Before getting into the details, we (the wife, kids and I) would like to thank this forum for all of the great advice regarding our entertainment providers. As you'll see below, it came in quite handy.
As a bit of a backgrounder, while our current setup has been doing well for us (HR20-100 HDDVR and H21-200 HD receiver), it was becoming time for us to consider at least one additional wireless receiver. And after calling up (as previously mentioned here) DirecTV sporadically about wireless receiver rollouts, their recent "unwired" commercials clearly point to the fact that these devices are now nationwide.
After calling up about a month or so ago, DirecTV was willing to provide a Genie receiver and wireless mini for $49 standard install and $99 wireless bridge install. Since we'd be giving back the H21-200 but keeping the HR20-100, the monthlies would increase by $3/month for WHDVR and $6/month third receiver. Yet, since we're out of contract and would be entering into a new 2-year agreement, we just weren't willing to be initially out of pocket for the upgrade.
Fast forward to last Saturday to my most recent conversation with DirecTV. This time, I chose to start the conversation via chat. The lady with whom I spoke was, of course, very gracious and willing to listen. My intro issue was: what kind of deal could I get to upgrade to Genie DVR with wireless client and keeping our HR20 (we don't want to give up our full, last-season episodes of Chicago Fire, SVU or Chicago PD).
After confirming basic account details, out of the gate she offered free Genie upgrade, meaning no $49 install charge. Given that we've been with DirecTV for probably closer to 15 years, this was a great start. However, she wasn't willing (maybe "able" is a better word?) to move off the wireless Genie mini gateway install (I'm thinking things are too new and DirecTV wants an install done right).
In response, I simply asked her if there was anything she could do in terms of programming or other credits to offset the $99 install fee (I was bound and determined to use the 2-year new agreement to my advantage). I even promised to continue saying good things about the company on forums like this, and mentioned that I figured they're giving away deals on Memorial Day weekend (I am not beneath buttering up CSRs if they're remotely willing to negotiate
). She was appreciative.
In fact, her response was to give us a very ample monthly programming credit over the next year (I won't mention details because they obviously treat every case differently, and I believe negotiations from a customer perspective should allow the servicing company the latitude to either come across as helpful or stingy). So, let's just say that we'll more than make up for the $99 install fee in well under 6 months
So, since they can't complete orders over chat, she kindly forwarded both me and the second phone CSR a transcript of our chat, containing the details of the original agreed-to terms. That phone call occurred within 20 minutes of the chat session. The second lady was also very professional and allowed me to ask very detailed questions so that all aspects of our resulting setup were perfectly clear. Also, while I mentioned that the impending AT&T/DirecTV merger also helped us decide to go with DirecTV (U-verse is stalled where we are and is the only other viable video service provider), she said she couldn't say much about it except they were happy about it and thought it would mean good things down the line.
Of course, since anyone who frequents forums like this is aware, DirecTV presently carries two model numbers for the Genie HDDVR -- the HR34 and HR44. During the phone call, I asked if there was any way to guarantee an HR44. What follows goes to show why I'm more than happy to stick with DirecTV.
Initially, this CSR stated that by using wireless Genie mini clients that guaranteed an HR44. I was rather surprised to hear that and mentioned that I'd begin sharing online, due to the fact that many others have wanted to find some way to similarly get the same equipment. So, after finishing the upgrade process and getting off the line, she actually called me up about 20 minutes later for the sole purpose of correcting her information. She mentioned in the second call that while no guarantees could be made, she'd notate my account and stated that the odds were very good I'd get an HR44. I also asked what I could do to get the newer device, including rejecting an initial install in hopes of changing the device. She suggested not doing that, as apparently the device would remain the same with a rescheduled appointment. I thanked her for the follow up.
Given the above, we now have a Saturday morning appointment with DirecTV. I am excited about the upgrade (especially the SWM module install, which I'll ask that either a fourth client can be added at this point in the topology or simply rely on a secondary Genie client down the road). I'm not sure what I'd do if the installer only has an HR34, but I intend to be somewhat aggressive in asking the installer what, if anything, can be done to get the newer box (maybe our heavy reliance on wifi will help seal that deal).
I'll follow up on this thread after the install. The great thing about it is that we'll have a collective 7 total tuners with over a terabyte storage space.
As a bit of a backgrounder, while our current setup has been doing well for us (HR20-100 HDDVR and H21-200 HD receiver), it was becoming time for us to consider at least one additional wireless receiver. And after calling up (as previously mentioned here) DirecTV sporadically about wireless receiver rollouts, their recent "unwired" commercials clearly point to the fact that these devices are now nationwide.
After calling up about a month or so ago, DirecTV was willing to provide a Genie receiver and wireless mini for $49 standard install and $99 wireless bridge install. Since we'd be giving back the H21-200 but keeping the HR20-100, the monthlies would increase by $3/month for WHDVR and $6/month third receiver. Yet, since we're out of contract and would be entering into a new 2-year agreement, we just weren't willing to be initially out of pocket for the upgrade.
Fast forward to last Saturday to my most recent conversation with DirecTV. This time, I chose to start the conversation via chat. The lady with whom I spoke was, of course, very gracious and willing to listen. My intro issue was: what kind of deal could I get to upgrade to Genie DVR with wireless client and keeping our HR20 (we don't want to give up our full, last-season episodes of Chicago Fire, SVU or Chicago PD).
After confirming basic account details, out of the gate she offered free Genie upgrade, meaning no $49 install charge. Given that we've been with DirecTV for probably closer to 15 years, this was a great start. However, she wasn't willing (maybe "able" is a better word?) to move off the wireless Genie mini gateway install (I'm thinking things are too new and DirecTV wants an install done right).
In response, I simply asked her if there was anything she could do in terms of programming or other credits to offset the $99 install fee (I was bound and determined to use the 2-year new agreement to my advantage). I even promised to continue saying good things about the company on forums like this, and mentioned that I figured they're giving away deals on Memorial Day weekend (I am not beneath buttering up CSRs if they're remotely willing to negotiate
). She was appreciative.In fact, her response was to give us a very ample monthly programming credit over the next year (I won't mention details because they obviously treat every case differently, and I believe negotiations from a customer perspective should allow the servicing company the latitude to either come across as helpful or stingy). So, let's just say that we'll more than make up for the $99 install fee in well under 6 months
So, since they can't complete orders over chat, she kindly forwarded both me and the second phone CSR a transcript of our chat, containing the details of the original agreed-to terms. That phone call occurred within 20 minutes of the chat session. The second lady was also very professional and allowed me to ask very detailed questions so that all aspects of our resulting setup were perfectly clear. Also, while I mentioned that the impending AT&T/DirecTV merger also helped us decide to go with DirecTV (U-verse is stalled where we are and is the only other viable video service provider), she said she couldn't say much about it except they were happy about it and thought it would mean good things down the line.
Of course, since anyone who frequents forums like this is aware, DirecTV presently carries two model numbers for the Genie HDDVR -- the HR34 and HR44. During the phone call, I asked if there was any way to guarantee an HR44. What follows goes to show why I'm more than happy to stick with DirecTV.
Initially, this CSR stated that by using wireless Genie mini clients that guaranteed an HR44. I was rather surprised to hear that and mentioned that I'd begin sharing online, due to the fact that many others have wanted to find some way to similarly get the same equipment. So, after finishing the upgrade process and getting off the line, she actually called me up about 20 minutes later for the sole purpose of correcting her information. She mentioned in the second call that while no guarantees could be made, she'd notate my account and stated that the odds were very good I'd get an HR44. I also asked what I could do to get the newer device, including rejecting an initial install in hopes of changing the device. She suggested not doing that, as apparently the device would remain the same with a rescheduled appointment. I thanked her for the follow up.
Given the above, we now have a Saturday morning appointment with DirecTV. I am excited about the upgrade (especially the SWM module install, which I'll ask that either a fourth client can be added at this point in the topology or simply rely on a secondary Genie client down the road). I'm not sure what I'd do if the installer only has an HR34, but I intend to be somewhat aggressive in asking the installer what, if anything, can be done to get the newer box (maybe our heavy reliance on wifi will help seal that deal).
I'll follow up on this thread after the install. The great thing about it is that we'll have a collective 7 total tuners with over a terabyte storage space.
