eball Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Take it easy. I apologize if I offended anyone (or you) by implying that I actually received the DTV representative's "first born"....he actually threw in his middle kid. (Another failed attempt at humor) Sorry if I sound snide....just jealous that I can't get ST on our PS3. My attempt fell short....dangnabbit. Your first comment was entertaining; it was the second one that got you in trouble. I view this thread as more of a "how to" than a "look what I got" -- we all want to save some $$ and help our fellow fans out. I saved roughly $750 with a 20-minute phone call; I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to know how so they can also benefit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Your first comment was entertaining; it was the second one that got you in trouble. I view this thread as more of a "how to" than a "look what I got" -- we all want to save some $$ and help our fellow fans out. I saved roughly $750 with a 20-minute phone call; I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to know how so they can also benefit. Agreed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qblax16 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Just cancel your account for 30 days and start it again in your wife's name. Problem fixed, free Sunday ticket for one YEAR! This is a great idea, does it work?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weehawk Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I was always skeptical about the stories I've read that folks call DTV and get ST for free. Well...it finally happened to me. I've been with DTV since 1996. My current two yr contract was almost up and I called the retention dept. and told them that I was thinking of leaving. I told them that I wanted the new Genie system and ST max for free. He didn't bat an eye AND he gave me a $35 a month credit for the next 12 months. The new system was installed by 430 on the same day! I know some folks have had lousy DTV experiences. I'm not one of them. The new Genie system rocks and I get to watch the Bills this year for free. I'm sure the key was my being with them so long and the fact that i was nice about it and told him exactly what I wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I was always skeptical about the stories I've read that folks call DTV and get ST for free. Well...it finally happened to me. I've been with DTV since 1996. My current two yr contract was almost up and I called the retention dept. and told them that I was thinking of leaving. I told them that I wanted the new Genie system and ST max for free. He didn't bat an eye AND he gave me a $35 a month credit for the next 12 months. The new system was installed by 430 on the same day! I know some folks have had lousy DTV experiences. I'm not one of them. The new Genie system rocks and I get to watch the Bills this year for free. I'm sure the key was my being with them so long and the fact that i was nice about it and told him exactly what I wanted. Yes, exactly. That's how I get my discounts every year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Take it easy. I apologize if I offended anyone (or you) by implying that I actually received the DTV representative's "first born"....he actually threw in his middle kid. (Another failed attempt at humor) Sorry if I sound snide....just jealous that I can't get ST on our PS3. I just missed the humor. But with your knack for providing failed attempts at humor, you should spend some time at PPP, where some people spend a lot of time providing failed attempts at making a point. It's more fun than an off-season Tim Graham column. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I just missed the humor. But with your knack for providing failed attempts at humor, you should spend some time at PPP, where some people spend a lot of time providing failed attempts at making a point. It's more fun than an off-season Tim Graham column. I wander over to PPP once in awhile - I just don't want my feelings hurt...."I'm not the brightest knife in the drawer". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I wander over to PPP once in awhile - I just don't want my feelings hurt...."I'm not the brightest knife in the drawer". If you can't be the brightest knife, try to be the sharpest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackFergy Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 If you can't be the brightest knife, try to be the sharpest. Another failed attempt by deliberately misstating the euphemism....I really suck at humor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnC Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 There is a saying that you learn more by listening than by talking. Every year I read the comments on this topic and then make the call. I didn't get the ST for free but I did get it at a discount. The total saving for the annual billing was $561. As some others got I got $35 off of my monthly bill, 6 months of a $10 discount on my sports package and charged $148 for the ST instead of the full price of $229. There were some who got better deals but I am more than happy. Thank you for the helpful comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Another failed attempt by deliberately misstating the euphemism....I really suck at humor. Is there nothing you do well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffBill Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 (edited) I just called DirecTV and spent about 20 minutes on the phone. Told them I wanted to get some info on cancelling my service next month when my obligation is over and to cancel Sunday TIcket now. He said he was going to make a note in my account in case a deal for ST comes up they could call me and said I had to call next month to cancel service. I very nicely said that I wanted to schedule cancelling my service now, and he said he "just found someone in retention" I could talk to. I talked to the nice lady and she offered me ST for free and $45 off my bill for a year. I kinda balked a little (a good act since she couldn't see me) and she offered me another $50 credit and every premium channel free for 2 months. Not bad work for about 20 minutes. Just under $950 saved/credit. Edited July 12, 2013 by BuffBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I love reading these stories haha. Glad to see people saving money. Wonder if any DTV reps read here.. hmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I like reading these stories as well. But it makes me wonder if they can give away so much so easily, then how much money are they making as a company in general. For example, even giving BuffBill all that, you know they are still making good money off of him. So think about how much they are making off of the other millions of customers that don't call to get free stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 (edited) I love reading these stories haha. Glad to see people saving money. Wonder if any DTV reps read here.. hmm. I'm just guessing that they are really overcharging everyone on their basic bill. How can they give everyone such huge discounts? I haven't paid list price on my bill in years. CodeMonkey...missed your post but I have same thoughts. Edited July 12, 2013 by nucci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zevo Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Question for the people getting monthly credits and getting ST free or discounted....are you guys out of contract? My contract is up in January.....when you guys are getting these things are they making ou re-up on the contract? I'm wondering how I should go about it in my situation being 5 months away from contract expiring. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 So think about how much they are making off of the other millions of customers that don't call to get free stuff. You mean the millions of unwashed masses too ignorant to join this forum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 Question for the people getting monthly credits and getting ST free or discounted....are you guys out of contract? I was not under contract, but to get the Genie, I had to agree to a 2-year contract. That said, whether you're under contract will mean precisely nothing. The penalty out is $20/month for the months left on your contract. So you'd owe them $120, which they will gladly eat to keep you from leaving. Think about it: what's better for them, collecting your $120 and letting you go, or cutting a deal and signing you up for another two years? The key is to ensure they know you won't bat an eye at paying the penalty because you'll save 5x that when you switch to (fill in the blank). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted July 12, 2013 Share Posted July 12, 2013 I was not under contract, but to get the Genie, I had to agree to a 2-year contract. That said, whether you're under contract will mean precisely nothing. The penalty out is $20/month for the months left on your contract. So you'd owe them $120, which they will gladly eat to keep you from leaving. Think about it: what's better for them, collecting your $120 and letting you go, or cutting a deal and signing you up for another two years? The key is to ensure they know you won't bat an eye at paying the penalty because you'll save 5x that when you switch to (fill in the blank). This is exactly right. I told the rep, correctly, that termination fees are not an issue because most cable companies are so desperate to get you they'll cover any penalties you get from switching. That said, my contract was due to be up next June and my deal only required me to extend that date by a month. Not sure how that was calculated but I wasn't arguing. It will also put me in great position for next year's call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted July 13, 2013 Share Posted July 13, 2013 I was always skeptical about the stories I've read that folks call DTV and get ST for free. Well...it finally happened to me. I've been with DTV since 1996. My current two yr contract was almost up and I called the retention dept. and told them that I was thinking of leaving. I told them that I wanted the new Genie system and ST max for free. He didn't bat an eye AND he gave me a $35 a month credit for the next 12 months. The new system was installed by 430 on the same day! I know some folks have had lousy DTV experiences. I'm not one of them. The new Genie system rocks and I get to watch the Bills this year for free. I'm sure the key was my being with them so long and the fact that i was nice about it and told him exactly what I wanted. I called to get the Genie upgrade after being a customer for many years and they said no. I called and cancelled my service within a week. Now they call me and email to give me the Genie and ST for free. Dumbasses should have just gave it to me when I asked for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts