Best DirecTV HDTivo deal

WaarrEagle · 11-08-2005, 03:04 PM

What is the best deal anyone has gotten on a HD Tivo from DirecTV? I am upgrading to an HDTV and want an HD Tivo. I am out of contract so I know I can get some kind of deal by calling retentions. Thanks!

broken back · 11-08-2005, 04:11 PM

Call CSR and see what you might get. I have been with *D* for over 10 years, some for less time get deals. It took me some time and a lot of call before I got a Credit

WaarrEagle · 11-08-2005, 07:07 PM

Do you call threatening to cancel or more just to see if you can get a deal? Unlike most of you, I will cancel if I get a much better deal somewhere else since I am not under contract. I love DTV but its not worth $500 to buy a HD Tivo and not get a deal on programming for some months when I can get it elsewhere for much less.

golf4dj · 11-08-2005, 07:46 PM

Just yesterday I called. This is what I got.

$499 HD Tivo
$100 Instant Credit
$100 Mail In Rebate
3 Months HD Package Free.

I am paying roughly $15 shipping and the unit will be here tomorrow morning.

I called about 6 weeks ago and got nothing better than $499 with $100 rebate and 1/2 off HD Package for 6 months.

I know that this is not quite as good as others but I guess it is not so bad. I recently purchased another HD Tivo on ebay for roughly $375 and installed and activated it last night. I don't think that I will get the rebate on both units though.

Pretty cool having 2 HD Tivo's my OTA is awsome.

DJ

Billy66 · 11-08-2005, 07:48 PM

I would just simply tell them that your cable company is offering more channels in HD, is offering your local channels in HD and is offering you free use of a dual tuner HD DVR and ask them what they are prepared to do to compete with that.

Kevin L · 11-09-2005, 08:48 AM

That's what I did. Told them exactly what was available elsewhere and what would DirecTV do to match. Never threatened to cancel.

tommy_morris · 11-09-2005, 11:06 AM

I called yesterday and told DirecTV that Comast was offering HD DVR + HBO/Showtime/OnDemand/etc. for 34.95+9.95 to rent the box for one year.

I told them I was cancelling DirecTV because I didn't need to buy the HD DVR at Comcast. They messed around a while and then eventually offered me the following:

$499 for HDTIVO
-$200 credit on my DirecTV bill
-$100 mail in rebate
$14.95 for installation

They even offered to install as soon as today, although I put it off until the weekend.

I have been a customer for about 10 years. I am not sure if that helped, it certainly can't hurt.

Waldorf · 11-09-2005, 11:09 AM

If you really want to be sneaky, tell them you called customer service to cancel and they forwarded you to customer retention to see if there was anything they could offer since that's the way it's really supposed to work.

Paperboy2003 · 11-09-2005, 12:07 PM

Not 'sneaky' as much as shrewd although they might have notations as to whom you spoke with previously etc.

WaarrEagle · 11-09-2005, 06:12 PM

Wow - I will call retentions tomorrow but I am really impressed by the offers from Charter and Dish. I don't want to switch but listen to this:

Charter: All movie channels, HD-DVR, a second digital box, HD package including locals for 68.93 for 3 months and then 71.93 for the next 17 months. They are heavily discounting service for 20 months. There is no contract and no one time equipment fees and just a $30 installation fee. I think they are losing their shirt to satellite customers where I am. I know they lost me a long time ago b/c of horrible picture quality.

Dish: Top 120 package with locals, HD-DVR, and a second box for 57.96/mo. There is a discount for 6 mo but its not significant. An 18 mo contract is required but installation is free. Also, there is a $250 one time charge for the DVR (what I am hoping to get from DTV).

I am very suprised as both of these seam a lot better than the deals DirecTV is advertising, especially when customers want a HD-DVR. I will probably call DTV retentions tomorrow and see what they can do. Wish me luck!

someToast · 11-09-2005, 06:54 PM

I just got off the phone with them and was offered the outstanding deal of $559 (after $100 rebate) and a doubling of my current $5.99 monthly Tivo charge to $10.99. They were more than willing to transfer me to the extension to cancel my service when the subject came up.

I've had DirecTV for five years because of Tivo. If I'm just going to be transitioned to some Generic Newscorp Recorder Box™ in the next year or so anyway, I'm not seeing much reason to stay with them (especially at these prices).

WaarrEagle · 11-09-2005, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by someToast

I just got off the phone with them and was offered the outstanding deal of $559 (after $100 rebate) and a doubling of my current $5.99 monthly Tivo charge to $10.99. They were more than willing to transfer me to the extension to cancel my service when the subject came up.

I've had DirecTV for five years because of Tivo. If I'm just going to be transitioned to some Generic Newscorp Recorder Box™ in the next year or so anyway, I'm not seeing much reason to stay with them (especially at these prices).

Is that the deal retentions gave you or is that what the CSR said? I would hope retentions could do better than that!

someToast · 11-09-2005, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaarrEagle

Is that the deal retentions gave you or is that what the CSR said? I would hope retentions could do better than that!

My first call was to retentions, which said "this number's been disconnected..." (I had written it down over a month ago, so the direct line may have changed.)

marh10 · 11-10-2005, 12:40 PM

I posted this in another forum, but wanted to spread the word.

Just wanted to fill in with the latest deals for a HR10-250 HD-DVR. I called the customer retention number on Friday, arranged a $200 credit and $5 off per month for 9 months with a price of $599 and a $100 MIR. Called back Monday, Nov 7 and they said their price to long term subscribers (2 years with D*TV) means a $499 starting price + $100 MIR + $200 service credit and $5/month credit. I went to BestBuy, told them the deal, they matched D*TV's price + 10% of the difference. The MIR didn't print out, so they credited me a further 110% on the spot which is $110. The final price at BestBuy is $379 + all the other discounts from D*TV.

I called back today to get the credits and got a sweeter deal.
Receiver - $379 from BB
$200 service credit
$5 off for 12 months
6 months of Showtime for free and automatically cancels after 6 months
and D*TV said I can still send in the $100 MIR
which makes the final price...
$79
if you count service credits per month that is only $19 for my HR10-250 HD DVR.

Plus, when MPEG-4 rolls out in Chicago, I will get a new HD receiver to replace my existing standard HD box and a new dish with only the cost of shipping and handling and when the MPEG-4 HD DVR comes out, shipping and handling will get me one of those with no extra charges according to the CSR.

Happy shopping, I think I got a great deal.

Sir_winealot · 11-10-2005, 04:20 PM

That's unusual....BB normally won't match something unles they can see it print and/or verify it. Nice deal.

1999cobra · 11-10-2005, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marh10

I posted this in another forum, but wanted to spread the word.

Just wanted to fill in with the latest deals for a HR10-250 HD-DVR. I called the customer retention number on Friday, arranged a $200 credit and $5 off per month for 9 months with a price of $599 and a $100 MIR. Called back Monday, Nov 7 and they said their price to long term subscribers (2 years with D*TV) means a $499 starting price + $100 MIR + $200 service credit and $5/month credit. I went to BestBuy, told them the deal, they matched D*TV's price + 10% of the difference. The MIR didn't print out, so they credited me a further 110% on the spot which is $110. The final price at BestBuy is $379 + all the other discounts from D*TV.

I called back today to get the credits and got a sweeter deal.
Receiver - $379 from BB
$200 service credit
$5 off for 12 months
6 months of Showtime for free and automatically cancels after 6 months
and D*TV said I can still send in the $100 MIR
which makes the final price...
$79
if you count service credits per month that is only $19 for my HR10-250 HD DVR.

Plus, when MPEG-4 rolls out in Chicago, I will get a new HD receiver to replace my existing standard HD box and a new dish with only the cost of shipping and handling and when the MPEG-4 HD DVR comes out, shipping and handling will get me one of those with no extra charges according to the CSR.

Happy shopping, I think I got a great deal.

No offense but "I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ALL THE ABOVE" - you have a safe day now...

Guindalf · 11-10-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999cobra

No offense but "I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ALL THE ABOVE" - you have a safe day now...

Try reading some of the threads on this forum before doubting something of which you have no knowledge.

BTW, welcome to the boards!

Oh, and by the way, if you count programming credits as part of the cost, D* actually effectively paid ME about $150 to get an HD TiVo!!!

kablooie · 11-11-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir_whinealot

That's unusual....BB normally won't match something unles they can see it print and/or verify it. Nice deal.

I concur.

A BB sales rep told me it had to be an ad (when I tried to get a cordless phone a couple weeks back).

nichols_eric · 11-11-2005, 01:17 AM

I have spent (way too much of) the last week agonizing on HD options. I am switching back to cable tomorrow until DirecTV gets their HD DVR stuff straightened out. Why pay so much money for the Tivo if it will need to be replaced (outdated) in the not too distant future anyways. I think the r20 will bring me back. I have been back and forth with them too much on the price of that unit (a stupid game I shouldn't have to play). Cox is far from heaven, but at least I can get an HDDVR without paying such a high premium. I crunched the numbers and the disparity between the monthly costs is neglible.

1999cobra · 11-11-2005, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guindalf

Try reading some of the threads on this forum before doubting something of which you have no knowledge.

BTW, welcome to the boards!

Oh, and by the way, if you count programming credits as part of the cost, D* actually effectively paid ME about $150 to get an HD TiVo!!!

I have been a Directv customer since 1995 - I called last night and spoke to a rep about pulling the plug on Directv for a number of issues I have had in the recent past.

It had nothing to do with wanting to procur a cheaper price on a HDTivo unit - but I thought I could use this as an advantage for them to give me something conciliatory for all the bulls$it I have put up with of late.

Believe me I have had issues that would take up far to much of my time to type here. Basically - I should be given a FREE HDTivo unit for all the trouble I have had.

Now to the story, the rep looked up my record in the computer and saw all the issues listed felt bad and did the ole' I apologize routine - After getting past that I told him I was tired of Directv and am considering dumping the service (which I am).

I told him I was also tired of picking up the newspaper and seeing all these wonderful deals of free equipment blah, blah, blah - being offered to new signups while the veterans get nothing for their years of loyalty. (He agreed) ...

After all the whining and indirect threats the bottom line was - a new HDTivo unit disounted down to $499.00 with a MIR of $100 bringing the bottom line to $399.00 period - no free service no free nothing and this dork put a line item in the computer making it virtually impossible for me to call back and try to schmooze another rep for a better deal.

As a matter of fact he told me CSR agents have been recently schooled in whats taking place on this forum and others like it and have been instructed to place notes as computer line items in your record if you call with this type of request so you can't call back in and try the CSR roulette game ...

In closing he did say that in effect - if I bought this unit I would get a FREE upgrade to the new mpeg4 unit when they come out and that unit is projected to be over $700 with no chance of any rebates for at least 8 months to a year...

I may be new to this forum - but I AM NOT NEW TO TIVO OR DIRECTV...!!!!

Addendum: (update)

According to Directv reps the Xtra $199 discount some of you folks were lucky enough to get will no longer be given in part because of this and other forums like it - Apparently some idiots on these forums mentioned they heard about a $199 discount from reading "The Forums" a bit to often thereby prompting Directv to suspend all discretionary discounts ...

golf4dj · 11-11-2005, 07:08 AM

I had also talked to a previous CSR rep about 5 weeks just after the unofficial $299 deal ended. When I talked to that CSR she noted in my record what she had offered me ($499 w/$100 rebate and 1/2 off HD package for 6 months).

Just called back earlier this week the CSR immediately referred to my initial request and offered to match it.

Long story short, I got $499 + shipping $15 and + taxes less $100 credit and the $100 rebate. Also got HD free for 3 months. I did not push hard but was certainly friendly. Considering the hit and miss others are also experiencing I though that this deal was OK, not great but OK.

I spent around $400 for one on ebay recently as well. I am spending way too much but HD is pretty cool.

Now I just have to get rid of my regular DTivo units.

DJ
ago when all

1999cobra · 11-11-2005, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golf4dj

Long story short, I got $499 + shipping $15 and + taxes less $100 credit and the $100 rebate. Also got HD free for 3 months.

I'm curious - according to what you just posted in looks like your bottom line was $299.00 - correct???

What was the $100 credit for ???

Thanks,

marh10 · 11-11-2005, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1999cobra

No offense but "I SERIOUSLY DOUBT ALL THE ABOVE" - you have a safe day now...

You can doubt it all you want, but I can scan the receipt and send it to you. There is no advantage to me not posting information that is totally correct. As far as the price match, I was at BB last week to buy a HD DVR and asked them to discount the price 10% as I have done in the past at CC and BB. They said they would meet half way and do 5%. I bought it and am returning it after the great deal I got the other day.

As for the price matching, whenever they price match, they simply call another store to confirm the price, it doesn't have to be in print, just verified. I have done this many times. They decided to call D*TV on their own and did price match to my amazement, but even if they didnt' I would have ordered the equipment from D*TV for $20 more. So if you read other posts, getting the unit from D*TV for $399 after rebate is easy. BB however due to the price match decided to just credit the $100 rebate to my card since it wasn't printing out and the price match receipt said "not eligible for rebate", however I have the BB rebate from the other HD DVR I bought last week and D*TV will send me the other half of the rebate form, so I can still get the $100 MIR on top of the $379.

Also, each time I called and worked out a deal, I had them note it on my account and took their name and date I called as that is how they reference calls. And even though they noted some things, I was still able to negotiate more the last time I called when I got the $5/month discount for 9 months extended to 12 months just by asking even though my account was noted for only 9 months.

Maybe I am just nicer to them on the phone than you.

prosperodgc · 11-11-2005, 08:54 AM

I see some folks doubting marh10's deal that he got through Best Buy. Here's my story, which may help confirm marh10's experience.

I called DirecTV and told them what my situation was (research your local competition, folks!) and after some discussion they were delighted to give me this deal:

$499 for HR10-250
- $199 instant discount because I'm a nice guy ;-)
- $100 mail-in rebate
- $90 programming discounts
$0 for installation
(The programming discounts are: $60 off TotalChoice ($5 per month for 12 months) and $30 off the HD package ($5 per month for 6 months))

So $109 is my final price for the unit. It may not be the best deal possible but it took one phone call and no trips back-and-forth to BestBuy. (My hat's off to you, marh10, for your diligence!) If you take marh10's starting price of $379 from BestBuy and apply the same discounts above, you end up with D* paying him $10 to take the unit.

The person I spoke to also assured me that when the MPEG-4 streams come online, D* will replace the HR10-250 at no cost. No idea what they'll replace it with but it's an assurance that I'm happy with in the meantime.

For those considering switching to a cable provider's HD DVR, you may be interested in my experience with Cox Cable's Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR. I can't post the URL here because I'm new to the forum and the rules say I have to post 5 times before posting URLs. Email me if you'd like the link.) Summary: avoid!

psu90 · 11-11-2005, 09:36 AM

Best Buy is offering a free HD Receiver after rebate as well as a $200 mail in rebate for the HD Tivo Receiver. I believe that starts on Black Friday.

summerall · 11-11-2005, 11:43 AM

When will the HDtivo cease to work becuase of the new mpeg4 stuff? I need to know how long the life on this thing is before I plop down some $$$.

1999cobra · 11-11-2005, 12:27 PM

Persistance pays off-

HDTivo $499.00 - MIR $100, down to $399, Customer loyalty account credit $100, down to $299.00, free installation, six months free showtime...

I apologize with my hat in hand to "marh10" forgive me for doubting you as I see a little persistance pays off big ...

It can be done -

1999cobra · 11-11-2005, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by summerall

When will the HDtivo cease to work becuase of the new mpeg4 stuff? I need to know how long the life on this thing is before I plop down some $$$.

Doesn't matter as D*TV says they will upgrade everyone for Zippo ...

Waldorf · 11-11-2005, 12:49 PM

The HDTiVo (to me) is still easily worth the $900 most of us paid for our first one. I have a friend trying to build one... hard drive, dual HD tuner cards, motherboard, processor, memory, sagetv software... you can easily spend over $1k and it still doesn't accept satellite feeds, not to mention the TiVo features we all know and love.

w4rsk · 11-11-2005, 02:22 PM

I have been with D for 2 years on 10/19. I called on 11/4 and explained Charter's HD offering. I got an HD TiVo for $499 - $100 credit - $100 rebate. I also got a $10/mo credit for 12 months, an additonal $10/mo credit for 6 months for my Sports pack subscription, and Showtime for free for 3 months. That netted my HDTiVO to less than $100. When the installer showed up on the following Monday, he only had to plug it up and activate it since I already had a triple LNB dish, a mutiswitch with double runs to all of my rooms, and an OTA antenna. I got him to leave me a new triple LNB dish and 50 feet or so of double RG6 to use for my football tailgating setup

FYI - the CSR explained to me that the $10/mo credit for a year was because I used Charter for my ISP - she called it an 'Internet service credit'.