Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 43

Question regarding DIRECTV/Sony T-60 offer

From reading the various posts regarding people who've ordered the Sony T-60 DirecTivo package from Directv, I've gathered that quite a few people who are doing so are existing Directv customers--isn't the DVRO code offer for "existing customers", as at least one person (don't remember the user name) has stated? In any case, I was wondering about this because when I go to the page where I can purchase the T-60 package (technically, the package doesn't explicitly mention the T-60 although it appears to be a given that the equipment being sold is a T-60) and click on the "Terms and Conditions" link, the very first condition listed is, "You are a new residential DIRECTV customer." So, can/will Directv hold that particular condition against you? The scenario I'm thinking is that Directv will allow an existing customer, who is currently serving out an existing contract, to purchase the T-60 package as a "new" customer, then make him sign a new 1-year contract to run concurrently with his existing contract, at least until his existing one expires--rather than allowing said customer to just extend his current contract by an additional year.

Yes--others have commented on purchasing the T-60, renewing the 1-yr commitment (or actually, extending their current contract for another year), then deactivating the T-60 for whatever reason without penalty, as long as they haven't unsubscribed to whatever Total Choice package they signed up for. However, I was wondering if Directv can technically/legally get an existing customer to sign a "new" contract to run alongside an existing one since he is technically supposed to be a "new" customer per the Terms and Conditions as a requirement for purchasing the T-60 package.

Just wondering, given that the DTVO code offer was offered to existing customers, yet when you click on the Terms and Conditions on the T-60 package offer page, it says that you have to be a new Directv customer...a paradox, if you ask me.

Oh yeah, and it appears that you can no longer order it online, at least as of this very moment--you have to call their 1-888 number to order it, assuming that they still have it in stock...

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Wylie, Texas
Posts: 3716

I think the terms and conditions link is the same one they use for new customers (getting other deals), but it's not accurate. If you look it also says that there will be a handling fee of $14.95 as well, but on the first page outlining the offer it says handling will be $24.95 and when you actually check out the price is indeed $24.95.

I just think they didn't proof read their link very well.


Stew

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Registered: Jun 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 425

quote:

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Originally posted by spartanstew
I think the terms and conditions link is the same one they use for new customers (getting other deals), but it's not accurate. If you look it also says that there will be a handling fee of $14.95 as well, but on the first page outlining the offer it says handling will be $24.95 and when you actually check out the price is indeed $24.95.

I just think they didn't proof read their link very well.


Stew

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Registered: Mar 2002
Location: WI
Posts: 1438

Got my T60 from this promotion a week ago yesterday. Had it installed a week ago today. Today I got a letter from DTV telling me what I've agreed to when my T60 arrives...

It says and I quote:

"You agreed to pay for any Total Choice ..... Programming package at $31.99/month or above plus the $4.99 programming mirroring fee for each additional receiver for 12 consecutive months." (See quotes) (Notice past tense)

"You agree to subscribe to DVR service at a monthly cost of $4.99 per month (FREE for TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER customers in non-NRTC areas.)" (Notice present tense)

"If your account is downgraded, disconnected or terminated before you meet your one-year service commitment, you agree to pay a pro-rated cancellation fee of up to $150.00, which will be charged to your credit card or your DIRECTV(r) account." (Notice future tense)

Also says I agree to pay them $150.00 if I don't activate it within 30 days, but it does not say I have to keep it activated for any length of time. This is what a lot of people around here have been saying.

Says nothing to the affect that I must keep this particular DTiVo active, just that I must keep the account active and keep paying.

I didn't get charged the $14.95 handling fee, but they nailed me for Wisconsin sales tax.

I think they have a promotion going for existing DTV customers and one for new customers also. Guess it just makes us existing customers feel important.

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Breinigsville, PA
Posts: 31

Could someone please post a link to the offer on the site?
I tried to find it on there but had no luck.

Thanks

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location:
Posts: 16

http://www.directv.com/see/landing/dvroffer.html

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Breinigsville, PA
Posts: 31

Oh, ok. I didn't realize this was just for the T60 without satelite, installation, etc. I need all that stuff too. I'll keep looking for a good package.

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 43

Well, I went ahead and ordered the T-60 package over the phone; if I am to believe everything the CS rep told me, then: no, I don't have to be a new customer to qualify for the offer; 1-year renewal begins upon activation of T-60--meaning, it voids the original/previous contract regardless of how much time remaining; and I can just swap the T-60 with any existing receiver if I elect to do so--I reckon that the free installation doesn't by default explicitly guarantee a relocation/hookup of an existing receiver to another room if you had planned to hook up the T-60 in its place, but the rep stated that the installer will do so as a courtesy if requested.

So...the wait begins; I wish I had jumped on this offer sooner so that I'd be up and running by Thanksgiving...oh well, no biggie.

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 140

What number did you call, or what group did you talk to? I have an operator telling me right now that the offer is expired.

The stupid web site isn't working properly, either. I can't get logged in to purchase it that way.

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 0

I took advantage of this offer and had my T60 installed last week. My understanding is that they will relocate your existing receiver to another room. I had them leave my current receiver where it is and plan to replace it with the Hughes series II when CC gets it. Actually the guys that came had to do quite a bit since I live in an older house and it was pretty tricky getting those cables to my home office where I wanted the T60. But they did a great job and I now have 2 cables in my den ready for the new unit to put there.

Now I see what all the fuss was about on this TIVO... I can't believe I didn't get on to this sooner. I have to say this board has been a great help and I've learned a lot in the last couple of weeks.

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 140

Just cancelled my series II preorder... I'm going to go with the sat-t60

Chad

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 16

chadbear, call (877) 453-1431. That's the special direct line for T-60s for existing customers. When asked, quote the offer code "DVRO". That's the magic password. I was told they were out of stock yesterday by a Customer Retention agent, but got the number from Harbingar in another thread.

Just did this now over the phone, install sched. for 12/4.

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 2

I am going to be a new subscriber. What is the best way to get in on this deal if I don't have DTV? I had preordered HDVR2 from CC but am tired of waiting. Thanks for any help

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Registered: Mar 2002
Location: WI
Posts: 1438

quote:

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Originally posted by toneman
I reckon that the free installation doesn't by default explicitly guarantee a relocation/hookup of an existing receiver to another room

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__________________
User: So, how long will the server be down?
SA: Until it's back up (cjb 1994)
SAT-T60 290h TurboNET
SAT-T60 230h TurboNET (x2)
HDVR2 107h
DVR40 (unactivated) (x3)
HR10-250 stock
and ah, a, A55

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 43

Blankman--what I meant by "explicitly" was that unless the phone rep told you so, there is no documentation on DTV's website relating to the T-60 offer that mentions anything about relocating any existing receiver--unless I'm just flat-out blind.

Regarding your caveat--well, if the installer insists, he's more than welcome to do so as long as he isn't deterred by the fact that it would be relocated to a room/outlet that has no TV. Besides, I'll just cancel the charge on said relocated receiver since there is nothing that says that I cannot deactivate an existing receiver without penalty if I activate the T-60.

Jhiter--morals aside, if you know a buddy who is a current DTV subscriber, plans to remain one for at least another year, and is willing to go through the hassle of dealing with activating and deactivating various receivers--you can have him sign up for the T-60 offer (with you paying any and all related costs, of course), get it installed at his place, wait 30 days after the T-60 is activated (not sure if it's a given on the 30-day part), have him deactivate the T-60 (and reactivate his old receiver if he had it deactivated so as to not pay the $4.99 additional receiver charge) and give it (and the multiswitch, if you need/want it) to you. The one minor caveat to all of this is that you would be responsible--whether you do it yourself or pay to have someone else do it--for having one or both cable lines run to whereever you plan on hooking up the receiver.

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Registered: Mar 2002
Location: WI
Posts: 1438

toneman I guess I misunderstood your post, my statement was that they have to do it if you want them to do it and not that you have to do it if they want to do it.

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User: So, how long will the server be down?
SA: Until it's back up (cjb 1994)
SAT-T60 290h TurboNET
SAT-T60 230h TurboNET (x2)
HDVR2 107h
DVR40 (unactivated) (x3)
HR10-250 stock
and ah, a, A55

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: Northern California
Posts: 43

Blankman--okay, we both more or less meant the same thing, just said it in different ways. In any case, unless DTV informs you that the installer can relocate an existing receiver, "as a courtesy" (her words), one may not know that he (the customer) can request the installer to do so at no additional charge. Of course, the installer may offer to do so, but like I said, the customer may not know that in advance.

It's all cool...

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Registered: Oct 2002
Location: MA
Posts: 140

You're the man, bro... I called that number, used your code, ordered a T60! I'm working on installing a second line to my living room right now. I think I'm going to run ethernet while I'm at it. I have no interest in having a moron installer touch my house. Funny, though, that DirecTV refused to waive the install and I had to schedule someone to come by... I wonder what the person will do when they show up and it's done.

Chad

quote:

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Originally posted by mcb
chadbear, call (877) 453-1431. That's the special direct line for T-60s for existing customers. When asked, quote the offer code "DVRO". That's the magic password. I was told they were out of stock yesterday by a Customer Retention agent, but got the number from Harbingar in another thread.

Just did this now over the phone, install sched. for 12/4.

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 2

Another question. Could I get DirecTV right now and then upgrad to the sony Tivo once I get the DirecTV here. Does this make sense? Or should I just wait for my preorder at CC?

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Registered: Nov 2002
Location: Evergreen Park (South Side burb of Chitown), IL
Posts: 587

quote:

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Originally posted by jhiter
Another question. Could I get DirecTV right now and then upgrad to the sony Tivo once I get the DirecTV here. Does this make sense? Or should I just wait for my preorder at CC?

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