Ask for specials. Before having DirecTV installed in your home, ask them if there are any current specials. Throughout the year, the company runs different promotions to attract customers--sometimes it's throwing in movie channels at a special rate or offering one of their packages at a reduced rate for a certain number of months. This is the time to order your service and save yourself some money.
Order only what you need. DirecTV has a variety of packages to choose from, yet they lure many people in with the ad, "Starting as low as $29.99 a month." This is great, but it's usually for the lowest channel package they have, which is around 100 channels. While this could be enough for many, most people get talked into ordering their more expensive packages that include over 250 channels plus all the sports channels. Signing up for this can push your bill up over $100 a month, and unless you do nothing but watch TV all day, those 250 channels are only good for throwing your dollars out the door.
Practice restraint with your remote control. DirecTV has a wonderful feature called Pay Per View. This means that you can sit in the comfort of your own home, press a button on your remote control and order all the new releases your heart desires; for a fee that is. While this may be okay on an occasional basis, many people become carried away, not realizing just how many movies they have actually ordered in a month. This feature alone, if not controlled, can easily cost you an extra $50 to $100 a month on your bill.
Watch the calendar. If you have received a movie combo such as HBO/Cinemax for let's say $9.99 a month for 6 months, you had better mark your calendar. DirecTV does not automatically turn those channels off at the end of 6 months; nor do they send you a reminder that your promotional period is up. They will just automatically begin billing you the regular price for these channels, which, on average, is about $40 a month.
Clarify your order. When you call to order your installation, make sure you clarify everything with the sales representative. If you are supposed to receive a free DVR upgrade, ask them if it will remain free for the life of your contract. If you order High Definition, ask them if it is free or if you have to pay extra for this service. While some of these charges may only add up to an extra $10 or $15 a month, it may be wise to ask yourself if you really need these services. After all, that's money you can put in your gas tank.