How to Negotiate Your DirecTV Bill

Customers often struggle to pay for their DirecTV bill.  Many times they get a promotional rate, not realizing that they will be charged regular rates once the special ends.  If they fall behind, late charges and reconnection fees can start to pile up.

If you are at your wit’s end you may want to know:  How do I reduce my bill from DirecTV?

Below we walk through a few steps that can help you save money on your DirecTV bill such as;

• Review your statement
• Pay for what you need
• Ask about discounts and promotions

If you are looking for ways to reduce your DirecTV bill, read on for some helpful tips:

Review your statement

It’s a good idea to review what you are being billed for every month.  Not only do you confirm that you are being billed the amount that you agreed on, but you can also evaluate what services you use.  If you are still under contract, you may have to pay an early termination fee to eliminate your services, but if you are close enough to the end – it may be financially beneficial to do so.

DirecTV, along with its parent company AT&T, has a variety of complaints filed against them with the Better Business Bureau.  For the past three years, there were a total of 49,898 complaints have been received from customers for issues ranging from customers not knowing that they were entered into contracts, rate changes, and deceptive billing practices.  These types of billing issues can put your monthly charges through the roof. If you are unable to pay on time, you could be stuck with late fees.

If your bill from DirecTV is confusing, or you think you are being charged incorrectly, take a look at our guide to understanding your bill.

Pay for what you need

DirecTV offers a variety of promotions for new and current customers.  They may offer multiple channels and be bundled with internet and wireless phone service.  These promotional prices often require you to enter into a 24-month agreement, however the special pricing only lasts 12 months.  After that, standard rates apply. This often takes customers by surprise when prices start to reset. In some cases, customers have reported to the Better Business Bureau that their rates have doubled from one month to the next.

When your contract is up, consider what services are essential before entering into a new promotion.  You may be better off paying standard rates for what you need, rather than going with a low promotional rate that includes services that you don’t use.

DirecTV discounts and promotions

DirecTV has promotions and bundled packages for new and current customers. Most plans cover two years, however, only the first year has the special rate. DirecTV plans may include a bundled feature that includes internet and mobile phone service.  If you find your rates going through the roof, you can try switching to one of these plans. Even though it may only lower your rates for a year, it may be worth it.

DirecTV does not offer special discounts for seniors, students, veterans, or those in the military. Your best bet to getting a reduced rate is to keep an eye on the promotional offers posted on their website or speak to customer service for assistance.

If you are going on vacation or will be away from your home for an extended period, you may be able to suspend your service for a period of 30 days and up to six months.  As long as your account is current and qualifies for this suspension, you will only need to pay a small fee each month. If you’ve fallen on hard times, suspending your service may help you out for a few months.

Long-time customers may be eligible for a loyalty discount.  Contact customer service to find out if they can offer you this discount.  If you are struggling to pay your DirecTV bill and just can’t seem to get this fixed through customer service, it’s time to reach out to FairShake.  You may be able to get some financial relief by filing a claim against DirecTV.  Contact FairShake today for help.