Protection Plan Price Increase

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PMKS

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Jan 7, 2005
331
5
South Texas
Got a letter today:

The DIRECTV Protection Plan is going up to $7.99 a month effective Oct 4, 2012.

But I'll get a $2 credit on each monthly bill until my "initial" 12-month period ends?
I've had the protection plan since at least 2003/2004, :confused: unless it automatically renews every year?

New to the protection plan effective Oct 4, 2012:

New Equipment upgrade every two years at no additional costs**
**requires a 24 month agreement and you have to be "eligible" whatever that means

New Unintentional and accident damage from handling of the DIRECTV System

Just passing this along.....
 
Hm... aren't upgrades generally $199? $7.99 for 2 years is $191.76... seems like a pretty slim savings for something you may not even do.
 
Upgrades and PP really have nothing to do in my eyes. PP is for when I need a repair, and I dont need as much to pay to roll a truck.
 
Upgrades and PP really have nothing to do in my eyes. PP is for when I need a repair, and I dont need as much to pay to roll a truck.

Personally I have never seen the point. The box is theirs, I am simply leasing it, so they will replace it for free. All you are really left with is a tech visit, and the one and only time I needed one it was easy enough to get them to waive it. Even so, isnt the tech visit $50 or so at most? (may be wrong on that).
 
Tech visit is $70 IIRC. Also, $19.95 S&H has been charged before on a leaser receiver exchange for failure, and I think PP waives that. Generally, waiving of a fee requires you to sign up for the PP for 30 days, but hey, what do I care. I pay it knowing if I need something fixed, i dont have to worry about it.

As I think about, Im also seeing it worth it to pay $191.76 for 2 years, just to get the free upgrade every 24 months. Granted it's only a $8 savings from the general $199, but if I need anything else in the 2 years ive saved more money. The 24 month free upgrade, if you are someone that does it, kinda makes it a wash.
 
Tech visit is $70 IIRC. Also, $19.95 S&H has been charged before on a leaser receiver exchange for failure, and I think PP waives that. Generally, waiving of a fee requires you to sign up for the PP for 30 days, but hey, what do I care. I pay it knowing if I need something fixed, i dont have to worry about it.

As I think about, Im also seeing it worth it to pay $191.76 for 2 years, just to get the free upgrade every 24 months. Granted it's only a $8 savings from the general $199, but if I need anything else in the 2 years ive saved more money. The 24 month free upgrade, if you are someone that does it, kinda makes it a wash.

This December will be 5 years with D* for me. I DON'T have the PP. I self installed, have a meter, and take care of any issues (I haven't had any BTW). This past year I was notified that I had a free upgrade to a HD/DVR (a $199 value) for a 2-yr commitment. Since I already have 6, I passed.

If I had the PP I would have paid about $336 and seen no results. If I had a failed receiver = $20 shipping, or $70 tech visit - still ahead. So... if you know what you are doing, the PP is kinda worthless. If you don't have a clue, then maybe it's worthwhile. Everyone is different.
 
Upgrade to what? Most of us here already have all the equipment we need and once the contract is up you'll get the same deal plus some anyways. Seems a waste to me.
 
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