HR20 testers be aware: new 2 year commitment

[ad301]

I was interested in testing the new hr20, and in fact have ordered one through BB. I wanted to give it an honest shot, and planned to run it in parallel with one of my hr10s for at least two to three weeks. However, I just finished talking with two different retention reps, and was told by both of them that the 2 year programming commitment would stay on the account even if the hr20 were to be returned to the retailer. Yikes. I'm cancelling my order. And I'll soon be cancelling D*.

[ebonovic]

Wouldn't matter if it was an HR20, H20, or R15 all of them carry a 2-year extension
D11 would carry a 1 year extension.


But I still think you can "return" the unit to DirecTV to satisfy the commitment

[cwpomeroy]

Yikes. A 2 year commitment just to get a new box? Why don't they clearly document either the return obligation of the box or the termination fee if you don't stay for 2 years.

Call me crazy, but why would someone agree to two years of at least $60 a month (24 times $60 = $1,440) just so they can get a HD DVR?

I came to DirecTV only because the original DirecTivo could record 30 hours of top quality vs. the standalone boxes and it had two tuners. (call me crazy - it was my decision). The inner geek in my wants to try out the new s3 but was willing to try out the new Directv box before going that direction. But if this locks me in to two years, I'll just drop the service.

They'd be better off saying - if you cancel the service you must return the box in operational condition or pay a $x termination fee unless you had 24 months of continous service after we shipped you the unit.

[ad301]

I thought that too, Earl, but two different retention reps put me on hold, checked with someone else, and came back and said that the commitment is final, even if the equipment is returned. Is this just a case of CSR roulette?

[markrsmith83]

Yikes. A 2 year commitment just to get a new box? Why don't they clearly document either the return obligation of the box or the termination fee if you don't stay for 2 years.

Call me crazy, but why would someone agree to two years of at least $60 a month (24 times $60 = $1,440) just so they can get a HD DVR?

I came to DirecTV only because the original DirecTivo could record 30 hours of top quality vs. the standalone boxes and it had two tuners. (call me crazy - it was my decision). The inner geek in my wants to try out the new s3 but was willing to try out the new Directv box before going that direction. But if this locks me in to two years, I'll just drop the service.

They'd be better off saying - if you cancel the service you must return the box in operational condition or pay a $x termination fee unless you had 24 months of continous service after we shipped you the unit.

I'm where you are. I'm gonna look hard at Cablevision and Series 3 before I look at DirecTV and the HR20. The 2-year commitment is keeping me from getting new boxes from DirecTV and may be enough to drive me back to cable.

The really bad thing is that my older HD receiver (Sony HD200) died about a month ago during a T-storm. I need to replace it, but - you guessed it - DirecTV will only replace it with an H20 and a new 2-year commitment. So I have no receiver upstairs. I should really drop it off my account, but I was kinda waiting to see if they send me an H20 without a commitment in a swap.

[Kamakzie]

How much is the early termination fee anyways? I think Doug said once in another thread but I forget.

[cwpomeroy]

I'm where you are. I'm gonna look hard at Cablevision and Series 3 before I look at DirecTV and the HR20. The 2-year commitment is keeping me from getting new boxes from DirecTV and may be enough to drive me back to cable.

The really bad thing is that my older HD receiver (Sony HD200) died about a month ago during a T-storm. I need to replace it, but - you guessed it - DirecTV will only replace it with an H20 and a new 2-year commitment. So I have no receiver upstairs. I should really drop it off my account, but I was kinda waiting to see if they send me an H20 without a commitment in a swap.


So funny you said that. I have the HD DirecTivo and the last few days it started rebooting on me. I did a clear and reset of the whole box and (fingers crossed) it seems to be ok. But I was panicked that i was going to be forced to make a decision and possibly be locked back into a two year obligation......

Why can't i have my Tivo apart from where i buy my content?????? Let Tivo innovate on the consumer features and functionality and let the carriers sell me the content that flows into it..... makes to much sense that's why.

[AstroDad]

How much is the early termination fee anyways? I think Doug said once in another thread but I forget.

I believe it equates to $12/every month remaining on your contract

[Mavrick22]

The 2 year commiment thing means nothing to me for I have had D* since 1996 and I have no plans to switch to anything else so I have no problem with the commiment to get the newer equipment.

[ebonovic]

I thought that too, Earl, but two different retention reps put me on hold, checked with someone else, and came back and said that the commitment is final, even if the equipment is returned. Is this just a case of CSR roulette?

Could be a case of CSR roulette....

[Paperboy2003]

How can you tell, or is there a way to find out, how much time is left on your commitment?

I guess I could call a CSR, but it's really not something I feel like waiting on hold for

[ad301]

Could be a case of CSR roulette....Earl, could you possibly get a definitive answer on this? I just tried again, this time on the priority customer line, and was again told that the commitment stays on the account, even if the equipment is returned.

[ebonovic]

I'll see what I can find out...

[Southbay]

The letter Directv sent me (order confirmation)

Terms and conditions.

Offer requires you to purchase 12 consecutive months (24 consecutive months for advanced equipment) of any total choice ($44.99/mo. or above) or Directv para todas programming package $29.99/mo. Or above)

If you fail to maintain your programming commitment, you agree that Directv may charge you a prorated fee of up to $150 for standard equipment or $300 for advance products within 7 days of downgrading or disconnecting your programming.

[cwpomeroy]

ok, so it's a maximum remaining charge of $300. I'm guessing that's on top of returning the equipment.

[Southbay]

ok, so it's a maximum remaining charge of $300. I'm guessing that's on top of returning the equipment.

Correct.


You must call within 5 days of disconnecting your programming to arrange for pick up of the leased equipment. Not doing so could result in being charged up to $55 for standard, $200 for DVR, $240 for HD receiver and/or $470 per HD DVR

[bonscott87]

Ummmm, it's been a 2 year commitment on "advanced" products for nearly a year now. This is nothing new.

[MisterEd]

I wonder how legally binding that is. I ordered my HR-10 last Sept direct from DTV. Was never told nor advised of any commitment (although I knew there was one since I work for a company that contracts with DTV in MDU's). I never signed anything nor (at that time) was there anything in writing. Our company requires a signed agreement with our customers BEFORE install so there is no dispute but when I bought mine not a word was said.

I know in our case (all of our customers live in hi-rise or multi-unti buildings and usually only take a 1 year lease) it has cost DTV MANY sales of "advanced equipment" because the customers usually won't be there beyond a year.

I think 2 years is unreasonable. 1 year should be enough.

What is even more rediculous I think is that even if you buy a used HD-RX or DVR from a friend they still hit you with a 2yr agreement. I can see if they are supplying you with new (subsidized equipment) but this is like double-taxation.

[ad301]

Ummmm, it's been a 2 year commitment on "advanced" products for nearly a year now. This is nothing new.What's new, at least to me, is that returning the equipment does not cancel the commitment.

I tried an r15 last November, when it first came out. I hated it and returned it to the retailer after about 3 weeks. That cancelled any programming commitment tied to that box.

It may be that this policy changed when they switched to lease rather than own. For me, with no current commitment, and the S3 on the horizon, it just makes no sense at all to even give their new box a fair trial. I know, it's only $288 max, but I just don't like the feel of it. For me, it's been the final straw.

[JTAnderson]

A two year commitment to even try the HR20 is the primary reason that there is essentially zero chance that I will stay with DIRECTV once my HR10 ceases to be adequate.

(I'm hoping FiOS TV will be the next answer.)

[super dave]

So funny you said that. I have the HD DirecTivo and the last few days it started rebooting on me. I did a clear and reset of the whole box and (fingers crossed) it seems to be ok. But I was panicked that i was going to be forced to make a decision and possibly be locked back into a two year obligation......

Why can't i have my Tivo apart from where i buy my content?????? Let Tivo innovate on the consumer features and functionality and let the carriers sell me the content that flows into it..... makes to much sense that's why.
Why can't you just get a new HD and keep your HDTiVo if the one you have goes bad? You can probably get a formatted one from Weakness.