Direct TV - What defines New Customer - Montana Owners Club

JandC · 02-20-2015, 02:44 AM

We have had Direct TV for about 5 or 6 years. Had it initially installed at the stick built prior to going full time. Had the Travler Dish installed on top of Montana and continued with Direct.

They never would provide a free upgrade. We found out a couple years after getting Direct that the DVR box they started us out with (and we still have) was used when we got it!

When we relocate back to central Illinois in May we are thinking about dropping our Direct TV contract and sending them back their old equipment. Then about 2 months later start up again with them by having them install Direct TV service at a house in Florida.

My question is, will they consider us "new customers" and therefore will we qualify for the newest equipment, like a Genie and such?

bncinwv · 02-20-2015, 03:12 AM

If you have the equipment protection plan, you get a free upgrade every two years. I didn't even know about it for years, but found it on their website and now have a HD DVR that we use all the time.
Bingo

rmthelen · 02-20-2015, 03:38 AM

My experience with Direct TV is that to be considered a new customer you have to be gone at least 2 years, I doubt the 2 months would qualify.

K0LCB · 02-20-2015, 03:52 AM

Change name on application to your spouse

8.1al · 02-20-2015, 05:46 AM

When we got our new house in AZ Directv wanted to charge us for new equipment and install. When I complained about it being free for new customers and suggested that I may go to Dish for a free install Direct did all for free.

Phil P · 02-20-2015, 09:35 AM

Hi

Put the one at the Florida house in your wife’s name only and use a credit card in her name to pay for it and you are a new customer.

Then when the 2 years is up you switch back to your name and credit card and terminate her account and you are a new customer again.

Phil P

**DQDick** · 02-20-2015, 12:54 PM

It's a shame that things have come to this in customer relations. What ever happened to wanting to keep your customers and treating them right?

JandC · 02-21-2015, 12:19 AM

Okay, thanks for replies. Now I am wondering if we cancel the service, then in about 2 months she orders a new service/install at new house in Florida, will her phone number trigger something in their records along with the last name telling them that we are not new customers? I guess she could tell them she "divorced the bum" so it is a new account!

Phil P · 02-21-2015, 01:46 AM

Hi

Use the name that is NOT on the present account to set up the new account in Florida.

In our case my wife and I have different phone numbers on the same cell phone account so we just switch back and forth every 2 years. We even use the same address. If you need a second phone number get one of those cheap pay as you go phones and use it only for Direct.

If you get a call on your primary phone from direct wanting to talk to the party that canceled the account or the party that opened the new account just tell them they aren’t there after about 3 calls they stop calling.

Phil P

DarMar · 02-21-2015, 02:02 AM

Really ridiculous customer service from the whole industry!!!

We have two suppliers up here in Canada and a lot of people end up switching back and forth between the two suppliers to stay current with equipment and the best deals.

Being a little more stubborn, I lost track of how many times I argued with a customer service rep before we finally got a deal to upgrade equipment and package price the last time. It's not rocket science, it's simple customer service and because of their lack there of most people hate their providers. It's feels like you are sleeping with the enemy sometimes.

**DQDick** · 02-21-2015, 03:14 AM

Basically, if they give you any crap do as advised. Tell them you'll switch to dish. As I stated above, it's a shame it has to work that way, but it does work just about every time. We have Dish and it's not much different there. Verizon and others seem to work the same also. Don't worry, you will get what you want, you may just have to assume the roll of someone you don't want to be for a couple of minutes.

DHenry · 02-21-2015, 04:44 AM

Call Direct TV and ask for customer retention, then explain that you want the free upgrade or you are considering dropping them. I would bet they will give you what you want. You will have to commit for another 2 years.

PackerFan · 02-21-2015, 11:34 AM

bncinwv is right about having the "Protection Plan" with them. We have it and get upgrades every couple of years. Just recently we got the FREE upgrade to the Genie package with one remote box in the bedroom. They also said we qualified for an extra $20.00 off our monthly bill.

WeBeFulltime · 02-21-2015, 01:34 PM

What is the advantage of this "protection plan" they offer. I never purchased it and have had 3 receivers go bad. All three were promptly replaced at no charge to me. Dish Network.

JandC · 02-22-2015, 01:55 AM

I can't win with Direct TV. We will be dropping them and using some of the suggested "trickery" suggested here to become new customers. Looked at current bill yesterday on-line and discovered that it had increased! DW called to find out why. Of course they claim that all packages had a price increase, but since we are valued customers they were going to knock off $3.00 a month for a couple of months. DW again whined to them about having junky old equipment....and of course the response was pretty much "too bad....so sad....goodbye".

Phil P · 02-22-2015, 12:58 PM

Hi

Too bad you’re not closer to me I have a fellow that can get you a contract that gave my wife all the local stations, sports channels and some of the special channels like Hallmark for $57 a month.

Phil P

Mike117 · 02-22-2015, 02:19 PM

Try working with Comcast for home. They give new people great deals. Loyal long time customer not so much. Threatened to go to Dish or Direct and they sort of came around. 2 more years of work then will switch to one of the satellite systems so when I hit the road. Big question Dish or Direct?

You may also like: