I am seriously thinking about switching over to DirecTV from Time Warner Cable- just not happy with the PQ over at TWC- SD looks just awful! I have read here and there that people are able to negotiate better deals with DirecTV- on equipment, added service, etc. I could not determine though if it was for new customer or for existing customers. Looking at getting their new HD-DVR unit- which is discounted to $199, free install, free shipping, etc. Programming package comes in at $60.00 a month with 3 premiums for free for 3 months. What I would like is to basically get another HD-DVR or just a HD receiver for free and maybe more months free with the premiums, or something. Plus the Over the Air Antenna for free. It might not be possible, but I figured I would ask to see if DirecTV negotiates for new customers on items- and who i should be talking to to do it?

DIRECTV often does give deals to get new customers. Satellite may have a better enhanced definition picture, but cable companies have a better high definition picture. You would not need a OTA in most cases if you use the KAKU dish as it finds local and HD local channels.

Yeah the current "deal" from them is:
$100 off service (broken into 10x $10 increments used 1 per month)
$100 off first box (means free HD or DVR... or $199 HD-DVR- which is what I want)
Free shipping
Free professional install
3 months free HBO, Cinemax and Showtime

I was wondering if I can get a better deal from them if I tried- if people had negociated a better deal- or if I needed to be an existing customer to negociate a deal later on- say adding a box, or upgrading, etc.

Also the KAKU dish you refer to, I am not sure what that is. DirecTV gives me a "5 something" dish with install- think it is the slim line one. Problem is that in my area only 3 of the 6 HD local channels I am told are including- FOX, ABC and NBC... CBS, PBS and CW only have SD channels in my area available without an antenna from the looks of things. I also have the option to add an OTA antenna to it for $50.00- but the woman on the phone did not seem to think that would help with the missing HD channels. It sounds like a good indoor antenna hooked to the box should allow me to get the additional channels I want- correct or not?
Thanks so much for the info!
Tom

also wondering about this...i was offered the same deal as above

They don't tend to negotiate with new customers because of what it costs behind the scenes for each new customer they sign up. It's much like a cell phone provider, they offer the equipment for less in exchange for a contract with the intention of making up the difference over the life of your contract. Once you are in the door awhile you may have some leverage with them to add additional equipment.

Check their site to see what locals they carry for your DMA, they may have the big 4 in HD available and you would only need an OTA antenna for any additional sub channels or channels you want to receive.

also wondering about this...i was offered the same deal as above

Considering what it cost me to sign up (10 years ago,) you should take the offered deal and run away. ;) :D

(I seem to recall it being about $650 for one SD receiver/dish and mounting hardware ... plus I had to do the install myself ... not to mention the drill I had to buy.) :D