Originally Posted by MDtR-Chicago

Keep in mind, the in-person service centers and the phone reps use entirely separate pricing models. It can be a very frustrating experience since, for example, a phone rep will tell you to "just stop in" and the service center rep will have zero visibility to the pricing that was offered on the phone. (And there is a third pricing model - "authorized resellers", who can develop their own pricing models, depending on the margin they want.)

After having extensive experience trying to figure out the best deals in this thoroughly opaque situation, I've found the best route is to call and negotiate with a US rep on the phone. They ARE allowed to negotiate with you beyond the script, if you can patiently lead them in that direction. Usually takes about a half hour and their discounted offers last 6-12 months.

Relevant to a DVR, the phone rep can offer a package deal with cable + internet + DVR service + HBO with a net total price lower than anything you'll see publicly advertised, if the rep decides you're worth the trouble.

EDIT: Specifically, the phone reps have a large database of pricing scenarios (which combinations of elements, timeframes, bundles, etc.)... most of these are not easily available in any one place to the public. But if the rep wants to, he/she can sort thru them, one at a time, trying to find all of the elements of the service you want and compare each of the pricing scenarios.