Dish or DirecTV?

[John / My427SC]

I have been a DirecTV customer for 12 years now, but I am getting tired of how they treat 'new' customers versus their existing customers - reminds me of how I have to jump through the hoops with my cell phone company every couple of years.

I am out of contract in about two weeks and today I called up to see what kind of deal they could offer me since my existing equipment is coming up on two years old. The could not even come close to the current deal through Costco for new customers so I scheduled the cancellation. Maybe retentions will call back with a decent offer, but I doubt it

I started looking at Dish and the new Hopper looks pretty interesting. It records all prime time shows for 8 days, 2 TBs of storage, streams to 4 different TV's. Price is reasonable - Maybe DirecTV did me a favor??

Any Dish users with the Hopper - pros and cons? I am reluctant to leave DirecTV . I am not a big sports fan so that is not an issue and I would think most 'digital' channels would be pretty much the same?

[yankabilly]

We've had Dish about same the amount of time. We currently have "America's top 190 in hd plus all the "super-stations" none of the HBO/Cinemax no "sport package" with 3 dvr's and we are happy with the $62.99. We do not have and can not have Hopper because we don't have the required Internet speed, but looks like a good deal. If Frontier Communications is available to you, they have a great package with dish with a free Hopper $74.99. Good Luck

[CobraDVM]

I switched from DirecTV to Dish primarily for Top Gear only available in HD on Dish. Everything else is much the same regarding lineup, quality etc. The interface with Directv is a bit better, but overall I'm happy with Dish. I'll wait a year or two and see if Directv wants me back!

[cobrathegreat]

I currently have both.
dish at home and directv at my restaurants.
Customer service about the same for both. Picture about the same. I got directv because of better commercial packaging. I like the equipment a tad better with dish, although I do not have hoper.

[AGM]

Another point of view - choose neither. I only subscribe to Netflix and we also see the movies on Amazon prime free as part of the package. It suits us and I do not have to slog through commercials or the political crap. It took us exactly one day to get used to not having TV programs blaring in our lives. Consider trying it for a week or two before signing another contract.

[2FAST4U]

Direct TV for 7 years now.

[Steven K]

I have had Direct TV for about 6 years and I liked it a lot until about a year ago and I am thinking of trying Dish. I had to jump through hoops to get service out here since they had me do everything under the sun to try to diagnose from a distance. They finally came out and switched my DVR. Ever since the slightest storm makes us lose the signal, and it was never like that. I am not up to wrestling with them again so I am going to switch to Dish when I get around to it.

[Joe]

Just a few days ago I called DirecTV and they sent me a wireless DirecTV Cinema Connection kit for FREE. It allows my HD DVR to connect wirelessly to my DSL router, so that I can download On Demand content without running a phone cord to my router. My Mom called and got the same deal. She also got them to send her another HD DVR for FREE. She still had an old TIVO DirecTV DVR which just died. She also got them to give her three FREE months of HBO and Starz...

Maybe you should call back and haggle with them!

[John / My427SC]

DTV likes to hand out "perks" every now and then to try to keep their existing customers happy. However these perks are nothing compared to what they offer "new" customers

For an example - If I was a "new" customer going through Costco, I could get the Home Media Center HD DVR for $99, two free HD receivers and a HD DVR for $99. So for $198 I would have all new equipment - which would include the wireless media kit (all mine are hardwired so I don't need it) and free installation.

On top of that they have substantial discounts on the programming (ultimate package for 4 tvs would be $67 monthly the 1st year) three free months of HBO, Showtime, STARZ and Cinemax and Costco will give you a $120 gift card

I don't like playing games, but I may have to sign up as a new customer under my daughter's name

[ROB J]

I'm in the Home Theater, Custom Installation, A/V biz, and while DirecTV is not perfect, it is leaps and bounds better than Dish. Their hardware is crap, it's always breaking down, and is a PITA to integrate with control systems. Stick with DirecTV. It's the best out there. I deal with this stuff everyday, so my opinion is one that can be trusted.

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by Steven K

Ever since the slightest storm makes us lose the signal, and it was never like that. I am not up to wrestling with them again so I am going to switch to Dish when I get around to it.

If you get a good DirecTV installer (which is about as difficult as picking the winning lotto numbers) and they set up the dish properly, using the proper dish, you should have minimal rain fade issues. News flash, Dish Network isn't any better in that regard. Did I mention that their hardware blows. Dish Network, that is. And, for the record, I have no financial interest or bias with or towards DirecTV. The only provider that has worse hardware than Dish is Comcast. Their boxes, DVR's blow major chunks. Dealt with that crap the whole day today at a clients. Freaking hate Comcrap.

[Steven K]

Originally Posted by ROB J

If you get a good DirecTV installer (which is about as difficult as picking the winning lotto numbers) and they set up the dish properly, using the proper dish, you should have minimal rain fade issues.

I agree, and the first few years were great. I used to laugh at the cable commercials saying you lost the signal during rain because when I had cable it went out 10x more that Direct did, but that has changed.

[Big Blocker]

I've been with DTV since the day after they put the satellites up and turned them on.

Customer service has fallen off a lot in the last couple 4-5 years . . . when they only had 12 million subs, they bent over backward to please you . . . now with over 35 million, they're like the cell phone companies, they don't care if they lose you, they have 34,999,999 other people on the hook.

You used to be able to subscribe to a lesser package and then add channels as you wanted for $1.00 apiece . . . those days are long gone and the line up is flooded with info-crap . . . Wonder bras, Brazilian butts, male enhancement, the wonder ladder, you name it . . . not to mention all the channels that come in, in a language I don't speak . . . all junk. If the wife didn't insist on being able to watch certain shows, I'd seriously think about living off my Hulu+ and Netflix accounts.

Best suggestion I can give (from past experiences), let them know (absolutely) that you are ending your service and want to talk to the "Customer Retention Department". Those people get paid by how many subscribers they retain, so they're more prone to slip a deal your way then the sales department ever would.

Never let DTV tell you that the "deal-of-the-week" is only for new subs . . . BS. The customer retention department has been giving me stuff for many, many years. Free remotes, free upgrades, free movies for 3 months at a time . . . They like me for my "loyality". It's like buying a car, you have to be meaner then the salesman!

FWIW, if ypu live in an area of the country more prone to rain then most, have DTV set you up with a bigger dish . . . a 30" version will "see" thru any rain storm. How do you think the cable companies get to brag about "no fade out"? They all run 18' - 24' dishes to receive satellite transmission and then inject it onto their cable network.

Just my 2¢

Doc

[Marty Prario]

I have had Dish for 10 years, no problems. I have thought about changing to Direct TV but everytime I consider changing I call dish and they lower my monthly price. My plan has HD, something like 400 channels including all the movie channels, local channels, Pay Per View, HD Dvr all for $100 a month.

[BOB SCHAEFER]

Was with Direct TV for 10 years then moved and tried to get set up in my new location. Installer says " Can't do it unless we mount the dish on the front of the house." Of course, that's not acceptable so I run him off. I'm pissed, because I hate cable. Get Dish out there, and lo and behold, no sweat....I'm set up.

Service has been good, been here 7 years...Dish is OK in my books.

Regards

Bob

[Burnett H]

I've been with Dish for about 15 years now. My feelings about Dish is about the same as yours about Direct. When I need to call for service, I just don't feel that I get the same quality of treatment that I did in the early days. (But that's the same about every where.) But every time I start getting serious about changing, and start shopping around, I find that Dish really does have the best value.

I have friends that have switched back and forth between Dish and Direct more than once. They tell me that if you are big on sports, Direct is hard to beat. But Dish is a lot better value.

I've been on HD with a DVR for going on 2 years now, and have been pretty happy with it. When I called about the Hopper recently, they told me it really isn't a value unless you have at least 3 TV sets that you want to hook up.

[Shawn]

We've had Dish for a few months now, after having DirecTV for 8 years. I agree with most of the comments regarding the more recent lack of love by DirecTV for their loyal customers. We have found Dish to be far less reliable and more sensitive to rain. I also think DirecTV is more user-friendly, but it's probably like pizza where you prefer whatever you were raised on! We will probably go back to DirecTV once we've been gone a couple years and would be appreciated again.

[Steven K]

It sounds like a lot depends on how good the person you speak to on the phone is, and then how good the tech/installer is. I am just getting tired of feeling like I have to fight for what I have paid for, and I think it's a combination of people at that level are not as smart as they used to be (as a nation we are getting dumber), and companies realize what a pain in the ass it is to change services and know exactly how much non-sense we will tolerate before we switch to a competitor.

[yankabilly]

Originally Posted by Big Blocker

I've been with DTV since the day after they put the satellites up and turned them on.
Doc

Yep, But we started with Primestar later became Direct.

Originally Posted by Burnett H

I've been with Dish for about 15 years now. My feelings about Dish is about the same as yours about Direct. When I need to call for service, I just don't feel that I get the same quality of treatment that I did in the early days. (But that's the same about every where.) But every time I start getting serious about changing, and start shopping around, I find that Dish really does have the best value.

One thing about Dish Customer Service, I've NEVER had someone from Mumbai or New Delhi or Karachi answer the phone EVER.

[Hoosier]

I have DirecTv. Been a customer for about 8 years(maybe longer). They've given me discounts time and time again without entering into a new contract. They upgraded me to one DVR about 5 years ago with no $ and no contract. Then to a second DVR a year later again no $ no contract. Then I wanted two more DVRs for my kids rooms and I got all that free but this time had to sign a contract. That was about a 16 months ago. After a year, my discounts ran out and they would not offer up a new one. Then, when they had their little fight a month or so ago with that broadcasting company and we lost those channels for a couple weeks I called and they offered me $30 off per month for 1 year. After those run out I'll ask for them to be extended and they will likely do it as I will no longer be under contract by then...

I also pay the $6 per month service agreement and have had to use it a couple times for equipment replacement and dish alignment.

EDIT: Just looked at this month's bill and they charged me for Sunday Ticket. I didn't order it this year. Called and they took it off, and credited my account. Took about 5 minutes. I have been reasonably happy with their customer service over the years.

Here are my monthly Credits:

Adjustments & Credits

08/16 09/15 PLUS HD DVR You Save $20 for 12 Mos -20.00 Credit

08/16 09/15 PLUS HD DVR 12 Months Free HD Access -10.00 Credit

08/17 Primary TV Free -6.00 Credit

[J Persons]

My son used to work for Dish and even he has DTV. He said DTV was technically advanced over Dish.

[ROB J]

Originally Posted by J Persons

My son used to work for Dish and even he has DTV. He said DTV was technically advanced over Dish.

They are, absolutely!

[stengun]

Howdy,

I've had Dish for 13 years and because they dropped AMC, IFC, etc without notifying us we are dropping Dish and going to DirecTV.

Paul

[Cobra Cory]

I've mentioned before that I too have been with DirecTv since they first launched. Never had a contract. Don't have one with Verizon Wireless either. After the initial setup you don't need one. Directv has way better options and you have multiple ways to watch via computer or cell as well. They have Nomad, DirecTv anywhere, etc. Better DVR's, better programing, and as mentioned you need to learn how to Work them for free stuff and better pricing. No one ever got better pricing without doing some work and asking. At least twice a year I "lost my job", or I got "Dr's bills to pay".
Just talk to customer service supervisors for everything......
I just got their newest DVR package for free and no service free for being a 18 year customer.

BTW BBC America is now in HD for Top Gear fans and Nat Geo Wild in HD is also on now.

[John / My427SC]

I know how to "work them". Several years ago when they came out with SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch), only "new customers" were able to get it at the time. I managed to contact someone in the corporate office and they hooked me up - the installer couldn't believe it when he came out to switch out my gear... I don't usually try to get freebies during my contract, I would rather use them for new gear

BUT, I guarantee that all of you that have been with DTV for more than 2 years are leaving 'money on the table' when you look at what they offer a new customer

Here is what I would get.

Hardware
$198 out of pocket for the new Home Media Center, one HD DVR receiver and two HD receivers. (I get $120 gift card from Costco so the net cost for ALL NEW HARDWARE would be $70)

Programming
First year I would pay $68 a month (dropping the Movie Channels)
Second year it would increase to $93 a month

Choice Ultimate Package (225 channels)
DirecTV on Demand
Free for 3 months (HBO, Showtime, STARZ, Cinemax)
NFL Sunday Ticket 2012
NFL SUNDAY TICKET MAX Upgrade 2012

I will probably do something and stay with DirecTV - but it pisses me off they treat new customers better than their "loyal" customers