DIRECTV vs. DISH

My only complaint is when we lose channels I love because they cant make a deal.

We live in the boonies so this is the only rear ice we can get. It is very expensive. My biggest problem with it has been the Hopper. Initially we weren’t getting local channels in HD. We were told to wait for an upgrade to the software. After several months, we finally broke down and bought ANOTHER dish for locals. Of course the upgrade was finally available a week later.

I’ve been with the dish for 12 years, great company, just never know how much your bill is, they change every month. Nobody in customer service can tell you why?

pricing and service for dish network were very good.. never even lost signal during a hurricane last year… however, i just switched back to directv which i had in my previous house cause i was told i couldnt get the signal at the time. the reason is dish networks programming. when i signed up.. i knew that the yes network was not available.. so i would have to figure out another way to watch the yankees… 2 days after i signed up.. they dropped msg network.. now i couldnt watch rangers hockey.. but since i just signed the contract.. to cancel was going to cost me almost 500 dollars.. now they dropped amc… why would i bother keeping a service when they dont offer most of what i want to watch.. i understand that they are trying to keep costs in order.. but sooner or later there is going to be nothing left at all….

The setup was great. The installer was polite and professional. That being said, Dish reliability is not good. We have constant problems with losing contact; at least 4 times daily. The weather does not make a difference. The system was installed during a very overcast and rainy day and it performed great. Since then it can be overcast, snowing or clear blue sky and we have system failure. When my contract is up I will definately be looking at other options up to and including returning to cable. Sorry Dish, you are not what you proclaim.

Dish network has been nothing but great to me and their service has never failed me and the managers have always been very good to me too. love dish!

Dish programming is fine, a bit better than Direct. BUT, be very careful about ANY “free” channel offers for ANY amount of time. DISH will arbitrarily sign you up for premium channels. If you have an autopay and don’t check your bill you may get hosed. Be very careful.

I recently had Dish Network installed. They did mess up my order, at installation, but they corrected it asap. They brought the wrong receivers, but the installer apologized and brought back the correct ones. He was very polite and understanding. We didn’t even have to reschedule the appointment. The customer service reps on the phone were all helpful. The setup seems to be working great for my family, and I haven’t had any problems. Hopefully, I won’t. But I am please with the service so far.

Hey, I’m a customer service rep for Dish, reading all these comments inspired me to write this post. I hear many of these complaints daily while at work, a majority of which all stem from simple miscommunication or misunderstanding, so I thought to lay it all out for folks who think they have been cheated or ripped off or lied to in some way.

1. When signing up for either Dish or Direct, there is a 24 month contract if you want free install/equipment. If you don’t want a contract, pay for everything upfront. By providing the installation and equipment for free, DISH invests money into you as a customer which DISH hopes to make back during the life of your account. Dish does a credit check at time of order, if you pass, the majority of things are free, if your credit isnt good, due to unpaid bills, no credit history, due to not having credit cards, or so on.. understand that you will have to pay additional charges initially and most likely be a pay in advance customer. Where everything must be paid for upfront. Including the monthly service bill.

2. Both companies offer an introductory price for new customers. After the first 12 months, the price becomes the regular monthly price.

2a. I see many existing customers complaining because they saw an advertised price on T.V or in an ad and they call in to get it. Those prices are introductory offers geared towards people who dont have dish and would like to sign up. Its the same, or similar offer that YOUVE received when YOU first signed up for dish, so dish is only being fair. DISH is a company, it is here to make money by producing a product/service. This isn’t the salvation army, we try hard to please but in the end it has to make sense financially to do. So please understand. We do have the lowest prices in the industry, we do have over 8 english packages that you are able to customize to better suit your budget were as our competition has 4 packages the lowest being around the $60 range. If you find it hard to afford, re-evalute whats a NEED and a WANT. We are here to help as best we can, but understand that we are here to make a profit.

2b. Also, if you do receive free equipment, its considered leased, which means if you cancel the service, or have it disconnected for nonpayment, dish will charge the original credit card you used to open the account with for the cancellation fee(if any) and the equipment charges(if unreturned)
Regarding the fee for equipment return, yes, there is a fee for returning the equipment that DISH has loaned out to you, under the condition that if you cancel service you need to send it back to us. This fact is disclosed not only verbally, but also in writing. Dish tries to make this process as simple and hassle free as possible by sending packaging material and shipping labels to you, with the understanding that if those labels are used there will be a charge for them. If you don’t want that charge, use you’re own shipping method.

3. Certain promotions have different conditions, which are all disclosed to the customer at the time of order. Some are free for a certain time, then “roll to pay” which means you’ll start getting billed for it unless you cancel it. As a customer, you should know what you are getting, premium channels are free for the first 3 months, the protection plan warrenty is fre for 6 months, and the new customer discount is 12 months. So if you see the bill “creeping up” look to see if any promotions have run out.

4. Customer service agents are regular people who’s job is to assist you. Its a stressful job, its 60-80 calls/customers a day, all with a problem. We want to help, thats what we are here for, be civil and you are more likely to get what you want than if you call in screaming and cursing . We understand your frustrated, but understand that civility will win over argument any day.

5. At DISH we offer many promotions to existing customers as well, including Free upgrades to better equipment, free moving services, free premium channels, free previews of channels, free pay per views etc. These promotions have conditions, make sure you understand them. ASKQUESTIONS. Disclaimer: Promotions are limited to the type and status of your account. Accounts constantly late, or have received many credits in the past, have been disconnected for nonpayment recently..may not qualify for these promotions. It makes sense, we want to reward those customers who keep their end of the bargain.

6.Direct TV is DISH’s biggest competitor in the satellite business, and for the most part is a decent company. However, I do believe that DISH is the better product in all catagories; price, equipment, functions, customer service, and reliability. Dish tries hard to accomodate customers requests and problems, in fact DISH strives to accomplish this daily. We value our customers and do want to make sure that your issue, no matter how small, is important.

Again, I am a customer service rep for DISH, I hope this was helpful. Always be an educated consumer.

I have had an awesome experience with Dish. I have had Directv as well an the customer service I received from Dish is 10 times better. I ordered the hopper system and it works great but my family of 4 is was not working for all of us due to tuner restrictions. I called and they are sending me out an additional Hopper COMPLETELY free of charge!!!! I didn’t even have to get upset at all. I just told them my case and they understood and did what they had to make me happy.