Help me switch from SD DirecTivo to the HR10-250

[jfb2002]

I'm a long-time DirecTV customer (7 years), and while I was planning on switching to cable + a Series 3, the MLB/DirecTV deal for Extra Innings compels me to stick with DTV. Which is on the whole a relief, as I love my DTV service; have never had a billing or service issue; and really, really, really, loathe Comcast.

However. I do not want that wretched HR20 in my house, partly because it's a real piece of garbage, and partly because my girlfriend will leave me if I take her Tivo away. So I'm looking at used HR10-250s as a decent if not optimal solution. I'm cognizant of the dead-end nature of the box, at least where satellite signal is concerned, and I'm ok with that -- most of my TV watching will be either network, ESPN, or plain ol' SD for the forseeable future, regardless.

So, how do I initiate the conversation with DirecTV? I'm 99% certain I'll need a new dish; should I bother going through DTV for it, or just have an independent contractor do it for me (my landlord, reasonably enough, doesn't want me climbing around the outside of his building)? What changes to my service do I need? Has anybody done this recently?

Thanks in advance!
jfb

[TyroneShoes]

Talk to the retention department about your desire to upgrade, and make sure you (nicely) put forth these 2 points:

1. You will not under any circumstances accept the HR20. They are used to hearing this by now, and for good reason. You really want a HR10.

2. You are NOT a devoted follower (even though you are). IOW, cable looks pretty attractive to you, FIOS looks pretty good, etc., even if that is not the case.

The idea is to maximize your position while minimizing theirs. The retention department is well named, in that their goal is to keep you from straying, and to offer enticements when necessary. You just have to convince them how necessary that will be in your case.

Obviously don't mention anything about MLB, because then you have no leverage. Talk about how cable has no commitment, better HD PQ, a more attractive channel package, etc. You have leverage only if they think you are about to leave, and they know they are at a disadvantage with poor HD selection and PQ. Ignore claims about how bright the HD future will be in 6 months or a year. Tell them you have a wife and kids that want you to make a decision fairly quickly, but that they are all Tivo lovers and are familiar with folks who have the HR20 and are not happy. That will put you in the driver's seat.

Now the only way to get an HR10 is to buy it yourself, either Ebay or privately or if you are lucky, from a BB or CC. But many of us who have been in this exact situtation have been able to get retention to credit their account for the purchase price of the HR10. If you sound like you are really about to leave for cable, they will probably offer you a HR20 and a free install for the cost of shipping and a 2-year commitment. Agree in principle to that but then insist that you will privately buy an HR10 (and then do so) and add it to your account for 2 years in place of the HR20 if they will reimburse you. They reimbursed me over $300 for a HR10 that cost me $238 cash at CC, so I know this is possible.

BTW, if you have an oval 3-phase dish, you are good to go. The new dishes are needed only for the HR20 (but will work with either). The old round dish will not work for HD.