Paying $$$ for DIRECTV Boxes

[jdavid]

I signed up for DIRECTV about 2 months ago, like everyone else they gave me the standard 4 boxes for free. I got an HDTV last week so I call DIRECTV to get a new box- sure not a problem $99.

I think that's reasonable being that they have to come out and put up a new satellite on our roof, but to ask $300 for a HD DVR that you don't OWN and still are paying a monthly service fee seems a little ridiculous to me.

If I had Comcast, they give you the box, no charge, If i had Tivo, the box is practically free when you sign up for service and you own it.

I understand paying $300 to own the HD DVR box, but does anyone think this is a little crazy?

 

[boba]

That has been discussed many times try searching if you really want information. Lease fees are lease fees if you don't like them you don't have to lease it.

 

[Hall]

...if you don't like them you don't have to lease it.

Can you buy the boxes outright anymore ?? When they were first released, I thought you could. Value Electronics sold them. Now they only list the $299 (lease upgrade fee) cost, as does Best Buy.

 

[Plywodstatebum]

You can buy them on Ebay.

 

[Dexterous]

I believe my customer said that he had 30 days to activate it (he got it from retail for $300) or pay the full price of $900 something if it's not activated.

 

[vurbano]

I signed up for DIRECTV about 2 months ago, like everyone else they gave me the standard 4 boxes for free. I got an HDTV last week so I call DIRECTV to get a new box- sure not a problem $99.

I think that's reasonable being that they have to come out and put up a new satellite on our roof, but to ask $300 for a HD DVR that you don't OWN and still are paying a monthly service fee seems a little ridiculous to me.

If I had Comcast, they give you the box, no charge, If i had Tivo, the box is practically free when you sign up for service and you own it.

I understand paying $300 to own the HD DVR box, but does anyone think this is a little crazy?

absolutely nuts.

 

[FlyingJ]

Yup, maybe nuts, but then i have to ask the question Vurbano, what do you call it when in your words you spent a fortune on D* equipment and technical add ons and upgrades and hate the service?

 

[ScoBuck]

There are an awful lot of nuts out there - DirecTV can't produce them fast enough for the demand! And wait until the few weeks after Christmas when ALL of those NEW HD sets are installed!

I wish I was as nuts as them - they have over 15 MILLION subs!

 

[jdavid]

Well i'm scheduled now for Jan. 13 to get my HD DVR. I bit the bullet

 

[vurbano]

Yup, maybe nuts, but then i have to ask the question Vurbano, what do you call it when in your words you spent a fortune on D* equipment and technical add ons and upgrades and hate the service?

Hell, if I hated the service or Id call it a new form of bait and switch on D*'s part by throwing their PQ in the trash after luring people in and making them pay big bucks to own the HR10-250. But, in any case, I own MY equipment and did not spend a fortune for the right to lease it. Huge difference.

 

[ScoBuck]

In 6 months or so, the HR10-250 will not be of any value in getting HD from DirecTV - at the best case very limited HD. Will have lots of value as boat anchor.

I would know, I have 6 RCA IRDs that I also own (worthless), and 2 HD irds (Hughes) that are also worth a mere fraction of what I paid for them. Point of owning is?