Directv question

[pianogirl73]

I switched from Directv to cablevision a year ago because the price was significantly less. After the year went by, of course, the price went way up. Since I liked Directv so much, I called them to inquire about switching back. After taking my name, address, and phone number, the customer service rep asked for my SS# to check my credit to see if he could offer me the best possible deal. I said absolutely not. My credit is fine and I am in the thinking stages. We could take care of the credit check when and if I wanted to switch. He then asked me how long I lived in my house because he could check my credit through my address. Again I said absolutely not. So he gave me prices based on the fact that I said my credit was good.

Is this normal procedure for Directv? I found it so strange and really unsettling.

 

[ThisIsJason]

Now, yes.

With DirecTV, you don't own the boxes anymore. You are "renting" them. They require your SS#/credit check, to give you the lower cost, if its bad they force you to buy the boxes out-right.

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

Yup. I used to be a manager in a DirecTV call center and they do credit checks on everyone. Like the previous poster said, you don't own the receivers when you have DTV service, you're renting them. If you refuse the credit check or don't have good enough credit (they have VERY low standards BTW) then they require you to purchase the receivers outright or they require a substantial security deposit before setting up your service.

 

[Friendly Frog]

So if you are renting the boxes you will never own them and must see that they get returned if you disconnect service?

Also, if you are renting can you turn them in and ask for newer models?

 

[GottaLuvMickey]

So if you are renting the boxes you will never own them and must see that they get returned if you disconnect service?

Also, if you are renting can you turn them in and ask for newer models?

Correct - You will never own them and if you disconnect your service, they expect you to return them promptly or you will be charged upwards of $300 for a standard receiver and close to $500 for HD.

You can always turn them in and ask for newer models.... but with that they will require you to start a new 2 year contract. Yeah, not worth it if you ask me. The only way you'll get a new one without a new contract is if you have the protection plan and yours needs replaced for some reason.

 

[akayek31]

I didn't have to buy the receivers when they checked my credit (not great) but I did have to pay a $300 deposit before they came out to hook it up.

 

[pyrxtc]

However, if you decide to get only one or two receivers initially, and then
add more later, you are allowed to get only one free receiver per year with
free installation from DirecTV. Extras over this limit cost $49.99.

So I am thinking it would be better to get the four free receivers now,
while I can, as a new customer, even though I have only two TV's. I would
activate all four. I could always cancel the two extra receivers after the
first month, and will have paid only an extra $9.98 ($4.99 fee per extra TV
x 2). This way, should I ever decided to get two more TV's at once, I would
have the equipment already, instead of having to pay DirecTV $49.99 for the
second receiver in one year. Plus, if I moved and had more room/TV's in my
new location, I would have the extra receivers to give to the tech for the
free installation.

Once you cancel the extra receivers after the month, you will have to return them so it is really just a waste of time to add them in the first place.