Bacon

http://www.tvpredictions.com/ddishfree060410.htm
I'm gonna send Directv an e-mail maybe they'll spring the free HD even though I'm not a new customer
after 10 + years with them I think maybe they will do it

Nefarious

From what I read they will do it for you as long as you commit for 2 years, enroll in auto-pay, and have a Choice package or higher.

Deftones

this sucks. i do my billing for DirecTV through Qwest since I get a bundle price. I doubt I'm eligible because of that.

zombeaner

DishNetwork also seems to have a 3 month free trial of HBO and Showtime included in the "Free HD" offer. I need to check this out. I'm wary of committing to another 2 years, but I think that will pass.

josepotato

Here's the kick with Dish, if you were getting:

HD - $10
+ Platinum HD channels free
-----
= $10 a month

you'll now get:

HD - Free
+ Platinum HD channels - $10
-----
= $10 a month

and I think if you're not getting Platinum HD now you have to commit to 2 years to get HD free.

zombeaner

What is "Platinum HD"? The fine print I read says it works with any of the Top 120, Top 200 etc plans.

Bill Needle

That's how I read it as well. Basically it would knock $10/month off my current bill, which IMO they shouldn't be charging for regardless in this day and age (meaning charging extra for HD capability).

Cardsfan111

It's funny that I just noticed this thread since I had guys from a local satellite company at my door just moments ago. I was told (at least for a new customer) that Dish's new equipment is HD ready. That if I signed up today for regular service, the only new thing I would need to do to have HD (along with upgrading to an HD television) would to do the auto pay enroll.

josepotato

Platinum includes about 6 or 7 commercial free movie channels plus a few other specialty channels, Fashion TV, Crime and Investigation channel, etc. For about the last half year or so Dish has been running a promotion where you could get these channels "free PERMANENTLY for new and existing Customers" so a lot of people switched over to that from the old Bronze, Silver and Gold HD packages.

Bacon

free to everyone

http://support.directv.com/app/answe...9aRzQtck0xaw==
I got it for free after 5 minutes with a directv CSR
24 months but more than likely it'll be dropped well before then

bootsy

Definitely calling.

The Cow

What did you ask for when you called? Just say something about free HD you read somewhere?

I'm ready to call but not exactly sure how to ask yet. I don't see anything in your link that refers to this.

JMLEWIS1

I had just recently called to renegoiate my plan before this came out...they gave me 1 year free HD and 1 year $10 off and a free HD/DVR...when I saw this I called back and asked for the free for life HD...they were kind of assholes about it....I sort of expected this since I had just got the other discounts a few days before, but I was still extremely annoyed...it sucks when companies offer promotions to just new customers, but to completely and permanently eliminate a charge for new customers and not existing customers really pissed me off. I emailed one of the execs and the "office of the president" called me today...debating on whether I even want to return their call.

oh...and the 24 months free HD would have been given to us, but that was for new autopay customers only, so there again, screwed because I already had it set up and was not "new"

Nefarious

The easiest way is to call and say cancel is the reason. You'll get to a retention specialist which has the power to make deals. Otherwise you'll get a standard CSR who's job it is to convince you that everything is ok.

Once connected tell them you want to cancel. They'll undoubtedly ask why. Tell them that you call a call about Dish offering HD channels at no extra charge. That should be enough to have them offer it to you for free, as well.

Bacon

that's all I said
I had no problems

Deftones

I just called up and got it. Call this number: 1-800-531-5000. Ask for promotions. Tell them you heard about Dish doing free HD and were inquiring if DirecTV was matching the promo. They will tell you they will. They may say you need to sign up for autopay, but that's bunk. I have bundled billing with Qwest and it went through fine.

rfduncan

Does anyone know if new equipment is required aside from the actual tv receivers? I just may be willing to finally part with my DirecTiVos if I don't have to pay extra for new receivers AND for the HD service. (That to me is as much of a rip-off as the phone company charging for "touch tone" service - where would you even FIND a rotary phone?!?!)

KirstenS

I just called to cancel Starz, and I was offered the free HD for 24 months. I got Starz for $2.99 a month as well. I already had autopay on my account, and I was told this would not increase my contract length. I just checked my account online and I have a $22 credit now. NICE!

Jeremy517

I called and got this as well. The CSR said that I didn't have autopay on, but I told her that I'm bundled through Verizon, and she said that was good enough. The length of the deal is two years, but absolutely no mention of a two-year commitment.

Geofferson

No price change for me. I already had HD+Platinum as part of my Dish account. Rather than the $10 monthly HD fee, it simply got shifted to the Platinum package.

Bill Needle

Got it here also. $240 discount for a 10 minute (including hold time) phone call. Thanks all.

BDB

That was painless. thanks for the heads up

TGM

anyone have a good number to contact CS at directv? 1-800-531-5000 gives me chronic busy signals and diarrhea.

Septemberbaby

I just called and they wouldn't do it for me unless I sign up for the autopay.
I'm thinking I need to call back tonight when I have a better chance of getting a part timer who doesn't care.

Bill Needle

Today is a really bad day to call thanks to nearly every HD receiver in the country lockiing up this morning. There's no avoiding the diarrhea though, that's in the contract.