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Greetings,
Please forgive the newbieish questions, but we just got DirecTV in Feb, and our SD TV just died. We did not have HD service, but I'm now going to upgrade our service to HD. We had two SD DVRs, but will only upgrade one of those to an HD DVR. I would have already upgraded, but I have two questions, and my efforts to find answers via phone or email have proven futile. So, please allow me to ask them here, in hope that this knowledge base is sufficient to help me - thanks.

1) When we signed up, I remember that Direct made a big deal about saying that your first receiver/DVR is free - additionally, if you have more than one receiver/DVR, you only pay a monthly fee for one. And that fact bears out when I look at our monthly bill. My confusion comes when I begin to go through the upgrade page online (Shopping Cart) and I see a Lease Fee on the top of the page for the HD DVR (14.97 mo), and then I see another Lease Fee at the bottom for 4.99. I assume that this 4.99 fee is essentially the same 4.99 that appears on my current bill - but if I'm now going to pay two monthly lease fees, isn't that giving up my signup bonus of one free receiver/DVR and fee? What am I missing here? Or is this an issue?

Check your bill and see if you also have a spot towards the bottom that shows a Lease rec. with a -4.99, sometimes it's easy to miss.
Usually they put all the plus cost at the top and any discounts at the bottom as a credit to you, they have to show the original billing for the purpose of the sale.
You should have 2 leased rec's and 1 lease credit.

2) The second concern is that if I upgrade, I'll be asked to pay an upfront $199 for the HD DVR. But I suspect that if I had initially signed up for 1 HD DVR and 1 SD DVR, they would not have charged me $199 & $99 - Right? Is this now a negotiable issue?

I would call them and tell them what has happened, tell them due to your TV going out your wanting to go to HD equipment (1) and see what they can do for you. Seeing you are just getting started, it may not be much difference and you don't have to worry about a contract extension.
The pricing is between you and them, nothing set as far as discounts are concerned.

3) I read here at times about "Upgrade Fees" - will I be asked to pay an upgrade fee? Any other surprises I should know about?
You pay a $5.99 (i think it is) for the DVR and thats a one fee covering as many DVRs as you have, you will have a $9.99 HD fee to have HD access.

Thanks much for your help - and again, please excuse a novice in his ignorance.
jm

Jimbo

talk to customer retention and tell them you are switching to dish because they are giving you a free hddvr and free hd for a year, and they will probably match it for staying. works every time

thetech2009 said:

talk to customer retention and tell them you are switching to dish because they are giving you a free hddvr and free hd for a year, and they will probably match it for staying. works every time

Click to expand...

Actually, it doesn't work every time as you say. Sometimes retention says "okay, goodbye. We won't match the other offer". Then you are SOL.

You had your chance as a new customer for the free HD DVR now it could cost you upto $199 to upgrade. They will have to change the receiver and put up a new dish to receive the HD satellites. Because you had SD DVRs you are under a 24 mo. contract so an extension will be only a minor change.

1) When we signed up, I remember that Direct made a big deal about saying that your first receiver/DVR is free - additionally, if you have more than one receiver/DVR, you only pay a monthly fee for one. And that fact bears out when I look at our monthly bill. My confusion comes when I begin to go through the upgrade page online (Shopping Cart) and I see a Lease Fee on the top of the page for the HD DVR (14.97 mo), and then I see another Lease Fee at the bottom for 4.99. I assume that this 4.99 fee is essentially the same 4.99 that appears on my current bill - but if I'm now going to pay two monthly lease fees, isn't that giving up my signup bonus of one free receiver/DVR and fee? What am I missing here? Or is this an issue?

Maybe they didn't cancel your second SD DVR, so they might think you want three DVRs on your account.


2) The second concern is that if I upgrade, I'll be asked to pay an upfront $199 for the HD DVR. But I suspect that if I had initially signed up for 1 HD DVR and 1 SD DVR, they would not have charged me $199 & $99 - Right? Is this now a negotiable issue?

It never hurts to call and ask if they can help. When you call D* and the automated operator comes on, say "Cancel service". That will get you to retention, you don't have to threat to cancel, but when you get a hold of them, tell them your story and see what they can do for you.

3) I read here at times about "Upgrade Fees" - will I be asked to pay an upgrade fee? Any other surprises I should know about?

You shouldn't, you might have to pay for the DVR and S&H.