Dropping $10/month Unlimited DVR for existing customers

Thank you. I may not always see eye to eye with everyone, but I do post from an honest perspective. I try to keep it neutral and from a realistic viewpoint, but not everyone appreciates that when it doesn't support what they want.

Being on a grandfathered option, doesn't always make it better. Unfortunately if it is a grandfathered billing model, not just grandfathered package, then normally you can't opt into the new one without canceling and staying gone long enough they would need to start a new account instead of activating a new one.

It may depend on the specific type of "grandfathering".

For those of us with very old grandfathered subscriptions (dating back to basically the beginning), it is both no longer available package(s) and a locked in discount, along with being locked out of certain features.  They haven't said explicitly, but have on several occasions indicated that those features would be available if one switched to a current plan, which implies they wouldn't put any impediments in the way of doing so.

I have no grandfathering. If you look at the ads in the beginning of these post, it says Unlimited DVR included for existing Customers if they purchase a Directv stream box which I did. I have met all the criteria. I think I am just in the Directv Black Hole. I have choice and would gladly go up to Ultimate if it would solve this squabble. Like I said it's not the $10 it's the PRINCIPAL.

Sorry - I was responding to @Juniper ’s post, not yours. 

Assuming that ad was already in place when you originally signed up (because they don’t backdate offers), it does not indicate a limited deal.  However, I do see a $10/month for 12 month discount, which covers the cost of one of their streaming devices. Could that be the $10 discount you had that went away?  If you look at Billing and Payments on the account page and look at the breakdown for the current month and for one from 6 months ago, what difference does it show?  Does the older one show a discount for DVD or for device that is missing on the newer one?

@Glenee i misread your post.  Where do you see in the posted info box

it says Unlimited DVR included for existing Customers if they purchase a Directv stream box

Looking at the screenshot that the OP posted (which is of only part of the web page), I see nothing that says anything about existing customers, other than that their price will also go up.  If you look at the same page on the DTV website right now, it appears the same (other than now showing the higher prices), and in the bits before and after that info box (as well as in the “fine print” pop-ups) it clearly says “New customers only”.  The info box also says nothing that ties the purchase of the device to a discount on the DVR (but does say if you buy one, you get a $120 discount off the service price over a year, so $10/month).  So I’m very confused by your statement - as an existing customer, it isn’t clear from the info shown that you should have even gotten the $120 discount. 

I am just using the ad in the front to futher show about free unlimited DVR and the fact that I have even purchased the Directv box.. When I signed up at the time it was Free Lifetime Unlimited DVR for signing up. That was one of the reasons for the change back to Directv from YTTV that and the loss of ESPN at the Time. If I would of known that I was going to have to pay for $10 a month for Unlimted DVR. I may have just stayed with YTTV or Tried Fubo. It was a ENTICEMENT, not all of it but a BIG part. The more I think of it, I don't know if I can go thru another 15-20 years of DTV/ATT stuff. When I ask for anything in writing anymore they may say we can't do that here, we have no way to email you from here. You see I have heard that one from them before. I know that once you get past the lying customer service DirecTv is a great service and I like the Service. But if you have to call in about anything your day is just going to be bad. 

We will See.

1. You Tube TV offers Free  Unlimited DVR to ALL Customers.

2. Fubo offers 1000 hours Free to ALL Customers.

3. PHILO offers unlimited DVR to ALL Customers.

4. WAIT FOR IT, Drum Roll Please. HULU now offers Free Unlimited DVR to ALL new and EXSISTING CUSTOMERS.

5. Directv only gives unlimited DVR to a select few. The rest get 20 hours.

WAIT FOR IT, DRUM ROLL PLEASE. A exsisting LOYAL customer can get it for a extra $10.00 a month.

LOOK ABOUT RIGHT TO EVERYONE.

DirecTV is not obligated to match anyone else's billing model. If you feel another option works better for you, then go with it.

Listing what other providers do does not force DirecTV to change their decisions.

Yes I understand Juniper. I do think it will give them something to think about and the way the trend is going on streamables. The IP's like cox set back and almost ruined themselves with outrageous charging for Data limits.  Directv has  set on their hind ends before and let good business pass them bye.

I am just trying to give them a heads-up before they have to give up too much just to retain customers.

If you actually signed up after they made the unlimited DVR part of the bundle, then they certainly should provide it to you.  Why does Customer Service say you don't get it?  (It isn't a select few, but all "new subscribers" since the beginning of 2022, though it appears there are limitations on the "new subscriber" deal if you switch from DTV satellite or U-Verse.)

As far as providing it to all subscribers - I'd like that 😊.  As you note, the competition does, but to some extent it is a pricing game.  I don't know what percentage of their subscribers pay the $10 for unlimited vs the number that get it bundled.  If it's a small number, it wouldn't be a big opportunity cost to them to lose the $10.  The other question is how many pay or still have the 20 hour DVR - that's the group they would potentially risk losing to the competition if they don't, and that is undoubtedly a larger group, but DVR size isn't the only (or driving) reason people remain, and  if it's important and you like DTVS enough for other reasons, maybe you would think it is worth paying the extra for.  We'll have to see if they ultimately see a need to change this.

You may have a point there Jrandmuser. I signed up during the right time, but since I am older I went to the AT&T store locally here to purchase the ospry box and to sign up, they say it is not valid and that I had to sign up online.  I went to the AT&T store so if I had any problems I could get assistance there and change out any Ospry boxes that had problems or didn't work. When you get older and have had as many Dealings with Directv over the years as I have had, you learn to try and find someone who will stand behind their MOUTH. the AT&T store was just a precautionary measure.

My complaint is that it shouldn't matter where I sign up. I was in the promo window for the Unlimited DVR for life.

In the Old days we called this a Purple Mule offer. It only valid on the 33rd Wednesday of every year and only if there's a purple mule standing at the court house steps holding the leash to a orange Dog in his mouth, with a Vote for Earl sign on his side.

It looks more like I may be on the losing end of the fight, but it's not over yet.

When I was in business I would of given a $10.00 credit to the Customers bill to offset the cost of the squabble. Right timing or wrong timing He is a good customer and they are hard to find. They wouldn't have to give the credit very long because they are going to have to just have Unlimited DVR as part of the service to compete.

We"ll See.

I am a new customer & had to pay $10 for unlimited. Also detuch254, you commented on another post I commented on, & I do not know how to respond to you, you closed that thread.

@klhrunnin 

Your prior post you refer to was in a thread from about 2 years ago (2021) and was about SATELLITE service. You have DIRECTV STREAM which is a separate provider.

As such, @detuch254 requested you start a new thread so it was in the correct forum and was not risking issues from outdated info.

Juniper, I thought I was on the DTV stream forum, the previous question was regarding the stream, if I am correct. Didn't see how old it was, I am new to this forum. Just trying to find some answers. Sorry if I was on the wrong place. & I only referenced DTV Satellite in my comment because I was a customer of them for 16 years.]