unhappy with my package

You can change your channel package.  You are the ones that signed the agreement to stay for 2 yrs or pay the ETF/ECF fee.  You have to be a customer in good standing for 2 yrs to get free upgrades.

@Paulyshoes 

What "negotiating"? This isn't haggling at the bazzar. You choose a programming package out of what is available. If cost is too high then you lower to something more affordable.

Needing $500 to cancel doesn't sound right. If you have a service agreement, the early cancellation fee (ECF) is valued at $20 for each month remaining. The only way to be close to $500 is to turn around and cancel after just accepting a new agreement which would not be the wise thing to do.

New customers do not get "upgrades". You must have service in the first place to have something to upgrade from. And that refers to equipment.

It sounds like what you really are saying is you don't like the channels available and the price. If so then that is your issue, not theirs. It is up to you to manage your service and budget accordingly, not them to adust it to be more afordable. They are a business, not a charity.

However, if you have any other issues or questions beyond what we have inferred from your post, then please state clearly what you need help with.

Hi, last time I called customer service for a new remote control they asked me if I wanted to lower my bill. Which was great because my husband has been out of work due to illness. We talked about the channels I do not use and my bill was lowered. 

@Lilirishgrl 

Lowering your package to one that better fits what you watch is the way to go. And you can change your package at any time. So if there are some higher channels you watch sparingly, you can raise up for a while (such as a favorite show with a new season) and then back down to better manage the budget.

I would also suggest for any who have a DVR, anything you record from the satellite channels stays even if you later no longer have the channel. Just as long as you recorded it while the channel was authorized of course. A way to build up a backup library alongside saving some money when you lower the package.

Ok,so to be more clear,we moved 2 months ago.  I usually handle the TV stuff. While I was moving the wife signed this crummy agreement. I had several trips up north, went on vacation and didn't get to watch any TV for 2 months.  When I got to looking into this,I see a package offered to new customers that we should be more happy with.  They refuse to give me that. I don't actually need to be right here or schooled. I just want to be treated fairly and am willing to walk on this contract.  I asked them to try to make me happy, treat me like a new customer, no help . As a company you can make a small bend to accommodate your customers.  Rather than make sure that you will never use them again and make sure everyone you know is aware of their lack of interest in keeping customers happy.  Dishnet is so much better and cheaper.

@Paulyshoes 

The introductory price given to new customers is only good for one year. After, all new customers will also receive a price hike (the price you are paying now). If DIRECTV is unwilling to lower your bill, I wouldn’t be surprised as they are struggling in the market as a satellite TV company these days. Many now have access to  faster Internet and overall streaming is WAY cheaper. Additionally, there’s always that set of people who switch back to their old cable provider. Whatever it may be, DIRECTV is not in the proper place to give you a discount right now.

Just to confirm, you called DIRECTV (number in my greeting below) and said ‘cancel’ to the robot? That automatically sends you to the retention/loyalty department. Those agents deal with people who want to cancel or are seeking a discount. 

@Paulyshoes 

Movers order comes with a 12 month agreement. Naturally if it was with an upgrade of equipment as well it would be 24 months instead. That should have been discussed with whomever placed the order. But for protection of you and DirecTV, the order confirmation for you to review before the work is done also lists it.

The advertised new customer offers are a limited promotion. It is a discounted price on the package for the 1st 12 months. It does not include all the costs, as not everybody starts with the same setup (level of equipment, number of TVs, etc.). By definition, we're only a new customer once. It is not a special to get repeatedly. So it is not they are refusing to give you a new customer offer, they simply cannot. Agents don't type in random numbers as those promotions are built into the system.

No matter what company you are with, requesting to be "treated like a new customer" is not reasonable. You have those one-time offers to attract business. Normally such specials are not sustainable.

Review the channels you watch and find the best fitting package. In my experience, too many have a higher package than they should. They refuse to lower because don't like the idea of losing something, even if they hardly watch the additional channels or don't watch them at all.

Certainly when you call support, ask if there might be any discounts that your account may have available. Doesn't hurt to ask. Just understand that any special is not permanent. Always plan for the normal cost.

You look at a small bend for yourself, but they have millions of customers. Agents can just decide to take money off. This is all hard built in the system based on the company's financial reviews on what is affordable and profitable. Pay TV is a luxury service, not something any of us are entitled to. If the options available don't meet your budget needs, then certainly go elsewhere. But don't forgot, starting pricing is going to be one-time so don't start grumbling when you are back at normal cost once you are not a new customer anymore.