$20 off Total Premier Choice still in effect

dfriedland · 10-10-2002, 12:10 PM

I just called Directtv out of the blue and asked if I could switch to total premier choice with locals with a $20 discount for the first 6 months.... There was no problem, just a minute of holding while she checked the computer, and she said no problem. Total premier + locals + DVR (tivo) for $65.99 a month, and I didn't have to beg or threaten to switch companies or anything. I just asked politely and they were more than happy to oblige.

biker · 10-10-2002, 01:35 PM

I got it last month also with no problem.

feldon23 · 10-10-2002, 02:48 PM

Of course Southwestern Bell STILL has my phone number assigned to them so I cannot call DirecTV on my land line. GRRRR!!!

Soon as my dad gets back in town I will use his cell phone.

{EDIT: Ok, I called the DirecTV movers number at (877)-616-MOVE. I got to an operator and told her I'm not moving, I just want to switch the DirecTV package. So at first she said aren't you a Southwestern Bell customer. GRR!!!! Even though I cancelled my account with SWBell 6 months ago they are STILL holding a lock on the phone number/address. So I told her no I cancelled them and gave her my DTV account number and she said ok and found my account.

At first she said "where did you hear this $20 off 6 months Total Choice Premiere?" and I said the TiVo forum. She was confused for a bit. But I told her that right now TiVo service is $10 a month, then it goes to $5 a month in November, or with Total Choice Premiere it's included. So she honored the $20 off and understood that the TiVo service is included. She said it shows up as HDPVR or something.

Anyway, I mentioned that the TiVo series2s were coming out and that it was a personal video recorder. She said oh that's too advanced for me. So I said it's designed for people who still have a blinking 12:00 on their VCR. I said you just flip through the program guide like on a normal DirecTV receiver but you press Record. That's it. It's that simple. If you want, you can hit Record then press the down arrow to get to more options and tell it you want to record every episode of this show, even if it reschedules.

She said it sounded complicated, but I said my dad has figured it out and he's 77 years old.

Anyway, here's to hoping she considers a TiVo.

I also cancelled the mirroring on the non-upgraded TiVo upstairs. It got fried a few months ago and now when you turn it on, all you get is popping sounds from the audio and a black screen with white scrolling flashing lines. If you leave it off for a while and turn it on, you get the green light for a bit. But after it's been on for a while, the light goes out. *sniff*

GoldenTiger · 10-10-2002, 03:13 PM

Woohoo! I just got it... she couldn't find it, asked a supervisor and found it on the computer (I didn't request the supervisor, I was just asked to hold on a sec), and my new total is $10 less than I was paying before for Total Choice Plus w/locals/tivo/showtime!!

Jon J · 10-10-2002, 05:10 PM

Thanks, dfriedland. It did take a supervisor but we agreed TC Premier with locals and complimentary DVR service would be $65.99 for six months. Now what can I do with the "free" $120??

prospero · 10-10-2002, 08:05 PM

Seems like you can call them and get this offer just about every six months.

I have this offer earlier this year and it expired a few months ago. I just called in today and they said no problem and gave me the $20 off again.

Prospero

Hexis · 10-10-2002, 08:25 PM

I just called and got this myself. I had Total Choice w/ Locals + HBO + Showtime + TiVo = $66.99 a month. New setup Total Choice Premier - $20 = $65.99. The only restriction is that you have to keep Total Choice at least for the 6 months after the special. This rules.

jasonl99 · 10-10-2002, 10:12 PM

What the heck did you guys ask for? I tried, and he could only find an $8 offer. I have TC w/Locals + HBO currently. I told him that a friend had just received a $20 per month discount if he would subscribe to Total Choice Premier for at least six months. No go.

Hexis · 10-10-2002, 10:23 PM

Total Choice Premier w/ locals with a $20 discount for 6 months. Try calling back and asking for it from a different person.

staufj22 · 10-11-2002, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jasonl99
What the heck did you guys ask for? I tried, and he could only find an $8 offer. I have TC w/Locals + HBO currently. I told him that a friend had just received a $20 per month discount if he would subscribe to Total Choice Premier for at least six months. No go.

The CSR I talked to said its a retention package. Maybe you can tell your CSR that..

pjenkins · 10-11-2002, 02:39 AM

got it, thanks TivoCommunity.com

Jon J · 10-11-2002, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hexis
I just called and got this myself. I had Total Choice w/ Locals + HBO + Showtime + TiVo = $66.99 a month. New setup Total Choice Premier - $20 = $65.99. The only restriction is that you have to keep Total Choice at least for the 6 months after the special. This rules.

Absolutely no restrictions mentioned to me.

metzgerr · 10-11-2002, 05:37 PM

I just called DirecTV and they gave me this deal too! The CSR had to transfer me to the CRG (Customer Retention Group) before they could give it to me though. I also made sure with him that my Tivo...I mean DirecTV DVR service was complimentary. He wasn't aware of that until it popped up on his screen, then he thanked me for informing him of this new policy

.

You definitely have to keep this level of service for an additional 6 months, because I went and looked at my account info on their web site and it says "1 Year Commitment", along with my package details. Still a good deal I think!!

I did notice something that I would like to clear up. When I looked at the Package Information for my three recievers, it now says this for each one:

"TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER W/LOCALS, 1 YEAR COMMITMENT, WE APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS, DIRECTV DVR (WAS TIVO) "

However, only one of my receivers is a DirecTivo unit, while the other two are basic receivers. Does this mean that I could have 3 DirecTivos for this same price, or would I get charged an additional $4.99 x 2 if I ditched the 2 regular receivers and replaced them with DirecTivos?

Darin · 10-11-2002, 05:50 PM

You don't pay the TiVo (err, DirecTV PVR) fee multiple times. It is a service, just like paying for Showtime or HBO. The only thing that you get hit on with multiple receivers is the $5 mirroring fee, and it's the same whether it's a standard receiver or a dtivo.

So, having one dtivo and two receivers is the same price as having three dtivos.

Hexis · 10-11-2002, 06:58 PM

The one year commitment is for Total Choice or higher programming. Not Total Choice Premier. They just want you to be a customer for a year.

DBSVette · 10-11-2002, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by metzgerr
You definitely have to keep this level of service for an additional 6 months, because I went and looked at my account info on their web site and it says "1 Year Commitment", along with my package details. Still a good deal I think!!

Other posts indicated you need to keep at least the TC programming package to qualify.

If, at the end of 6 months, I can drop back to TC+/HBO/STarz, then I would sign up. If I have to remain at TC/Premier, then it loses its cost savings advantage.

vertigo235 · 10-11-2002, 07:09 PM

hmm? so what is the deal... Do I really have to keep this thing for 6 more months after it's over? I havn't called and gotten it yet, but I dont know if I believe the 6 months after thing. I mean my online web account says the "1 year commitment" allready anyhow, I think this means I simply have to remain a customer for a year since I signed up.

Darin · 10-11-2002, 07:12 PM

No. You only have to maintain Total Choice for a year (the $30, or whatever it is, package). Technically, it does include a one year commitment, but not a one year commitment to Premiere. If you are already in a commitment, then the year gets reset, so you have to keep it a year from when you signed up for the premiere deal.

vertigo235 · 10-11-2002, 07:14 PM

OK..... Calling now.

vertigo235 · 10-11-2002, 07:32 PM

Got it! She did say Total Choice, not Total Choice Premier (as far as commitment for 1 year) Which basically just adds 3 months onto my previous commitment, so big deal eh?

It was very painless once I got through to somebody BTW. I didn't have to explain anything.

GalenMD · 10-11-2002, 08:42 PM

It took me exactly 7.5 minutes, mostly of holding time while the rep investigating it, but it did get done. She had to "extend the offer."
The commitment IS for "1 year of Total Choice at a minimum" (not Total Choice Premier) and you can not be more than $15 behind in a payment.
Excellent. Thanks guys. I just saved about $16/month and have more channels!

Lateshowrob · 10-11-2002, 08:56 PM

No luck here. The CSR knew nothing about it and even after having mentioned the 'customer retention' line, she still didn't budge. It sure is frustrating that other people get this so easily and I can't manage to get it. Have to keep trying I guess.

Ronin · 10-11-2002, 09:34 PM

Just call back later and get a different CSR. When I called, the guy put me on hold, then came back, then put me on hold again. He said he asked his supervisor and was told it was a special "retention" offer only for certain customers. I asked if he meant that it was only for special customers, and that I couldn't get it because I wasn't a special customer. He didn't know what to say after that. I told him I wanted to talk to a supervisor. He said he had talked to a supervisor. Told him I wanted to talk to the supervisor anyway. After a while, he got me a different supervisor, since his was too busy.

The other supervisor did say it was a special retention offer, but that I could get it no problem. He also said I did have to keep at least Total Choice for a year. I said no prob, and he added the offer to my account.

I guess I got lucky with that, because when I checked my account online, total premier with locals is there, but it doesn't say anything about a 1-year commitment.

spartanstew · 10-12-2002, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by prospero
Seems like you can call them and get this offer just about every six months.

I have this offer earlier this year and it expired a few months ago. I just called in today and they said no problem and gave me the $20 off again.

Prospero

I have also done it twice this year. Once in February and again in August. I'll try again next February.

Stew

Dexter1 · 10-12-2002, 01:06 AM

Here is the deal I got:

$20.00 off total choice premier(w/ locals) for 6 months,
Sat C kit with professional installation if I commit to another 6 months of Total Coice Premier (w/locals) after discounted 6 months.

Cost for Sat C Kit $8.60 for shipping and Handling.

Tried to see what they would charge me for the new hughes DVR, but they said I had to go through hughes or TiVo to get that.

Well at least I can see what HD showtime looks like.

PippyDaKid · 10-12-2002, 04:44 AM

Mention that you're "shopping around for the best deal"....the keyword in the system to search on is "shopper" (could be "shoppers")......
~

~
Pippy

jasonl99 · 10-12-2002, 04:44 AM

I'm calling again -- and I'm on hold while she talks to a supervisor. Mentioned that I have HDTV and I never received the Sat C kit that I was supposed to get since they moved the satellite (figuring that might be enough of an inconvenience to me to give me a $20/mo break

)

...well, I didn't get it (again

). She couldn't find the offer. But she did give me Showtime for a month for free (and it will automatically cancel after 30 days). Boo.

sneagle · 10-12-2002, 08:30 AM

I just hung up. No wait time at 8am EST. Got the deal and an upgrade to an elliptical dish for $15. See here for more details:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...692#post749692

tivobernd · 10-12-2002, 08:52 AM

Just got it.
Rep needed to talk to supervisor (after I said 'a lot of people already signed up for it, its probably a retention package').
Rep did not talk about 12 month minimum or anything else.

And yes, Since I had TC with Stars/HBO/Showtime/Cinemax before (I really dont care about watching sports) This will be a 17.99 a month savings.

Sweet deal!

Thanks everyone!

newsposter · 10-12-2002, 10:09 AM

Any idea if they will do this for a 'new' subscriber? I signed up in August with the football deal $50/mo for 4 months for everything (1yr to TC of course committed). After December I'd love to keep Premier and get the $20 off. Anyone try getting the rate 'in advance'?