Was this a good deal?

[runningnak3d]

Of course it is too late now, but I would still like to know if I got a good deal here...

I had to move this past week, and when I called DTV up to set it up, I asked what was there current deal for people that are moving. I don't remember what it was, but it wasn't very good. My contract was going to be up in 7 days and I offhandedly mentioned that "maybe I should consider Dish" (something I would NOT do -- but they didn't know that :) ). Anyway they asked me what I was looking for. Here is what I asked for (and got)

1 - 30 dollars off my bill for 1 year
2 - an extra HD DVR for free
3 - Free Multi-Room viewing (install AND service)
4 - The HD package for free (which knocked some more off my bill).

Thoughts?

-- Brian

[Floyd]

Getting free HD access is worth about $10/mo, and that adds up.

Dish recently started a free HD access plan, and directv was quick to offer the same thing.
Right now, only new DirecTV customers are elgible for the "free HD for life" deal, but existing customers can call and ask to get a similar deal.
I called yesterday and was able to get the $10 "HD access" fee taken off of my billing for 24 months. That's a $240 savings for me. The "catch" is that you have to sign up for "auto-pay" from your credit card. It took about 5-10 minutes over the phone to set up the auto-pay from my mastercard, then I went online to cancel my ongoing automatic bill-pay that I had set up from my checking account. I asked twice to make sure that there were to be no other "surprise" changes to my programming/billing.

I have never liked the idea of them having access to immediate funds from me in the event of a dispute, but for $240 I am willing to take that risk. I still have the dispute process available through my credit card company of course.

With any new technology, there is a premium to pay for being on the cutting edge. As HD viewing becomes the norm, there is less reason to charge extra for that "new" technology.
So, soon, the HD fee will be included in the regular viewing packages, but for now there is a savings available.

[Dknow]

I'd say you did good!

[runningnak3d]

Oh it gets better now. When the installer showed up he immediately wanted to mount the dish to my roof, and drill holes in my wall. Suffice it to say I politely said *hell no*. He proceeded to tell me that was "standard installation" and if I wanted something else I would have to pay for it. I told him have a nice day.

When I called DirecTV they without so much as a fight said to go ahead and pay him and they would reimburse me for any costs involved with the install.

Now the bad. The installer showed back up today *KNOWING* he was going to have to be climbing in the attic, and he had nothing but a bad attitude. He then proceeded to grill me on why I would need MRV when I had 4 TVs and now 4 HD DVRs. I really wanted to say STFU if you don't understand, but I bit my tongue.

Now I get to debate if I want to let DTV know about this installer or just let it go...

[Roger 9]

I would call DTV and thank them for everything they have done to get you the service, yada yada, then tell them about the installer. I had a fat, smelly slob do a Dish install a while back and I told them how he plopped his stinky rear end on my couch to get the paperwork done. I don't remember exactly what is was but they "perked" me for 12 months.

Have something in mind and sort of throw the 30-day cancellation into the conversation saying "Is this the kind of service I can expect for the next two years?" You never know what tney might do to get you past the 30-days and retain you as a customer. THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR INSTALLERS!

You got a good deal. I got something similar when I came back with the $30 off, an HD receiver + HD DVR free plus an extra $5 credit on my sports pack as well as a gaggle of free movies for 3 months. I have some add-ons to my Choice Xtra and my bill is less than $90. When the 3-month movie deal is up I'll upgrade to Choice Ultimate for five bucks and get added movie stations.

Knowing what I know about Dish and cable, I am with DTV for life (I have basic cable in my condo for those days when my DTV signal gets clipped because of the great Florida T-boomers) so I don't anticipate any dispute with them. As a consequence I will push for the free HD with direct-pay and that can be used to add a movie channel.

So many HD channels, so few hours in a day! :D