

It blows my mind that they would treat a high paying customer of 3 years this way.

-Dan

[mczolton]

Not only was this experience completely painful, the folks there at DirectTV were rude. It just blows my mind they can get away with this. I'm in the process of filing a complaint with the BBB, as I don't think it's lawful for them to keep my money for NFL Sunday Ticket considering the season is just a 1/4 over.

But, I can't stress enough how great it felt to tell them this "Ok, so what I'm going to have you do is cancel my account now". I'm not about to give those clowns another penny and I will most certainly urge others to do the same.

It blows my mind that they would treat a high paying customer of 3 years this way.

-Dan

I think I posted this before (in this thread even) but I am constantly amazed by some people. Why exactly do you think you deserve this package? Why didn't you jump on it when you had the chance? And how is it that D* is either being unlawful (you did agree to their contract), or in violation of "better business practices" because they refuse to offer you an unadvertised deal. You had the chance to get the package for around $125.00 and you held out for more? Is it greed - maybe?

Now, if they had sent you a flyer in the mail with the offer and then denied it to you, I could understand, but this deal is certainly not a public affair even if it is being broadcast all over the forums.

Mark

[dudeche]

Mark, you're making a lot of assumptions (side question: Are you for real?):

- I just found out about this deal last Thursday.

- I called Monday with the intent of signing up with the offer I was given on Saturday. They renegged on it in less than 48 hours.

- I need to look into the unlawfulness, as I did not sign a contract for this year for NFL Sunday ticket. It was autorenewed. I suppose paying the bill would be a form or agreement, but I need to look into this some more. It amazes me you're even siding with them on this though. As a consumer, I would think you'd want to have the ability to choose different providers/services without contract agreements getting in the way.

- It has absolutely nothing to do with greed. Again, I'm not sure where you are coming from. I want to get a deal like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with that. It's funny, really, seriously, you would call me, the consumer, greedy. Good one...and I'm having a good chuckle. But, if you'd like to be learned, it has everything to do with customer service expereince. If I have to play a game to get the lowest rate and it frustrates me...then it's a bad experience. It has nothing to do with greed.

- Flyer or not...doesn't matter...that point is not only moot...but dumb.

-Dan

[edrock200]

What's surprising to me, (if I did my math correctly) if you planned on staying with DirecTV for at least 6 months (which you would have to with the contract) you would have ended up paying $124 for your HDTivo, a better deal that the $299-100 rebate, but that wasn't good enough, why?

[dudeche]

Edrock....Because my freinds not only got the $299-$100 MIR, but the programming discounts as well just a week earlier. Knowing this on Saturday I wasn't content or certain about the deal. On Monday I decided to go with the deal, an suck up the fact I would have to pay more than my friends. When I called back, they said no dice. Is it unreasonable for me to want to think about the offer?

-Dan

[mczolton]

- I called Monday with the intent of signing up with the offer I was given on Saturday. They renegged on it in less than 48 hours.

Hey, you passed on it buddy. I don't seem to recall you saying they told you the offer was good indefinitely (or for a limited time for that matter).


- I need to look into the unlawfulness, as I did not sign a contract for this year for NFL Sunday ticket. It was autorenewed. I suppose paying the bill would be a form or agreement, but I need to look into this some more. It amazes me you're even siding with them on this though. As a consumer, I would think you'd want to have the ability to choose different providers/services without contract agreements getting in the way.


From DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket website:

NFL SUNDAY TICKET automatically continues each year at a special renewal rate, unless customer calls to cancel prior to the start of the season.

Many subscription services are like this. How is this unlawful?

However, you are correct. I would like to be able to choose a service provider without contracts getting in the way. The fact of the matter is though, you agreed to the contract. You should have been aware of what it entailed. I am all for consumer protection, but I am also for consumer awareness. You have a duty as a consumer to be aware of the contractual obligations you are agreeing to. If you don't like them, vote with your wallet and don't sign the contract.


- It has absolutely nothing to do with greed. Again, I'm not sure where you are coming from. I want to get a deal like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with that. It's funny, really, seriously, you would call me, the consumer, greedy. Good one...and I'm having a good chuckle. But, if you'd like to be learned, it has everything to do with customer service expereince. If I have to play a game to get the lowest rate and it frustrates me...then it's a bad experience. It has nothing to do with greed.

Allow me to reiterate, you had a deal and you passed on it. You had a chance to get the package for around $125.00 and you held out for more? Like what? Many members here didn't get a deal this good after the price went up.


- Flyer or not...doesn't matter...that point is not only moot...but dumb.

I don't really see how the point is moot. And I wouldn't go so far as to call it dumb. It just makes you sound childish.

Finally, I'm not defending DirecTV, but I will say this. I have never had a problem with them. I have always weighed my options and read and understood the contracts I was signing. If I have ever had a problem with DirecTV, their CSR have always been able to help.

I certainly don't mind if people want to post the deal they were offered. Far be it from me to deny them. If they received a good deal, then I am happy for them. If not, then better luck next time. I simply take issue with folks attacking a service provider because they didn't take advantage of the offer presented to them.

Mark

[edrock200]

Edrock....Because my freinds not only got the $299-$100 MIR, but the programming discounts as well just a week earlier. Knowing this on Saturday I wasn't content or certain about the deal. On Monday I decided to go with the deal, an suck up the fact I would have to pay more than my friends. When I called back, they said no dice. Is it unreasonable for me to want to think about the offer?

-Dan

No, not at all. I didn't realize members were getting both the 299-100mir + programming discounts, I thought the programming discounts came in after the $499 price increase. Personally, I just got the 299-100 deal, but I will say for $124 its still a steal. If you get it and hate it you can ebay it for $500. Even at $174 (your current rate) its an amazing deal. Not to mention (and this is purely an opinion so take it for what its worth) directv will probably swap out dtivo's with mpeg4 dvr's when they are available, otherwise you'll have to shell out big $$$ to get one of those. I would call back and if you can get an hdtivo for anything under $200 after everything I would go for it. Thats my 2 cents.

[dudeche]

Mark, you seem to be rather defensive in regards to how DirectTV has handled all of this. It amazes me any consumer would find it acceptable.

- Nothing was said in regards to the limit of the offer I was given on Saturday. There is nothing wrong with me wanting to think about that offer.

- Like I said, I need to look more into the auto-renew and contract obligations. I never said without a doubt it's unlawful. Please don't read more into what I write.

- I stand by my statement of the coupon point being dumb. As it is. Some people were getting really good deals calling Customer Retention.....I'm in the process of a move and wanted to get in on the same deal that apparently expired a week earlier. There was never a discussion of a coupon. So the point is irrelevant.

- Again, my frustration with DirectTV includes the following:

- You have go through many hurdles to get the "best deal". I had to talk with
6 people. Why is this something I have to do as a loyal customer?

- The agents were not only difficult to deal with, but rude at many times.

- The organization has become the equivalent of a Car Dealership.

I simply....cannot see how any of that can be defended -- unless you like car dealerships and like spending several hours on the phone negotiating.

-Dan

[mczolton]

Dan,

There really is no point debating with you if all you are going to say is, my point is dumb.

Mark

[edrock200]

I think the main reason most people are getting different lines is because the retention process is largely up to the CSR. Their job is to keep the customer on board without hurting DirecTV's bottom line, and this unfortunately is a large grey area.

[dudeche]

No, not at all. I didn't realize members were getting both the 299-100mir + programming discounts, I thought the programming discounts came in after the $499 price increase. Personally, I just got the 299-100 deal, but I will say for $124 its still a steal. If you get it and hate it you can ebay it for $500. Even at $174 (your current rate) its an amazing deal. Not to mention (and this is purely an opinion so take it for what its worth) directv will probably swap out dtivo's with mpeg4 dvr's when they are available, otherwise you'll have to shell out big $$$ to get one of those. I would call back and if you can get an hdtivo for anything under $200 after everything I would go for it. Thats my 2 cents.


Yeah, I had friends that got incredible deals along with the $299 - $100 deal.

In essence I agree with you -- but my experience was so incredibly awful I can't bare to give them anymore of my money. Actually it was probably a good thing in the end as it made me caclulate 100 x 12 months and realize I pay over 1.2k a year to watch Biodome on Showtime. Thank god for NetFlix. I'm going to put a call into Comcast and see what they can do...but I'm already getting the willies.

-Dan

[edrock200]

Well, I haven't been with cable in over 3 years (except for cable modem service) but I can say when I did have them they didn't offer me much other than programming credits when the service was out (which was monthly.) ;) Do your research and give yourself time to calm down over the phone calls before making any quick decisions.

[dudeche]

Dan,

There really is no point debating with you if all you are going to say is, my point is dumb.

Mark

I'm just not sure why or what you're debating with me. Are you trying to tell me my customer service experience was indeed a good one? That I was imagining everything?

Maybe "dumb" isn't a fare word, but I've got to be honest, if you're going to sit there and tell me D* was in the right on this....then I want nothing of it. As it's simply a "debate" that will never be won. And more to the point, what is in it for you to defend D*? Why do you care? Do you work there? Does a family member? I just don't understand why you would defend them.

-Dan

[dudeche]

Well, I haven't been with cable in over 3 years (except for cable modem service) but I can say when I did have them they didn't offer me much other than programming credits when the service was out (which was monthly.) ;) Do your research and give yourself time to calm down over the phone calls before making any quick decisions.


Hehehe...well apparently I have to make a decision while on the phone or I might not get the same offer the next time around. Yeah I had comcast 3 + years ago and wasn't happy with all their "packages".

-Dan

[edrock200]

Well, whenever I get an offer from retention, then hang up to decide I always do the following, which may work for you. Call back and ask for retention. As I've stated before do a "meet and greet" with small talk and then go right into the deal, don't ask for it. Basically "Yes I called yesterday and was offered an HDTivo for blah blah blah and I decided to think about it. The CSR said he'd make notes if I decided to do it, so now I would like to take advantage of that offer."

Generally that will get you the deal that was offered to you in the first place. As I've stated before the female CSR's seem more willing to help out and small talk and pleasantries go A LONG way.

[killerdc]

You know, I started to feel that way after I spoke to CSR. Last year I called them and asked them about a regular TIVO and they sent me one free and came and installed it for free. I was quite pleased. This time around, I am agreeing with part of what you have to say dudeche. I was treated rudely, and basically told "tough crap" that the deal was two weeks ago, now its over, get over it, you dont like it, go somewhere else. Obviously they are still making fairly good deals. 299 after instant credit and rebates plus 120 dollars in programming is nice. Generous some would say. The problem is the consistency. They should have NEVER come down that low on price only to raise it up 200 bucks a week later.


I dont have the comcast option i recently found out. I have only the Charter option, and no DVR, nor HD option on top of that, so I guess i have no choice but to live with Directtv for now. Hopefully, as teh second CSR stated, these will come back down in a month and it will again be a awesome deal.

Also 2 of the 3 times, I was told by the CSR that as soon as I hung up the phone the offer would not be valid. Just FYI. I guess that is standard policy. Also, I had girls all 3 times, and I mustve gotten teh ones that are B*&^%es, cause they were all fairly rude, and seemed put off that I was even calling. (And I always try to flirt with small talk)

[mczolton]

Dan,

I don't know anyone that works for D*, nor do I work for them. I am simply taking issue with the fact that you got a great deal and yet you passed on it. You proceeded to claim that D* was being unlawful and subject to a complaint to the BBB. Furthermore, most of your anger seems to be related to the fact that you didn't read your contract before signing up and that you missed out on an unadvertised offer. I'm sure there are a dozen other members that would have liked this deal and all you did was whine about what you didn't get.

Mark

[Sir_winealot]

From what I've read, it was quite rare that someone got anything more than the $299-$100 MIR....this seemed to be the standard. Since this wasn't an advertised deal, let the buyer beware.

All you had to do was tell them to "make a note on the account" pertaining to the offer, and you could've called back anytime and gotten it. I know once I got the deal, I had to shop HDTV's....so it was about 1 week before I called back and said I was going ahead w it (I wanted the TV delivered before the HD DVR).

In any event.....cable sucks! I hope you have better luck w it than I did! :D

[edrock200]

Though a CSR should never be rude to the customer, lets also keep in mind they've probably taken a beating over the flood of $299-100mir calls + arguments once the deal was over. I'm not justifying it, but they are all human too.

[dudeche]

Dan,

I don't know anyone that works for D*, nor do I work for them. I am simply taking issue with the fact that you got a great deal and yet you passed on it. You proceeded to claim that D* was being unlawful and subject to a complaint to the BBB. Furthermore, most of your anger seems to be related to the fact that you didn't read your contract before signing up and that you missed out on an unadvertised offer. I'm sure there are a dozen other members that would have liked this deal and all you did was whine about what you didn't get.

Mark


I feel like you're not reading what I'm writing. I never said without a doubt that they were being unlawful. I did say I needed to look into it more. Regardless of that, I am still going to file a complaint with the BBB. Actually, I'm mostly frustrated...not angry. And it really has nothing to do with the contract. As I'm not under contract with them -- except for NFL Sunday Tickey. Where did I whine? Again, you're making assumptions. I left the conversation on Saturday with them so that I could think about it some more. Since you're so big on "Customer Awareness". let me setup a scenario for you. Let's say you want to buy a new car. You go to the dealership and they give you an offer not as good as an offer your friend got a week earlier from the same place. Would you still take it?

-Dan

[Charlutz]

I don't think there is a right answer here. The deal was a special that wasn't supposed to be public but got leaked on the boards and D* decided to honor it for many people. Thumbs up to them. It was also unadvertised and like sale prices or coupons, could have expired. We've all been through the hit or miss with retention before. It's frustrating, but the boards allow us to keep looking for good deals. The $299 price was first advertised 6-7 weeks ago. Two weeks ago, posts started appearing that the deal wasn't offered anymore. Anyone who had the chance but passed, should be mad at themselves.

But... I would be mad too if I called to accept a deal that I was offered and was told by a rep who I knew had some flexibility in what s/he could offer me that I now had to pay $50 more. Dude, you passed on a great price and are still getting a decent offer. The process sometimes sucks, but divest your emotions and make a rational choice.

[dudeche]

From what I've read, it was quite rare that someone got anything more than the $299-$100 MIR....this seemed to be the standard. Since this wasn't an advertised deal, let the buyer beware.

All you had to do was tell them to "make a note on the account" pertaining to the offer, and you could've called back anytime and gotten it. I know once I got the deal, I had to shop HDTV's....so it was about 1 week before I called back and said I was going ahead w it (I wanted the TV delivered before the HD DVR).

In any event.....cable sucks! I hope you have better luck w it than I did! :D


They did make a note :) But, along with that note they said "expires after I hang up"...something I wasn't made aware of.

In the end all these hurdles are just silly.

Yeah, anyone have any experience with The Dish Network? At this point I will probably just get basic cable and use NetFlix -- Watching Lord of the Rings (parts I, II, and III) over and over and over again is just not worth it. Plus, Howard Stern is going on-demand.

-Dan

[killerdc]

There are alot of people in the same boat. It doesnt make much sense, but they are entitled to do what they please.

You use the car analogy, I use the "sale" analogy. If you go to FOLEY's (or whatever your neighborhood department store is) for their Red Apple 2 day (Saturday and Sunday) sale which happens every now and again, and you show up on Monday after the sale is over, you can't expect to get the same deal as they had over the weekend. The sale is just over and thats that. That seems more logical. Besides, as I posted before, teh CSR rep said to keep an eye out around the holidays it should go back down in price.

I feel your frustration, and trust me, I looked into other options for the first time in several years, but in the end, I am going to wait it out.

[dudeche]

I don't think there is a right answer here. The deal was a special that wasn't supposed to be public but got leaked on the boards and D* decided to honor it for many people. Thumbs up to them. It was also unadvertised and like sale prices or coupons, could have expired. We've all been through the hit or miss with retention before. It's frustrating, but the boards allow us to keep looking for good deals. The $299 price was first advertised 6-7 weeks ago. Two weeks ago, posts started appearing that the deal wasn't offered anymore. Anyone who had the chance but passed, should be mad at themselves.

But... I would be mad too if I called to accept a deal that I was offered and was told by a rep who I knew had some flexibility in what s/he could offer me that I now had to pay $50 more. Dude, you passed on a great price and are still getting a decent offer. The process sometimes sucks, but divest your emotions and make a rational choice.

Yeah, I told the reps I could understand how they were getting hit hard on the $299 deal. I can do the math and it didn't make sense for them to be doing that deal anymore. My frustration was with how I was treated. I'm not about to get into a 2 year contract with a company that treats me like this.....Mark, chaulk that up to "Customer Awareness".

-Dan

[dudeche]

There are alot of people in the same boat. It doesnt make much sense, but they are entitled to do what they please.

You use the car analogy, I use the "sale" analogy. If you go to FOLEY's (or whatever your neighborhood department store is) for their Red Apple 2 day (Saturday and Sunday) sale which happens every now and again, and you show up on Monday after the sale is over, you can't expect to get the same deal as they had over the weekend. The sale is just over and thats that. That seems more logical. Besides, as I posted before, teh CSR rep said to keep an eye out around the holidays it should go back down in price.

I feel your frustration, and trust me, I looked into other options for the first time in several years, but in the end, I am going to wait it out.


Difference is that I was not made aware of the expiration of the offer I was given on Saturday. And I had though the CSR made notes of it so that I could call back and get it.

Again, my frustration has mostly to do with how I was treated.

-Dan

[dwynne]

Again, my frustration has mostly to do with how I was treated.



And I think the frustration of those reading through the thread is comments like "I'm in the process of filing a complaint with the BBB" - because they didn't give you a good enough deal?

I am no D* "booster" but we all seem to have been offered a different deal at different times. Folks who missed the $299 deal (or could not get it) should not whine on and on because they didn't get it - just like folks who where offered a decent deal (but not quite as good as someone else) didn't take it and now missed it. It hurls they didn't tell you the deal expired when you hung up, but based on all the comment here what did you expect? It is CSR roulette so the odds of getting a better or even the same deal would change with each call - so if they offer you something you can live with you should have jumped on it. It is your right to dump D* if you want to, but after having read through several pages of whining about it and replies to the whine (like this one) why don't you just drop it and go sign up for cable or Dish?

Dennis

[dwynne]

For those that missed the $299 direct from D* deal and are now offered the HDTivo for $499 + tax + shipping direct from D* you might think about just ordering from 6th Ave Electronics. Their price is down to $469.06 including shipping and no tax (except for NJ and NY, I think).

Link-Poo (http://www.6ave.com/product.jsp?x=HR10250)

You would have to ask a D* rep if buying at "retail" would still entitle you to any rebates or one time or programming credits, but for those (like me) that already have an OTA antenna and multi-port switch this is a cheap as I have found on a new (or 2nd or 3rd) HDTivo now that the $299 direct deal is gone (or was not offered in some cases).

This is only for folks who need no install, switch, or OTA antenna.

Dennis

[dudeche]

And I think the frustration of those reading through the thread is comments like "I'm in the process of filing a complaint with the BBB" - because they didn't give you a good enough deal?

I am no D* "booster" but we all seem to have been offered a different deal at different times. Folks who missed the $299 deal (or could not get it) should not whine on and on because they didn't get it - just like folks who where offered a decent deal (but not quite as good as someone else) didn't take it and now missed it. It hurls they didn't tell you the deal expired when you hung up, but based on all the comment here what did you expect? It is CSR roulette so the odds of getting a better or even the same deal would change with each call - so if they offer you something you can live with you should have jumped on it. It is your right to dump D* if you want to, but after having read through several pages of whining about it and replies to the whine (like this one) why don't you just drop it and go sign up for cable or Dish?

Dennis

Actually, I'm not filing a complaint to BBB based on them not gving me a good deal -- it should be clear why I am so I won't bore you with the details.

My intent of my original post was to make public the experience I had with D*. Nothing more, nothing less. You can do what you want with it. But, if someone is going to imply that my experience wasn't bad or that I goofed somehow or I was being too greedy, I'm going to respond. Just like I'm responding this this drivel of yours. To say I'm whining is silly. I've already canceled D*....and I'm already looking for alternatives. I find it asanine that people would find D*s handling of all this as OK. Or that "CSR Roulette" is acceptable. More power to you.

Anyway, I'm done. And don't worry, I will still respect you if you're a D* customer.

-Dan

[nellee]

Anyway, I'm done. And don't worry, I will still respect you if you're a D* customer.

-Dan


Thank god....be gone whining whiner :rolleyes:

Your fault for not taking the deal you were offered and expecting more if you called again and trying to top off the first offer with more chocolate syrup and cherries.

[dwynne]

To say I'm whining is silly. I've already canceled D*....and I'm already looking for alternatives. I find it asanine that people would find D*s handling of all this as OK. Or that "CSR Roulette" is acceptable. More power to you.


Sounds like whining to the rest of us :rolleyes:

You should have thought through the options before you got mad and cancelled service. My local cable company is a lot more expensive for less channels and their DVRs (while renting for only $10 a month each) only have 120gb drives in them, can't be expanded, and do not have the Tivo interface. I looked at going back to Dish as well but by the time I purchased several of their HD DVRs it would cost me more than just buying a new HDTivo at retail and keeping what I have.

I don't care for the way each person gets a different deal either - nor do I like playing CSR roulette - but that is they way they run their company it seems. IF I had found that cable or Dish really WAS a better deal then I too could have told them to stuff it - but I checked BEFORE I called so had to just accept what I was or was not offered. Didn't mean I have to love it (or D*), though.....

Dennis

[newsposter]

[QUOTE=mczolton

Many subscription services are like this. How is this unlawful?

[/QUOTE]

Look at the example of the girls gone wild empire... he did the same thing with trial videos :)

[mczolton]

Look at the example of the girls gone wild empire... he did the same thing with trial videos :)

Seriously :eek:

Mark

[servicedoc]

When I go to DirecTV site, it shows $599 after rebate? Where in the world is everyone getting this for $299

[Kevin L]

Dan, I'm with a number of the others here. I believe you're either acting unreasonably, being childish, or are naive to the way things work in the world. Let me address some of your issues.

Mark, you seem to be rather defensive in regards to how DirectTV has handled all of this. It amazes me any consumer would find it acceptable.

- Nothing was said in regards to the limit of the offer I was given on Saturday. There is nothing wrong with me wanting to think about that offer.Unless stated in writing or verbally, I know of no law that makes an offer by anyone or any company an obligation. They made an offer and you didn't accept. There was no consideration and no contract existed. Why didn't you ask them if you can think about it and how long do I have to make this decision?

This is no different than pulling into a gas station, seeing the price is $2.99 and deciding you'll wait until tomorrow to fill up. When you go the next day, the price is now $3.19. Are you saying since they offered you the gas the day before for $2.99 they're obligated to sell it to you for that price. Or, suppose you called up a store and asked how much an item was. They told you X dollars. You go two days later and the price is now higher. There's no obligation on their part because you waited to come in to make your purchase.

- Like I said, I need to look more into the auto-renew and contract obligations. I never said without a doubt it's unlawful. Please don't read more into what I write.Most auto-renew contracts state that if you make payment you are bound by the current terms. Standard contract law: Offer/Acceptance/Consideration.

- I stand by my statement of the coupon point being dumb. As it is. Some people were getting really good deals calling Customer Retention.....I'm in the process of a move and wanted to get in on the same deal that apparently expired a week earlier. There was never a discussion of a coupon. So the point is irrelevant. I missed the discussion about the coupon, so I'll pass on that. But it irritates me how childish people can be. You should evaluate any purchase as whether it makes sense to you and is fair for the parties involved, not based on what others got. If you do that, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. These "deals" were done by the customer retention department and were subject to evaluation of each customer and situation. Just because someone else got a better deal than you doesn't mean you're getting a bad deal.

- Again, my frustration with DirectTV includes the following:

- You have go through many hurdles to get the "best deal". I had to talk with
6 people. Why is this something I have to do as a loyal customer?CSR Roulette is a known problem at DirecTV. Irritating, but sometimes it works at in your favor. I do agree it lacks a level of professionalism.

Your last sentence to me is hogwash. I'm so sick of people throwing up the "loyal customer" moniker. They're are very, very few loyal customers in any business. A loyal customer stays with a company through times when things may not be the best. Most of us (including me) are only loyal to ourselves. As long as DirecTV (or any business) does the best job for my dollar they get my business. When I can get a better deal elsewhere, that's where I'll move my business. If customers were loyal, you wouldn't have Wal-mart, CVS, Genovese, Eckerd's, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. driving all the Mom and Pop businesses to closure. It's happened because these chains offer more selection at lower prices, so we shop there instead of the mom and pops. Nothing wrong with that. It's our money and we can spend how and where we please. Just don't try to say you're with DirecTV because you're loyal. That's baloney.

- The agents were not only difficult to deal with, but rude at many times.There's no reason for people to be rude. Unfortunately, it's fairly prevalent.

- The organization has become the equivalent of a Car Dealership.Huh? This is a stereotype. There are good car dealerships and bad dealerships. Same as all businesses.

I simply....cannot see how any of that can be defended -- unless you like car dealerships and like spending several hours on the phone negotiating.

-DanI like car dealerships when I need them. Otherwise I don't care. I don't like spending several hours on the phone negotiating unless that's what it takes to strike a fair deal. You had a fair deal with your Saturday call to DirecTV, just not as good as you wanted. You took a gamble and waited, and lost. I suggest if you're really serious about getting an HR10, you strike while the iron's hot.

Good luck.

[Kevin L]

I was treated rudely, and basically told "tough crap" that the deal was two weeks ago, now its over, get over it, you dont like it, go somewhere else. Obviously they are still making fairly good deals. 299 after instant credit and rebates plus 120 dollars in programming is nice. Generous some would say. The problem is the consistency. They should have NEVER come down that low on price only to raise it up 200 bucks a week later. I've said it before, killer, rudeness is rampant in America, and it's a shame.

I have to disagree with your NEVER statement. This was never listed as a price reduction anywhere on the DirecTV website or literature. The regular price is listed as $599 (I think). This pricing at $299 was tantamount to a sale, and now the sale is over. Nearly all businesses have sales, and we know the reduced pricing is only good for the sale period.

[Kevin L]

They did make a note :) In the end all these hurdles are just silly.

Yeah, anyone have any experience with The Dish Network? At this point I will probably just get basic cable and use NetFlix -- Watching Lord of the Rings (parts I, II, and III) over and over and over again is just not worth it. Plus, Howard Stern is going on-demand.

-DanHi, Dan.

Yes the hurdles are silly. I agree.

I was with Dish for two or three years before coming to DirecTV in Jan 2002. I was never really pleased with their customer service, and the longer I stayed with them, the more dissatisfied I became. That's why I went to DirecTV. After three plus years with DirecTV, other than poorer PQ from compression, I'm more satisfied with them than when I started.

Another thing to be aware of with Dish is from what I've read, their DVRs are nowhere near as good as DirecTV's. Some feel, as did I with the DishPlayer, that they are nothing but beta testers for Dish.

[dwynne]

Another thing to be aware of with Dish is from what I've read, their DVRs are nowhere near as good as DirecTV's. Some feel, as did I with the DishPlayer, that they are nothing but beta testers for Dish.

I had a couple of DishPlayers and I am pretty sure I WAS a beta tester :rolleyes: . When they worked, it was super (at the time) but after the xxth time of mine crashing and losing all the shows I said enough. I had a SA Tivo and loved it (and it rarely crashed) and D* was selling DTivos now and I found a good deal so I switched.

The new MPEG4 DVRs from D* are said to NOT be Tivos. I will have to evaluate them before I decide what to do at the point when my HDTivos and SD DTivos are "obsolete". To me Tivo makes the DVR I want and I only signed up with Direct because of that.

Even if the Dish DVRs are on a par or better than the Tivos I have now, I now have more to replace so unless Dish was to make me a heck of a deal I would not be inclined to move back....

I tried one of the cable companies DVRs and it was pitiful compared to any Tivo.

Dennis

[Kevin L]

I had a couple of DishPlayers and I am pretty sure I WAS a beta tester :rolleyes: . When they worked, it was super (at the time) but after the xxth time of mine crashing and losing all the shows I said enough. I had a SA Tivo and loved it (and it rarely crashed) and D* was selling DTivos now and I found a good deal so I switched.

The new MPEG4 DVRs from D* are said to NOT be Tivos. I will have to evaluate them before I decide what to do at the point when my HDTivos and SD DTivos are "obsolete". To me Tivo makes the DVR I want and I only signed up with Direct because of that.

Even if the Dish DVRs are on a par or better than the Tivos I have now, I now have more to replace so unless Dish was to make me a heck of a deal I would not be inclined to move back....

I tried one of the cable companies DVRs and it was pitiful compared to any Tivo.

DennisHi, Dennis.

My experience with DVRs, in order, are: DishPlayer, UltimateTV, DirecTV Series 1 Dtivos, DirecTV Series 2 Dtivos, DirecTV HR10s.

UltimateTV, which had a UI quite similar to the DishPlayer, was the most satisfying DVR I ever had. I had six of them at one point. Only reason I switched was the lack of HD, so when I switched to the HR10 and sold my UTVs and replaced them with the one HR10 and five SD DVRs with TiVo.

I have heard the cable company DVRs are pretty lame compared to TiVo. I sincerely hope the HD DVR offerings from DirecTV (without TiVo) are up to the task. Right now the HR10s (I have three now) do the job. I'm content to wait until DirecTV gets it right, or at least as good as I have now.

[toneman]

You would have to ask a D* rep if buying at "retail" would still entitle you to any rebates...
If the rebate in question is the $100 D* MIR form mailed to those folks who ordered their HD-Tivos directly from DTV--you might want to note that if you (are allowed to) use this same form for a HD-Tivo bought from a retail outlet, keep in mind that--IIRC--the small print on said form states that you are committing to a 2-year contract w/ D* by signing the MIR form. This might be an issue for someone who was looking to get the $100 MIR but trying to get around the 2-year renewal by buying the HD-Tivo from a retail outlet...

[toneman]

dudeche--although I think almost everyone else who's posted in this thread more or less agree that the CSRs could have been a bit more polite with you, I think your beef--as far as the reason behind your original post is concerned--isn't just about how rudely you were treated; the tone and contents of some of your subsequent replies to this thread clearly imply that you're ticked out about other stuff as well. Okay, so you're miffed that DTV "renegged" on their Saturday offer a couple of days later--I can understand why you'd be a bit upset over that...but --why do you appear to act as if you should be "rightfully" (I know you didn't use that word) entitled to the same deal your buddies got earlier, just because they were able to get such a deal? I mean, some folks were probably wondering why they weren't able to swing any or very little programming credits while others were getting all kinds of such credits...but again--DTV didn't officially come out with anything stating that everybody who called in for the $299 HD-Tivo deal were rightfully entitled to other credits. Heck, they didn't even officially announce/advertise the $299 - $100 MIR to existing DTV subscribers to begin with--if they did, they probably would have done so via inserts included with your billing statement or something like that.

Like I said, it sucks that DTV renegged on their offer...but it's not as if they didn't give you an opportunity to accept it; heck, there are many other posts from folks who weren't even given that opportunity. The fact that you lost out on the deal because you waited a day or two before deciding isn't DTV's fault at all; sure, one's entitled to "sleep on it", but if one waits too long and finds out he's too late--again, how is that anyone else's (in your case, DTV) fault but yours? Of course, you probably see it differently--instead of you "losing out", it was DTV "taking it away"...easier to lay complete blame on the other party rather than accept some of the blame yourself, eh?

[dwynne]

the small print on said form states that you are committing to a 2-year contract w/ D* by signing the MIR form. This might be an issue for someone who was looking to get the $100 MIR but trying to get around the 2-year renewal by buying the HD-Tivo from a retail outlet...

I thought the same thing and posted the same warning in this thread, but then I asked a couple of CSRs and was told that ANY of the "high tech" receivers (HD Tivo or HD Tuner) now require a 2 year commitment in exchange for the new, lower pricing. I posted this correction also in this thread.

When I got my first HD Tivo it cost close to $1,000 (less one time and programming credits) but was only a 1 year commitment. The new ones cost a lot less (no matter which deal you get) but require a 2 year hitch. If the 2 year commitment bothers folks, I guess they could ask how much more they could pay to only get a 1 year deal. Kind of like a cell phone deal, the phone is free with a 2 year contract, $100 with a 1 year, or $400 with no contract.

Dennis

[Guindalf]

If the rebate in question is the $100 D* MIR form mailed to those folks who ordered their HD-Tivos directly from DTV--you might want to note that if you (are allowed to) use this same form for a HD-Tivo bought from a retail outlet, keep in mind that--IIRC--the small print on said form states that you are committing to a 2-year contract w/ D* by signing the MIR form. This might be an issue for someone who was looking to get the $100 MIR but trying to get around the 2-year renewal by buying the HD-Tivo from a retail outlet...


Doesn't work. The rebate isn't what ties you in to the two-year commitment. I was told when the HD unit was activated that I was committed to a two-year agreement without any mention of the MIR.

If you buy from retail, Ithink you'll find that the price is "subject to connection and programming commitment" and if you don't activate, you are liable to more charges.

[newsposter]

Seriously :eek:

Mark

Well, I can't tell the tone on the internet so i'll play it safe and answer you. Yes, the guy that owns that company has been sued for not canceling people's service after the trial offer and they requested it. I have no clue how it turned out. The guy's a total jerk though. His attitude just bites no matter if he's right or wrong.

[toneman]

I thought the same thing and posted the same warning in this thread, but then I asked a couple of CSRs and was told that ANY of the "high tech" receivers (HD Tivo or HD Tuner) now require a 2 year commitment in exchange for the new, lower pricing. I posted this correction also in this thread.

Dennis
My bad for reposting the same info; regarding the "high-tech"/2-year requirement--IIRC the fine print on the rebate form stated that accepting the rebate offer (not necessarily those exact words), one is committing to a 1-year contract if the rebate is for a standard DVR purchase, or a 2-year contract if it's for one of the aforementioned "high-tech" DVRs (which I think the only model DTV currently offers that would qualify as a "high-tech" DVR would be the HR10-250).

[Kevin L]

Well, I can't tell the tone on the internet so i'll play it safe and answer you. Yes, the guy that owns that company has been sued for not canceling people's service after the trial offer and they requested it. I have no clue how it turned out. The guy's a total jerk though. His attitude just bites no matter if he's right or wrong.To stay a little OT, did any of you see Saturday Night Live premier last week. One of the fake commercials they did was "Girls Gone Wild - Katrina". They were getting girls to flash for bottles of water. A little sick, and probably not PC, but it still made me laugh.

BTW, for those that have SP set up for SNL, you may want to change it to NBC-HD. SNL is in HD this season.

[toneman]

Doesn't work. The rebate isn't what ties you in to the two-year commitment. I was told when the HD unit was activated that I was committed to a two-year agreement without any mention of the MIR.

If you buy from retail, Ithink you'll find that the price is "subject to connection and programming commitment" and if you don't activate, you are liable to more charges.
I think it isn't just the mere activation of an HD-DVR that authorizes DTV to lock you in to a 2-year commitment; I mean, what if I just wanted to add another HR10--bought from Best Buy or some other B&M store--to my existing one(s)--is DTV essentially telling me that they'll let me do so only if I agree to renew w/ a 2-year commitment? I think the 2-year commitment is if you agreed to the $299 HR10 deal that (supposedly) just recently expired, and that filling out the rebate form is just another way for DTV to prove that you indeed agreed to commit to a 2-year term.

[Kevin L]

I think it isn't just the mere activation of an HD-DVR that authorizes DTV to lock you in to a 2-year commitment; I mean, what if I just wanted to add another HR10--bought from Best Buy or some other B&M store--to my existing one(s)--is DTV essentially telling me that they'll let me do so only if I agree to renew w/ a 2-year commitment? I think the 2-year commitment is if you agreed to the $299 HR10 deal that (supposedly) just recently expired, and that filling out the rebate form is just another way for DTV to prove that you indeed agreed to commit to a 2-year term.Yes, that's what they're saying. If you activate a receiver, you're agreeing to a new commitment period. It's not cumulative. It just starts a new period.

[dwynne]

Yes, that's what they're saying. If you activate a receiver, you're agreeing to a new committment period. It's not cumulative. It just starts a new period.

I agree - that matches what I was told. If you want a $999 HD Tivo then you may only need to commit to another year from the date you activate it, but to get a "discount" HD Tivo ($599, $499, $229 - with or without a rebate) then you are committing to two more years from that point forward.

I THOUGHT it was tied to the rebate (based on the fine print of the rebate form), but was told several times that when I activated a new HD Tivo no matter where it was purchased - it was a new 2 year commitment.

EDIT: Keep in mind that the commitment is to keep a minimum level of service on for the commitment period. If you have Total Choice Premier and purchased 2 new HD Tivos you are committing to keeping (at least) a single receiver going for 2 years on at least Total Choice ($41.99 and up). So "in theory" you could buy several and only be committed to keeping a single receiver on for 2 years from the date of the last one you activate at $41.99. With a cell phone account, it is a commitment for each phone and not the whole account - AFAIK D* is just the account and not a promise to keep every box on.

Dennis

[Kevin L]

I agree - that matches what I was told. If you want a $999 HD Tivo then you may only need to commit to another year from the date you activate it, but to get a "discount" HD Tivo ($599, $499, $229 - with or without a rebate) then you are committing to two more years from that point forward.

I THOUGHT it was tied to the rebate (based on the fine print of the rebate form), but was told several times that when I activated a new HD Tivo no matter where it was purchased - it was a new 2 year commitment.

DennisThis isn't any different than it was in the past, except that it's now two years for advanced receivers. In the past, whether you knew it or not, you committed to another year when you activated another receiver.

What I believe is new is the ability to send the receiver back to get out of the commitment. You always, AFAIK, could get out of the contract by paying a pro-rated amount.