$99 For ‘Free’ HDTV?
Phillip Swan over at TVPredictions may just help you save $99 if you’re a DIRECTV subscriber. DIRECTV had said that it would upgrade users to the new MPEG4 system for free, but now they’re charging $99.
DIRECTV spokesman Robert Mercer said the free upgrade would not happen until the company converted from its current MPEG2 transmission to MPEG4. Mercer said it was unclear when that transfer would happen, but it would likely occur in most cities sometime in 2006. (Although the MPEG4 transition will not occur until later, DIRECTV customers still need the new MPEG4 system to get local HD channels now.)
How do you get around this?
So, if you have to pay $99 for the upgrade, how would you get it for free without waiting for the MPEG4 transition?
TVPredictions.com on Monday received several e-mails from readers who said that DIRECTV’s Customer Service department waived the $99 charge after they complained and asked to talk to a supervisor.
“I threw a fit and said I wanted to talk to a supervisor. They came back and said it would be free…They’re coming next Monday to install it,” one reader wrote.
Check out our new sister blog on Home Theater, HTBlog.net
November 30th, 2005 at 2:17 am
next time I receive a call demanding the $99 fee waived, I’ll thank you for making my job even more thankless. Did you ever consider ASKING NICELY first?
November 30th, 2005 at 7:28 am
DirecTV shouldn’t promise a free upgrade and then not give it. That said, asking nicely first is always the better option!