Can you negotiate with DirecTV? (5 Viewers)

[Mrs. Rannous]

New rule: Don't call on Mondays. They are swamped.

I got some nice swag. Free Genie and installation. ST at half price. $5 off/month for 12 months. $5 off/month for 24 months. $100 dollar gift card. I have no idea what else.

 

[JShare87]

I just got off the phone with Directv. I got NFL Sunday Ticket Max for the price of ON DA HOUSE! A 35 dollar a month decrease in my bill. Free installation of the whole home Genie, also a 200 dollar Visa gift card. I did have to sign up for a 2 year contract.

 

[No. 4]

Just made the call. I agree with the above - do not call on Mondays as I was on hold for 20 minutes. My initial conversation was with a front line program rep. I told him I was considering leaving DTV to bundle with Charter to save money. He could not help with a cancellation and could not tell me what my early term fees would be. Transfer me to the cancellation department. After 20 minutes on hold, "Clayton" answered and he was one of those upbeat reps that you know is going to try everything to keep your business. I told him I was considering cancelling to bundle with Charter, mainly because my wife wants to lower our bills (not really). He totally understood, and his first line was to talk about bundling DTV with U-verse internet. I shot that down as I am very happy with Charter's internet and speed. I work from home and do not want to experiment with another internet provider. He said my early term fee would be $240, $20 a month for the next 12 months I am under contract. I said Charter will pay up to $500 in ETF's (true).

He then offered to lower my bill $10 for 12 months plus $5 off HBO for 12 months, so $15 credit for a year. He also discussed changing programming packages (lose channels) to get the cost down. I said I was looking at a comparable Charter TV package. I said they have everything that I watch on DTV but the NFL Sunday Ticket. I then played dumb and asked if DTV was the only one with the Ticket. He said "Yes, and how about I give it to you for free for 2014"? I said, "Can you do that?". He said, "We will do whatever it takes to keep good customers like yourself!" I said "I'll take it!"

He asked for a minute to set it up and came back to say that it actually works out better to give me Sunday Ticket Max along with free HBO, Max and Showtime for 3 months. So, I am getting:

- NFL Sunday Ticket Max FREE

- HBO, Cinemax and Showtime FREE for 3 months (already have HBO)

- $15 monthly credit for 1 year

- No contract extension

The call was relatively painless other than the long wait. I am left wondering if I could have squeezed something else out of him, as I see gift cards and deeper credits in some of the above posts. But I got what I originally started out to get - NFL Sunday Ticket FREE. Now bring on some football!

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I didn't ask for Superticket but got an additional $5 off my current $26 off. I have 3 discounts - all with different drop times, but all are 12 month deals. We don't want any movie channels, have 3 boxes, hd, and the all channels but movies (forget what its called).

its still around $92 with taxes. I feel so fortunate.

 

[Socrates11]

This might be the time to call. First person I spoke to I said I needed to cancel. Was told a different department handled that and was passed to Customer Retention. Started reading from the 'wife thinks we are paying too much' script. Lady was very nice. Took about 20 minutes and got:

Free Sunday Ticket Max

$15 off the bill for a year

Free Showtime for 3 months

4th year in a row getting the Ticket for free.

 

[mquinnjr]

Had to legitimately cancel tonight as I'm moving to a Philadelphia zip code, and would be blacked out from all Phillies games, that I watch, if I keep DTV. Fairly close to the Comcast rep tirade without the yelling with the first rep. Young lady and I had a debate re: DTV's lack of carriage of CSN Philadelphia, and she tried to convince me that, living in a Philadelphia zip code, if I bought the MLB EI package I'd not be blacked out of games (I know this to be patently incorrect). Transferred me to the supervisor...as the supervisor needed to "process the cancellation request." I waited, and spoke with the supervisor. Started the same spiel. I explained the history of the CSN Philadelphia/DTV feud to her, and told her I was exhausted explaining this to her and wanted to know 1) why her or her sales rep had no idea about this and 2) why I needed to "sell" my request to cancel and 3) if she could just go ahead and put the cancel through. This was then processed.

Unbelievable, all these companies stink.

 

[Wingnut]

Yup, its about that time, the deals are flowing. Gonna make my call soon.

 

[B Maverick]

I called yesterday and got a very nice lady. My goal was to get down to around $100/mo with the package and channels I have now (all movie channels and top package) with the hopes of adding sunday ticket. Currently paying $150 or so. Wasnt really looking for upgraded equipment (genie, wireless, etc) just wanted to pay less.

Gave her the wife wants to pay less since she doesnt watch tv line and she seemed open to listening. Best I could get was $25 off the bill, no sunday ticket (she didnt have a free one she could give) and nothing else. Told her I had the adds for Dish, Comcast, TWC all in front of me and the pricing was so much better. She didnt flinch.

Told her I was going to check in with the other vendors and and would call back to cancel later. She said she would note the account so when I called back we could see what was already discussed. I will prob call and take the $25 off and again ask about ST.

I did forget to ask if she could also add a referral discount to add another $10 off. I may have to try that too since my mother in law has directv. When I called they had a recording saying for more info on the AT&T announcement to buy Directv press whatever number it was.

 

[lumpy19]

Ended up cancelling. They offered $35 off/month. My normal bill is $150/month if I get no discounts. After that they said I had to reduce programming our cut down on my # of receivers. Decided to cut the cable. The amount of content available thru websites/apps/OTA for free is pretty impressive, time to take advantage of it.

 

[Wingnut]

Ended up cancelling. They offered $35 off/month. My normal bill is $150/month if I get no discounts. After that they said I had to reduce programming our cut down on my # of receivers. Decided to cut the cable. The amount of content available thru websites/apps/OTA for free is pretty impressive, time to take advantage of it.

So $420 in discounts wasn't enough to keep you? That would pay for the Sunday Ticket and then some, unless you dont want the ticket, in which case its $420 in your pocket. Not bad for making a phone call, IMO

 

[Johnny Bing]

Ended up cancelling. They offered $35 off/month. My normal bill is $150/month if I get no discounts. After that they said I had to reduce programming our cut down on my # of receivers. Decided to cut the cable. The amount of content available thru websites/apps/OTA for free is pretty impressive, time to take advantage of it.

So $420 in discounts wasn't enough to keep you? That would pay for the Sunday Ticket and then some, unless you dont want the ticket, in which case its $420 in your pocket. Not bad for making a phone call, IMO

It is a nice discount, but I'd guess he realized that $1380 ($115*12) a year could be spent more wisely. I'm nearing that point myself of just canceling direct and going netflex/hulu/appleTV/antenna route also. The things we seem to watch on TV are shows we can watch via streaming or could live without.

 

[Drifter]

Leaving direct for what?

Comcast? Crappy customer service and a product that is about even.

Plus the ability to then pay $200 for the direct/ST app that is not as useful as the actual ticket...that you can apparently negotiate and get for free?

Not sure anything could ever get me to actually go back to Comcast for TV.

Going to call tomorrow to try and figure out what Direct will do for me (though, my 2 year contract isn't up until November/December)

Cutting the chord entirely. Streaming and OTA

 

[joker]

I'm 2-3 months in to cutting the cord, and so far I'm not missing anything even remotely close to the $200/month I'm saving. I've got WIFI Blu-ray DVD players in all the rooms w/TV, a Roku in one room, and a Chromecast in another. I have Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, and Netflix, and the family barely skipped a beat with all the options that are available to them. The only thing I added was the Hulu Plus (I already had Prime and Netflix). The only things I can see adding are some antennas to different rooms (I only have an antenna in two of the rooms, but the other rooms don't complain about not having local TV), otherwise I'm golden for the time being.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Am I hosed for sports if I cut the cable completely?

 

[Wooderson]

Got $15 off per month and free red zone. I was happy since I'm still in contract.

 

[flapgreen]

Got $15 off per month and free red zone. I was happy since I'm still in contract.

That ain't ####

 

[Wooderson]

Got $15 off per month and free red zone. I was happy since I'm still in contract.

That ain't ####

Oh I know.

Have gotten the ticket free in the past. They didn't seem to care much since I was in contract for another year.

Anyone getting free ticket while in contract?

 

[flapgreen]

Got $15 off per month and free red zone. I was happy since I'm still in contract.

That ain't ####

Oh I know. Have gotten the ticket free in the past. They didn't seem to care much since I was in contract for another year.

Anyone getting free ticket while in contract?

I'm in my 2nd year of a contract and was hoping I could get more than that.

 

[Wingnut]

Got $15 off per month and free red zone. I was happy since I'm still in contract.

That ain't ####

Oh I know. Have gotten the ticket free in the past. They didn't seem to care much since I was in contract for another year.

Anyone getting free ticket while in contract?

Will let you know this weekend.

 

[No. 4]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

 

[Wooderson]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Oh it's on!!

I'm calling everyday.

 

[lumpy19]

Ended up cancelling. They offered $35 off/month. My normal bill is $150/month if I get no discounts. After that they said I had to reduce programming our cut down on my # of receivers. Decided to cut the cable. The amount of content available thru websites/apps/OTA for free is pretty impressive, time to take advantage of it.

So $420 in discounts wasn't enough to keep you? That would pay for the Sunday Ticket and then some, unless you dont want the ticket, in which case its $420 in your pocket. Not bad for making a phone call, IMO

It's definitely not bad. The only programming I watch that necessitates my directv sub is sports, everything else is available cheaper/free thru other sources now. I'd rather keep directv, I have my entire house setup with dtv receivers/remotes and it's going to be a PIA to re-do everything but it'll be nice to have no monthly commitment to anyone. I told directv to get my bill to $80/month and I'd stay and they couldn't get there.

 

[MattFancy]

Has anyone had success getting the Ticket for free this year with a year still remaining on their contract? Just curious if it's worth my time to try or not.

My situation is that I just got DTV last November. So I didn't get to watch much of Sunday Ticket since the season was just about over by the time I got it (was week before Thanksgiving). So I still have over full year left on my contract. I figure if I try to call and cancel Sunday Ticket, they may try to throw a discount my way, but since I get all the Redskins game anyway, even a dsicount isn't really worth it to me.

 

[Abraham]

I don't really mind having Sunday ticket this year. Anyone ever have luck getting League Pass when calling ?

 

[sho nuff]

My 2 years is up in December...I need to give this a try. Ticket would be nice...though, Id be watching all Packers games probably DVRd cause my son's soccer team plays all of its friendlies on Sunday afternoon.

 

[Bogeys]

Switching to Uverse completely (already had Internet) from Direct today. Called Direct 3 times who I had been with for 5 years since I had discounts drop off and they told me nothing they could do since I still had 2 discounts. I have no premium channels and was paying $130 (4 tvs, 2 dvrs)...uverse is giving me the same internet speed, more channels and comparable equipment and I am paying $100 a month and getting the $200 gift card. I haven't had the ticket for years and haven't really missed it so goodbye dish on top of the roof and hello an extra $360 a year.

I know it is just the marketing strategy and I am sure they have done studies that say they make more by siging new customers rather than keeping existing...but long term aren't they just training existing customers to shop around? Maybe it is the limited options for some that keeps it a viable business model.

 

[IC FBGCav]

Has anyone had success getting the Ticket for free this year with a year still remaining on their contract? Just curious if it's worth my time to try or not.

My situation is that I just got DTV last November. So I didn't get to watch much of Sunday Ticket since the season was just about over by the time I got it (was week before Thanksgiving). So I still have over full year left on my contract. I figure if I try to call and cancel Sunday Ticket, they may try to throw a discount my way, but since I get all the Redskins game anyway, even a dsicount isn't really worth it to me.

I had one year left on mine and got the ticket free and some other discounts. I did sign up for auto pay though but it did not extend my contract so still can be out in a year.

 

[JShare87]

I called for my parents today and received; 40.00 off the bill for a year, free Showtime for 4 months, free Genie, and free Sunday Ticket. I did have to sign them up for a 2 year contract. It was about the same that I got when I called.

 

[uconnalum]

Has anyone had success getting the Ticket for free this year with a year still remaining on their contract? Just curious if it's worth my time to try or not.

My situation is that I just got DTV last November. So I didn't get to watch much of Sunday Ticket since the season was just about over by the time I got it (was week before Thanksgiving). So I still have over full year left on my contract. I figure if I try to call and cancel Sunday Ticket, they may try to throw a discount my way, but since I get all the Redskins game anyway, even a dsicount isn't really worth it to me.

Matt I signed up in November of last year also and called them up and was able to get the Sunday Ticket Max for $80. I told them also if they don't get the SEC Network so I can watch it on the 14th when it launches they wiill not have me as a customer and I will shell out the $240 ETF to go to a provider in my area that carries the SEC Network. Sunday Ticket is nice but I find myself watching the Red Zone channel more than the games themselves.

 

[derek245583]

I was out of contract

I got free nfl ticket

Free whole home genie or whatever installed

45 dollar in monthly bill credits for a year

25 dollars off next month (for being her nicest customer of the day)

Had to sign a new 2 year contract

Her name is Tammy. Need to get her.

 

[Fat Nick]

I was out of contract

I got free nfl ticket

Free whole home genie or whatever installed

45 dollar in monthly bill credits for a year

25 dollars off next month (for being her nicest customer of the day)

Had to sign a new 2 year contract

Her name is Tammy. Need to get her.

See...this is along the lines of what I'm hoping for. I couldn't get Sunday Ticket for free last year. I got a discount. I've asked 2-3 times re. Genie, but they haven't offered it up for free.

I wonder if they eventually not the accounts of us frequent callers? I've called every year for the last 3 years...

 

[sho nuff]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

 

[[icon]]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

There is 0% chance that they will cancel your service without going through a dog an pony show with Retention.

Explain your case of why you're "canceling". They will try to keep you. Blah blah blah.

IF the deal ends up to your satisfaction... great. (don't have to take first offer, FYI)

IF The deal isn't good enough... tell them you're going to "contact Comcast/Uverse/etc to schedule the new install and will be finalizing the cancelation later this week" and hang up.

No risk of your service suddenly not working.

 

[sho nuff]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

There is 0% chance that they will cancel your service without going through a dog an pony show with Retention.

Explain your case of why you're "canceling". They will try to keep you. Blah blah blah.

IF the deal ends up to your satisfaction... great. (don't have to take first offer, FYI)

IF The deal isn't good enough... tell them you're going to "contact Comcast/Uverse/etc to schedule the new install and will be finalizing the cancelation later this week" and hang up.

No risk of your service suddenly not working.

Not worried about it...just making sure I go through it right when I call later.

 

[Drifter]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

There is 0% chance that they will cancel your service without going through a dog an pony show with Retention.

Explain your case of why you're "canceling". They will try to keep you. Blah blah blah.

IF the deal ends up to your satisfaction... great. (don't have to take first offer, FYI)

IF The deal isn't good enough... tell them you're going to "contact Comcast/Uverse/etc to schedule the new install and will be finalizing the cancelation later this week" and hang up.

No risk of your service suddenly not working.

Not quite true. Quite a few reports in this thread over the last few months of them actually just going ahead and cancelling

 

[Socrates11]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

There is 0% chance that they will cancel your service without going through a dog an pony show with Retention.

Explain your case of why you're "canceling". They will try to keep you. Blah blah blah.

IF the deal ends up to your satisfaction... great. (don't have to take first offer, FYI)

IF The deal isn't good enough... tell them you're going to "contact Comcast/Uverse/etc to schedule the new install and will be finalizing the cancelation later this week" and hang up.

No risk of your service suddenly not working.

Not quite true. Quite a few reports in this thread over the last few months of them actually just going ahead and cancelling

Happened here

I think it depends on the rep you get. Maybe if they've had a rough day or are just aholes to begin with, they go ahead and cancel you. 9 times out of 10 though, they try and steer you back into keeping it. In my case the rep I had definitely wanted to work out some deals to make me stay. And I had a year left on my contract and had gotten the Ticket for free last year. She never once mentioned the need to extend my contract.

 

[Drifter]

Is the only way to do all of this to tell them you want to cancel...even if you have time left on your contract and would be paying fees? Then hope you get to retention and don't actually go through with cancelling?

There is 0% chance that they will cancel your service without going through a dog an pony show with Retention.

Explain your case of why you're "canceling". They will try to keep you. Blah blah blah.

IF the deal ends up to your satisfaction... great. (don't have to take first offer, FYI)

IF The deal isn't good enough... tell them you're going to "contact Comcast/Uverse/etc to schedule the new install and will be finalizing the cancelation later this week" and hang up.

No risk of your service suddenly not working.

Not quite true. Quite a few reports in this thread over the last few months of them actually just going ahead and cancelling

Happened here

I think it depends on the rep you get. Maybe if they've had a rough day or are just aholes to begin with, they go ahead and cancel you. 9 times out of 10 though, they try and steer you back into keeping it. In my case the rep I had definitely wanted to work out some deals to make me stay. And I had a year left on my contract and had gotten the Ticket for free last year. She never once mentioned the need to extend my contract.

More likely, they have some reps who are instructed to just go ahead and cancel. You need some % of stories out there of people not getting anything to try and mitigate what has likely become an annual flood of people seeking discounts.

 

[Wooderson]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Oh it's on!!I'm calling everyday.

Well it only took 1 call . Got the same deal as above. I'm in the middle if my contract.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

can someone please post the latest number to the retention department? google searches at work are a nightmare with our outdated browsers.

 

[Wooderson]

can someone please post the latest number to the retention department? google searches at work are a nightmare with our outdated browsers.

Say cancel service at the prompt.

When someone answers ask how many months left in your contract. If they are upper level they will tell you and ask you why your asking. You can deal with them.

If they are lower level they will transfer you to upper level to get that answer.

 

[derek245583]

I went with the story about wife wanting to lower bill. Gave me a reason to say "I'll get with her on this and call back"

I called back and got Tammy.....and it was on.

I also got 4 months of show time for free but I forgot about that. And I doubt i ever watch it.

 

[fred_1_15301]

What are you guys doing to get these discounts? I just called and I'm not even under contract anymore. I gave her the crap about "my wife saying the bills are too high". We currently have about $30 off a month but really no other deals. The only thing she offered was 4 months free showtime. She said she couldn't offer the Sunday ticket because I got that free last year and it's only a one-time deal. Should I just call back tomorrow? She didn't seem interested in working with me and actually even offered to process the cancellation today. She made minimal effort to keep me. Should I just call back tomorrow and hope to get someone else?

 

[fred_1_15301]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Have you ever had the Sun Ticket Max free? I just called and was told that it's only a one-time offer.

 

[Wooderson]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Have you ever had the Sun Ticket Max free? I just called and was told that it's only a one-time offer.

Of the last 4 years free 3 times and $14 the other year. Just got it free again this morning.

Pretty easy to get it free when out of contract. The real work is done in years like this for me when I just started year 2.

 

[Wooderson]

I went with the story about wife wanting to lower bill. Gave me a reason to say "I'll get with her on this and call back"

I called back and got Tammy.....and it was on.

I also got 4 months of show time for free but I forgot about that. And I doubt i ever watch it.

I just got off phone with them...brutal...I didn't get to customer retention though, I just wasn't feeling it and wanted to see what level one would offer..the guy told me the only thing they could do to lower my bill was cancel HBO...told him FIOS was offering me the world and he didn't budge...So I told him I'd talk to the wife and would probably call back to cancel...he noted it on the account.

Im under contract til Nov 2015...time to pull out all the stops when I call back.

Stay tuned...

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Have you ever had the Sun Ticket Max free? I just called and was told that it's only a one-time offer.

Of the last 4 years free 3 times and $14 the other year.Just got it free again this morning.

Pretty easy to get it free when out of contract. The real work is done in years like this for me when I just started year 2.

Did I just get stuck with the wrong person? She wouldn't budge on this and I'm not under contract.

Yep

No rhyme or reason it seems on what they will give you.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Have you ever had the Sun Ticket Max free? I just called and was told that it's only a one-time offer.

Of the last 4 years free 3 times and $14 the other year.Just got it free again this morning.

Pretty easy to get it free when out of contract. The real work is done in years like this for me when I just started year 2.

I wonder if I just got stuck with the wrong person. I'm not even under contract and she would not budge on the NFL ticket. She said that once you get it for free, you cannot get it again.

 

[fred_1_15301]

I went with the story about wife wanting to lower bill. Gave me a reason to say "I'll get with her on this and call back"

I called back and got Tammy.....and it was on.

I also got 4 months of show time for free but I forgot about that. And I doubt i ever watch it.

I just got off phone with them...brutal...I didn't get to customer retention though, I just wasn't feeling it and wanted to see what level one would offer..the guy told me the only thing they could do to lower my bill was cancel HBO...told him FIOS was offering me the world and he didn't budge...So I told him I'd talk to the wife and would probably call back to cancel...he noted it on the account.

Im under contract til Nov 2015...time to pull out all the stops when I call back.

Stay tuned...

Yes I am in contact for another year. Got Sun Ticket Max free, 3 mos HBO, Max and Showtime free, and $15 off bill for a year. No contact extension.

Have you ever had the Sun Ticket Max free? I just called and was told that it's only a one-time offer.

Of the last 4 years free 3 times and $14 the other year.Just got it free again this morning.

Pretty easy to get it free when out of contract. The real work is done in years like this for me when I just started year 2.

Did I just get stuck with the wrong person? She wouldn't budge on this and I'm not under contract.

Yep

No rhyme or reason it seems on what they will give you.

Ok I guess I'll call back tomorrow. Hopefully they don't have my conversation from today recorded.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Someone could make a lot of money running a service to deal with these companies. TV, Internet, cell phone, utilities etc.

I hate having to go through the process and being stuck on the phone. I would easily pay a fee to have an experienced person do it for me and maximize my potential.

 

[Wooderson]

Someone could make a lot of money running a service to deal with these companies. TV, Internet, cell phone, utilities etc.

I hate having to go through the process and being stuck on the phone. I would easily pay a fee to have an experienced person do it for me and maximize my potential.

I was just thinking I have a talent at this.

I enjoy the hunt of the deal.

 

[Wingnut]

Wow, twice now they've called my bluff...I also found out that my ETF is $20 per month, making it $320 to cancel...

Looks like I may not be getting any deals this year, but I've got one call left. If nothing is offered this time I'm stuck like Chuck.

I've never been denied like this before.



Guess ill call FiOS and see if they'd be willing to pay for part of the ETF fee...if I don't have Sunday Ticket, theres no reason to keep DirecTv, IMO....and next year I'll get a sweet new customer deal to go back. Lol