Directv/Dish network alternatives?

[rogdan]

Any other options out there for rural TV? A friend has Sky Angel with limited channel offerings but I wonder if their not part of one of the above.
I have used both of the above and am dissatisfied with the customer service and realize this is likely because they have the market cornered but hope not. I know I can put up an antennae for locals but am addicted to the Encore western channel.

 

[jwstewar]

I don't mean to be come across this way, but I always here people complaining about the customer service for this or that. In this example the satellite companies. We've had DirecTV through Pegasus for a few years and now have had Dish Network for 3 years. I've called Customer Service 1 time when one of our Dish receivers went bad. It was handled rather quickly and painlessly. Our bill is paid online each month so no dealing with anyone there. I'm just curious how often people have to deal with customer service that it would make you want to switch?

BTW, the reason we switched from DirecTV to Dish was Pegasus charged us more than DirecTV for the same DirecTV and then Dish came out with the Dual Tuner units to allow reception on 4 TVs.

 

[MossRoad]

We've had DirecTV for 9+ years without any problems. I installed it myself and have never regretted the purchase. However, they are offering new customers so much I think they ought to offer their old customers something. When it warms up I will play them off of the Dish Network ads to either get some free stuff or dump them for Dish Network.

 

[riptides]

Interesting, I have had DirectTV for close to three years and called them up once, when my dog found the buried cable and ate it.

I order PPV and subscribe/unsubscribe recievers all the time. Nary an issue. So I too am curious about what your calling CS for? Thanks.

-Mike Z.

 

[Bird]

I don't mean to be come across this way, but I always here people complaining about the customer service for this or that. In this example the satellite companies. We've had DirecTV through Pegasus for a few years and now have had Dish Network for 3 years. I've called Customer Service 1 time when one of our Dish receivers went bad. It was handled rather quickly and painlessly. Our bill is paid online each month so no dealing with anyone there. I'm just curious how often people have to deal with customer service that it would make you want to switch?

BTW, the reason we switched from DirecTV to Dish was Pegasus charged us more than DirecTV for the same DirecTV and then Dish came out with the Dual Tuner units to allow reception on 4 TVs.

OK, you made me curious, so I went back and looked at my old records. We had DirecTV through Pegasus for 5.5 years. I bought everything and installed it myself, but had to call Pegasus 8 times in the first 3 years. The original problems turned out to be a defective cable, then a defective receiver that had to be replaced twice (not DirecTV or Pegasus fault, but it took forever to get anyone on the phone each time). Then one call was because of an erroneous overcharge, one was because the "access card" had to be replaced (and rates went up with the new access card). One day I tried repeatedly to call them, and never did succeed in getting through. The next day, I got through and then was on hold for over 20 minutes. The last 3 years (2000, 2001, and 2002), no problems.

And now we've had Dish Network for 1.5 years. It was installed by them. I had to call one time and spent a long time on the phone trying everything the guy had me try before he finally realized that the problem was a defective receiver. Now it was "under warranty", but they charged $14.95 shipping and handling for sending me a new one. And the instructions that came with the new one were not even close to being right. So I had to call and the customer service lady had me try many different things before we got it working and she realized that the instructions that came with it were absolutely useless.

So I wouldn't say service was good or excellent with either company, but I guess it's not real bad either.

 

[dgl24087]

OK, you made me curious, so I went back and looked at my old records. We had DirecTV through Pegasus for 5.5 years. I bought everything and installed it myself, but had to call Pegasus 8 times in the first 3 years. The original problems turned out to be a defective cable, then a defective receiver that had to be replaced twice (not DirecTV or Pegasus fault, but it took forever to get anyone on the phone each time). Then one call was because of an erroneous overcharge, one was because the "access card" had to be replaced (and rates went up with the new access card). One day I tried repeatedly to call them, and never did succeed in getting through. The next day, I got through and then was on hold for over 20 minutes. The last 3 years (2000, 2001, and 2002), no problems.

And now we've had Dish Network for 1.5 years. It was installed by them. I had to call one time and spent a long time on the phone trying everything the guy had me try before he finally realized that the problem was a defective receiver. Now it was "under warranty", but they charged $14.95 shipping and handling for sending me a new one. And the instructions that came with the new one were not even close to being right. So I had to call and the customer service lady had me try many different things before we got it working and she realized that the instructions that came with it were absolutely useless.

So I wouldn't say service was good or excellent with either company, but I guess it's not real bad either.

I've had Directv for about 8 years, had to call C.S. twice and got the problem resolved immediately over the phone. Both times the receiver lost the program, 1st time I was instructed how to resolve the issue, same thing happened again, had to call because I forgot how to fix the problem. I've had zero problems otherwise, I also pay my bill and change my programming online, they have upgraded my equipment free of charge when their system upgrades were not compatible with my equipment. I'm much more pleased with Directv than I ever was with my cable company (Adelphia, since sold to Comcast).

 

[Kubotasrking]

We've had DirecTV for 9+ years without any problems. I installed it myself and have never regretted the purchase. However, they are offering new customers so much I think they ought to offer their old customers something. When it warms up I will play them off of the Dish Network ads to either get some free stuff or dump them for Dish Network.

It will be worth your while. We switched to Dish in January, and when I called DirectTV to discontinue service, they asked me why I left. I told them Dish was offering better deals...They then offered to beat Dish. It was too late for me since I'd already signed up w/ Dish.

 

[Kubotasrking]

And now we've had Dish Network for 1.5 years. It was installed by them. I had to call one time and spent a long time on the phone trying everything the guy had me try before he finally realized that the problem was a defective receiver. Now it was "under warranty", but they charged $14.95 shipping and handling for sending me a new one. And the instructions that came with the new one were not even close to being right. So I had to call and the customer service lady had me try many different things before we got it working and she realized that the instructions that came with it were absolutely useless.

I'm w/ you Bird. I switched to Dish from Direct TV, and the installer showed up (his first install) and proceeded to struggle through the entire installation. I called customer service to request another installer, they sent him out, he refused to climb up and make the necessary changes. I called again, another installer came out the next week, and all has been well since.

The service wasn't bad (the competency of installers is another question), but I wasn't thrilled w/ the transition.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have Direct TV for about 3 years. In November I upgraded service to HDTV. When I called they said $300 to install new dish and equipment, plus $10 a month more. I said nope, Dish will install for free, they matched the deal from Dish after being connected to 3 people. Each time I had to repeat the Dish deal info, took about 30 minutes on the phone. BUT at the end saved $300.

So if you want to change or get a better deal check out the other satellite company and play one against the other, works every time. Amazing what HD does for the TV. Can not wait until all the channels are HD.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I had VOOM for a year, then when it shut down I went to DishNetwork because the equipment was free and DirectTV want me to pay for it. Dish even offered (at the time) free HD recievers. I recently renewed with Dish for another 18 months, got 2 brand new HD recievers as part of my package and had to buy the 3rd HD reciever but the CS rep on the phone told me to buy it on Ebay and it was roughly 1/2 price of the Dish price. They talked me through the install and it was pretty simple.

I looked at DirecTV before signing up for anohter 18 months with Dish. DirecTV has only 6 or 7 HD channels, plus extra cost HD movie channels. DishNetwork has 25 or 26 HD channels, plus extra cost HD movie channels. Dish and DirecTV were both the same price (but that may have changed now).

I just looked at DirecTV's website again a few minutes ago. They still only have a half dozen HD channels and the package price seems to be the same as Dish Network's HD package that gives 26 channels of HD.

DirecTV is supposed to be upgrading their HD lineup later this year, I guess I would consider waiting to see what they will be adding before I singed up for a long term contract, but if you want HDTV, then currently the best option is Dish Network. If you don't care about HDTV then I think you can probably flip a coin and decide that way.