Best way to ask for discount from D*

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Sounds like it really depends on who you talk to. Today I simply called and asked to speak to customer retention department. Once there, I told them the truth: I just bought a HD Tivo and I would like to see if I could get a credit to offset the balance of such an expensive unit. I was offered a $110.00 credit (originally $50 and six months of HBO free, now lumped into one credit) and six months free Showtime. It wasn't what I was hoping for, but it was enough of a dealmaker for me. Once I sell my HD receiver and Tivo receiver (my HDTivo will do double duty) I will stand to gain about $400.00 towards the cost of my HD Tivo. Not bad, considering I was going to sell my unit as of today.

It's a shame D* is so inconsistent when it comes to retention. My retention reps were courteous, albeit firm. I would call them back and give them the straight story again.

RL

 

What I did was to call, not ask for a credit, and say that I wanted to cancel, and wanted to know how soon I would be disconnected, whether my bill would be prorated etc. That got his attention fast and he immediately started making offers. He initially offered $100 credit but after a few minutes I ended up with:
$150 credit
free HBO/Showtime for 6 months
$ 8.08 to upgrade and installation for 3rd LNB on my dish.

Not bad for a few minutes work. Our monthly bill is only about $57/month so I didn't think I was probably going to get the $250 credit that other people have received. I'm happy.

 

$250 credit, secured in early April, just applied to account after activation of two HR10-250s.

 

What's the 2 for 2 deal?

 

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llogan, what on earth are you doing with 14 TiVos???

 

I, too, got a credit from DirecTV "Retention Dept." (You need to call 1-800-824-9081. This number is located in Idaho.)

I had already lined up a HR10-250 at Ultimate Electronics (UE) and reserved one some time ago.

I told the retention rep that I had been thinking about Comcast (now that they have less expensive HD, more bandwidth and a low rental HD box) and/or Voom (since they have more HD channels.) Both statements were true actually.

The rep said he had to examine my account first to see how long I had been a DirecTV customer (2-1/2 years), what my payment history was (never missed a payment) and what my current services were (paying about a hundred $ monthly.)

He said that based on my history, DirecTV wanted to retain me and if I consented to a one year commitment, they would offer me a credit of $200 plus 6 months free SHOwtime ($60 value) and 3 months credit of $10 on HBO. (He said it would have been more but that they had recently offered me a credit on HBO to offset a service call to replace a failed antenna part (bad LNB).

Total credit: $290 which will mean no DirecTV bill for about 3 months (or until the credit is exhausted.) The credit will appear as soon as I call them (at 1-800-824-9081) to activate the TIVO guide service ($4.95 month.)

I noted that UE was running a 10% off sale which (when I reserved the HD-Tivo) was not in effect. (Sale started July 9.) I called the salesman and told him that I wanted the additional 10% since I had not yet taken delivery of the HD-TIVO. He reduced the price from $999 to $889 ($110 off - since UE has a "competitive matching" policy of refunding any difference in price plus an additional 10%.)

UE said I would have the box next week for sure since UE's warehouse in Colorado was shipping their allotment to them from a recently received 250 pieces and that their company had pretty much caught up wth their backlog.

So yesterday was a good day. I ended up saving $400 total!

 

I'll refer you to my post here

 

I just called in and was offered a $150 credit. I have been a customer for over 4 years, never missed a payment. The rep told me that $150 was all she was authorized to offer, she recognized that I was a good customer but that was all she could do. I told her I was hoping for $250, as other had received. She said she knew nothing about a $250 credit. I thanked her, and ended the call.

10 Minutes later the phone wrang. It was the same rep from D*. She spoke with her supervisor and found out about the $250 credit offer. She noted my account for the $250 credit once I activiate my unit. I then asked about programming credit, and was offered $10 off per month for 6 months.

That was excellent service and I am very pleased. I did not ask her to talk to her supervisor, she did it on her own and then called me back with the offer. Great service!!!

 

Yep, called today and asked if they could help defray the cost (I'm a 3+ year subscriber, Total Choice Platinum, Directpay, NFL ST) and was told: No. Nada. When I asked why others were getting this (including my neighbor who called 4 days ago and got $250 off) he said that person could loose their job if anyone found out :lol

When I told him I would have to seriously consider staying a customer and asked for the number of the dept. to cancel my service he told me he was more than happy to do that for me and started the process right there and then. I still haven't decided if I'm going to stay.

 

I *just* got off the phone with DirecTV. I called the main 1-800-DIRECTV number and told the service rep that I had recently (6 months ago) received a credit for the $99 HD deal. I mentioned that I didn't know the HDTiVo would be out so soon and would have waited if I did. I also mentioned that the local cable company has a HD DVR with 2 tuners at $13/month. After several minutes of waiting, she informed me that she was unable to do anything. I asked her what the disconnect fee would be and she said $75. I then asked how I can disconnect my account - she transferred me to retention.

I explained the same thing to the retention dept. "I really want to keep DirecTV but the TiVo is so expensive. I know you guys helped me out once already, but is there any way you could do it again?" Instant $200 credit and 6 months of Showtime.

Bottom line, talk to retention and be honest and nice. My first credit from the $99 deal just ran out - I haven't paid anything for service for half a year and they just hooked me up again. To me, they certainly didn't need to do that - they just earned a customer for a good long time.

 

I bought my HDTivo last week, and it's been waiting for D* to finally give me a credit.

They gave me $150, and I just relented, since I really wanted to hook it up.

Of course, there was no such thing as Showtime free for 6 months, or anything like that.

Oh well, I should have gotten better, but I guess it's fine.

-smak-

 

Wow, I work in the retention department and have heard about this website...
You guys sure have some brilliant ideas, I guess I will have to be more careful next time!!!

 

I am new here and need some help. I just activated a D* account in August. I just have regular satellite with a dvr. On Black Friday I purchased a HDTV and now want to get HD thru D*. It is just so expensive, especially being under a 2 yr contract now. Any suggestions? thanks