Okay, it seems that my DTV package is so old they don't even have it listed any more. I looked at the web site today and am wondering whether it makes a difference to upgrade to the current packs.

I currently have on my account:
Total Choice Plus ($55)
DVR Fee ($6)
HD Access ($10)
HBO/Sports Pack ($25)

(and assorted MLB and NHL packages)

So that comes to about $96.

The Plus HD DVR pack is ($73+$25 for HBO/Sports) $98, barely any difference. Do I gain anything from choosing the current package?

And I see the Premier package is $105. That includes all the movie channels and sports channels, but I assume I'd need to spend $16 more to get the DVR and HD packs.

So, if I get the Premier and add DVD and HD, it should run about $121. Is that right? Because it might be worth $25 to get all of Showtime/Cinemax and Starz with all the extra HD channels.

Am I reading this right?

I've been on a grandfathered package for a few years now (made changing anything a huge hassle, because it wasn't properly configured in their system anymore). A couple of weeks ago, they finally booted me from it. I called to complain (because it resulted in a net increase in cost), and they comped me a few things, but when those comps run out, I'll have to change myself.

I believe you're reading it right, and no, Premier does not include HD or DVR (anymore). I'll probably end up restructuring away from the Premier package, since the movie channels are more money than they're worth (to me) now that they're gouging me for DVR service (which used to be inclusive). Silly rabbits will receive a net loss from the change, which I'll probably explain to them 6 months from now and parlay into more free stuff.

das

I've read some posts on dbstalk about the grandfathered packages, and IIRC, you can't utilize the website to make changes which is very nice, so that might be of interest to you.

I have the Plus-HDDVR + Cinemax right now. I chose that one since it makes it easy to shuffle premiums around. For example, I just dropped the Sportspack since I only need it btwn September-March for college football/hoops. I'm going to add HBO Sunday to capture the rest of the John Adams miniseries through April (I was able to see the first 3 thanks to the freeview last weekend) and then drop it until Big Love or Entourage (or some other series that looks interesting) come back. Same goes for Showtime if they have any interesting programs.

FYI: Directv is offering a 50$ a year (up to two years, 100$) for certain AAA members. The reason why I mention certain is because when we called last weekend to inquire.. we were told that we don't have the 'right' membership. After moaning about that for a while, she gave us a year worth of HD instead. Which is 120$.
I think new Dtv customers w/ AAA (with the right kind of membership) are receiving 150$.
There is a huge thread about this on the DBSTalk forum.

Septbaby - can you post a link to that thread? I can't find it. I am a AAA Plus member.

Red Dog.. are they giving you a surcharge for dropping and picking up within a short period to time?
I want to drop HBO just because and SHO until Dexter starts.. but I don't want surcharges.
I also read on DBSTalk that they may (or maybe already have started) allow you to record a movie on HBO, SHO etc... and only allow you to keep it for 24 hrs?

I don't believe there are surcharges so long as you keep a pick-up for at least a month. I think it's a $10 surcharge if you drop a pick-up w/in a month.

AAA Discount

I apologize.. I should have posted in the thread.

I always call direct tv telling them that Dish has a good deal and I am going to switch if they cant give me a deal, they I been getting Showtime free and 10 bucks taken off on top of that every month. for the past 4 months.

That is the way to go, when I moved they really screwed up my install. They didn't show up after I took a day off from work to make sure I was there and they couldn't make it there for another week. In the end I got the new HD-DVR for $100, and free HD package and free Showtime for a year. Make sure you threaten to go to Dish or cable though...

When I got my HDTV I called to inquire about switching a standard DVR to their HD-DVR. They told me it would be $300 since I was an existing customer. They were giving them free for new accounts.

I hung up and called back and said I wanted to cancel my service which got me switched to a customer retention person. I said that cable was offering me an HD-DVR for free and credits to cover cancellation cost. I was put on hold for 5 minutes and told they would give me a free HD-DVR if I would stay. It was installed a week later

I was having trouble with my DirecTV receiver about 15 months ago, it had been ongoing for months. I finally bought a new receiver off of ebay but it wouldn't work with my card and DirecTV wanted $20 for a new card. I told them "no", that I wanted a new card at no cost, they refused. I signed up wtih Dish Network then called back to cancel - this time I was sent to a retention specialist who asked if I had already signed with Dish Network, which I said that I had. He then offered all new equipment at no cost, $10 a month credit for 10 months, and six months of showtime at no cost. I turned him down of course, but did point out that if I had just been given a card at no cost I would have been a happy customer.

Anyway, my point here is that:

a. If you do threaten to cancel DirecTV, tell them that you have already signed up with Dish Network and that an installation has been scheduled. Even if you are lying (or bluffing, if you prefer). You'll be offered even more great stuff. And do not take their first offer, they'll tack on some more stuff.

b. Seriously, DirecTV sucks ass. Switch to Dish Network. I am extremely pleased with my duo-tuner recevier with DVR. Plus Dish Network has free Cinemax if you do the paperless billing / automatic charge thing.

Plus Dish Network is a little cheaper per comparable packages, and you can also pre-pay for 12 months at the cost of 11 months (saving a few more bucks per month).

Thanks for posting. I've beening meaning to call and bitch to DirecTv for a while now, so that's what I did this morning. Basically told them I have been a customer since 1996, and all I'm getting for it is a bill in the mail each month, which just went up in price. Got $10 off for a year, and free premium movie channels for 6 months. Also got an offer for free upgraded receivers, but I passed on that.

Very helpful customer service this time around.