DirecTV Sham of an Offer

Attached is the transcript of a conversation I had with a DirecTV representative over their competitive offer with my current Charter Silver package.

James:*Hi, I'm a DIRECTV product specialist. What questions can I answer for you about choosing new services?
You:*James, I am interested in switching over from Charter cable TV, but it looks like your Choice package (the price I pay per month at Charter) doesn't even come close to the channel offerings I get from Charter. Is there something DirecTV can do to entice me to lock in a 24-mo agreement?
James:*Thank you for considering DIRECTV. I'd be happy to explain how switching to DIRECTV would greatly benefit you and your household.
James:*May I ask why you were interested in leaving your current service provider today?
You:*Not interested in leaving, just wanting to get the most for my money, and I am looking to see what DTV has to offer for the same dollar as Charter.
You:*If the offer was good enough, I would leave. But not hating my service, by any means.
James:*DIRECTV’s Choice package is $29.99 per month plus tax for 12 months.
James:*After 12 months, you can continue to enjoy DIRECTV’s Choice package for $56.99 per month plus tax.
You:*Right. And there are several add-ins and incentives to go along with that. At Charter, I pay 29.99 per month, have no contracts, better selection of channels, and free HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax for free.
You:*And those are lifetime subscriptions to those premium movie channels.
James:*For a limited time you are getting $100 visa offer with Choice and above package available only online.
James:*For the first three months premium channels are free with our packages, if you continue with the premium channels(HBO,Cinemax and Showtime) it will cost you $40 extra. However you can always remove or add by just calling Customer Service.
You:*$100/mo pays 3 months of the up charge I would be hit with after 12 months. Not as great as it seems. And why would I want to pay for premium movie channels when Charter gives them to me for free?
James:*When you order your DIRECTV package online, you’ll receive FREE professional installation, FREE shipping and handling (a $20.00 value), and there won’t be any equipment to buy!
You:*$100 visa offer only pays 3 months of the up charge I get hit with after 12 months.
James:*These offers have 24 month agreements
James:*With DIRECTV, you have the flexibility to change your package at anytime without extending your agreement.
You:*Charter installed for free, and no need for shipping because they came to the house, for free.
You:*I don't even have a contract with Charter. I could change 100 times a month if i wanted.
James:*I am sorry all our packages comes with 24 months agreement.
You:*I'm just saying, flexibility with contract extension isn't a feature compared to Charter.
You:*Once again, what can DirecTV offer that Charter can't?
James:*When you sign up for a 2 year agreement with DirecTV and select the Choice package or higher, you will receive a free Genie upgrade and NFL Sunday Ticket at no extra cost!
You:*I have free DVR through Charter, and NFL Sunday Ticket is only for this season. Also, Charter offers me the NFL RedZone for this price. I would have to lock in for practically 2 seasons with DTV, which I would then have to pay for Sunday Ticket the second year (close to $200 charge, if I'm not mistaken).
James:*For a Limited Time only, take advantage of an extra $10 a month for 12 months onall ourPackages!
You:*And with Genie upgrade, I have to pay per month for the equipment or buy it all at once to have DVR in my house, which I currently have with Charter.
James:*When you select a Genie there is a $15 per month Advanced Receiver Service fee. This includes Advanced Receiver-HD, Advanced Receiver-DVR, DIRECTV CINEMA and OnDemand, our new HD TV guide, TV apps like YouTube, Facebook and more.
James:*There is an Additional TV Fee of $6 for Genie Mini in other rooms.
You:*So you are offering the Choice package, with Sunday Ticket, Free Genie HD DVR upgrade, Movie channels for 3 months, all for 19.99/mo for 12 moths. So really it would be $35 for Genie, plus $6/room that I wanted it?
James:*DIRECTV's new Genie lets you record up to 5 shows at once, so your entire family can enjoy recording shows without any conflicts.
James:*With DIRECTV's Genie, you can record up to 800 hours of standard programming or 200 hours of high definition programming.
You:*I have a 2 member family. More recording at once isn't necessary.
You:*So I would get a $100 gift card, 20/mo for 12 mos, 59/mo for 12 mos, Sunday Ticket for 1 season, $325 for second season, 15/mo for Genie for 24 mos, and 6/mo for extra rooms? Plus, I don't get free HBO Showtime Cinemax?
James:*Yes, you are right.
James:*Are you still with me?
You:*So that is a total package of $1933 w/o movie channels, with an extra $960 if I wanted premium channels.
You:*This same package, without DTV's Sunday Ticket, costs me $720 at Charter, with no commitment to keep buying it.
You:*And I still get to keep my RedZone (which you charge extra for) and my premium channels.
You:*Oh, there's also the $100 card I forgot about from you. So really it's 1833 w/o movie channels for 24 months.
You:*Plus taxes and fees.
You:*Is this the best offer that DTV has?
James:*Yes, this is our best offer.
You:*Could you take the $15/mo charge off and give us 2 minis for free? That would take $648 off the total, making it closer to that $720/2 years at Charter total.
James:*I am sorry as i am a chat specialist we do not have access to change the pricing.
You:*Is there someone I can speak with about this?
James:*You can call our Customer Service at 1-888-777-2454.
James:*Is there anything else I can help you with today?
You:*No. Thanks for the info.
James:*Thank you for considering DIRECTV today.
James:*Have a great day.
James:*Take care.

Thanks for viewing. DirecTV seems like a major bust!

GoCubsGo said:

I've never been happier than I have been with DirecTV.
Not sure why you felt the need to register on a site dedicated to all things Apple to bitch about DirecTV because it doesn't look like you want any real response or opinion. Stick with your current provider if the deal is better. Problem solved.

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Well, for one, I just put it on here because I thought people would be interested to know that the huge company most people go with costs more than 4x that of a cable company.

lparsons21 said:

This got my attention!!

I've been around this world for quite some time and have never seen any pricing for a bunch of channels and HBO/Showtime/Cinemax anywhere near $30/month except as a big teaser rate, certainly not for lifetime.

The price for those 3 premium channels under even 1/2 price offers is nearly that!

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It is the TV Silver package. I was not able to get it directly on the website. Instead, I had to click on Internet only, and then a popup ad came up downplaying Dish with this offer from Charter.

lparsons21 said:

Just read at charter's site. The $29.99 is as you described, except it is for one year at that price.

What I couldn't determine is equipment costs if any, as I'm not in a Charter market.

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My bill reads:
Charter TV Select - $29.99 (Basic/Expanded Basic)
DVR Equipment - $6.99 (we currently have one box, but each box is only $7)
Silver Package - $0.00 (Silver Track, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Digital Tier 1)
Misc. DVR Service - $0.00

I can't speak for the cable going out. I've never had my cable go out. Rather, every time the wind blows, it seems as though our old DirecTV went out (note* that was 2-4 years ago).

Yes, this is the pricing for one year. After that, I simply close my account, hang up the phone, reopen my account, get the new 12 month pricing. No hassle at all for major savings.

Aside from all that, and Cubs this is pointed at you, I just want to give people the heads up so that they can make an informed decision. You don't have to read, nor reply. For those of us who are currently shopping for the best deal, this is what I have found. No harm, no foul. Not necessary for you to troll or foam at the mouth like a hungry dog waiting to pounce on a weak meat treat.

I haven't had any major issues. With Comcast, they REQUIRED you to get the new customer pricing if you moved, even if you had signed up for a price for 12 months.

With Charter, I always just ask for the new customer discount after my 12 months are up. If they don't bite, I specifically ask for the "customer retention department". That always seems to get them going.