Directv Going To Lease Only On 3/1/06

**pmayo** · 01-19-2006 06:40 PM

It is simple -- they are doing it for tax reasons. They own and they can depreciate it and still charge you for upgrades. Eventually they will have to replace every unit when they fully switch to MPEG 4 so everyone will be leasing. By owning the units also they can control pirating better..

**lovswr** · 01-19-2006 07:49 PM

herdfan, at the top of that quoute, it says, "New Customers". So would I assume that as an existing sub, I get the privelige of being "milked" that 197 or 299 fee (assuming that we get the saw buck off as well) & then I get to give D* back the harware at the end of the lease?

**hongcho** · 01-19-2006 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by DTV TiVo Dealer

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

So, say I "lease" a new HD DVR with an upfront fee of $299 (after $100 MIR). After the commitment period, I decided to go with cable. Does DirecTV take the HD DVR or do I get to keep it?

From the wording of "lease", I get the feeling that I need to return the HD DVR. If so, that's a HUGE change.

It's like paying a 100% on a Lexus for a 3-year lease and at the end of the contract, I have to give the car back to the dealer without getting anything back!

What am I missing?

Hong.

**JustBob** · 01-20-2006 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by hongcho

So, say I "lease" a new HD DVR with an upfront fee of $299 (after $100 MIR). After the commitment period, I decided to go with cable. Does DirecTV take the HD DVR or do I get to keep it?
From the wording of "lease", I get the feeling that I need to return the HD DVR. If so, that's a HUGE change.
It's like paying a 100% on a Lexus for a 3-year lease and at the end of the contract, I have to give the car back to the dealer without getting anything back!
What am I missing?
Hong.

I agree that is a difference here. However how much does a used receiver go for? I'm pretty sure it less than a used Lexus. Maybe $50? And that'd be for a 2 year old model. If it's 4 years old it's probably worthless anyway. I agree that I don't like the idea of paying for something and then being told that I'm leasing it. But in the long run, I don't see much of a difference in total cost. I can bet they'll never be able to get $1000 for a new product like the HD-DVR again. Look at how those dropped in price in 2 years.

-JustBob

**newsposter** · 01-20-2006 03:30 PM

I dont know why anyone thinks that stuff we bought outright will become leased equipment. That doesn't sound the least bit legal especially since i vaguely remember in a contract somewhere that DTV doesn't own the equipment and you are responsible for maintainance ...blah blah.

For new subs it's a new ballgame. But beyond increasing DVR fees, I doubt they can change title to something you legally bought and paid for.

**hongcho** · 01-20-2006 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by JustBob

However how much does a used receiver go for? I'm pretty sure it less than a used Lexus. Maybe $50? And that'd be for a 2 year old model. If it's 4 years old it's probably worthless anyway.

Well, the point in my example was that it's like paying full price for the Lexus upfront to lease.

BTW, my HR10-250 is two years old. I am sure I can get more than $250 on eBay (just checked).

So the difference is after I am done with DirecTV (with the price increase, it begs me to

), I will have $250 at hand if I own it. With this lease, I have nothing and I paid about the same.

Hong.

**Tonedeaf** · 01-20-2006 05:11 PM

Darn it all to hell. Got an R15 2 months ago and of course locked in for 2 years, and now all this BS announcements of leasing equipment and price increases etc. I seriously want to go with something else. Doesn't look too bright of a future with D*.

Any ideas on getting out of the contract?

**lou_do** · 01-20-2006 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Tonedeaf

Darn it all to hell. Got an R15 2 months ago and of course locked in for 2 years, and now all this BS announcements of leasing equipment and price increases etc. I seriously want to go with something else. Doesn't look too bright of a future with D*.

Unfortunately, where ever you go, you are going to get an increase, all providers have jumped on the bandwagon. DISH a few weeks ago, and even today our local cable company announced today, as of March 1, they are increasing their prices.

**dishrich** · 01-21-2006 01:58 PM

Interstingly, I just came from our local Wal-Mart - they have a couple stacks of the D* DVR+ units now. They just got these, since I bought their last 2 D-Tivo's a couple weeks ago. Funny that D* is talking about leasing only & now Wally's just got these in...

**Chris Freeland** · 01-21-2006 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by dishrich

Interstingly, I just came from our local Wal-Mart - they have a couple stacks of the D* DVR+ units now. They just got these, since I bought their last 2 D-Tivo's a couple weeks ago. Funny that D* is talking about leasing only & now Wally's just got these in...

Does not matter, once D* goes lease, you will still see D* receivers at Wal-Mart, BB, CC and other CE stores, if I am not mistaken, CE stores will still buy the receivers from D* and then sell them back to D* once a customer sign's up for service under the latest greatest promotion that D* has going at the time. Also going by that memorandum, CE stores can still sell receivers to those who want to buy instead, but customers who want to own will have to pay full msrp or higher to do so, or at least high enough so that your local CES can still make a profit, the only difference will be that all the good promotions will be lease only, that is the way it has mostly bean with E* the last couple of years now.