DIRECTV vs. DISH

I get great signal, CSR is always friendly and helpful, as long as you don’t try yelling at them they won’t give you trouble. Prices are fair, and I have more channels than I know what to do with.

Let’s see… We’ve had DirecTV for 11 years and never once have we been able to get ABC, not even locally. They told us we weren’t eligible to get it from the satellite because of some analog signal rights around here, but whatever. All I see is someone not wanting to give us a service we paid for. Also, the service-man has to come from three hours away, once to install a bogus DVR and another time to replace the bogus DVR with an even worse one. Honestly, I see the commercials about how DirecTV is better than Dish, but i think it’s the other way around.

I’ve been with Directv for 10 years now. I was pretty happy with Direct till the last 3 years. Not because of the signal because lets face facts. 10 years ago you would lose signal all the time. That has improved to the point I really can not say anything. I moved, and did the movers choice. When they came to install in new house had nothing but problems. Then I moved again with in 2 years after last move. God did they drop the ball. Half of my TV’s worked, and half only worked half the time. Called repair department came out 5 times. Kept hereing things like did not have enough time for repair, had to get approval from head quaters, would charge me for repair, and it when on and on. When I called CS they would say sorry, and send another tech out. It was like this for 4 months. So I asked for credit after all I’m paying $150 a month. So they gave me credit for the 4 months. Then when the 5 the month came and directv was still down I got bill for for the months they gave me credit. I was confused called the company was on hold for over an hour. Not to mention the calls I made before that I was disconnected on by accident they claimed. HINTHINT.
It just gets under my skin that 10 years of putting up the signal in bad weather, and never complaining.Granted they improved that. Then when I moved 2 times in the last 3 years I get treated like a nobody. I know Directv has know repairman that work for them that they sub people for repair, & install. People complian about cable, but at least they have real employees. Do not get me wrong I will never go back to cable, but at least when a cable company local you got fast repair service.
Now I’m to the point I want to switch, but do not know if I will be any happier. They all seem to have people who complain. Now its weeding out who I will be happy with. I know there is no prefect tv company, but what ever happened to the people who pay the bill being right. It’s an era of computers. If a computer claims something then theres no arguing with that. We are stuck with this companies. Just like when we got upset with cable we got satellite. Now people are sick of satellite, and there no This companies know that. So all I got to say is good luck with your choice. There is no right or wrong answer. Just what makes you happy in the end. Do not let anyone till you otherwise. After all its your money paying the bill each month, and not there’s.

I really like Direct Tv because they were upfront about all the promos they were having, and what my price would be after the promos expired. So I could budge my money accordingly. I personaly recommend direct over dish any day!

Really liked the service of DirecTV but so many hidden charges, the 34.95 a month became 80.00 a month in a hurry. Plus, when we had a problem with a box, they would send out a tech for $89 or I could sign up for the protection plan for $30 a month and a mandatory 3 month commitment! We switched to Time Warner as soon as we could.

i work for dish and i have to say most of you folks issues come from poor installs yes its true there are bad techs out there who dont care and just want to get the job done and screw the customer because they are idiots but i dont think its fair to judge an entire company on the one dumb tech you had out and yes its the companies fault but its not like they can catch every bad tech or even the awesome ones who were just having a bad day so yea i have seen awesome installs from dish and really crummy ones same goes for direct now i will admit dish techs do take more time bc we are payed hourly for now whereas direct techs are payed by the job….....
sooo hourly = slow less hurried By the job = throw it in and get it done
obviously i cant speak for any tech for any company other than myself. and also keep in mind the signal is coming from 20,000+ MILES away from the earths surface so yea satellite can be kinda touchy hence lower prices = less reliability (i.e. dish direct hughes wildblue) higher prices = more reliability (i.e. cable companies) so if your gonna have a cow if you lose your signal for awhile in some rain dont get satellite tv and if your cool with lower prices and occasional signal loss go for it.

Great

Switched to DirecTV from Comcast. Very pleased with everything. Installation was fast, especially considering I got 2 dishes (1 for international programming). The HD and standard def quality blows Comcast away. There are many more features with DTV. The remote is better laid out and more comfortable. There are tons more channels available, including more HD channels. I have not had a single problem with the service. Highly recommended!

I’ve had Directv for almost 2 years now, and I have never had a problem with it. Before I got it, I compared both Directv and Dish, and for me, Directv was clearly the better choice. I didn’t see the point of paying extra for local channels. Plus, Directv has the best sports packages.

Now I’ve been installing satellite services for years now and I have worked for both companies and still currently with Direct.v. Facts: for both companies, they both strive to have excellent customer service. That goes also for installs. I have been a actual employee of dish net and as well for Direct.v. Yes Direct.v in the early years had plenty of sub contractors then down sized to full contract installers. But! As of This year in the beginning of 2009 Direct.v as gone full captive of making every install office an official Direct.v owned operation (In-house). No longer having contractors on the west coast, though there are sub contract offices that work off site from main’s but ob-bide same rules as the “in-house” does. Now there, I’m not sure if the dish network sub contractors follow policies as in house workers do, But in AZ dish network sub contractors were among the worst, mainly due to privately owned retailers that sell and conduct their own installs (Always bad if done by fully experienced joe). Direct.v has always had official employees supervise every install office in the country so that very minimal slack work was gone noticed. As for customer service of call centers, I myself have had both good and bad experiences with both comp. ***Main key to having a successful conversation with a phone rep is to be clear and state every need and never miss or assume info! (Always ask questions and double check)This is probably the #1 problem any customer has with any company which determines their future relationship. I’m not siding with weather who’s better in service and price. I’m giving a in depth prospective of where a lot of customers get info crossed and mistake, then run with the wrong idea when really the missed communication was the customer (ass)(u)ming things will work out them selves or that their authority is higher then GOD because they don’t want to pay small fee’s or feel they don’t need to have a contract cause they “Rent (lease) the receivers” and don’t own them. Again this can go for any company, Cable or Satellite. Make your decision upon your strengths and favors, not on how you believe the company should be!