Directv - How to save MONEY

[TheBigEasy]

If you have Directv, and have been so for some time, keep reading. I have been with them for 15 years. I subscribe to Sunday Ticket, NHL Center Ice & the NBA Center Court. Also, my programming is crazy with everything we have. Monthly bill average is around $230. In an effort to try and save some money, I decided to call them to see what they could do. The first thing you need to do is get a HUMAN on the phone and then ask to be transferred to Customer Retention. When I called, I talked to this VERY friendly woman/girl. First thing she said was "Wow, you have been with us for 15 years! THANK YOU for being loyal and a great customer." She asked what she could do for me. Hope this helps someone else:
- I told her my wife is not pleased with our bill and told me it's her or Directv. (Obviously, a little white lie). I was VERY friendly and told the girl I was very desperate for her to save our marriage and also keep my TV on!
- I then said that everyone I talk to has gotten the NFL ticket for free. I said that I understand it's a way of getting DT new customers but it's the loyal ones that should be rewarded.
- She agreed, said I would be very happy I got her to help me & then proceeded to give me the Ticket for free and also upgraded it to Sunday Ticket Max.
- She then said she was upgrading all 5 of my receivers to the new Genies, free, no fees plus waiving the monthly fee/receiver for year.
- Then said she was taking $15 off of my bill for 12 months.
- And last but not least, she said because of your loyalty, she is sending me a $300 Visa gift card to buy my wife something nice.

Hope this helps someone as well. All, just be very friendly when you call, beg for help via a funny story that they can relate to and keep referring back to your loyalty with them and that you have no plans to switch providers as you're happy. Good luck!

 

[CF74]

That's awesome.

 

[cml750]

If you have Directv, and have been so for some time, keep reading. I have been with them for 15 years. I subscribe to Sunday Ticket, NHL Center Ice & the NBA Center Court. Also, my programming is crazy with everything we have. Monthly bill average is around $230. In an effort to try and save some money, I decided to call them to see what they could do. The first thing you need to do is get a HUMAN on the phone and then ask to be transferred to Customer Retention. When I called, I talked to this VERY friendly woman/girl. First thing she said was "Wow, you have been with us for 15 years! THANK YOU for being loyal and a great customer." She asked what she could do for me. Hope this helps someone else:
- I told her my wife is not pleased with our bill and told me it's her or Directv. (Obviously, a little white lie). I was VERY friendly and told the girl I was very desperate for her to save our marriage and also keep my TV on!
- I then said that everyone I talk to has gotten the NFL ticket for free. I said that I understand it's a way of getting DT new customers but it's the loyal ones that should be rewarded.
- She agreed, said I would be very happy I got her to help me & then proceeded to give me the Ticket for free and also upgraded it to Sunday Ticket Max.
- She then said she was upgrading all 5 of my receivers to the new Genies, free, no fees plus waiving the monthly fee/receiver for year.
- Then said she was taking $15 off of my bill for 12 months.
- And last but not least, she said because of your loyalty, she is sending me a $300 Visa gift card to buy my wife something nice.

Hope this helps someone as well. All, just be very friendly when you call, beg for help via a funny story that they can relate to and keep referring back to your loyalty with them and that you have no plans to switch providers as you're happy. Good luck!

Thanks for the advice!!! Funny coincidence that my wife just last night brought our Direct TV bill to me saying I need to call to get it lowered. I was going to call next week and will try what you did although I have only been a customer for 5 years.

 

[TheBigEasy]

Thanks for the advice!!! Funny coincidence that my wife just last night brought our Direct TV bill to me saying I need to call to get it lowered. I was going to call next week and will try what you did although I have only been a customer for 5 years.

In today's world with deals & options, 5 years is good man. They will DEFINITELY take money off for you. Just make sure you ask to be transferred to Customer Retention. Oh, one thing I forgot to mention, you can call Customer Retention every 6 MONTHS. Twice a year...make sure to not miss out on free money!

LOL @ wives not appreciating our love for television.

 

[maxdallasfan]

I call every other year and get Sunday Ticket for $15 a month.

Another trick......go to your account online and add and remove Showtime or HBO a few times. They will email you a 3 month offer. Then call and ask for 6 months free.

After 6 months, cancel Showtime or HBO, and start the process all over again.

I've been with them 14 years. I got the Genie for free. Awesome DVR!

 

[TheBigEasy]

Looking forward to the Genie. Daughters room doesn't have access setup for the satellite so the wireless mini will make her VERY happy.

 

[TheCount]

It all depends on who you get on the phone.

I've called before and gotten help with the bill and then other times, gotten someone that basically just wanted to get off the phone. Companies should do stuff like this more often for long term customers, seems like they love giving discounts to get new customers but aren't nearly as interested in rewarding loyal customers.

 

[TheBigEasy]

It all depends on who you get on the phone.

I've called before and gotten help with the bill and then other times, gotten someone that basically just wanted to get off the phone. Companies should do stuff like this more often for long term customers, seems like they love giving discounts to get new customers but aren't nearly as interested in rewarding loyal customers.

That's why you need to talk to customer retention. It's their job to keep their current customers happy. I would have called back and got someone different. And I agree, more companies need to do things like this...with their CURRENT customers.

 

[Tabascocat]

I must be doing something wrong since my Uverse is that much a month...and no Sunday Ticket

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

I must be doing something wrong since my Uverse is that much a month...and no Sunday Ticket

They have a retention department as well....
Ive used it several times the past few years and 9/10 times gotten favorable results.

 

[Tabascocat]

They have a retention department as well....
Ive used it several times the past few years and 9/10 times gotten favorable results.

Retention dpt as in UVerse or ya talking about DTV?

 

[JohnnyTheFox]

Retention dpt as in UVerse or ya talking about DTV?

Uverse.....

 

[Tabascocat]

Uverse.....

Yea, I have tried the "threaten to leave" approach a couple of times. I usually only end up with 6 mos free of HBO or Showtime. I already have max speed internet(still not so great) so an upgrade isn't an option there.

I don't want to leave them because I hate Comcast and we travel too much for a dish, so my options are limited. If they only had the ticket, all would be perfect in my world Heck, even the MLB package would be nice......

 

[morasp]

I saved a lot by cancelling it. Netflix and Hulu are $16/mo. combined with better programs. I am enjoying tv ten times more than I did with direct tv. I run a High Definition antenna into a Tivo box and get about 20 uncompressed high definition channels including MeTV, antenna TV, Ion, Ion life, three PBS channels, Get TV, The CW, TVQ. The Tivo box allows me to time shift all programs to watch when I want.

 

[ctrous25]

Very nice. . I called yesterday. . They offered me a $100 gift card. $5 off per month and Sunday ticket for free for a one year deal. . I took the offer. . I was hung over and just wanted to get the ticket free lol that $100 gift card is sweet. . That $300 gift card must be real nice lol

 

[bigdnlaca]

Also, they have a deal where some existing customers can get $10 off their bill if they have AAA for 20 months.

At first, it was for new customers but I read that existing customers can get the deal also. The con for existing customers is that they have to add an additional year to their contract.

 

[bigdnlaca]

I saved a lot by cancelling it. Netflix and Hulu are $16/mo. combined with better programs. I am enjoying tv ten times more than I did with direct tv. I run a High Definition antenna into a Tivo box and get about 20 uncompressed high definition channels including MeTV, antenna TV, Ion, Ion life, three PBS channels, Get TV, The CW, TVQ. The Tivo box allows me to time shift all programs to watch when I want.

I totally agree with this and that is why I would pause my service during the offseason since it is no charge. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon TV would be fine.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Wow, over $200 per month is outrageous. I am only paying $75 per month and still plan on axing DTV next year.

 

[WoodysGirl]

For the record, I think they're trying to upgrade everyone to the Genies. I get TV messages all the time about upgrading to the Genies. I just don't have the time to wait around all day for a DTV rep to show up, although it would be very convenient.

My bill's $115, BTW, with no premium channels.

 

[TheKey]

If you have Directv, and have been so for some time, keep reading. I have been with them for 15 years. I subscribe to Sunday Ticket, NHL Center Ice & the NBA Center Court. Also, my programming is crazy with everything we have. Monthly bill average is around $230. In an effort to try and save some money, I decided to call them to see what they could do. The first thing you need to do is get a HUMAN on the phone and then ask to be transferred to Customer Retention. When I called, I talked to this VERY friendly woman/girl. First thing she said was "Wow, you have been with us for 15 years! THANK YOU for being loyal and a great customer." She asked what she could do for me. Hope this helps someone else:
- I told her my wife is not pleased with our bill and told me it's her or Directv. (Obviously, a little white lie). I was VERY friendly and told the girl I was very desperate for her to save our marriage and also keep my TV on!
- I then said that everyone I talk to has gotten the NFL ticket for free. I said that I understand it's a way of getting DT new customers but it's the loyal ones that should be rewarded.
- She agreed, said I would be very happy I got her to help me & then proceeded to give me the Ticket for free and also upgraded it to Sunday Ticket Max.
- She then said she was upgrading all 5 of my receivers to the new Genies, free, no fees plus waiving the monthly fee/receiver for year.
- Then said she was taking $15 off of my bill for 12 months.
- And last but not least, she said because of your loyalty, she is sending me a $300 Visa gift card to buy my wife something nice.

Hope this helps someone as well. All, just be very friendly when you call, beg for help via a funny story that they can relate to and keep referring back to your loyalty with them and that you have no plans to switch providers as you're happy. Good luck!

I got virtually the same deal you did, sans the gift card, just by asking. Enjoy the freebies, but maybe take a step back and think about the lies you are willing to tell to save some money...