Directv Going To Lease Only On 3/1/06

**CPanther95** · 01-14-2006 05:28 PM

So far there's no specific bad news for existing subscribers - just D* retailers will not be paid commission on Sales, only leases. At this point it is just another option out there.

**jovach** · 01-14-2006 06:58 PM

Saying goodbye to Dish - Hello Direct. I need two HD DVRs, one HD, and one DTV. Customer service says 119.00 per mo for everything Direct has to offer. Installation in 3 days, mpeg 4 HD DVR's and HD receiver. My local Dish outlet has told me that I do not qualify for the Dish-it-up because they didn't install my system and that I don't qualify as a new customer because they already provide me with service. The very same service the installed 4 years ago. Enough of this BS from Dish. COS at direct states that all HD programming will be true HD, not lite

**jovach** · 01-14-2006 07:05 PM

I am trying to verify the HD/HDlite statement and will post if I get anything definitive. I would appreciate any recommendations on the equipment as I know very little about Direct equipment.

**Stargazer** · 01-14-2006 11:46 PM

So if they are going to lease only does that mean that customers will no longer need the $5.99+ warranty to cover the receivers? If you do not own the receivers then why should you have to pay for a replacement if it fails? If DirecTv lowers their prices instead of raising them in which was mentioned in another thread plus everything is warranted for free then this could easily become a $10 difference in price between Dish Network and DirecTv. If you tack on the DVR fee per tuner that Dish Network charges thats another $5+ if you have multiple DVR's.

**Digital Dude** · 01-15-2006 03:37 AM

Come 3-1 if you subscribe as a new lease customer then you'll be on the hook for the early termination fee. ($300 pro-rated over 2 years) At least according to the Direc CSR I spoke with.

**JosephB** · 01-15-2006 09:27 PM

So the only real change is that they're eliminating the 'send your equipment back' out in the contract. That must be how they are going to use it to lower average subscriber acquisition costs. Also, WTF are they thinking charging the same up front price for the receiver and then saying you lease it??? How do they think that is competitive with cable? NO single national cable company charges an upfront cost like that for leased systems.

**Crystal Pepsi Ball** · 01-16-2006 03:10 AM

I dont want to jump to any conclusions. I am just going to wait and see what happens.

**joedekock** · 01-16-2006 09:35 AM

I don't see why D* would drop their programming package price. If anything I would think that they would not raise the price, and somehow market the fact that this lease option is "saving" you money with D* unlike in the past when we had to make an investment. This is an American company. NO ONE drops their prices because they want to make the customer happy, or they can afford it. Look at GM... they only dropped the prices on their vehicles, because they HAD to. Profit is the reason D*, and any company in this country is in Business.

**shappyss** · 01-16-2006 09:39 AM

if they think they can attract enough customers to make up for the loss in revenue they can drop the price. Then they will have more customers which will result in better carraige deals. Also they will eventually raise the price again so in the long run droping the price could make them a bigger profit

**DTV TiVo Dealer** · 01-16-2006 10:58 PM

I can't get any coherent answers from DIRECTV myself. If I understand the consumer’s side of this it should make little to no difference as DIRECTV is not charging any additional fee(s). All they did is re-name the $4.99/mo. additional receiver fee to a lease fee. Most hardware prices stay the same, except if you go through a big box CE chain or through DIRECTV directly you must order and pay for professional installation.

-Robert