Post what DirecTV retention offered you!

[Jimbo]

Directv does not GIVE you expensive receivers. Unlike cell phone companies that give you a new phone with a two year commitment, Directv receivers are in essence loaned to you and must be returned when you cancel your service. I have already been informed that with my cancellation, arrangements will be made to return the equipment. These receivers will then be checked over and if necessary refurbished, repackaged and sent out to another customer. Over the life of the equipment, I would venture to say that each piece of equipment nets a significant profit for Directv when you factor in the additional receiver fees and advanced receiver fees they charge. I acknowledge there is some cost for the installation, but a two year commitment, in my case valued at over $2400, is something that definitely works in their favor.

If you think AT&T will not have an impact on Directv, take note that gross profit margins for Directv are around 50% of revenue. AT&T has gross profit margins closer to 60%. I believe Directv will move closer to AT&Ts gross margins as this is what shareholders will expect and this means more out of pocket for each subscriber.

Wow ....
That piece of junk recvr you think you have, DOES cost money.
If you don't like it, try some of the recvrs from other companies, Cable companies usually have some of the worst ones available.
Fwiw, back in the day when you could BUY the recvrs, the old Tivo D* box was selling for about a $1000 at one point.
I paid $799 for a 1st generation Sony HD box, so YES they are expensive.
Now they may not value at that price now or maybe they would, but the chosen manufacturer are mass producing them, it's hard to say what the actual cost of them would be, but we know EVERY company is in it to MAKE MONEY.

Of course ATT is gonna make money.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

I have been with Direct TV for over 12 years now. During this time, I have always found the retention department to be accommodating in helping me keep the costs down on my service. This month, I had $25 in monthly credits expire on my account. My account is also no longer in any contract. With the expiration of these credits, the cost of my service would have increased a little over 25%. My first couple of calls, only resulted in an offer of a $5 monthly credit on my account to "offset" the $25 that would be dropping off. I scheduled for my service to be disconnected and then had to call back to have it rescheduled. During this call, I was told to hold off and try back after my last bill with the credits on them as she told me new credits would not show up until the current ones expire. Today I called back one last time. The best offer I was given was $15 in monthly credits and there was no urgency on their part to try and keep me as a customer. Even with these credits, my bill would still be higher than it would be if I switched to Dish and paid their standard, non-introductory prices. Needless to say, I will be switching to Dish.

The retention CSR I contacted seemed genuinely sorry but said there was no way they could match the savings I would get from switching to the Mediacom bundle, even after the promotional prices expire. Business is business.

 

[BidsOH]

Wow ....
That piece of junk recvr you think you have, DOES cost money.
If you don't like it, try some of the recvrs from other companies, Cable companies usually have some of the worst ones available.
Fwiw, back in the day when you could BUY the recvrs, the old Tivo D* box was selling for about a $1000 at one point.
I paid $799 for a 1st generation Sony HD box, so YES they are expensive.
Now they may not value at that price now or maybe they would, but the chosen manufacturer are mass producing them, it's hard to say what the actual cost of them would be, but we know EVERY company is in it to MAKE MONEY.

Of course ATT is gonna make money.

In case you have been asleep the past ten years, the cost of technology has come down considerably. Devices that used to cost thousands of dollars, now cost hundreds or even less. These boxes are not as complex and costly as you make them out to be. Their true value comes in the software and user interface that is put on each one and I have been pleased with Directv's interface. However, that development cost in minimal when you divide it by the number of boxes that are out there. I again say, go back to the financials, for every $10 you spend with Directv, $5 goes to gross profit. Now granted, some of that $5 in gross profit goes to paying Rob Lowe and the networks for all the Directv commercials we see.

And you are correct, EVERY company is in business to make MAKE MONEY. But how much comes down to when consumers say enough is enough and put their own personal finances and desire to make money above that of large corporations who are fighting to do the same. This is called a free market. It appears Directv is on track to make 3 billion in net income this year. Thanks, but I think it is time I will start looking out for myself as Directv is doing just fine without increasing my rates. My posts are just to make other Directv customers aware that they may find Directv retention may not be as willing to work with them like they have in the past. Each consumer can then decide what is best for them. GO BUCKS!

 

[ejb1980]

Sorry Larry ...
Fun game though !

Especially the end when Alabama had fewer points!

 

[Jimbo]

In case you have been asleep the past ten years, the cost of technology has come down considerably. Devices that used to cost thousands of dollars, now cost hundreds or even less. These boxes are not as complex and costly as you make them out to be. Their true value comes in the software and user interface that is put on each one and I have been pleased with Directv's interface. However, that development cost in minimal when you divide it by the number of boxes that are out there. I again say, go back to the financials, for every $10 you spend with Directv, $5 goes to gross profit. Now granted, some of that $5 in gross profit goes to paying Rob Lowe and the networks for all the Directv commercials we see.

And you are correct, EVERY company is in business to make MAKE MONEY. But how much comes down to when consumers say enough is enough and put their own personal finances and desire to make money above that of large corporations who are fighting to do the same. This is called a free market. It appears Directv is on track to make 3 billion in net income this year. Thanks, but I think it is time I will start looking out for myself as Directv is doing just fine without increasing my rates. My posts are just to make other Directv customers aware that they may find Directv retention may not be as willing to work with them like they have in the past. Each consumer can then decide what is best for them. GO BUCKS!

Looks like your leaving D*, thats too bad .... however everyone has thier choice of providers available where they live.
Hope you find the cable company satisfactory.

 

[cparker]

I have a ways to go yet before I'm out of commitment. I did have a call from a company trying to get me to switch to Dish (From DirecTV which I now have). I said, "Did they get the MSG channel back yet?".
They hadn't. MSG or its alternates carry the Buffalo Sabres games. Can't really call myself a "hockey fan" as I really don't watch any other teams. Just the Sabres. I like watching the home teams. I watch Buffalo Bills games (as painful as THAT can be....) but I don't watch any games they aren't playing in.

So... my choices here are DirecTV or Time Warner cable. The only way I think I'd ever switch back to cable is if I had TiVos everywhere. I have 4 TVs now. Only 3 on provider. The one in the basement is just on antenna and has a DVD player attached for exercising

I'm just not sure I could be happy with Time Warner ever again as I still have such a sour taste in my mouth from way back when I cut that cord. They were horrid.

Last time I called retention I got a Genie (HR34) to replace an HR24 in my living room and a Genie client for the kitchen plus I think $25 off my bill for a year. I was happy with that. Now my bill is back up over $100.
My PROBLEM is that I don't think I could do better with another provider. And now I'm a satellite junkie ...

 

[Jimbo]

I have a ways to go yet before I'm out of commitment. I did have a call from a company trying to get me to switch to Dish (From DirecTV which I now have). I said, "Did they get the MSG channel back yet?".
They hadn't. MSG or its alternates carry the Buffalo Sabres games. Can't really call myself a "hockey fan" as I really don't watch any other teams. Just the Sabres. I like watching the home teams. I watch Buffalo Bills games (as painful as THAT can be....) but I don't watch any games they aren't playing in.

So... my choices here are DirecTV or Time Warner cable. The only way I think I'd ever switch back to cable is if I had TiVos everywhere. I have 4 TVs now. Only 3 on provider. The one in the basement is just on antenna and has a DVD player attached for exercising

I'm just not sure I could be happy with Time Warner ever again as I still have such a sour taste in my mouth from way back when I cut that cord. They were horrid.

Last time I called retention I got a Genie (HR34) to replace an HR24 in my living room and a Genie client for the kitchen plus I think $25 off my bill for a year. I was happy with that. Now my bill is back up over $100.
My PROBLEM is that I don't think I could do better with another provider. And now I'm a satellite junkie ...

Call around to the other and see what they say ... sounds like you don't want Cable, so cross them out, that leave D* and DISH ?
Dish might be able to beat it with the new sub deals, but whats it look like after the discounts drop off, are they in the same ballpark, if so, is it worth changing over if everything will be close to the same over all ?

 

[darrengs]

The retention CSR I contacted seemed genuinely sorry but said there was no way they could match the savings I would get from switching to the Mediacom bundle, even after the promotional prices expire. Business is business.

Don't worry once you actually leave they will offer you everything you wanted and more to come back.

 

[BlueLemon]

Last May I called to cancel after 5+ years of loyalty and on time payments (never been late) I was offered...
~ FREE HBO for 3 months (which I already was paying for).
~ FREE Starz or Showtime for 3 months (I chose Showtime)
~ Upgraded me to NFL Sunday Ticket Max & comped it for 1 year
~ Comped HD Extra for 6 months (which I already was paying for).

No base package or equipment discount was offered. Now my bill is back up. In March, My wife and I are moving into our first brand new house at which time we're switching to cable.

 

[dishfan82]

Don't worry once you actually leave they will offer you everything you wanted and more to come back.

That's what happened to me . Called to cancel and was told was already getting the best deal. Once I already cancelled then I was offered new 2 year customer pricing. I told them thanks but no thanks. Said if you would have offered that great deal then I would have stayed. Won't even bother this time, I'll just cancel when my bill goes up.

 

[IcEWoLF]

Going to call DirecTV this Saturday...will schedule cancellation and hope to hear form their Winback department. If not I will check out U-Verse or Dish...

 

[cparker]

Call around to the other and see what they say ... sounds like you don't want Cable, so cross them out, that leave D* and DISH ?
Dish might be able to beat it with the new sub deals, but whats it look like after the discounts drop off, are they in the same ballpark, if so, is it worth changing over if everything will be close to the same over all ?

yeah I really can't go back to Dish. Had them for many years. In fact mt original install was done by.... ME! because they didn't have installers yet. However, they got into a snit with MSG and dropped 'em and as far as I know they never mended that fence. No MSG means no Sabres hockey. So..... can't go back to Dish (even though the Sabres are sucking out loud this year)

 

[IcEWoLF]

As you guys know I called Retention today, they offered me additional savings for 6 months, so I am looking at my DirecTV premier package to be around $99 a month, which is not bad.
Also to sweeten the deal I signed up for a new two year contract and they are providing me a brand new HR-44 (replacing the HR34) and also they are offering me a free genie mini wireless, which previously they said $99, but I told them I was not going to take that offer, so the rep placed me on hold and she offered me both for free with a two year contract, as of right now I can't complain, this is really a good deal.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

My cableco called, and I swore I'd never go back. (Had satellite for over 20 years). But by bundling phone, Internet and TV I'd spend about as much as DirecTV was charging me for TV alone (whole-home HD DVR on 3 boxes, 4th non-DVR SD box, Choice Xtra, Sports Pack). Had nice lady at Mediacom itemize what I'd be paying with their bundle, and it turned out to be about $85 for the same thing (some out-of-market sports but not all), including taxes and fees, plus a year of HBO at $10 a month. Asked DirecTV if they could match it or come close. No way. Bye-bye DirecTV after seven years.

 

[dishfan82]

My cableco called, and I swore I'd never go back. (Had satellite for over 20 years). But by bundling phone, Internet and TV I'd spend about as much as DirecTV was charging me for TV alone (whole-home HD DVR on 3 boxes, 4th non-DVR SD box, Choice Xtra, Sports Pack). Had nice lady at Mediacom itemize what I'd be paying with their bundle, and it turned out to be about $85 for the same thing (some out-of-market sports but not all), including taxes and fees, plus a year of HBO at $10 a month. Asked DirecTV if they could match it or come close. No way. Bye-bye DirecTV after seven years.

You think if they wanted to keep customers from leaving they at least try and make a reasonable offer. I plan on leaving in August. I had to fight them on my rebate and got it but that was after I said I'd cancel if I didn't get it. Then I put in a request for a due date change and that never took effect. Still arguing with them on that. I had a terrible experience with them before and thought I'd try them again but it's the same song and dance.

 

[IcEWoLF]

As you guys know I called Retention today, they offered me additional savings for 6 months, so I am looking at my DirecTV premier package to be around $99 a month, which is not bad.
Also to sweeten the deal I signed up for a new two year contract and they are providing me a brand new HR-44 (replacing the HR34) and also they are offering me a free genie mini wireless, which previously they said $99, but I told them I was not going to take that offer, so the rep placed me on hold and she offered me both for free with a two year contract, as of right now I can't complain, this is really a good deal.

BTW I was going to go through the cancellation and hope for a call from the winback reps since I've been a loyal customer for many years and always had the highest package DTV offered and always an NFL ST subscriber since I've been a customer of them...but the 2 receivers option was too good to pass up, a free equipment upgrade and getting the wireless c41 receiver without an installation fee was too big.
The rep placed me on hold few times, I guess she was getting this approved with her supervisor...

P.S: I cancelled the HD Extra pack yesterday since I rarely watch those channels, and when I called today they offered it back to me again for free for 3 months! I took the deal and will probably cancel in few months...Its $5 worth.

 

[fr8flyr]

My cableco called, and I swore I'd never go back. (Had satellite for over 20 years). But by bundling phone, Internet and TV I'd spend about as much as DirecTV was charging me for TV alone (whole-home HD DVR on 3 boxes, 4th non-DVR SD box, Choice Xtra, Sports Pack). Had nice lady at Mediacom itemize what I'd be paying with their bundle, and it turned out to be about $85 for the same thing (some out-of-market sports but not all), including taxes and fees, plus a year of HBO at $10 a month. Asked DirecTV if they could match it or come close. No way. Bye-bye DirecTV after seven years.

I just did the same thing. I was offered a package with my internet that would cost me $80 less then I was paying with DTV. I called DTV and the best they could offer was $30 less for 6 months. Cox Cable Contour TV package was installed yesterday and so far I am happy with the decision.

 

[tigerfan33]

BTW I was going to go through the cancellation and hope for a call from the winback reps since I've been a loyal customer for many years and always had the highest package DTV offered and always an NFL ST subscriber since I've been a customer of them...but the 2 receivers option was too good to pass up, a free equipment upgrade and getting the wireless c41 receiver without an installation fee was too big.
The rep placed me on hold few times, I guess she was getting this approved with her supervisor...

P.S: I cancelled the HD Extra pack yesterday since I rarely watch those channels, and when I called today they offered it back to me again for free for 3 months! I took the deal and will probably cancel in few months...Its $5 worth.

I thought when I upgraded to the Genie I had lost the ability to cancel the hd pack then activate online free for another 3 months.
Did it about 2 months ago with no problem.

 

[fr8flyr]

DTV called me today with an offer to return and I would have stayed with them if they had given me this offer when I told them I was going to cancel. He got a little upset that I wouldn't cancel the new cable service and return to DTV, since now it would cost about the same. He kept saying " you're not on a contract, so you can cancel at any time" and I kept telling him I wouldn't cancel the service 2 days after the install. I just wont do that to the cable company.

 

[madmadworld]

After 17 years with DTV and never a thought about switching about ready now. over the past few years i was getting discounts of $40+ a month. Dec 2013 i had a owned hr23 go bad when i called we worked out a deal for a hr44 for free with a 2 year contact. at that time i ask the guy will this mess up my discounts i have been getting for years ? he said NO.. you have been with us since 1997 we love you etc.

Over the past few months my discounts have needed renewed they will not give me a dime. he flat out lied to me or did not know better or the rules have changed. over my years I've got free NFL NBA NHL one a year on top of these discounts. only been under contract when i started then again in 2006-08. in the 06-08 one i still got discounts nothing like this. to me it looks like ATT already in the door.

I also noticed no new customer discounts on DTV site.