Suggestion for DVR Billing structure

[imaphnmn]

I'm new to this forum and I am a Vz tech with 25yrs. I currently live in an area that is not served by FIOS (Carroll County Md) but am looking forward to the future as well as looking out for my friends/relatives that I have converted to FIOS. I am a happy DirecTV customer and from what I see of the FIOS billing system (vs DTV) I think if we would model our charges for equipment after DTV we could see a much happier customer base. In my experience (both my own and that relayed to me from others) I find that many would not mind paying up front for a piece of equipment if they were only billed a nominal user fee instead of the hefty $15-$19 per month fees associated with the HD DVR and Multi-room DVR. Yes, we should still charge an access fee for the services we provide to these pieces of equipment but, couldn't we give the customer a choice?

I'd like current FIOS HD DVR and Multi-room DVR subscribers to weigh in on this subject.   

[Justin46]

If you are suggesting that Verizon change to a "purchase" model I strongly disagree, I have no interest in "owing" any equipment. If Verizon wanted to offer that as an option, I would be fine with that, I wouldn't use it, but I am sure others would. My reason is pretty simple - I am no longer a spring chicken and neither is my wife, we have two houses and may decide to sell this one and the other is not in a Verizon area, so buying anything related to FiOS just doesn't make any sense to me.

I have one DVR (non multi-room)) and two SD STBs. I find the STB fees pretty reasonable, although I am paying less than new customers for the boxes because I have had FiOS service so long, and have not changed my boxes, I am grandfathered in price-wise on my current boxes.

I think part of the issue that some customers have with the cost of the boxes is that they do not do the complete research job to understand the billing model; they seem to think the quoted rates include STBs (this may very well be the result of some fast-talking salesmen at the front door or on the phone). I made sure before I signed up what I was getting, and what the total cost would be, except for the hugh taxes and fees added on here in Texas   Verizon should do a better job of ensuring all of the sales people make it clear to prospects what is really needed to get TV service.

To me, the total monthly cost is what I care about. How Verizon chooses to break that out is not important to me, the bottom line is, and no up-front cost.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248

[imaphnmn]

Thanks for your input Justin, you're correct that I should suggest it should be an option rather than the norm as I'm sure there are many that prefer to not own any equipment, just as there are many that rent an apartment.

Message Edited by imaphnmn on 04-28-2009 11:48 AM

[TimSykes]

If you want to buy your own equipment just get a TIVO then. Its a lot better then the Motorolas they give you.

[prisaz]

One of the main reasons I left Directv is they want you to pay for the equipment and then return it if you drop their service. Read the fine print. It says hardware remains the property of Directv. I knew there was no way I was going to shell out $500 for a DVR and then give the equipment back if I decided to drop Directv. But that is what they told me I would need to do. I still have some 10 year old DTV hardware that I paid for and is mine. I decided to jump on the chance for FIOS TV, and have no desire to pay for hardware that could fail or be obsolete in a year or two. I have considered a purchase of a TIVO unit for use with cablecards, but decided I would stic with my $12.95 a month DVR that I have had from the start.

Message Edited by prisaz on 04-28-2009 05:22 PM