Can you negotiate with DirecTV? (4 Viewers)

[Plorfu]

Got 43.00 off the XTRA package every month for 12 months, free HBO/Showtime/Starz/Cinemax for three months, and free Sunday Ticket Max. One year contract.

Could have received the gift card with an upgrade to the genie mini, but that would have been a two year deal and the credits would expire for the second year. So, I'll just try again and drop DTV if I can't get another deal in 2016. We're actually at a point where we could cut the cord and be fine. But, happy overall. as we're paying 70.00 less a month for three months and 53 or so less the other nine for the same package we had. And, of course, yet another year of free ticket.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Back on track!! After a much needed follow up call after month 2 of my new package, it looks like they have month 3 back on track. This cut and paste could look like holey hell. Three receivers and Xtra Pkg - $66.15 including tax (inc. SuperTicket)

DIRECTV Channels 1. XTRA 34.99 $33 off $77.99 for 12 months (3 of 12)
$10 off $77.99 for 12 months with Auto Bill Pay (3 of 12) 2. HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME and CINEMAX 0.00 $50.99 off HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME and CINEMAX for 3 months (3 of 3) Seasonal Sports Subscriptions 3. NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX 2015 0.00 SUBTOTAL 34.99 DIRECTV Equipment Services 4. Watch DIRECTV on Multiple TVs 13.00 3 TVs at $6.50 each; Save $6.50 off 1st TV 5. Advanced Receiver Service - HD 10.00 6. DIRECTV Protection Plan 7.99 7. Advanced Receiver Service - DVR 10.00 8. DIRECTV Whole-Home DVR Service 3.00 SUBTOTAL 43.99 Other Charges, Adjustments & Taxes 9. XTRA -10.00 $10 adjusted on 09/10 10. Advanced Receiver Service - DVR -10.00 $10 adjusted on 09/10 11. Regional Sports Fee 2.14 Taxes 12. Sales Tax 5.03 SUBTOTAL -12.83 Total Amount Due 66.15

 

[DA RAIDERS]

i no longer understand what is happening with my bill. it's -$1.03 this month. the credits are more than the bill. #followthescript

i no longer understand what is happening with my bill. it's -$1.03 this month. the credits are more than the bill. #followthescript

They will double you up next month. Similar thing happened to me but it was like $25 instead of the $62 or so I thought it would be.

doubt it. as i mentioned earlier in the thread, they didn't take any of my old discounts off when they gave me the script deal. with the cancellation of the premium channels this month, the credits were more than the bill. this is the last bill with my old $20/month credit. it should revert to normal next month, meaning the script deal.

OK - looks like I am getting hosed again - anyone else's monthly bill not what they were told it was going be at the time of all the discounts were given?

It was clear to me that I was going to pay $60-$63/mo for the Xtra pkg and the same set up I had before (HD svc/3 boxes/service protection). I had been paying $103 with about $30 in discounts. This amount was to be held for a 12 month period - same as everyone else here heard - AND could re-up for 12 more months of that same deal with this one was up (same deal).

1st mo. bill - $25 (had something to do with old account closing and new account bill date changing)

2nd mo. bill - $187 (acct rep explained that it was the dates changing and the lower bill the first month, also that the $50-some amount for the free movies had to be billed before the discounts were applied and I would get the 3rd discount in month 4 of the three month trial ...so ####ed up)

3rd bill - $77 (everything should be settled down after the transition but the amt is not the $60 as was told - ALSO, the $77 billed this month is going up by $10 next month because a 2 month $10 extra special customer discount is going away. So I will be at $87/mo. after a little over 3 months on this deal.

I called today and after getting passed to 5 people and spending a little over an hour on the phone, a rep from the retention department told me that someone higher up would call me in the next couple of days with whatever they could do about it.

How is everyone else's bill settling in?

you poor bastage..

same package i think, minus the service protection and only 2 boxes.

these are ball park numbers bill is around 100 with no discounts. i had around 30 in discounts. so around 70 when i called and FOLLOWED the script

1st three bills were $26. somehow they forgot to take my existing credits off. sweet!

4th bill, -1.03 this is the last month of previous discounts.

5th bill, i expect my bill to go to agreed upon 60 or so as per the script

bill arrived today. credit for $1.03 bill is $60.13

 

[B Maverick]

Didnt use the script, tried a different tactic, might not be the most advisable but seemed to work ok. Contract was up, all discounts were done, Paying $175 (All movie channels and a sports package).

Told retention that i was working on the family budget and wanted to talk to her about our account and the little frustrations we have had that makes the cost a little high. Said I didn't want to leave Directv but when you have some albeit minor issues and you get daily offers from Dish, TWC and others for 1/3 the cost would be worth seeing what DTV can do. Also mentioned I couldnt watch the Dodgers since they are only on TWC (was right before playoffs started).

Let her know that we have had issues with the boxes freezing up and although it was fixed by a software release it was still an annoyance. Also that the remotes dont seem to work very well (3 years old) and that their tech support telling me I need to purchase new ones seemed a little odd. Basically the point was that for the amount I pay I would expect more from them. She agreed

She offered:

$10 off receivers for 12 months

$7 off each movie channel for 6 months ($28/mo total off)

$10 off sports package for 6 months

Added another $5 off per month (dont remember what for).

Also got Red Zone Channel free

Bill went from $171.62/mo to $118.62 for 6 months then will go up to $156 for 6 months. No extension of contract so I am still month to month. Might not be as good as some deals above, but I was pretty happy with it.

She also mentioned that since I have AT&T for my cell, I can also get an added $10/mo off if I combine the bills. May look at that in November when I upgrade the wife's and my phones.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Didnt use the script, tried a different tactic, might not be the most advisable but seemed to work ok. Contract was up, all discounts were done, Paying $175 (All movie channels and a sports package).

Told retention that i was working on the family budget and wanted to talk to her about our account and the little frustrations we have had that makes the cost a little high. Said I didn't want to leave Directv but when you have some albeit minor issues and you get daily offers from Dish, TWC and others for 1/3 the cost would be worth seeing what DTV can do. Also mentioned I couldnt watch the Dodgers since they are only on TWC (was right before playoffs started).

Let her know that we have had issues with the boxes freezing up and although it was fixed by a software release it was still an annoyance. Also that the remotes dont seem to work very well (3 years old) and that their tech support telling me I need to purchase new ones seemed a little odd. Basically the point was that for the amount I pay I would expect more from them. She agreed

She offered:

$10 off receivers for 12 months

$7 off each movie channel for 6 months ($28/mo total off)

$10 off sports package for 6 months

Added another $5 off per month (dont remember what for).

Also got Red Zone Channel free

Bill went from $171.62/mo to $118.62 for 6 months then will go up to $156 for 6 months. No extension of contract so I am still month to month. Might not be as good as some deals above, but I was pretty happy with it.

She also mentioned that since I have AT&T for my cell, I can also get an added $10/mo off if I combine the bills. May look at that in November when I upgrade the wife's and my phones.

good work. The key here is no extension which will allow you to call back in either 6 months or a year and try again for similar or better.

 

[flapgreen]

Yeah that deal sucks. Use the script.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Didnt use the script, tried a different tactic, might not be the most advisable but seemed to work ok. Contract was up, all discounts were done, Paying $175 (All movie channels and a sports package).

Told retention that i was working on the family budget and wanted to talk to her about our account and the little frustrations we have had that makes the cost a little high. Said I didn't want to leave Directv but when you have some albeit minor issues and you get daily offers from Dish, TWC and others for 1/3 the cost would be worth seeing what DTV can do. Also mentioned I couldnt watch the Dodgers since they are only on TWC (was right before playoffs started).

Let her know that we have had issues with the boxes freezing up and although it was fixed by a software release it was still an annoyance. Also that the remotes dont seem to work very well (3 years old) and that their tech support telling me I need to purchase new ones seemed a little odd. Basically the point was that for the amount I pay I would expect more from them. She agreed

She offered:

$10 off receivers for 12 months

$7 off each movie channel for 6 months ($28/mo total off)

$10 off sports package for 6 months

Added another $5 off per month (dont remember what for).

Also got Red Zone Channel free

Bill went from $171.62/mo to $118.62 for 6 months then will go up to $156 for 6 months. No extension of contract so I am still month to month. Might not be as good as some deals above, but I was pretty happy with it.

She also mentioned that since I have AT&T for my cell, I can also get an added $10/mo off if I combine the bills. May look at that in November when I upgrade the wife's and my phones.

Direct TV's gimp (me): Not a good deal based on what people were getting. Maybe those deals have dried up. Won't know unless you schedule a disconnect and/or actually disconnect.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Didnt use the script, tried a different tactic

.......................................................................

Might not be as good as some deals above

 

[B Maverick]

Yeah I know. Wasn't ready to bluff the cancellation and didnt want to get into another 2 year contract.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Yeah I know. Wasn't ready to bluff the cancellation and didnt want to get into another 2 year contract.

Bluffing was not as bad as I expected it to be. I would recommend trying it next time (assuming the deals in the script are still in play next year) as there is no down side. We did not need to get a new contract either.

But you still got some breaks and while not as good as what others got, it is still better than most who don't call.

 

[Tom Skerritt]

Just signed up with SuddenLink for TV/Phone/Internet. HBO/Sports/Family package, with 100 Mbps download speed. $150 for the first 12 months, then goes to $170 per month.

Had DirecTV and Verizon. DirecTV was okay, but was super expensive. And Verizon DSL internet service is ####### terrible. I was lucky to be getting 1 Mbps most days. Was paying close to $300 per month.

 

[IC FBGCav]

Sorry, but I had to post this here.

http://www.directv.com/premiums/dogtv?om_rid=ADg9XB&om_mid=_BR$uTuB80Qff$6&om_u=ADg9XB&om_i=_BR$uTuB80Qff$6&cmp=emc-rescus-cus-self-en-dashboardactive

I'm not sure if it's more ridiculous that 1) there's a dedicated channel with 24/7 programming geared towards dogs; 2) that it's a Premium that costs $4.99/month; 3) Not even broadcast in HD.

Pretty sure if you asked for this as a throw-in, you could get a concession.

Free preview through 8/14!!!

Yeah, I, um, yeah, I just added this yesterday.      Puppy seems to like it. 

 

[mquinnjr]

Yeah, I, um, yeah, I just added this yesterday.      Puppy seems to like it. 

 

[MattFancy]

Alright, so all of us that hopped on the deal last year are coming up to the end of our promotion. Anyone have any success recently?

 

[MattFancy]

Anyone?

 

[NewlyRetired]

Anyone?

If you go to the original thread where we first learned of the deal it seems like it is very hit or miss whether you can get it again.  One thing looks certain is that you have to go the cancel route to get any where.  Just threatening to cancel does not seem to be working.

 

[MattFancy]

I couldn't find the original thread. I thought this was it. Stupid search function

 

[NewlyRetired]

I couldn't find the original thread. I thought this was it. Stupid search function

Sorry my bad.  The original thread was not an FFA thread.

http://slickdeals.net/f/140292-directv-customers-free-offers-to-stay-with-directv?page=272&rpid=76002999&rp=282

 

[MattFancy]

Sorry my bad.  The original thread was not an FFA thread.

http://slickdeals.net/f/140292-directv-customers-free-offers-to-stay-with-directv?page=272&rpid=76002999&rp=282

Interesting. I'm in month 11 of my 12 month agreement. My bill is set to increase by $47/month. I don't even care if I get the gift card and Sunday Ticket, there's no way in hell I can justify paying $47/month more for the exact same service I've had for the last year. Gonna make a call this weekend and see what I can do.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Interesting. I'm in month 11 of my 12 month agreement. My bill is set to increase by $47/month. I don't even care if I get the gift card and Sunday Ticket, there's no way in hell I can justify paying $47/month more for the exact same service I've had for the last year. Gonna make a call this weekend and see what I can do.

please update this thread.  most of us will be coming off that great deal last year in the next few months, so we are all going to be curious how to approach this.

 

[MattFancy]

please update this thread.  most of us will be coming off that great deal last year in the next few months, so we are all going to be curious how to approach this.

The thing that really sucks for me where I live is my only choices are DirecTV, Dish, or Metrocast. I hope to not have to cancel and look elsewhere. But no chance I'm paying almost $150/month to watch TV.

 

[BroncoFreak_2K3]

The thing that really sucks for me where I live is my only choices are DirecTV, Dish, or Metrocast. I hope to not have to cancel and look elsewhere. But no chance I'm paying almost $150/month to watch TV.

If you have decent internet speed, pickup an Amazon Firestick and load Sony Playstation Vue.  about $45 for 100 channels.

 

[tonydead]

Later this year Directv plans to release it's own streaming version to compete against Slingtv and Vue.  Prices and channels have yet to be announced.  Directv Now is supposed to have most of what is available over satellite (live, on-demand and premium) and will be able to stream to any internet available device.  It will be available to non-directv subscribers and will be sign-up, download app and begin watching.  We shall see if their price is competitive, but, it at last should be a way for directv fans to rid themselves of the contracts and price hikes.  No satellite, set top box nor annual contract required.   

 

[5Rings]

The thing that really sucks for me where I live is my only choices are DirecTV, Dish, or Metrocast. I hope to not have to cancel and look elsewhere. But no chance I'm paying almost $150/month to watch TV.

I've always been able to get great deals but they've shot me down recently.  Not happy....please update

 

[skol asylum]

Later this year Directv plans to release it's own streaming version to compete against Slingtv and Vue.  Prices and channels have yet to be announced.  Directv Now is supposed to have most of what is available over satellite (live, on-demand and premium) and will be able to stream to any internet available device.  It will be available to non-directv subscribers and will be sign-up, download app and begin watching.  We shall see if their price is competitive, but, it at last should be a way for directv fans to rid themselves of the contracts and price hikes.  No satellite, set top box nor annual contract required.   

If the streaming is as crappy as their on demand programs buffering and unusable in real time forget it.

 

[NewlyRetired]

If you have decent internet speed, pickup an Amazon Firestick and load Sony Playstation Vue.  about $45 for 100 channels.

I did some research on this and it looks very attractive.  Since it does not yet have my local channels available (reminds me of the 90's with satellite) I am going to continue to monitor this service.   Once they have my locals including my local sports channel this could be the service that makes me finally cut the cord and drop hundreds of channels I don't want.

Their packages are much more aligned to what I watch than the similarly sized DirecTV packages.

========================================================

I prepared the wifey for the large bump in the Direct TV bill and then she noticed something on our bill that I might be able to exploit when doing my yearly call.  I don't think I will get any where but it at least gives me a start when making the phone call.  Here is the line item that is contradictory in its wording

2-Year Savings: $33 off $81.99 for months 1-12 (11 of 12)

I think I am going to play dumb and tell them that I was told last year that this $33 would last for 2 years even though I am pretty sure it was for only one year but the fact that the bill at least partially states that it is a 2 year savings, I might have half a leg to stand on when arguing.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I have less and less time for Sundays with little kids now - I'm gonna threaten to cancel, and if I don't get a deal, actually pull the trigger. I don't really need the Sunday Ticket anyways, with the 49ers being a steaming pile, I'm not in a race to watch a 4-6 win season. 

I'll have another provider come wire my cable, go with their introductory offer, and then come back as a new customer in 2 years. Rinse and repeat.

 

[MattFancy]

I prepared the wifey for the large bump in the Direct TV bill and then she noticed something on our bill that I might be able to exploit when doing my yearly call.  I don't think I will get any where but it at least gives me a start when making the phone call.  Here is the line item that is contradictory in its wording

2-Year Savings: $33 off $81.99 for months 1-12 (11 of 12)

I think I am going to play dumb and tell them that I was told last year that this $33 would last for 2 years even though I am pretty sure it was for only one year but the fact that the bill at least partially states that it is a 2 year savings, I might have half a leg to stand on when arguing.

Noticed mine says the same thing as well. Will definitely mention that when I call this weekend.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Really love another one of those gift cards, even though my ####### wife took the last one.

 

[tonydead]

I did some research on this and it looks very attractive.  Since it does not yet have my local channels available (reminds me of the 90's with satellite) I am going to continue to monitor this service.   Once they have my locals including my local sports channel this could be the service that makes me finally cut the cord and drop hundreds of channels I don't want.

Their packages are much more aligned to what I watch than the similarly sized DirecTV packages.

You can't get your locals with an antenna?

 

[NewlyRetired]

You can't get your locals with an antenna?

I likely can with a roof antenna but my family watches very little live tv so I would prefer to get the locals bundled with a service that provides a dvr like function (which Playstion Vue seems to).

And even if I could get my locals over the air with a dvr function, I would still be missing my regional sports channels which I watch a lot of.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Noticed mine says the same thing as well. Will definitely mention that when I call this weekend.

Any update?  I see you are posting in the We've Cut the Cable thread so I fear this did not go well?

 

[MattFancy]

Any update?  I see you are posting in the We've Cut the Cable thread so I fear this did not go well?

Was super busy last weekend and didn't get around to calling. Off tomorrow so I'll give them a call and come back here with what I find out. Was in the other thread looking for a backup plan if this goes south lol

 

[NewlyRetired]

Was super busy last weekend and didn't get around to calling. Off tomorrow so I'll give them a call and come back here with what I find out. Was in the other thread looking for a backup plan if this goes south lol

yeah, that is what I am doing as well.  I figure I will use this time to get acclimated to all the cord cutting options.  Even if I have to spend a few months paying full price for DTV, I don't mind as I want to make a good informed decision.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Thinginf of switching to comcast because u can get redzone there for like 5 bucks a month. My bill sitz at like 110 right now on dtv and i have zero premium channelz. Will comcast pay the get out of the contract thing??

 

[Binky The Doormat]

Thinginf of switching to comcast because u can get redzone there for like 5 bucks a month. My bill sitz at like 110 right now on dtv and i have zero premium channelz. Will comcast pay the get out of the contract thing??




 

I am at $72 for all non-premium channels, 3 boxes and SuperTicket and I am DirectTV's gimp.  

So I would think you can do better - it all depends on what they are offering these days on the "I am quitting you" script.

 

[Mr.Pack]

I have less and less time for Sundays with little kids now - I'm gonna threaten to cancel, and if I don't get a deal, actually pull the trigger. I don't really need the Sunday Ticket anyways, with the 49ers being a steaming pile, I'm not in a race to watch a 4-6 win season. 

I'll have another provider come wire my cable, go with their introductory offer, and then come back as a new customer in 2 years. Rinse and repeat.

I canceled last year one day at midnight in the middle of my contract, and signed up hours later as a new customer. By 10am I was back on with a new customer deal in place.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I am at $72 for all non-premium channels, 3 boxes and SuperTicket and I am DirectTV's gimp.  

So I would think you can do better - it all depends on what they are offering these days on the "I am quitting you" script.

we talked about this earlier.  It appears that most of the deals have dried up from last year according to the thread that started this "script" last year.

Some guys on here are about to have their one year deals expire so we should get some first hand experience on where things are headed for the coming year.

I am personally hoping to exploit the strange wording on my bill which states a "2 year savings" on one of my big credits that I know is going to expire after just one year.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

we talked about this earlier.  It appears that most of the deals have dried up from last year according to the thread that started this "script" last year.

Some guys on here are about to have their one year deals expire so we should get some first hand experience on where things are headed for the coming year.

I am personally hoping to exploit the strange wording on my bill which states a "2 year savings" on one of my big credits that I know is going to expire after just one year.




 




 

Sorry.  

Mine is up at some point soon, will have to look it up.  At the time of the deal they told me I would be able to get the same deal (which was $64/mo before more price increases) by just renewing for the next 12 months (when I called in after the deal was up).  

I should have recorded the conversation because I don't have much faith in getting the same deal.  Hell, I couldn't get the same deal out of reps I called 5 minutes after I hung up from the another one.  

 

[NewlyRetired]

 Hell, I couldn't get the same deal out of reps I called 5 minutes after I hung up from the another one.  

it really is amazing the difference from one call to the next.  You would think the policies would be set in stone and every operator would offer the exact same thing.

 

[DreamTheater]

called 2x recently.contract is up.

Only thing they will offer is $30 per month less for 12 months or $ 20 less for 24 month contract.

 

[fantasycurse42]

Bill just shot up, waiting until we get a little closer to football season when they typically have better promotions, I'll actually cancel if they don't hook me up.

 

[NewlyRetired]

called 2x recently.contract is up.

Only thing they will offer is $30 per month less for 12 months or $ 20 less for 24 month contract.

I would be ok with the $30 a month if I can get that.

Did you have to cancel to get that discount or did they offer it up when you called.

 

[Tiger Fan]

is there any cool new equipment coming out soon that would be worth to wait to renew on?

 

[DreamTheater]

I would be ok with the $30 a month if I can get that.

Did you have to cancel to get that discount or did they offer it up when you called.

When I told them it was too expensive now that my 2 yr promos all expired, they offered it right up....I am holding out for NFL package.

I set a cancel date a month out...see what happens. Worst case, Ill take the $ 30 in a few weeks.

 

[MattFancy]

Just called, my 12-month cycle doesn't end until May 23rd. Was told to try and call back then. Apparently their credits aren't what they used to be. Will try again then and let you guys know. I don't have high hopes. Did get 3 months free of HBO.

 

[Sinrman]

I will be re-visiting this come August, as we're moving into a new house and dropping Comcast and getting DirecTV.

 

[prosopis]

I did cancel about 1-2 months ago. I had to pay the breaking contract fine as well. This may help you guys- When they realized I was for real cancelling they offered to pay one month of my bill if I stayed. I still cancelled but maybe some of you who dont really plan on cancelling can score a free month.

 

[BeTheMatch]

This is not the old DirecTV. I was a customer for 20 years and always played the game of getting big discounts every year. All it took was a yearly phone call. Never failed. Not once. I did leave a few years ago and went to a local provider. When that didn't pan out, I went back to DirecTV a year ago on some big promotional package that had big discounts for the first year. They all just ran out, and my bill has tripled.

I just called and did the whole "cancel service" routine to get to the customer-retention department, but no dice at all. I said I wasn't paying that price, etc., and that I'd cancel service and go somewhere else, and she said, "Only thing I could do to lower your price is to offer you a lower-end channel package. I can't give you any discounts. If you want to cancel, I understand."

 

[NewlyRetired]

I just called and did the whole "cancel service" routine to get to the customer-retention department, but no dice at all. I said I wasn't paying that price, etc., and that I'd cancel service and go somewhere else, and she said, "Only thing I could do to lower your price is to offer you a lower-end channel package. I can't give you any discounts. If you want to cancel, I understand."

I don't know if you have been following the thread but last year, that was exactly what happened to most callers.  The good news was that once everyone went ahead with the cancellation (not threatening, but actually scheduling the cancallation) the incredible deals opened up.

I got by far my biggest deal ever from Direct TV last year after goung the cancellation route.

We are waiting to see if that works again this year.