Electronics DirecTV - Considering it

thecoffeeguy · 07-13-2010, 09:58 AM

So I have been thinking of going with DirecTV lately. Seems like my cable company (Cox) likes to continually drive the price up on my bill. I've seen it go up and up over the year and I am getting tired of.

I know a lot of people here are DirecTV customers and had some questions.

So I was looking at the choice xtra package.
If I sign up now, my monthly bill is $41.99 for the first three months. This includes, HD DVR as well as startz and showtime free.

After three months, the bill jumps to $65.99. My question is, after these three free months of starz and showtime, which are individually $12.99 a month, can I drop those packages?

I was looking at this particular package because I get a free HD DVR for life, free installation and a good amount of channels. I dont need a crap load of channels as I dont watch that much TV. The DVR is definitely a must though and the cheapest package on their site does not appear to have that (correct me if I am wrong).

So anyone have some feedback and suggestions?

Many thanks.

TCG

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-13-2010, 10:01 AM

I'd check your agreement as a new customer, but I've always been able to add and drop channels/packages whenever I wanted.

Like next month, I'll be adding Showtime so I can watch Weeds. Then, when the season is over, I cancel.

And you can do it all online, and not bother with calling in and talking to a CSR.

jspchief · 07-13-2010, 10:03 AM

Yes, you can drop them.

I believe Total Choice + is their main "basic" package, and will carry all of the channels you get through Cox and then some. They don't really jerk you around on price, and in fact have a pretty well documented history of flexibility in efforts to retain customers.

I don't have many issues with weather, but it does happen.

boogblaster · 07-13-2010, 10:04 AM

yea you can change whenever or whatever you want ...

**The Bad Guy** · 07-13-2010, 10:05 AM

Don't they have the offer where you pay for Sunday Ticket and you get the best package free for 5 months?

RJ · 07-13-2010, 10:05 AM

Service has been fine, even with the New Mexico winds.

We get like eleventy billion channels and sometimes there's even something worth watching, which I guess is like a bonus.

jspchief · 07-13-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ

We get like eleventy billion channels....

Of course, 10.999999 billion of them are likely running infomercials but i suppose that falls more on the networks than the provider.

thecoffeeguy · 07-13-2010, 10:11 AM

Very cool.

I am getting tired of Cox's crap. I called and tried to get them to lower my bill and they were not interested in hearing it.

I only need one HD-DVR for my house (only one TV) and I get it free.

My current cable bill with Cox is around $76 a month for mediocre service and a crappy DVR.

Ideally, would like to get my bill as cheap as possible.

I did notice after a year of service, the price tag for this package jumps to around $95/month. But if I remove the starz and showtime packages, that would be minus $26, which gets me to $69/month. Cheaper than what I am paying now.

Sounds like they are pretty good at being flexible with their pricing, which is huge for me.

Going to talk to the wife tonight and see what she thinks.

Appreciate the feedback.

Swanman · 07-13-2010, 10:49 AM

I recently switched from Directv to Comcast because I moved to a house without a good southern sightline. I was happy overall with the service, although I would routinely lose signal when it rained but I guess I got used to that.

My major complaint with Directv was that when I cancelled my service, they charged me a $140 cancellation fee, even though I had been a customer for nearly 10 years. Basically, any time you add/upgrade/replace a receiver, they lock you into a new 24-month contract and don't really tell you (it's buried deep in the customer agreement that people rarely read). And they are dicks about returning equipment (they give you a whopping 7 days to return boxes after they send you the coffins or they charge some reeruned amount per receiver). They are actually currently being sued in 3 states over the cancellation fees.

In a nutshell, I was happy with the product, not happy with the raping you get when you cancel.

**DaFace** · 07-13-2010, 10:53 AM

Don't forget that they have a referral bonus for new subscribers, so before you sign up, get someone's account number and use it. I know one if you need one...

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/referr...ralProgram.jsp

**Donger** · 07-13-2010, 10:56 AM

Unless Sunday Ticket is desired, I would recommend that you look at Dish Network as well.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-13-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaFace

Don't forget that they have a referral bonus for new subscribers, so before you sign up, get someone's account number and use it. I know one if you need one...

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/referr...ralProgram.jsp

I know one too.

He's the first guy that responded to the question.

jspchief · 07-13-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swanman

I recently switched from Directv to Comcast because I moved to a house without a good southern sightline. I was happy overall with the service, although I would routinely lose signal when it rained but I guess I got used to that.

My major complaint with Directv was that when I cancelled my service, they charged me a $140 cancellation fee, even though I had been a customer for nearly 10 years. Basically, any time you add/upgrade/replace a receiver, they lock you into a new 24-month contract and don't really tell you (it's buried deep in the customer agreement that people rarely read). And they are dicks about returning equipment (they give you a whopping 7 days to return boxes after they send you the coffins or they charge some reeruned amount per receiver). They are actually currently being sued in 3 states over the cancellation fees.

In a nutshell, I was happy with the product, not happy with the raping you get when you cancel.

They don't "lock you into" shit. You can choose to sign contract, or choose not to. If you want new equipment, and want it cheap, you sign a contract. It's no different from cellular companies. If you don't want to sign any new contracts beyond your initial one, you don't have to. A contract isn't required for service.

shitgoose · 07-13-2010, 11:29 AM

I hate directv. Their equipment sucks. I have had 3 HD DVR's crash on me in less than 18 months. Their customer service sucks as well. They reneged on pretty much everything they told me when I signed up. Oh, and every time it rains you get no signal.

**** Direct TV. I am canceling as soon as my contract is up.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-13-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shitgoose

I hate directv. Their equipment sucks. I have had 3 HD DVR's crash on me in less than 18 months. Their customer service sucks as well. They reneged on pretty much everything they told me when I signed up. Oh, and every time it rains you get no signal.

**** Direct TV. I am canceling as soon as my contract is up.

Interesting, because I've been a customer for just over 10 years, and I've never had new equipment fail - only stuff that was 3+ years old , I've never had an issue with their customer service, matter of fact they've gone out of their way to keep me as a customer - and I've never lost signal unless it was a ****ing monsoon outside. Sounds like you got a shitty install to me.

Enjoy cable.

07-13-2010, 09:58 AM
thecoffeeguy That Rascally wabbit! Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $10001564	DirecTV - Considering it So I have been thinking of going with DirecTV lately. Seems like my cable company (Cox) likes to continually drive the price up on my bill. I've seen it go up and up over the year and I am getting tired of. I know a lot of people here are DirecTV customers and had some questions. So I was looking at the choice xtra package. If I sign up now, my monthly bill is $41.99 for the first three months. This includes, HD DVR as well as startz and showtime free. After three months, the bill jumps to $65.99. My question is, after these three free months of starz and showtime, which are individually $12.99 a month, can I drop those packages? I was looking at this particular package because I get a free HD DVR for life, free installation and a good amount of channels. I dont need a crap load of channels as I dont watch that much TV. The DVR is definitely a must though and the cheapest package on their site does not appear to have that (correct me if I am wrong). So anyone have some feedback and suggestions? Many thanks. TCG
Posts: 1,565

07-13-2010, 10:01 AM	#2
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4811115	I'd check your agreement as a new customer, but I've always been able to add and drop channels/packages whenever I wanted. Like next month, I'll be adding Showtime so I can watch Weeds. Then, when the season is over, I cancel. And you can do it all online, and not bother with calling in and talking to a CSR.
Posts: 60,273

07-13-2010, 10:03 AM	#3
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Yes, you can drop them. I believe Total Choice + is their main "basic" package, and will carry all of the channels you get through Cox and then some. They don't really jerk you around on price, and in fact have a pretty well documented history of flexibility in efforts to retain customers. I don't have many issues with weather, but it does happen. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

07-13-2010, 10:04 AM	#4
boogblaster MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Verdigris Valley Campsite Casino cash: $10004900	yea you can change whenever or whatever you want ... __________________ WR or S please
Posts: 10,305

07-13-2010, 10:05 AM	#5
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	Don't they have the offer where you pay for Sunday Ticket and you get the best package free for 5 months? __________________
Posts: 23,212

07-13-2010, 10:05 AM	#6
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	Service has been fine, even with the New Mexico winds. We get like eleventy billion channels and sometimes there's even something worth watching, which I guess is like a bonus.
Posts: 14,931

07-13-2010, 10:11 AM	#8
thecoffeeguy That Rascally wabbit! Join Date: Aug 2009 Casino cash: $10001564	Very cool. I am getting tired of Cox's crap. I called and tried to get them to lower my bill and they were not interested in hearing it. I only need one HD-DVR for my house (only one TV) and I get it free. My current cable bill with Cox is around $76 a month for mediocre service and a crappy DVR. Ideally, would like to get my bill as cheap as possible. I did notice after a year of service, the price tag for this package jumps to around $95/month. But if I remove the starz and showtime packages, that would be minus $26, which gets me to $69/month. Cheaper than what I am paying now. Sounds like they are pretty good at being flexible with their pricing, which is huge for me. Going to talk to the wife tonight and see what she thinks. Appreciate the feedback.
Posts: 1,565

07-13-2010, 10:49 AM	#9
Swanman It's a league game, Dude Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Itasca, IL Casino cash: $9967354	I recently switched from Directv to Comcast because I moved to a house without a good southern sightline. I was happy overall with the service, although I would routinely lose signal when it rained but I guess I got used to that. My major complaint with Directv was that when I cancelled my service, they charged me a $140 cancellation fee, even though I had been a customer for nearly 10 years. Basically, any time you add/upgrade/replace a receiver, they lock you into a new 24-month contract and don't really tell you (it's buried deep in the customer agreement that people rarely read). And they are dicks about returning equipment (they give you a whopping 7 days to return boxes after they send you the coffins or they charge some reeruned amount per receiver). They are actually currently being sued in 3 states over the cancellation fees. In a nutshell, I was happy with the product, not happy with the raping you get when you cancel.
Posts: 4,719

07-13-2010, 10:53 AM	#10
DaFace Kind of a mod Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Donkey Land Casino cash: $1766899	Don't forget that they have a referral bonus for new subscribers, so before you sign up, get someone's account number and use it. I know one if you need one... http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/referr...ralProgram.jsp
Posts: 51,958

07-13-2010, 10:56 AM	#11
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10109900 VARSITY	Unless Sunday Ticket is desired, I would recommend that you look at Dish Network as well. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 181,332

07-13-2010, 11:29 AM	#14
shitgoose Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita Casino cash: $4152833	I hate directv. Their equipment sucks. I have had 3 HD DVR's crash on me in less than 18 months. Their customer service sucks as well. They reneged on pretty much everything they told me when I signed up. Oh, and every time it rains you get no signal. **** Direct TV. I am canceling as soon as my contract is up. __________________
Posts: 1,640