Thinking of getting Directv, any tips on how to pay less for stuff?

[MikeB]

Good, I can save on a phone line.

Does anyone have some tips on how to get reduced rates or anything? I've never really dealt with DTV before.

Find out what dishnetwork is offering, then ask them to throw in extra movie channels or take maybe an extra $10 per month off for the first 6 months. They might bend a little, but they won't move too much.




BTW, you do NOT need a phone line, mine hasn't been plugged into one for years. If the installer says anything (he probably won't) just tell him they delayed intalling it for you.

 

[RobFunk]

Good, I can save on a phone line.

Does anyone have some tips on how to get reduced rates or anything? I've never really dealt with DTV before.

If you are a new customer I think you get all the pay channels and sunday ticket for 74.99 a month (for 4 months, then it goes back to normal rate). And a DVR box that has a rebate (you will have to pay for it at first)

I would just approach it like, I am considering signing up what do you have to offer? There is no doubt in my mind there is some kind of bundle that includes free pay channels or sunday ticket or both.

 

[JakeT.]

Usually their signup offers are about all unless Dish is doing something really cool. MikeB pretty much said it when they might give you an extra movie channel for a few months or $10 off but that's about it.

 

[fhmesq44]

One possibility is this...

Have you ever been able to order PPVs with the remote? After a while, if the receiver can't send off the charges, the remote ordering locks up since you've hit the receiver limit. The charges are never sent off to be billed until you plug the receiver in to a phone line. Has it ever worked with the remote? It might just be the receiver is full and has hit it's $50 limit.

Yes, but I was always charged for them and we didn't order them often. I get the same message RobFunk just posted, that I have to call to order. Probably something that was remedied by the hardware or software upgrades.

 

[fhmesq44]

Find a friend w/ DTV and get him to agree to split the referral fee with you. I think it is $50 for referring a friend.

 

[JakeT.]

Find a friend w/ DTV and get him to agree to split the referral fee with you. I think it is $50 for referring a friend.

Excellent advice. You can make a mint by getting people to sign up.

 

[fhmesq44]

I think you also get some free equipment or programming once you have a certain number of referrals.

 

[TescoVee]

the person who gives the referral receive $10s off spread over 5 months. have done it several times now that everyone is getting HD.

Make sure you tell them you have a referral before you make the order. very important.

 

[BCTTWR]

No need for a phone line. I have not had one for 8 years. Ordering or cancelling programming is so easy on-line. I order HBO 2 minutes before Real Time with Bill Maher comes on and then I cancel HBO 10 seconds after Bill Maher's show goes on hiatus.

 

[JakeT.]

No need for a phone line. I have not had one for 8 years. Ordering or cancelling programming is so easy on-line. I order HBO 2 minutes before Real Time with Bill Maher comes on and then I cancel HBO 10 seconds after Bill Maher's show goes on hiatus.

Haha just to let you know, they will probably eventually stop you if they catch on but I guess it depends who you talk to.

We had a guy ordering the Playboy channel for 15 minutes at a time then canceling... did it like 5 times a day and was only paying like $4 a month. Was told not to let him do it anymore though.

 

[fhmesq44]

I think BCT means for the season, which many people do.

I once ordered the Spanish Language package to get one soccer game (Italy/Scotland final qualifying game for Euro 2008) that was on ESPN Deportes. Called up the day before the game, ordered the package, watched the game and canceled the package. I think they got wise to that guy's playboy trick, they said there was a pro-rated monthly charge and a $10 cancellation fee if I didn't keep the package for a month. Basically charged me $12 to watch the game, which is less than they charge for a lot of PPV games.

 

[kickapoo]

Tell them you use cell phones.

 

[realestatepro]

When I got my direct tv I had a referal which gave me $10 off for the first 5 months. Then I got them to give me an extra $5 off a month to make up for a fee that I was going to have to pay Dish for breaking contract. They also have a thing going that says if you set up auto pay and get your bills emailed to you instead of snail mail you'll get $5 off for a year. I believe it's a year, it could be less. There are ways to get them down on different things. I'm paying $60 a month for a nice HD package.

 

[BCTTWR]

fhmesq44 is correct, I get HBO for a few months at a time, not cancelling at the end of each show.

 

[ECS]

Haha just to let you know, they will probably eventually stop you if they catch on but I guess it depends who you talk to.

We had a guy ordering the Playboy channel for 15 minutes at a time then canceling... did it like 5 times a day and was only paying like $4 a month. Was told not to let him do it anymore though.

we? do you work at DTV jake?