Directv anniversary gift - anyone else ask for something else?

[MagiKitty]

In my experience, the CS rep will always tell you that certain promos are for new customers only, and that may be true. But if you ask for retentions and explain that you feel its unfair to be an unappreciated existing customer, they will often make offers for you.

I also wanted HD service in my house but didn't want to pay for the equipment/installation so I explained to retentions that I could switch to another company and get it for free....then they offered free install, free equipment, free HD plus money off my monthly bill. I really hate to do it, but I think its terrible that existing customers don't get the same benefits. I've never gone as far as threatening to cancel my service, but the retention department is there to retain their customers.

I tend to call a few times a year to find out if I'm eligible for any promos....or if a competing company has advertised specials, I find out if DirecTv will match them. They always have in my experience.

Also, check the DirecTv website once in a while. They do have promos of existing customers, you just have to call in and request it. They won't give it to you automatically, but if you tell them that you saw it on their website, they'll give it to you.

The worst thing they can say is no...and if they do, tell them you'll think about it then call back. I've done it and talked to a different person and gotten a deal.

 

[Melindarella]

Thanks - will probably at least call and ask. I really don't want to change from DirecTV to Dish because I really like the service/programming that I have....would just like to see it in HD - lol.

I keep a check on the website, and get promos/movie guides, etc through email. That is actually how I upgraded from a regular reciever to a DVR - they sent a promo for a free upgrade - but that was 3 or 4 years ago. Since then, about all I've seen is free Showtime/HBO/Starz, etc, which is cool since I don't have these channels

 

[sksjasams]

OP here...
Well, I worked up the nerve to call and ask. When they have you say why you are calling, I decided to say cancel service so I knew I would get someone in the retention dept. I tried saying retention, but the voice response unit did not understand that.
I said that we had gotten showtime/tmc as an anniversary gift and could we get anything else instead. He asked what I would like, and I said a bill reduction or starz/encore. He said he could add starz/encore but could not remove showtime/tmc. He told me I could just block it instead. I said again, that I really wanted those channels removed, so he said he would.
So, it will be 3 months free starz/encore. Initially, he said I would have to call and cancel after 3 mos, but I said I didn't want to do that, so he said it will turn off automatically after 3 mos. Also, a $5 credit for 24 mos for having Frontier for internet/phone. And also $10 credit for 12 mos., after I asked if there was any other incentive he could offer.
I am happy
Thanks for your advice!!!

 

[MagiKitty]

Congrats! Glad to hear you got what you wanted!

 

[DawnM]

We tried to cancel service 2 months ago and they offered me $20 off my bill for 6 months, 6 months of free Showtime, and $150 credit.

Since the $150 plus the $20 credit of my last bill (total $170) covers 2 months of service, I stayed.

But we still intend to cancel.

Dawn

OP here...
Well, I worked up the nerve to call and ask. When they have you say why you are calling, I decided to say cancel service so I knew I would get someone in the retention dept. I tried saying retention, but the voice response unit did not understand that.
I said that we had gotten showtime/tmc as an anniversary gift and could we get anything else instead. He asked what I would like, and I said a bill reduction or starz/encore. He said he could add starz/encore but could not remove showtime/tmc. He told me I could just block it instead. I said again, that I really wanted those channels removed, so he said he would.
So, it will be 3 months free starz/encore. Initially, he said I would have to call and cancel after 3 mos, but I said I didn't want to do that, so he said it will turn off automatically after 3 mos. Also, a $5 credit for 24 mos for having Frontier for internet/phone. And also $10 credit for 12 mos., after I asked if there was any other incentive he could offer.
I am happy
Thanks for your advice!!!

 

[Fire14]

WE did ask for something else. We were offered an HD receiver. WE asked if we could have another DVR as HD is/was squat/useless in our area. our request was granted.

 

[bumbles3248]

We celebrated our ten year anniversary with DirecTV on April 1 and got all of the channels plus Starz and Encore for three months. Since we only have the Choice package, it was nice to have the other channels for a while. I loved having Biography and the kids loved Hub. I know they did it so we'd upgrade our package but not going to happen. I thought it was a pretty nice gift.

 

[EKW]

Wow, I have not found this to be true with them at all. We've had Directv for years and for the most part have been pretty happy. Whenever I've had an issue with something I've called and they have corrected it.

I called a couple months ago to disconnect a couple of our movie channels. The rep offered me to keep them for half price for 6 months. So I agreed. DH loves to flip through the movie channels and I was just looking for a way to cut a few bucks from the bill.

I actually have 3 credits I get monthly right now for things I have called and complained about. I have always found that if I talk to them they will work out something for me.

What I found out, after Qwest convinced me that DirecTV is a good deal, is that they are one of the most-complained-about companies as per the Better Business Bureau.

In fact, last fall there was a huge lawsuit against them due to these type of practices. They now have to let people out of contracts if they lied to get them in...as they did with me. I was quoted a price of $90 a month for my bundle..when the true cost is $135. That extra $45 is ALL DirecTV. And, it will balloon up in a couple of months.

I didn't go into detail about the problems I had with them and their "rebate" program...I'm sure if you google this you'll find that you are among the lucky few who haven't been treated poorly by this company!

 

[ICF]

They give you these 'gifts' in hopes that you'll keep them after the free period and pay for them (or forget to cancel them). If I weren't interested in Showtime, I'd probably just say no thank you.

they end automatically, there is no need to cancel.

I received 6 months of free game lounge.....I think the kids played it for 5 mins or so. In the age of internet, ipads and the like those games offer very little and I cant imagine that too many people are "paying" for that package.

After a couple of months I was on the phone with them and they asked if I was enjoying it. I said that it wasnt something we would use and was there anyway to get the 3 months of Showtime (another common gift) and they wouldnt give it to me.

However, a couple of weeks ago I called up and asked for Free Showtime for a year (based on a banner ad they had up on their website, which I read about on another forum)....1st CSR said no, called back and tried again and got it in less than a minute on the phone with the 2nd person.

As with most things at DTV, if you play CSR Roulette you may be able to find one that will give you something you would rather have.

 

[ICF]

WE did ask for something else. We were offered an HD receiver. WE asked if we could have another DVR as HD is/was squat/useless in our area. our request was granted.

How is HD useless in your area?

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

I've been with Directv for 11 years. We've gotten the occasional anniversary gift of free showtime for a period of time. We're not big movie watchers, so it was meaningless to us. This year our anniversary gift is $5 off our monthly bill. My husband jokes that for as long as we've been customers, we should have a free month.

 

[Fire14]

How is HD useless in your area?

there was not many hd channels for our area at the time and our tv's are older so not hd tv's by any means. We are happy with our second DVR and it is really cheaper for us.

 

[eowensby]

Y'all inspired us to call about our Directv account; we've been with them since 2004. We recently got a new DVR box since ours kept freezing, we had had it since 2005. Well now we've purchased a new TV for the Living room and DH wanted to see about getting the HD-DVR box ($199 ). So after telling him about this thread, he called on Thursday and they are sending us a brand new HD-DVR receiver, installing the new dish and giving us free HD for a while. Thanks OP for bringing this up! We'll definitely be calling back in a few months to see if anything else is available.