Direct TV (with no commitment) ??

[steaker]

All of the fine print I read on Direct TV, states that if I cancel my subscription before the 12 month period is over, Direct TV would charge me $150 (per receiver) - pro-rated....OR if I return all the receivers, access cards, etc I would not be charged ?

Does that mean that I can "try" Direct TV for a few months, then if I dont like Direct TV, I can just pack up the equipment and send it back and owe nothing ?

Has anyone done this ? Do they give you a hassle when you go this route ?
Any wisdom from folks that have been down this path ?

Looking to move to Direct TV (from cable).....but leary with the great package I have with Brighthouse (including HD content....etc)

 

[boba]

Just stay with cable and make us dealers happy, you are why third party contracts have to be enforced. We get charged back when you cancel before your year is up so we need a method of charging you for your lack of commitment.

 

[mcsj]

I think it only applies if you get the equipment directly from DirecTV. If you are really want to try and to be binded by only the DirecTV contract, I would suggest that you get the dish and receiver from them. They removed the shipping and handling charge (was $14.95) recently, and give you free installation.

 

[steaker]

Well, I saw this "fine print" on dealers offers in the paper, so it sounds like it applies even if you dont buy directly from DirectTV....

so, from the dealer above, it sounds like it is true.......buy it and try it out for a while and spend a few bucks to pack up the equipment and send back it you no like it......almost like the Dish and Voom offers.....but only no out of pocket expense at all (other than a few bucks to ship it back).

Sounds like a GREAT way for those of us sitting on the Direct TV fence !!!! I thinks I will give it a try. Have nothing to lose !!!

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Every time you add a receiver to your DirecTV account you extend your commitment another 12 months.

This is DirecTV's way of keeping pirarcy down.

 

[boba]

Well, I saw this "fine print" on dealers offers in the paper, so it sounds like it applies even if you dont buy directly from DirectTV....

so, from the dealer above, it sounds like it is true.......buy it and try it out for a while and spend a few bucks to pack up the equipment and send back it you no like it......almost like the Dish and Voom offers.....but only no out of pocket expense at all (other than a few bucks to ship it back).

Sounds like a GREAT way for those of us sitting on the Direct TV fence !!!! I thinks I will give it a try. Have nothing to lose !!!

What a third party contract means is if you cancel before the year is up you may not get charged by Directv but the dealer will charge you for the installation and any loss suffered on the now used equipment. It isn't a free ride to try out the system.

 

[slacker9876]

It really doesn't matter ... I do not know ANYONE who has tried DirecTV and wanted to cancel. I do know quite a few DISH customers who did this ... I was one of them, I think I still owe them 220.00 that they will never see!

D*'s hardware is top notch so it the PQ ... what is not to like

 

[lostcause]

Every time you add a receiver to your DirecTV account you extend your commitment another 12 months.

This is DirecTV's way of keeping pirarcy down.

Now that they have eliminated piracy by switching cards, what's their excuse? I just cancelled dtv (switched to Voom) and I think that any contracts like this are a POS unless they are giving you something in return (a free receiver or free install for example). But if you buy a receiver, hook it up yourself, and pay the monthly fee, why should they trap you for another year???

 

[Incaico]

Now that they have eliminated piracy by switching cards, what's their excuse? I just cancelled dtv (switched to Voom) and I think that any contracts like this are a POS unless they are giving you something in return (a free receiver or free install for example). But if you buy a receiver, hook it up yourself, and pay the monthly fee, why should they trap you for another year???

Because it costs a lot more money than $150.00 to take care of people like you to keep the price down for people like us that appreciate quality...you'll be back, mark my words!

 

[steaker]

From Direct TV Web site:

"Consequences of your Failure to Maintain Programming Commitment: If you fail to maintain and pay for twelve (12) consecutive months of the required programming package, you agree that DIRECTV may charge you a prorated fee of up to one hundred fifty US dollars ($150.00); within 14 days of downgrading or disconnecting your programming, you have an option to send all of your DIRECTV System Equipment (receiver and remote control) to DIRECTV in lieu of this payment. The Equipment, including the Access Card inserted into each DIRECTV System receiver unit, must be returned to DIRECTV in good working order, normal wear and tear excepted. See DIRECTV.com or call 1-800-DIRECTV for details. "

 

[Incaico]

From Direct TV Web site:

"Consequences of your Failure to Maintain Programming Commitment: If you fail to maintain and pay for twelve (12) consecutive months of the required programming package, you agree that DIRECTV may charge you a prorated fee of up to one hundred fifty US dollars ($150.00); within 14 days of downgrading or disconnecting your programming, you have an option to send all of your DIRECTV System Equipment (receiver and remote control) to DIRECTV in lieu of this payment. The Equipment, including the Access Card inserted into each DIRECTV System receiver unit, must be returned to DIRECTV in good working order, normal wear and tear excepted. See DIRECTV.com or call 1-800-DIRECTV for details. "

This is correct! As everyone may know, the equipment is not free and even returning it does not begin to cover actual costs incurred by DIRECTV.

 

[lostcause]

Because it costs a lot more money than $150.00 to take care of people like you to keep the price down for people like us that appreciate quality...you'll be back, mark my words!

Not sure what you mean by the $150.00 thing to take care of people like me. I was a dtv customer for over 3 years and always bought my boxes outright (damn HD box was expensive as hell!!). I did get a couple of free installs, one being an upgrade to the 3 lnb dish, but when I did I signed a one year contract every time.

As for quality, like I said, I had them for over 3 years. I've had an HD tv for almost two. I got tired of paying 11/mo for a whopping 3 HD channels (I don't count espnHD since it's not really HD 99% of the time). So far Voom blows them away.

As for keeping the price down... like I said, 11/mo for 3 HD channels is a steaming pile of...... well.....dung... When they get upwards of 10 half decent HD channels and include them in their 39.99 package (just like voom has managed to do with no problems), then maybe I'll consider going back (unless voom suddenly takes a massive dump of course..then I'll go back no problem).

Mind you, I don't have any real complaints about dtv and was always happy with their service. Their unwillingness to embrace HD, then having the audacity to charge 11/mo for 3 channels was a bit much though.

 

[Incaico]

As for keeping the price down... like I said, 11/mo for 3 HD channels is a steaming pile of...... well.....dung... When they get upwards of 10 half decent HD channels and include them in their 39.99 package (just like voom has managed to do with no problems), then maybe I'll consider going back (unless voom suddenly takes a massive dump of course..then I'll go back no problem).

You just couldn't wait a couple of more months for more HD programming?...You'll be back

 

[lostcause]

You just couldn't wait a couple of more months for more HD programming?...You'll be back

Maybe...maybe not. Depends how well voom does. If voom keeps going strong I don't see a reason to go back. For my viewing habits voom is a much better deal for me at the moment. If directv beefs up the HD offerings substantially then I would maybe consider it. I'm not too crazy with dtv's business practices (witch hunts and the like..) but never really had a problem with their service.

As for waiting a couple of months, considering Voom has almost 40 HD channels currently, I doubt dtv will be able to even come close to that in a couple of months. Time will tell though.

 

[skid_129]

Voom is currently on a serious downward spiral business-wise.

As for trying DTV for free, bear in mind that there are costs incurred in installation. If you cancel early and the dealer and/or installer get charged back, then they will be forced to bill you for the cost of installation, And they can put a mechanic's lean against your property for that amount. As for refusing to pay it, I have seen and heard of instances where those who fail to honor thier contracts, or pay for installation costs after defaulting, have had thier assests frozen by the courts until they pay up. There are laws to protect us business people from such activities. You're already given an option to recieve these services for free, if you elect not to uphold your requirements for this, then you must pay the price of default.

 

[JimMcC]

Failure to pay

Plus a lot of people forget about the damage to your credit report for not paying up.