Directv or Dish Network?

[timdps]

Have had Directv for 14 years and want to upgrade to HD. Currently paying $50 a month (legacy Select Choice).

To upgrade to HD/DVR we go to $61 (cheapest service) + $10 HD + $6 lease + $7 DVR for a total of $84 per month and $216 (with tax) up front for the leased DVR receiver.

With the current Dish promotion, the same service would be $36 a month for the first year and $51 a month for the second year with no up front cost. What is slowing me down is the horror stories from Dish customers about rates being raised within four months of the start of the contract, very bad customer service, and expensive problems with returning the equipment at the end of the contract.

What say you all?

Thanks,

Tim

[dls]

I've had Direct for 7 yrs. I like them but existing customers get screwed,you'll have to switch to dish or dump direct and have your wife sign up under a new contract to get any of the sweet deals.

[DeanW66]

I have been Direct for 6 years, on a Verizon (home phone) combination discount with a nearly full-package subscription Directv-Premier + DVR (all the movies, just no special sports packages), for ~$120/mo. Have been considering HD upgrade and saw this:
http://www.dealhack.com/archives/201...v_service.html which I have not yet tried to check on. Try it and let me know how it goes?

[timdps]

I have been Direct for 6 years, on a Verizon (home phone) combination discount with a nearly full-package subscription Directv-Premier + DVR (all the movies, just no special sports packages), for ~$120/mo. Have been considering HD upgrade and saw this:
http://www.dealhack.com/archives/201...v_service.html which I have not yet tried to check on. Try it and let me know how it goes?

That is the standard current promotion for NEW subscribers. To get HD/DVR add $23 per month to each price (except the Choice Ultimate where it would be $16 per month). Not having to pay the upfront costs for the hardware is a bonus. You only get the three free months of HBO etc. if you sign up for them as well.

[Rigma]

I recently switched from Dish when they raised my bill (again?) and I was looking to 'trim the fat.'

Check this out, so far I am pleased. I did the math for me and it was a modest savings to switch...while also adding a few channels that I like. Then I factored in the $180 "cash card" and was sold.

http://shop.costco.com/Feature/DIRECTV

I'll do the math again in 2 years and see where I stand. Complacency cost money...

***EDIT: Just saw the fine print. This ends 7/20/2011! I also got them to wave the $19.95 delivery fee, but those Dish d-bags actually had the ******** to charge me to send back my equipment because it was obsolete. I even tried to bargain with them before I switched and got NO love. SO glad I switched now...

[E_Shaw90]

Call them up...I am guessing you are not under contract....give it shot and ask them to give you the current "new" promo for being a loyal customer of 14 years....if they tell you no ask to go to the "customer retention" group...thats the route I took....I ended up with a HD/DVR, new dish, and installation for 0.00.....to boot I also got a boat load of free programming...."customer retention" is where its at

[choprzrul]

Only Directv has the Big 10 network.


What else do you need to know?

.

[wildhawker]

1. Had DirecTV for about 4 years, then vowed to never use them again, even if it meant I had to make my own talkies. Had Dish for about 3 years following that, and really enjoyed their service and hardware.

2. Don't ever heed the counsel of a Huskers fan.

-Brandon

[Shellshocker66]

I've had Dish since they first started as a company. But with the new u-verse bundles that AT&T offer I'm thinking of switching to that and think its Direct TV.

[Enter_the_Dragon]

I've been a Dish Network customer now for 11 years. I'm pleased with their service. Soon enough I may have to switch over to Verizon Fios.

[timdps]

Call them up...I am guessing you are not under contract....give it shot and ask them to give you the current "new" promo for being a loyal customer of 14 years....if they tell you no ask to go to the "customer retention" group...thats the route I took....I ended up with a HD/DVR, new dish, and installation for 0.00.....to boot I also got a boat load of free programming...."customer retention" is where its at

I think this will probably be the first step. Thanks.

Only Directv has the Big 10 network.
What else do you need to know?

Choppers do rule, but sports channels are NOT a requirement for me....

[choprzrul]

2. Don't ever heed the counsel of a Huskers fan.

-Brandon

Oh Brandon, that hurts

.

[hcbr]

Don't jump ship to Dish, they reamed me on contractual charges, and nickle and dime you with fees here and t here.... just stick with DirecTV

[timdps]

Don't jump ship to Dish, they reamed me on contractual charges, and nickle and dime you with fees here and t here.... just stick with DirecTV

Probably like these people:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cable_tv/dish_network.html

[wildhawker]

Probably like these people:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/cable...h_network.html

FWIW, DirecTV is just as bad at the same thing, or worse. They count on customers not taking advantage of contractual and legal remedies. Needless to say, I got my $500 back, but it took about 18 months.