Latest discussion with D*TV

[samberger]

Just got off the phone with them. I've been a client since '01 and have the platinum package with hd, with football, baseball and hockey packages. everything in great standing. asked about my options in acquiring a hd dvr. first got the $499 option. then went to retention. finally got them to offer $100 off with a $75 rebate, but the csr i was speaking with actually suggested i don't do anything until the new box comes out "in about 3 months" because they haven't been told anything yet and she thinks it's possible that d*tv could actually charge another $499 for the new boxes to existing customers. while i can't believe they'd do that, who would've thought they would charge $499 to just lease? so now i guess the best thing to do is wait for the new box.

[HogarthNH]

while i can't believe they'd do that, who would've thought they would charge $499 to just lease? so now i guess the best thing to do is wait for the new box.

E* was the first one to try "upfront fee" + "lease" for a HD DVR -- I guess D* figured it would be OK too.

I would tend to disagree -- but E* has moved a whole bunch of receivers, and no one has balked at the fees.

[bigcb37]

Cant you but one on ebay for less then $500? Then you would actually own it instead of leasing it, right?

[elbodude]

This all sounds very Comcastic to me. I hope they get TiVo soon.

[Jon J]

I, too, just spoke with retention. With $99 up front I can lease an MPEG-4 receiver and new 5-LNB dish or I can buy the receiver for $299.

When the new HD DVR is introduced I was told there would still be a $99 fee to cover a new dish and installation, but there would also be an additional substantial fee for the DVR which I would not own but would still lease.

The retention rep said everyone they talk to is really warming to the lease program. I must be one of the few who find it leaves me very cold.

:eek: