Directv's new SCAM of all scams!

[N2Advnture]

Check this out. I was researching a new Directv receiver for a buddy of mine. So, I went to typical electronics store website(s) and found this new disclaimer for when YOU PURCHASE equipment to use for Directv.

Prices shown are "lease upgrade fees." Additional $4.99/mo. lease fee applies for each DIRECTV Receiver you add. Programming commitment required.

DIRECTV Hardware Lease Terms
Purchase of 12 consecutive months (24 consecutive months for advanced receivers) of any DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE ($44.99/mo. or above), or DIRECTV PARA TODOS programming package ($29.99/mo. or above), or qualifying international services bundle, within 30 days of equipment lease. FAILURE TO ACTIVATE DIRECTV SYSTEM WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT MAY RESULT IN CHARGE OF $150 PER DIRECTV RECEIVER NOT ACTIVATED. IF YOU FAIL TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROGRAMMING COMMITMENT, DIRECTV MAY CHARGE PRORATED FEE OF UP TO $150 FOR STANDARD RECEIVERS (UP TO $300 FOR ADVANCED RECEIVERS). RECEIVERS ARE AT ALL TIMES PROPERTY OF DIRECTV AND MUST BE RETURNED UPON CANCELLATION OF SERVICE, OR ADDITIONAL FEES APPLY. VISIT DIRECTV.COM OR CALL 1-800-DIRECTV FOR DETAILS. DIRECTV programming pricing, terms and conditions subject to change. Taxes not included. Equipment not transferable and may not be sold. Programming sold separately. Pricing residential. Receipt of DIRECTV programming subject to DIRECTV Customer Agreement; copy provided at DIRECTV.com and in the first bill. ©2006 DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design logo, TOTAL CHOICE and DIRECTV PLUS are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

This is apparently a new requirement by Directv (it wasn't present when I replaced all my equipment to HD equipment about 7 months ago).

What a bunch of crap! YOU buy the equipment and they own it? WTF?!

Once my exisiting equipment breaks or become obsolete, I won't be renewing!

Just a head's up in case anyone was thinking of signing up.

~Mark

 

[Wasch_24]

That's weird...it clearly state that it is the "Hardware Lease Terms"...maybe the webmasters put the wrong terms on the site? :dunno:

 

[N2Advnture]

I totally understand the cancellation fee but to the part that they own the equipment that you must buy to have the privilege of using their service is what chaps my ass!

~M

 

[Wasch_24]

Maybe the consumer isn't buying it for $299 (HD Receiver with DVR) but rather paying an up front lease fee or something...like a deposit of sorts?

BTW, check your PMs.

 

[Fresh50]

I just bought mine from a third party retailer. Cheaper than DTV in the first place and I own it. DTV had no problem activating it over the phone.

 

[Mikes]

I think they made these rules when people were taking the access cards and hacking the signal for free tv (not that I would know or anything).

 

[caudio51]

That must not be the case. Must be a typo or something else in the contract

 

[CWS]

Looks like some lawyer just dumped standard language from the standard rental contract into this one. If you buy its one hting, if you lease another. Did you sign a lease agreement or a purchase contract?

 

[Fresh50]

That must not be the case. Must be a typo or something else in the contract

No this is the real deal. I asked about it before I bought from a third party retailer. It's there new policy for HD in 2006.

 

[Wasch_24]

I think he was talking about the legalese in N2's post. :dunno:

 

[Fresh50]

I think he was talking about the legalese in N2's post. :dunno:

I know and as absurd as it sounds it is true......IF you buy from them.

 

[Wasch_24]

Ahhhhh...I'm tracking now.

 

[Wasch_24]

Although, the same statement is on the Best Buy website...wouldn't that be considered third party?

 

[tobby4]

I think they made these rules when people were taking the access cards and hacking the signal for free tv (not that I would know or anything).

THat would be why they did it...

Yea it sucks but yea they did have a reason for doing it

 

[Fresh50]

Although, the same statement is on the Best Buy website...wouldn't that be considered third party?

I bought mine here and paid full price, like $350 or something. Not the $200 "Lease Rent" price. I don't think they have a deal with Directv like best buy does to sell at the lease price.

 

[cvm4]

I think they made these rules when people were taking the access cards and hacking the signal for free tv (not that I would know or anything).

Just what I was thinking. What's it called? It's like Free2Air or something like that. I was talking to a guy on the construction site and he said he did that and got like 3k-4k channels. From nude lesbian shows to French shows to Spanish shows. :rofl:

 

[gui_tarzan]

As much as I dislike Charter, I can not justify a dish because there are so many negatives to them.

 

[smokinafuente]

DirecTv will be out on Thursday to hook me up. Got tired of being screwed by the cable company. They say that they don't raise the fees, they just rearranged the plans so that it cost me an extra $15 to keep the same programming. :hammersma

 

[CWS]

I really like my dish. Got tired of the cable company. Now there is competiton. I am about to switch from Dish Network to Direct TV because Dish Network wont give up the same freebies they do to new customers for thse they have had for three years.