DirectTV contract for 2nd Hand tivo? - 2 yrs?

[MikeB2]

I want to buy a 2nd hand D* HDTV tivo for my home, and was checking this out with D* customer help (wanted to be sure I could get an access card etc).

The best they could offer me was free installation, $20 for an access card, and a 2 year contract ($300, $12.50/month pro rata if cancelled early).

Customer assistance explained patiently that the $300 was to cover the fact that the receiver was leased. I pointed out if I owned this one, I was responsible for repairs, and hence there was no capex of the unit.

THey had no answer to this one.... did not compute.

Can anyone else help me with this one? - who I should talk to and what I should say? Retention? WHo?

Situation: I have had a DirectTV SD Tivo for 3 years and am hence out of contract. They say extra $4.99 for 2nd tivo, and $9.99 for HD pack (first 4 months free).

[dishrich]

Well we need some more info from you - are you wanting to just swap your SD Tivo for the HD, or are you wanting to have both?

If all you are wanting to do is swap, just move the card from your SD unit to your HD box, call D* & have it remarried & you're all set. You should STILL be able to get the HD pack for free for 4 months.

The problem with D* is - ANYTIME you activate ANY added receivers on your account, EVEN if they are used, they slap you with another 1 year (standard receivers) or 2 year (HD &/or DVR receivers) contract. You will probably have a hard time getting out of this. Yes, I know it BS for a USED box, but hey, they figure they can, because they CAN. :rolleyes:

Oh & as far as the lease BS - if you DO end up activating as an additional box, do NOT let them take this from you as a leased one. If you bought this used & did NOT sign any contract for a leased purchased, they have NO right to take it back from you. Insist on being x-fer to the access card dept. & they can mark it as an owned unit. (do searches on this forum regarding this issue)

[MikeB2]

Yes I wish to keep my existing Tivo.

OK thanks for the suggestion - I will swap the access card to the HD Tivo, add HD to that.

Then do an add for the SD Tivo (and get them to install, put up the new multi dish arrangement to serve the two tivos), put up with a 1 year contract on that. Seems like the least costly and involved way to do it.

[dishrich]

Then do an add for the SD Tivo (and get them to install, put up the new multi dish arrangement to serve the two tivos), put up with a 1 year contract on that. Seems like the least costly and involved way to do it.

No, re-read what I wrote - if you put a new card back in the SD Tivo, you'll STILL get a 2 year contract. This is for ALL types of HD receivers AND ALL types of DVR's, SD & HD.