Can you negotiate with DirecTV? (3 Viewers)

[culdeus]

BTW, if they have taken the ATT strategy on disconnects (and it appears they have) you should be able to get a new gift card every 6 months and a day. You may end up paying a cancel fee, but the gift card will be > cancel fee and you will get the movies back on.

So set a reminder on your phone 6 months out just in case. For awhile ATT had no contracts/cancels when giving gift cards. People would also be day to day on programming so you could, in essence sign up for what they called U450, get the ($275) card, then drop down to the U100 plan at 19.99 month run for 6 months, lather repeat. People would clear 6 months of free hbo a year and basic cable while making about 100 bucks a year from ATT.

 

[RnR]

Has anyone who tried already had some credits on their account? I think I'm on about month 9 of a 12 month $20 off credit. I'm only paying about $74 a month with HBO. Still worth the call or should I wait until right before football season when the credit is done?

If you have to wait for the actual disconnection to get the offer, you lose those credits.

I was under the impression that you don't disconnect, you cancel if you don't get the offer right away and try again.

that is correct. Cancel and set your disconnect date a couple of weeks out. This allows you the time to get the NEWDEAL with out losing service.

I went through this in February and was told that I had to let disconnection complete before they could give me this deal ($43/mo, ST Max, $200 gift card, premium channels for 3 months). I had to go several levels up the chain in the retention department to ensure that I got this deal and was told each step along the way that a disconnect was required to "unlock" the deal. It was a huge hassle.

Based on the results showing up in the thread, that may have changed in the last three months. If so, thank goodness. I truly was ready to pull the plug after the whole ordeal in February.

 

[Johnny Rock]

Can someone define the terms of:

1) NEWDEAL1, and

2) NEWDEAL2

Thanks.

 

[MattFancy]

Can someone define the terms of:

1) NEWDEAL1, and

2) NEWDEAL2

Thanks.

Apparently NEWDEAL1 is before they actually disconnect and NEWDEAL2 is once they disconnect.

 

[RBM]

Ok, cancellation set for June 8. They tried with a noble effort. $30 off for 12 and half price ST. But I held strong.

Now I wait. I'm very nervous/excited.

 

[NJ]

You guys are awesome, I wasn't even thinking about calling DTV this year because I signed a 24 month commitment last year and still had 10 months to go so I was going to just suck it up and pay for ST this year (or try to get them to knock a little off the price but figured I'd have to pay something towards it). Anyway, after reading this thread I called at 10:30 AM this morning and setup a cancellation date for June 8th. They had offered me $10/mo for 12 months to stay but I went ahead and setup the cancellation date anyway. At 2 PM I got a call from an 877 number but it wasn't the number listed in this thread so I didn't pickup and they didn't leave a message. Got another call from the same 877 number at 5 PM so I figured it had to be DTV and I picked up. No mention of the NEWDEAL code, but she immediately told me she could get me close to $40/month off my current monthly bill and a free $200 gift card if I were willing to agree to a new 12 month commitment. I told her thank you but the only reason I signed with DTV was for Sunday Ticket and it was too expensive and that without ST it would always be cheaper for me to bundle my TV with internet and phone. She had to put me on hold for about 5 minutes and then came back and told me she could also give me Sunday Ticket Max for free this season. I then mentioned that last time I signed a new agreement I got 3 months of free premium channels and she immediately told me she could also give me that too, no problem, she didn't need manager approval for that.

Note: I also confirmed with her that my new 12 month commitment starts today and ends May 2016, it does not get added on to the 10 months I still had remaining, so I can still renegotiate next year after my 12 months is up!

In Summary, two 15 minute phone calls got me around $1200 between the gift card, monthly discounts, ST Max and free premium channels and it only extended my current commitment by 2 months.

 

[JShare87]

You guys are awesome, I wasn't even thinking about calling DTV this year because I signed a 24 month commitment last year and still had 10 months to go so I was going to just suck it up and pay for ST this year (or try to get them to knock a little off the price but figured I'd have to pay something towards it). Anyway, after reading this thread I called at 10:30 AM this morning and setup a cancellation date for June 8th. They had offered me $10/mo for 12 months to stay but I went ahead and setup the cancellation date anyway. At 2 PM I got a call from an 877 number but it wasn't the number listed in this thread so I didn't pickup and they didn't leave a message. Got another call from the same 877 number at 5 PM so I figured it had to be DTV and I picked up. No mention of the NEWDEAL code, but she immediately told me she could get me close to $40/month off my current monthly bill and a free $200 gift card if I were willing to agree to a new 12 month commitment. I told her thank you but the only reason I signed with DTV was for Sunday Ticket and it was too expensive and that without ST it would always be cheaper for me to bundle my TV with internet and phone. She had to put me on hold for about 5 minutes and then came back and told me she could also give me Sunday Ticket Max for free this season. I then mentioned that last time I signed a new agreement I got 3 months of free premium channels and she immediately told me she could also give me that too, no problem, she didn't need manager approval for that.

Note: I also confirmed with her that my new 12 month commitment starts today and ends May 2016, it does not get added on to the 10 months I still had remaining, so I can still renegotiate next year after my 12 months is up!

In Summary, two 15 minute phone calls got me around $1200 between the gift card, monthly discounts, ST Max and free premium channels and it only extended my current commitment by 2 months.

Great to hear. I hope mine is only a 12-month contract not an additional 12 months to my existing.

 

[swirvenirvin]

hmm so no call and no email after 2 days

follow the script on what to do if you get no call or email after a couple of days.

ok, probably shouldnt have cancelled at 10:00 on a Friday

 

[avoiding injuries]

I went from 7 months left to 12 months, not 19. So they didn't extend me an additional 12 months. I did have a current showtime credit which went away when they put my new deal in place.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Just set my date for the 5th of June as well. Didn't even hear them out when they said they had some deals for me. I usually do the whole process every year but trying this way now. You guy better be right!!! Had 14 months remaining on my contract.

I'll be watching this one closely as I have about a year still left on my contract.

Took less than 18 hours for them to call back. I got everything! Thanks bros. 43 dollars off a month. Sunday Ticket Max for free. 200 gift card. They didn't mention the movies channels so I did and they gave them to me as well. 20 minutes of my time. I love Directv!

Calling Monday morning

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

Just set my date for the 5th of June as well. Didn't even hear them out when they said they had some deals for me. I usually do the whole process every year but trying this way now. You guy better be right!!! Had 14 months remaining on my contract.

I'll be watching this one closely as I have about a year still left on my contract.

Took less than 18 hours for them to call back. I got everything! Thanks bros. 43 dollars off a month. Sunday Ticket Max for free. 200 gift card. They didn't mention the movies channels so I did and they gave them to me as well. 20 minutes of my time. I love Directv!

How did they handle that you owed a big cancellation fee? Mine would be about $250. Do you have to agree to pay that up with Retention before they will cancel to a date certain? That is the only thing I have cold feet on....

 

[swirvenirvin]

since i didnt receive the email, what exactly is it supposed to say in there so I can reference it

 

[NewlyRetired]

since i didnt receive the email, what exactly is it supposed to say in there so I can reference it

I never got the email. Just read the script that has been posted. It says how to handle this.

 

[avoiding injuries]

Just set my date for the 5th of June as well. Didn't even hear them out when they said they had some deals for me. I usually do the whole process every year but trying this way now. You guy better be right!!! Had 14 months remaining on my contract.

I'll be watching this one closely as I have about a year still left on my contract.

Took less than 18 hours for them to call back. I got everything! Thanks bros. 43 dollars off a month. Sunday Ticket Max for free. 200 gift card. They didn't mention the movies channels so I did and they gave them to me as well. 20 minutes of my time. I love Directv!

How did they handle that you owed a big cancellation fee? Mine would be about $250. Do you have to agree to pay that up with Retention before they will cancel to a date certain? That is the only thing I have cold feet on....

My cancellation fee was $140, due 31 days after cancellation. Since I scheduled my cancellation date two weeks out, I never cancelled and will not be paying that fee.

 

[JShare87]

Just set my date for the 5th of June as well. Didn't even hear them out when they said they had some deals for me. I usually do the whole process every year but trying this way now. You guy better be right!!! Had 14 months remaining on my contract.

I'll be watching this one closely as I have about a year still left on my contract.

Took less than 18 hours for them to call back. I got everything! Thanks bros. 43 dollars off a month. Sunday Ticket Max for free. 200 gift card. They didn't mention the movies channels so I did and they gave them to me as well. 20 minutes of my time. I love Directv!

How did they handle that you owed a big cancellation fee? Mine would be about $250. Do you have to agree to pay that up with Retention before they will cancel to a date certain? That is the only thing I have cold feet on....

I didn't have to agree to pay anything. I just set my cancel date for the 5th and they called me the next day and offered me the new deal.

 

[strykerpks]

It would probably be a good idea to have the OP put this in the first post

Call 1-800-531-5000Get to retentions departmentConfirm you are in retentions departmentDon't bother with their offers and simply request a cancellation 2 weeks outConfirm cancellation dateWait to receive "We won't you back", "Let us make it right", "blah blah" call or email with special 877-250-4624 number and NEWDEAL1 or NEWDEAL2 codeIf you receive that email, great. Go ahead and call in as soon as you receive it.If you DO NOT receive the email in a few days, call the 877-250-4624 number anyway and tell them you received the emailYou may get turned down for "not being in their system" yetIf that is the case, ask if they can get you added to the systemNo matter what they say, call back in 48 hours or so and try againYou may still have to haggle with them a bit to get everything listed in this thread ($200 GC, 12 month discounts on package, free 2015 Sunday Ticket Max, 3 months of premium movie channels, all requiring a 12 month commitment (24 months if you elect to receive new equipment)), but they also may just lay it all out there for you from the startIf all else fails, you can always call the 1-800-531-5000 number back before the date you set and have the cancellation removed and try the whole process again later

 

[houston]

Related, but a little off topic.

Have any of you encountered something like this: 7-8 years ago I moved. DTV installed at my new house, but allowed me to maintain my original address as I had yet to finalize my move (and this helped me get local channels). My account is still tied to the old address. Today, my current location has local channels so it's finally time to get my account correct. I've avoided any upgrade requiring an installer since I'd have to come clean about where I live. Think there is any chance their records will show an install under my name at my current address if I ask to "move".

As for getting a good deal, do I have more/less leverage in a moving situation? Do I play the game differently from the script you all have been rolling with?

 

[Gottabesweet]

Once you set up a cancel date, you can call that 877 number within two hours and say you recieved a call and email and are returning their call. Even if you didn't!

 

[RBM]

RING THE BELL

Had the email waiting in my inbox this morning. Just called.

$43 off bill for 12 mos

ST max free

HBO/MAX 3 months

$200 visa gift card

So easy. She threw the first three right at me. Was ready to wrap me up but I countered her wrap up with a gift card drop and she was like "ooh yes, of course...I can do that for you".

Sign it!

 

[No. 4]

Just called and got the slowest rep they have. She tried talking about lower packages, free Showtime, etc. I insisted on setting the cancellation for June 8th. She put me on hold to confirm she could waive the two month cancel fees. She did. Fingers crossed I get the email or call back!

 

[doowain]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do. Anyone else run into this?

I guess I'll just have to wait for the email. Been with them since 2006.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

 

[doowain]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

 

[NewlyRetired]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

I think someone many pages back ran into this and called back 48 hours later as suggested in the script and the next call they got lucky and the rep helped them even though they were not on the list.

I think the idea is that you just need to cycle through some different service reps until one hooks you up.

 

[doowain]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

I think someone many pages back ran into this and called back 48 hours later as suggested in the script and the next call they got lucky and the rep helped them even though they were not on the list. I think the idea is that you just need to cycle through some different service reps until one hooks you up.

Gotcha. I just stumbled in here recently. I hadn't been following along.

Thanks for the help! Will report back.

 

[SteelCurtain]

hmm so no call and no email after 2 days

Me neither. :(

 

[themeanmachine]

hmm so no call and no email after 2 days

Me neither. :(

I got no phone call or email, and let a week pass. Just call anyway.

 

[swirvenirvin]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

I think someone many pages back ran into this and called back 48 hours later as suggested in the script and the next call they got lucky and the rep helped them even though they were not on the list.I think the idea is that you just need to cycle through some different service reps until one hooks you up.

Gotcha. I just stumbled in here recently. I hadn't been following along.

Thanks for the help! Will report back.

i have a feeling when I call later tonight I will be in this situation, im thinking this was a bad idea as I wont be in the list since no call or email

 

[avoiding injuries]

Are you sure they have your correct number on file? They called me 9 times in an hour or two.

 

[swirvenirvin]

Are you sure they have your correct number on file? They called me 9 times in an hour or two.

yes its correct and so is email

 

[Gottabesweet]

I called after two hours, I told them I got missed call about some NewDeal and options for me to stay and wanted to go over them. I didn't get a call or email.

 

[swirvenirvin]

thing is getting more and more screwy like I messed up by doing this. Called the number was put on hold and told to leave a voice message

 

[fruity pebbles]

thing is getting more and more screwy like I messed up by doing this. Called the number was put on hold and told to left a voice message

Lol, they don't want you back

 

[No. 4]

I have not gotten any calls or an email. Just called yesterday, but getting a bit nervous.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I have to think the holiday weekend slowed things down.

 

[Gottabesweet]

I have not gotten any calls or an email. Just called yesterday, but getting a bit nervous.

Call the second number and say you got an email/an missed call.

 

[=Smackdown=]

Finally left DTV after 10+ years.

In my call to cancel with Retention they were willing to offer/match any price I was getting from my new provider.

If you are going to play the "bluffing to leave DTV" game you need someone in retention - they have the disount/freebie power to keep you.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Just set my date for the 5th of June as well. Didn't even hear them out when they said they had some deals for me. I usually do the whole process every year but trying this way now. You guy better be right!!! Had 14 months remaining on my contract.

I'll be watching this one closely as I have about a year still left on my contract.

Took less than 18 hours for them to call back. I got everything! Thanks bros. 43 dollars off a month. Sunday Ticket Max for free. 200 gift card. They didn't mention the movies channels so I did and they gave them to me as well. 20 minutes of my time. I love Directv!

How long have you been a customer?

 

[NewlyRetired]

If you are going to play the "bluffing to leave DTV" game you need someone in retention - they have the disount/freebie power to keep you.

They mostly stopped this policy last year (you can read back in the thread this time last year at the problems we all had using this method).

What you said is what we all used to do for years until last year many of us just hit a brick wall.

This year, someone posted the script on another site to use and we have been doing great using that. Better deal than I ever received in the past even before the wall was constructed.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Finally left DTV after 10+ years.

In my call to cancel with Retention they were willing to offer/match any price I was getting from my new provider.

If you are going to play the "bluffing to leave DTV" game you need someone in retention - they have the disount/freebie power to keep you.

I'd just tell them you're going with Sling TV ($20/mo). And play the Sling offers ESPN card if they try to offer lowest package. I'd even say you want Sunday Ticket compensated for having to pay Equipment monthly Fee and whatever else they charge these days (which Sling doesn't as there is no equipment)

 

[NewlyRetired]

If Direct TV offers this type of deal every year I might never leave.

I have looked into cord cutting options but I can't get anywhere close to this level of coverage for this price (and that is ignoring the free Sunday Ticket). The monthly discount and gift card are going to be hard to beat if you want access to a decent amount of channels.

 

[=Smackdown=]

Finally left DTV after 10+ years.

In my call to cancel with Retention they were willing to offer/match any price I was getting from my new provider.

If you are going to play the "bluffing to leave DTV" game you need someone in retention - they have the disount/freebie power to keep you.

I'd just tell them you're going with Sling TV ($20/mo). I'd even say you want Sunday Ticket compensated for having to pay Equipment monthly Fee and whatever else they charge these days (which Sling doesn't as there is no equipment)

Appreciate the info but I'm done with them - at least for now.

Will not miss any of the following . . .

Lag switching channels

TV would go out every time there was a storm

Charging me $200 in setup when I wanted to add a TV/new bedoroom - even though I did all the wiring myself

Treating new customers 10X better than current 10+ years customers

Had the worst luck with remotes constantly breaking

Playing the "I'm leaving" game every August to get free Sunday Ticket.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Email confirmation that Visa GC has shipped

Gonna do this for my mom.

 

[swirvenirvin]

This is great it almost feels like this entire thread was made to #### with me. Called the number and they asked for my number, I gave it to them and they said that it is not in the system, and asked how I got the number. I told them it was emailed to me in some new deal email. She said hold and then put me on hold for 7 or 8 minutes and said I have to call the regular number and have them add my number in there or something. Lol this is never going to work and huge waste of time.

 

[doowain]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

I think someone many pages back ran into this and called back 48 hours later as suggested in the script and the next call they got lucky and the rep helped them even though they were not on the list.I think the idea is that you just need to cycle through some different service reps until one hooks you up.

Gotcha. I just stumbled in here recently. I hadn't been following along.

Thanks for the help! Will report back.

Add another to the win column. Got everything listed. Took about 10 minutes from start to finish of the call.

Thank you to NewlyRetired for posting the script.

I still haven't received the email or phone call. I just called the 2nd number in the script and told them I "had missed a call about a new deal and options. I'm calling back to discuss those.". She immediately offered me the discount. She then asked if I watch sports. I told her yes, the NFL. So she then gave me the Sunday Ticket Max for free. I had to ask for the gift card, but she also added that without any hassle.

Some people were told their service would be disconnected and then reconnected in the same day. They told me that I would not be disconnected at all. No loss of service. So, if they try to do that, push them to not have it disconnected. Or you will be without service for roughly 10-12 hours.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Called this morning and set a cancelation two weeks out. Called back just now and told them I got the email. She said she's not seeing me in the "win back" list so there was nothing she could do.

The script handles this case.

Not really. I asked what that means and asked how do I get on the list. She said we'll just have to wait till the cancelation to see if you get any offers.So I asked what the email I "received" means then. She said she didn't know.

ETA: Regardless, I had already read the script. My question was for everyone else that has called.... did anyone run into this and if so what did they do. Not "What should I do next?"

I think someone many pages back ran into this and called back 48 hours later as suggested in the script and the next call they got lucky and the rep helped them even though they were not on the list.I think the idea is that you just need to cycle through some different service reps until one hooks you up.

Gotcha. I just stumbled in here recently. I hadn't been following along.

Thanks for the help! Will report back.

Add another to the win column. Got everything listed. Took about 10 minutes from start to finish of the call.

Thank you to NewlyRetired for posting the script.

I still haven't received the email or phone call. I just called the 2nd number in the script and told them I "had missed a call about a new deal and options. I'm calling back to discuss those.". She immediately offered me the discount. She then asked if I watch sports. I told her yes, the NFL. So she then gave me the Sunday Ticket Max for free. I had to ask for the gift card, but she also added that without any hassle.

Some people were told their service would be disconnected and then reconnected in the same day. They told me that I would not be disconnected at all. No loss of service. So, if they try to do that, push them to not have it disconnected. Or you will be without service for roughly 10-12 hours.

yes!

The combined savings grows!

 

[Peak]

I still have a little over a year left on my contract after getting a new genie last year. May still call tonight and see what I can get.

 

[fantasycurse42]

This is great it almost feels like this entire thread was made to #### with me. Called the number and they asked for my number, I gave it to them and they said that it is not in the system, and asked how I got the number. I told them it was emailed to me in some new deal email. She said hold and then put me on hold for 7 or 8 minutes and said I have to call the regular number and have them add my number in there or something. Lol this is never going to work and huge waste of time.

You might have to just disconnect for a day or two... IDK why they're giving you such a hard time.

 

[bierfiend]

I haven't received the call or email yet either. I will call either tonight or tomorrow after work to inquire about the deal1.

 

[Emerson Biggens]

Just called them, I have 14 months left and it will be $280 if I cancel. I set it for June 10th so now I'll wait and see.