The "customer loyalty" discount expired about the time AT&T acquired DirecTV. Bill went to $124.xx the first month and $135.xx this month.

Waited for a chat to open up (HATE dealing with phone menus and voice mail) and argued with Habeeb for a while, making no progress beyond a $5 discount if they could bill my credit card directly (NOT gonna happen...) and got to the point where I said "Well, obviously we're not getting anywhere, I guess I'll have to look at alternatives."

I got transferred to the Customer Loyalty department where I got pretty much the same song and dance until I played the "I'll look elsewhere" card and BINGO! $70 Customer Loyalty Discount if I agree to a 12 month commitment.

Done and done. Until next year...

Years ago when I had direct tv, before att I used to call them every year and gripe about everyone got free nfl except me. It was 3-4 hundred a year. I would get that special lady who gave me that much in discounts and freebies every year. I did it for at least 4 years...then I dropped them went to spectrum. Who by the way is not less evil...

Yeah, there really ARE no viable alternatives. DirecTV and Dish are two sides of the same coin and Time-Warner Cable is the same deal via another delivery system.

They've ALL got you by the short and curlies, especially out here in Fly Over country where there ain't so such thing as OTA TV. 65 miles of ugly terrain to the nearest transmitter.

Were it not for my technology-averse wife and limited bandwidth DSL internet, I'd say "Effem All" and go straight streaming.

Glad t's not just me, I have a dish for Direct TV and Dish, the one that is active depends on who gives me the better price when contracts expire.

Would love to stream, but a slow DSL connection is all we have and the alternatives are cellular or satellite internet providers, which both suck for streaming as well.

I can't switch from DirecTv to Dish, as Dish no longer offers the Korean TV channels.

AT&T is hurting. DTV customers are leaving. I just call and ask for retention department. I tell them that I've been a customer since 97 (true) but unless they can give me an incentive, I'm going to go elsewhere.

The bill is down to mid $80s and I have 5 receivers, 3 DVRs, whole home service. 4 receivers are HD.

I'll keep DTV as long as the monthly costs remain reasonable.

quote:

Originally posted by RogB:
AT&T is hurting. DTV customers are leaving. I just call and ask for retention department. I tell them that I've been a customer since 97 (true) but unless they can give me an incentive, I'm going to go elsewhere.

The bill is down to mid $80s and I have 5 receivers, 3 DVRs, whole home service. 4 receivers are HD.

I'll keep DTV as long as the monthly costs remain reasonable.

I'd have to check, but I think I first signed up in '99

I expect internet streaming is cutting into their business bigly. They (along with Dish) essentially had a monopoly for a lot of years. Damn shame their chickens are coming home to roost...

When they are ready, they will fully embrace the stream. No techs, no installs, no equipment, it's just a winner for the providers. Open the connection and the money flows.

I was a DTV customer for years and played the same game but this year when bill ratcheted up they were not so willing to help me so I looked at Cox, who seems to be finally "getting it" as I was able to get upgrade my internet to 300mps and full TV/DVR with almost all channels with at a decent savings and no contract.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckWall:
When they are ready, they will fully embrace the stream. No techs, no installs, no equipment, it's just a winner for the providers. Open the connection and the money flows.

There's still a huge part of the country where that's just not an option. Some of the guys in here have mentioned it.

I used to do the same thing with Direct every year until I cut the cord and got a Roku. Now I have better service for less than half the cost.

I have the same issues with XM for my car. Hate the BS of wasting time, fighting for a better deal every April.

Dropped Spectrum cable a month ago. Had to keep their internet though.
Even by paying $40 a month for Hulu Live I am still saving over $120 monthly.
Basic cable with 2 receivers and DVR service for 1 was around $160 a month with taxes and fees. Internet alone is $65