OK I suck at bargaining....
 

Just found out that we are still paying over $300 for Sunday Ticket. My wife called up and they brushed her off saying the season already started or some BS like that.

Any tips or strategies for getting the price down? I could live with $150, but free would be better. Telling them I will drop them is a complete bluff, since Sunday Ticket is the only reason I have Direct TV, and I gotta have my chiefs. Any tips?

Drop them and stream the games for free :thumb:

Just tell them that if you don't get the discount everyone else is getting, you'll drop them.

They never call anyone's bluff?

I called the day before the season started because I realized I was still getting billed the 300 rate when they have been advertising 199 all year. They said the extra amount was for being able to watch the game online and from your phone(which I don't do anymore) and the redzone channel. I also told them I was considering dropping the Sunday ticket altogether and they dropped it to 199 and I get everything but the ability to watch the games on my pc.

They did mine.

I'm pretty sure when I call them at this point I'm flagged as a repeat customer service rep abuser...

The secret to bargaining is honestly not caring if you get to keep whatever it is. Sorry. :D

If you are serious about dropping, and say you are going to cancel instead of "Im considering cancelling", then you might get what you want. But they are pretty legit about knowing other specials in your area and calling bluffs. It also depends on whether you have time left in your contract, or if you are a free agent.

Im also assuming that, once the charge has gone through, it would be tough to get a refund.

That's the way I've always been most successful, but with the way some guys talk, they can get anything seemingly.

They did for me the first time I tried it. 15 year directv customer, 12 with sunday ticket. Never asked for anything before. I buy all the premium movies and several sports. Last year when it went over 300, I called to complain based on everyone here saying they were getting deals. They wouldn't even talk to me. There is nothing they can do, blah, blah, blah. I say something about the value not being worth it, they said sorry to hear that, and want me to process the cancellation? I said yes.

They canceled my whole service. Seriously, within 10 minutes it was searching for service, and I was paid up through the cycle already! Most infuriating thing ever. I never resubscribed, and had to write three letters to get prorated refund for the 22 days they cut me off on. I guess that wasn't a bluff, but still.

I called and just told them I was a long time customer and wanted to know what kind of deal they could give me. They right away went from $300 to $200.

I said thanks, but I was looking for something better, she let me speak to a supervisor and he must have been in a good mood cause he gave me ST w/HD RZ, internet and all that stuff for $108! :)

When you call customer service and you get the automated thing that tells you to say what you are trying to do, say "cancel my service". This should take you to retention instead of just regular customer service people that just handle general billing issues.

This. Talking to "retentions" is the way to go. I'd tell them for $300, I could go enjoy food and beer while watching the game with friends at the bar every week. Even throw out that you've wanted to switch to cable b/c you're tried of rain cutting out your signal, but it's things like cheap/free Sunday Ticket that keep you happy.

I called tonight.

I was still paying $300 which I thought was stupid. I'd meant to call but hadn't. Saw the bill, considered how shitty the Chiefs are and dialed the phone.

I told the morAn that answered eventually that It was too much and I wanted to cancel Sunday Ticket and HBO. She pretty much said "OK" and they went to elevator music. The offered $5 off HBO for 3 months and $200something for ST...I said no. She came back on after a few minutes and said "ok, they're turned off is there anything else".

I said something like "well with no sunday ticket, I have no reason to stay, when will my month end so I can switch to dish network". The phone clicked and went to another person(retention).

She asked why I was transferred, I explained that it was too expensive.

When it was said and done, I changed my package, got 6 months off hbo, free dvr service for 12 months and some different Sunday ticket package that doesn't have redzone(which I never watch) for $99.

I had to call their bluff and was willing to just walk away...but I did that tonight.