TV Answer Man Who
Owns My DIRECTV Receiver?
By Swanni Follow @SwanniOnTV
Washington, D.C. (March 11, 2013) -
Editor's Note: TV's
Answer Man, aka Swanni, takes your questions regarding how to
best use the latest products and services in TV technology. If
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Q. I have been
thinking of dropping my DIRECTV service and switching to cable.
But I am curious about something. What about my DIRECTV HD DVR
receiver? Do I own it? Could I sell it after I drop my service?
-- Harvey, Peoria, Illinois.
Harvey, it depends. When you sign
up for DIRECTV, you can purchase your receiver. But it can cost
up to $500 depending upon what kind of HD DVR you get, if you
are getting an HD DVR. (DIRECTV says the Genie HD DVR would cost
$500.) You'll have to pay a monthly HD DVR fee
on top of that as well.
Because of the high costs associated with buying the receiver,
DIRECTV often leases receivers to new and old customers. That
enables you to just pay the monthly receiver fee.
However, keep in mind, if you're leasing your receiver and you
drop your service, you'll have to return the unit to DIRECTV. If
you don't, you'll have to pay a penalty. According to DIRECTV's
web site, the company may charge a fee of up to $45 per standard
receiver' $135 per DVR; $100 per HD receiver; $200 per HD DVR;
and $250 for each Genie 'Whole-Home' HD DVR, plus $100 for each
'Client' box that goes with the Genie.
So back to your original question, if you can't remember whether
you bought your receiver or decided to lease it, call DIRECTV to
find out. If you bought it, you could sell it but if you
leased it, you'll have to send it back to DIRECTV or face a
penalty.
