BeanMeScot said:
I actually already have a couple of receivers, too. The rep I was talking with seemed really keen to get me to take the ones they wanted to "give" me. What if I refuse anything but activating the service?
In all likelyhood you'll wind up with leased equipment and at least a one year commitment no matter what equipment you ask to have used and/or hooked up.
An out for you, should you opt to leave early, is (if memory serves) that you could opt to suspend your account for part of that time and the minimum commitment is really just the Total Choice package.
But, most likely you'd be facing a commitment if you do go back to DirecTV. It really is a matter of how long a commitment you want to accept.
Getting a DVR or any type (again, if memory serves) is likely to incur a two year commitment. Possibly even if you use your own DVR.
Finally, if you do go back to DirecTV, be prepared to watch your bills like a hawk to confirm that they don't try to classify your own personally owned equipment as 'leased' and subject to being returned to them when your commitment is up (if you decide to leave).
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Edited to add: by the way, the same basic thing would be the case if you opted to go with Dish Network, except you don't (by what I know so far) have any existing Dish Network equipment to use.