Can you negotiate with DirecTV? (3 Viewers)

[oukurt]

I got an offer in the mail from Dish that offers High Def for 2 rooms and 2nd Room Service free for life if I switch. Can DirecTV meet this to keep a customer?

 

[Ignoratio Elenchi]

Can DirecTV meet this to keep a customer?

I think DirecTV would be better equipped to answer that question. You should ask them.

 

[Death Bytes]

They'll counter offer.

 

[oukurt]

Can DirecTV meet this to keep a customer?

I think DirecTV would be better equipped to answer that question. You should ask them.

Obviously but I know some guys here that have negotiated with them before. So why not gather info here first before I contact them.

 

[Warehouse Nasty]

Absolutely. You have to get to the retention department in order to really get a good deal though. Simply tell them you want to cancel as Dish is offering a better deal. They'll cut you a deal. It's very costly for them to find new customers so they fight like hell to keep the ones they have.

 

[oukurt]

Absolutely. You have to get to the retention department in order to really get a good deal though. Simply tell them you want to cancel as Dish is offering a better deal. They'll cut you a deal. It's very costly for them to find new customers so they fight like hell to keep the ones they have.

Thanks WN. That worked out well.

 

[Hastur]

"You can negotiate anything."

-Herb Cohen

 

[Txns8]

Absolutely. You have to get to the retention department in order to really get a good deal though. Simply tell them you want to cancel as Dish is offering a better deal. They'll cut you a deal. It's very costly for them to find new customers so they fight like hell to keep the ones they have.

Thanks WN. That worked out well.

How well?

 

[Bud Kilmer]

New Dish customer but I can't get my local channels in HD. I thought I asked everything but obviously not. Any thoughts on how to get this or get around this?

 

[-jb-]

I had U-Verse installed on Friday, after being a DirecTV customer for 8 years. It took me five minutes to want DirecTV back (U-Verse picture sucks). I hadn't called to cancel DirecTV, but once the U-Verse guy left, I called them. I told them the situation (minus the part about the crappy picture), and they gave me Sunday Ticket for free, an additional $30/month off for six months, an upgrade to total home DVR, and an additional DVR for a play room I just built.

Worth the call.

 

[Hastur]

Negotiate better than 99% of people

 

[Insein]

You can negotiate with them. But they usually only give you deals they are authorized to give. Right now instead of giving you HD for life, they give it to you for 2 years and throw in one of the ST, HBO, etc for 3 months free. Pretty much everything a new customer gets anyway. I recently dropped them because they seem to be shying away from giving the ridiculous deals anymore. I'm honestly not missing paying $80 a month. Netflix, hulu+ and ESPN3 have given me most of what I want anyway.

 

[TLEF316]

My contract ran out back in March. I called up and tried to negotiate. They only offered me $20 off my current bill. I had an offer in hand from the cable company for $50 off my bill, plus an extra cable box, a boost in my internet speed and guaranteed no change in pricing for the length of my contract (2 years) The only downside is no NFL network. (i don't order the Sunday ticket because i root for a local team)

So i told DTV thanks, but no thanks and made the switch.

Now they send me mailings once a week asking me to come back. Pretty sure they don't get it. I would have gladly stayed if they just offered me a better deal.

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

Silly not to negotiate with DTV.

If you don't get the deal you want, just call again. You'll eventually get it.

Can usually get $20 off/month + $X off your DVR/HD receiver. Probably more if you'll add new equipment for a new contract.

 

[ShaqAttaq]

i was able to negotiate with them when they were suing me.

 

[Football Menace]

Just called DirecTV today. All I told them was I wanted to cancel because my bill was way too high $154(Premium package/2 HD DVR/2 reg boxes/Top tier customer). Retention rep gave us $50 off for six months and free Sunday Ticket for 2011. I was told to call in again in six months and I'd receive a further discounts for the future.

 

[RhymesMcJuice]

My contract ran out back in March. I called up and tried to negotiate. They only offered me $20 off my current bill. I had an offer in hand from the cable company for $50 off my bill, plus an extra cable box, a boost in my internet speed and guaranteed no change in pricing for the length of my contract (2 years) The only downside is no NFL network. (i don't order the Sunday ticket because i root for a local team)So i told DTV thanks, but no thanks and made the switch.Now they send me mailings once a week asking me to come back. Pretty sure they don't get it. I would have gladly stayed if they just offered me a better deal.

I'm amazing that they would let you cancel without giving you a better offer. I negotiate my internet cable bill from $60 down to $35-40 pretty easily by calling Time Warner and asking for the cancellations dept. They've never once failed to offer me a good discount to keep me from switching - which I had no intention of doing anyway.

 

[Jobber]

I think these days, you'd get more leverage with Dish/DirecTV if you tell them you're considering going with Netflix and dumping satellite altogether. This probably scares both companies more.

 

[TLEF316]

My contract ran out back in March. I called up and tried to negotiate. They only offered me $20 off my current bill. I had an offer in hand from the cable company for $50 off my bill, plus an extra cable box, a boost in my internet speed and guaranteed no change in pricing for the length of my contract (2 years) The only downside is no NFL network. (i don't order the Sunday ticket because i root for a local team)So i told DTV thanks, but no thanks and made the switch.Now they send me mailings once a week asking me to come back. Pretty sure they don't get it. I would have gladly stayed if they just offered me a better deal.

I'm amazing that they would let you cancel without giving you a better offer. I negotiate my internet cable bill from $60 down to $35-40 pretty easily by calling Time Warner and asking for the cancellations dept. They've never once failed to offer me a good discount to keep me from switching - which I had no intention of doing anyway.

I was shocked as well. I called and told them i was considering leaving for a cheaper monthly cable bill. All they offered me was $20 off. They know I'm a sports fan, and I was paying quite a bit for what I had. So they have plenty of incentives to offer me. Not sure what happened. I was never late on a payment or anything like that, so i was a good customer. Of course, now they email me and send me mailings trying to get me back like 5 times a month. Go figure. Oh well, I'm saving $600 a year now.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Every time one of these threads starts I go and look at my Directv bill. I pay 146.52 per month for the "Premium Package" apparently it is the top package. I will call and get it lowered for a few months and it goes back up. I call during football season to get a break on the price and it goes back up. Anywho, I can't recall the last time I watched a movie on Directv, since I use the internet to watch movies before they come out on the premium channels like HBO, Showtime and Skinemax. So with all the complaining could someone point me in the right direction on how to use Hulu, Netflix or something else to leave Directv? I can download all the shows on the internet like Dexter, True Blood, and other shows, I just don't know how I will be able to watch NFL games without Directv.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Online now was only offered 20 dollars off for six months. Being transferred to retention.

 

[Mario Kart]

This thread made me think of this story:http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Netflix-Helps-People-Cut-nytimes-2234935892.html?x=0&.v=1

It has now been a couple of years since I cut my cable and began exclusively watching Internet video on my home television. I still feel that it was one of the wiser decisions I've made with technology, saving me hundreds of dollars a year and countless headaches dealing with a cable company.But was this just a move to be expected of a techie? Some have speculated that cutting the cable cord is simply a fad. But a new report issued on Wednesday suggests that if it is a fad, it's one that's moving into the mainstream.The report, the result of a survey of 2,000 United States adult broadband users, found that people who use Netflix to stream Internet video to their televisions are twice as likely to cancel, or slim down, their cable television options as they were a year ago.The report comes from the Diffusion Group, a Dallas-based media research firm.When the Diffusion Group surveyed Netflix members in 2010, they found that 16 percent of customers were planning to downgrade or cancel their cable television service. During the same survey this year, the number of customers planning to make that change had doubled to 32 percent.The report also found that although the majority of those surveyed cited economic reasons and "the need to save money" as a rationale for canceling cable, 34 percent said a growing use of online video was the culprit, "two-thirds of which cite Netflix in particular as the primary perpetrator," the report says.Now, instead of having only the option to pay a cable company to deliver content, people have an array of choices and devices. Netflix clearly saw this trend coming, and over the past year has started offering its video content on mobile phones, tablets, computers, game consoles, or devices that hook up to a television, including Boxee and Apple TV. The company also began offering customers a streaming-only option late last year.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

I got a lady on the line from retention that wants me to tell her what I want. I told her that I want Directv to give me their best offer before I decide to leave to Netflix, Dish, AT&T, or Cox. She said, "well tell me what you want?" At this point I said I would take what I have for free, since we have to negotiate. I am on hold...

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Now she is telling me about all the great features I have. Also, telling me how I can connect to the internet with the receiver. BLah blah blah. Still dickering.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

Ok, got 50 off for 6 months. I told them ok. I guess I will call back during the Football season and try again. GL guys

 

[Hastur]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

 

[BeTheMatch]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

I just got $25 off for 24 months ($600) and $100 off Sunday Ticket because they can't even handle a request for a receiver upgrade and I said I'd had enough and was quitting.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Any current deals that you guys have gotten? Was thinking about calling soon and turning back on the service, but thought I should have an idea what to haggle for.

Maybe a good starting point would be Dish network intro prices? $40 a month for the package that has NFL network + free movie channels for 3 months + free DVR ?

 

[Kenny Powers]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

Just realized this now. My plan goes from 9.99 to 15.98 on september 1st. SOBs.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

Just realized this now. My plan goes from 9.99 to 15.98 on september 1st. SOBs.

If I don't use the streaming, do I get a deal? So just the 1 at a time plan goes to 7.99, right?

 

[Hoart Petterson]

Last week it was time for my once a year call to them. Say "cancel service" when prompted. They get you right to the customer retention specialist. Then you tell them cable made me a great offer and directtv costs too much. Got $25 off for a year and $5 off HBO for 6 months. Also free Showtime and Movie Channel for 6 months. Took all of 4 minutes to save $330 plus free movie channels. DVR already recorded Bikini Pirates off showtime.

 

[Kenny Powers]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

Just realized this now. My plan goes from 9.99 to 15.98 on september 1st. SOBs.

If I don't use the streaming, do I get a deal? So just the 1 at a time plan goes to 7.99, right?

Check your account and see what it says under change plan or membership details. If your plan is going to change, itll tell you there. All I can see for other plans if their current price.

 

[5Rings]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.

Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

 

[mlball77]

I called in two weeks ago to cancel my service and got a $5 discount per month, that was it. :( I wanted to weigh my options, so I took the discount and decided I’d call back again later. I have a low-mid level package, so my bill wasn’t that crazy to begin with.

I called back last week, more resolute to cancel, and was offered a $150 one-time credit (after telling them I was moving to a roof top antenna for my TV). I gladly jumped on their offer. I have five months left on my 2-year contract, and the price I’m paying per month, once the $150 discount is averaged in, is only a tiny bit more than it would cost me for early cancellation.

 

[shuke]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

 

[17seconds]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

I just got $25 off for 24 months ($600) and $100 off Sunday Ticket because they can't even handle a request for a receiver upgrade and I said I'd had enough and was quitting.

They are giving out the 2011 Sunday Ticket for free to new customers.

 

[5Rings]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

To get to customer retention, choose "Cancel" twice in the options menu.Dude I got was very cool. Explained to him that I was shocked by my last bill of $90, I needed to cut costs, and that $90 was too much for any package that did not include movie channels. Told him I was ready to cancel. He said "lemme see what I can do for you first".Dude said he understood times were tough, that he was in the same boat, and he said he could do a 6 month or 12 month discount--I chose 6 month--and could get me down to $58. He said "We don't advertise this stuff, but if you just call us every 6 months, we can always hook you up with a deal. We don't want to lose our customers."eta--Shuke, if you don't get the savings you want from the retention rep, just say you need to talk to your wife before you cancel.

 

[SHIZNITTTT]

I have always received free NFL ticket. Just call Directv before the NFL season starts threaten to cancel, and BAM free NFL ticket.

 

[Mr. Cross]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

Quit being a kitten.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

Isn't Directv paid for in advance? If they call your bluff, tell them to leave it on til the end of the billing cycle so you have time to get Dish installed

 

[Cavalier]

I wonder if DirectTV has adjusted their strategy since Netflix upped their price 60%?

I just got $25 off for 24 months ($600) and $100 off Sunday Ticket because they can't even handle a request for a receiver upgrade and I said I'd had enough and was quitting.

They are giving out the 2011 Sunday Ticket for free to new customers.

Plus a whole lot of other stuff which is 50% cheaper than current customers. Been with them 11 years and saw that offer and canceled. I spend at least 2K (with UFC purchaes etc) a year with them and newbies get what I pay 1500 for, for 700 bucks. They offered me the sunday ticket free, I turned them down. Then they offered me 250 dollar credit. I told them that that was less than the ticket. They asked what I wanted, I told them the credit and the ticket. They put me on hold for 5 minutes and can back with 10 dollars off for a year and ticket and I set up my disconnection date. Free crap to newbies and sticking it to long term loyal customers is a big F U to me.Edit to add:I hate having to call and threaten to quit every year to beg for free crap. Just price it reasonably for all.

 

[lumpy19]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

Something similar happened to me last year. Everyone was getting discounted(or free) NFL ticket, I called to cancel and go thru the whole deal....no customer retention, they just cancelled my sunday ticket. Had to call back a week later and sign up for sunday ticket and it was $20 more expensive I'm not a small customer either, I have 8 hd receivers, 2 of those are DVR's.

 

[Pantherz]

Guess Time-Warner works the same.

I had just scanned over this thread earlier today and made a mental note to myself "need to check my cable bill". Then my wife calls this afternoon to inform me that our cable has been cut off. OK, I'm ready for this today.

Call Time-Warner and get customer service. Turns out that my old contract(2 years @ $149 for Phone, High Speed Internet, and Digital Cable)had run out and they had jacked my rate up to $200.18 a month back in May. I've just been sending the old payment by online bill pay since then so they cut me off(after 20+ years).

Customer service(girl with an attitude) as expected was zero help, offering nothing so I asked for cancellations. She says the easiest thing to do is take the equipment in to the nearest service center. I tell her to just transfer me.

Retention guy gets on, it takes 2 rounds of negotiating and about 3 minutes of my time, but my bill will now be $130.38 for 12 months locked. They will also adjust the bill to account for the months where I was charged too much, so there another $100 credit.

Truth is I hate having to do this every year or two but unfortunately you have to.

 

[bushdocda]

I am stuck in contract and no fios or comcast in area but guy still quickly hookt me with $5 credits with a brief discussion of options to reduce my bill.

Looking forward to being out of contract so I can work it better.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Pretty sure Im out of contract, but I saw the free ticket commercial last week so called. Expected to get it for free, complained its way too much (I think its gone up about $120 just in the past 4 years), and best the girl would give me was $20 off for 6 months. Didnt even think twice about taking it, and glad I didnt. I'll have to call back in a month or so and hope for better, although it looks like the best anyone's gotten is $180 off except for the guy who got $25 off for 24 months which I have trouble believing.

 

[hooter311]

Pretty sure Im out of contract, but I saw the free ticket commercial last week so called. Expected to get it for free, complained its way too much (I think its gone up about $120 just in the past 4 years), and best the girl would give me was $20 off for 6 months. Didnt even think twice about taking it, and glad I didnt. I'll have to call back in a month or so and hope for better, although it looks like the best anyone's gotten is $180 off except for the guy who got $25 off for 24 months which I have trouble believing.

How good are you at making the person on the other side of the phone squirm? When I make these types of phone calls, as soon as the conversation doesn't seem to be going my way, I'll just disconnect and call again. Eventually I'll get someone on the line that is either rather to deal or will do whatever they can to get rid of me. It's from my experience that 20% of these people are hard asses, 70% are incompetent, and 10% know the game. You need to keep trying until you get one of these 10%.Somewhere on the script in front of them, probably lies the answer you are looking for, you just need to get them down to the actual "best they can do". Use whatever sob story, finger pointing, or alternate offer that you feel like making up. My goto line is that the local phone company is offering such and such service at "50% whatever the current price I'm paying is" and I'm ready to make the switch.

 

[Hoart Petterson]

5 minute phone call. DTV bill was $90/mo.Dude took it down to $58.48 for 6 mos. Buy me some time to get my Rokus all set up

So did you threaten to cancel?I can just see myself doing this, only to have them call my bluff, and me saying "wait, I really want my DirecTV though".

They won't call your bluff. Like the other guy said just tell them that cable is offering a great deal and directtv, as much as you like it, is pretty expensive. 5 minute call tops and you'll save hundreds over the course of the year. Report back and let us know how it went after you call. YWIA.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Pretty sure Im out of contract, but I saw the free ticket commercial last week so called. Expected to get it for free, complained its way too much (I think its gone up about $120 just in the past 4 years), and best the girl would give me was $20 off for 6 months. Didnt even think twice about taking it, and glad I didnt. I'll have to call back in a month or so and hope for better, although it looks like the best anyone's gotten is $180 off except for the guy who got $25 off for 24 months which I have trouble believing.

How good are you at making the person on the other side of the phone squirm? When I make these types of phone calls, as soon as the conversation doesn't seem to be going my way, I'll just disconnect and call again. Eventually I'll get someone on the line that is either rather to deal or will do whatever they can to get rid of me. It's from my experience that 20% of these people are hard asses, 70% are incompetent, and 10% know the game. You need to keep trying until you get one of these 10%.Somewhere on the script in front of them, probably lies the answer you are looking for, you just need to get them down to the actual "best they can do". Use whatever sob story, finger pointing, or alternate offer that you feel like making up. My goto line is that the local phone company is offering such and such service at "50% whatever the current price I'm paying is" and I'm ready to make the switch.

Yeah, I need to do the math but Im probably going to go with saying I dont really want any tv besides sports and I can find that online, the shows I watch on ESPN are free podcasts, and using Netflix and Hulu as movie/tv alternates and I have everything I need for less that $30.I also agree with the incompetent part. I was probably only a member for 6 months tops, and somehow weaseled out free sunday ticket. Next bill I see Im charged for it - maybe like 75% of face value - call them up and said whoever gave me that offer shouldnt have and they wouldnt allow. Bunch of BS

 

[BeTheMatch]

Pretty sure Im out of contract, but I saw the free ticket commercial last week so called. Expected to get it for free, complained its way too much (I think its gone up about $120 just in the past 4 years), and best the girl would give me was $20 off for 6 months. Didnt even think twice about taking it, and glad I didnt. I'll have to call back in a month or so and hope for better, although it looks like the best anyone's gotten is $180 off except for the guy who got $25 off for 24 months which I have trouble believing.

Believe it!

 

[Kenny Powers]

Pretty sure Im out of contract, but I saw the free ticket commercial last week so called. Expected to get it for free, complained its way too much (I think its gone up about $120 just in the past 4 years), and best the girl would give me was $20 off for 6 months. Didnt even think twice about taking it, and glad I didnt. I'll have to call back in a month or so and hope for better, although it looks like the best anyone's gotten is $180 off except for the guy who got $25 off for 24 months which I have trouble believing.

Believe it!

Elaborate then...Ive never heard them giving $$ off per month over 12 months, and $20 is usually the standard at that.