Alternatives to Direct TV?

[annsteere]

We've had Direct TV for 18 months. Would like to have HGTV, National Geographic and Style.

Our monthly bill is $70.99 for the "Choice Extra" package and receiver.

MyPoints/Direct TV has an offer for new customers for the exact same package for $39.99/month.

So, I'm paying $40 per month because I've been a loyal customer for a year and a half.

Just got off the phone and they said "Sorry. Even if you quit and go without cable for a month or two we can't do anything to lower your bill. You will be considered a 'reconnect' rather than a new customer and you'll go back to paying the $70.99. You would have to have no service for at least two years to qualify as a new customer."

Any suggestions for me? Any alternative providers?

What about having our daughter, a recent college grad who is living in the basement but has her own phone, credit card, etc. sign up as a new customer??

 

[msmayor]

I would suspect that the "customer" qualification goes by address and NOT by the name on the bill, so I doubt it would work.

 

[savannahcat]

Have you checked Dish Network? We have DirecTV also, but our neighbor has Dish Network. The service seems the same.

 

[annsteere]

Thanks SavannahCat, I'll look into that.

 

[Golf4food]

Or call back on a different day and time and talk to a different person and try again - that sometimes helps.

 

[rockundergirl]

Ask for their employee id number. they will assume you will be trouble if you don't get what you want..

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

I have been looking at Dish Network, as I am a previous Directv user and Directv has gone up quite a bit for what you get and in the area we are in we aren't eligible for locals.

Check out Radioshack.com they are having a special when you sign up through them, I think a $50 gift card, free installation, all that good stuff. They 200 channels package is $22.99/mo for six months and regular $47.99 after the six months.

Dish has increased the channels each package has compared to when I looked into them a few years ago.

I am seriously considering Dish Hetwork, as our local cable stinks and we have no other options, except Directv and Dish

Suzanne

 

[pyrxtc]

I ahve DirectTV and after the intial contract was up (for the DVR) I have always had great success in getting them to give me deals when they offer those great deals to new customers. Currently I have a package that they don't even offer anymore at an unheard of price for that package since I've had the same one for the past 6 yrs, almost 7 now. They also give me free showtime for being a loyal customer and I get $20 off per month cuz I asked about maybe leaving and discounted other stuff. We get about $35 off our total bill each month plus we upgraded to the DVR from a regular thing for free after rebate, which was nice.

 

[StephMK]

I'd call back & try again. I called recently because we kept getting Dish & Cox flyers for great intro rates. I told the guy we had some great offers but wanted to see if Directv could offer anything to us as loyal customers (4+yrs) instead. At first, he offered $50 credit & $10 off a month for 12 mo, plus 2 free movie channels for 6 mo. I had read here & nicely asked - is there anything else you can do - then he threw in free DVR service (we have it already) for 12 mo - so another $6 off a month.

That was enough for me to stay & avoid the hassle of moving service since we do like Directv, just trying to keep bills low.

 

[Shelley Chiarats]

My mom had issues with DirectTV when we moved in with her and they wanted to charge an arm and a leg to add more TVs/boxes. We tried a couple of times and even had installers come out but didn't have everything lined up and they explained what it would cost.

The special at the time was 4 rooms installed free. Even the installers suggested we cancel and sign up new in someone else's name.

So we did. I signed up under my name with my cell phone number and my email address. Names don't mean much to them. They track who you are by your phone number and the cookies attached to your email address.

Good luck.
Michelle

 

[kadesha]

My DH works for DirecTV. Lots of times if you call customer service and threaten to cancel because other customers are getting a better offer than you are then they will lower your price, match the offer, or throw in free movie channels.