I got a "free" HD-DVR and free Super Fan
I have had NFL Sunday Ticket since 1997 and the superfan package the last 2 years. When DirecTV switched from mpeg 2 to mpeg 4 last fall, they contacted me about the change and gave me a free HR20-700 HD-DVR and did a free install of the slimline dish. Since that time, I've purchased an additional HD television and have been trying to finagle another free HD-DVR from them to no avail. Well, about a month ago something wonderful happened: I received an important notice from DirecTV informing me that NFL Sunday Ticket's Super Fan package was switching from mpeg 2 to mpeg 4 this year and that I would need a new HD receiver to watch the games in HD. Importantly, the letter said that they would upgrade my equipment at no charge and that I should call DirecTV to let them know how many receivers I would need. (The letter also included a nice season schedule for my favorite team - the Bucs - with a picture of the injured Cadillac Williams on the other side).
So, I called the number on the letter and was ultimately transferred to customer retention when I didn't get anywhere in my quest for a free HD-DVR. The CSR initially stated that I did not qualify for a free HD-DVR because I had already been given one last fall. I countered with the fact their their recent letter didn't appear to limit the free upgrade offer to just one receiver; rather, it clearly stated that I should call DirecTV to let them know how many receivers I would need. I also stated that I would not be able to watch the NFL games in HD on my second HD television unless I had a new receiver. That lead the CSR to offer me an H20 HD receiver for free, or an HR21-700 HD DVR receiver for $99, plus shipping costs. After a little more polite pressure as to whether there was "anything more that he could do for me," the CSR offered to give me a program credit of $10/month for the next year if I opted to get the HD DVR. The only hitch being that I would have to agree to extend my contract for another 2 years. I took that offer without hesitation as I basically ended up with a "free" HD-DVR when all was said and done and there is no way that I am leaving DirecTV as long as they have exclusive rights to the NFL Sunday Ticket.
Well, the very next day, I came across this thread about how some people are getting the Super Fan for free; whereas, I have the auto-renewal plan where I pay $249 for the Sunday Ticket and $99 for Super Fan over a 6 month period. So, I called DirecTV back up and got switched to customer retention, to whom I read the "get Super Fan for free" email that was posted much earlier in this thread. The CSR ended up removing the Super Fan charge from my account and made sure that I will receive no further charges for it.
Long story short -- I got a free HD-DVR primarily because I was signed up for the Super Fan package. Then, a day later, I got the Super Fan package for free too. Sweet.