posted
Hi guys. Sorry about all the OT stuff today, but I know I can get my answers here!
It seems like the cable co. raises the bill every month. Are Directv or Dish network any better? I keep seeing the $20 or so a month ad everywhere, but there's gotta be a catch. Any experience with these companies?
Thanks always!
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have had experience with both companies. I had Directv for several years, then we switched to Dish about two years ago. I have had no trouble with either company.
My experience with the cable company, on the other hand, was a nightmare. It would constantly "go out" every time it rained. Our line was strung too low over a busy street and was broke several times by large trucks. The last time it broke, I called several times a week for a month to get them to come and fix it with no success. Finally, I called and told them that their equipment was on my front porch and they couls come and pick it up. They billed me for the month that I had no service and for the three weeks that their equipment sat on my porch. Needless to say, they havent seen a penny of it.
The satalite will lose it's signal on occasion, when a large rain cloud blocks the path, but that is very rare.
I like Dish because they offer The Movie Channel and Encore as part of the expanded basic package. The promotion cost is just that and the price will increase. I pay roughly $70 US per month.
Hope this helps, ~marty
-------------------- Marty Renfro Living Waters Studio 4748 LaVerda Drive Ft Worth, TX 76117 Posts: 6 | From: Ft. Worth, Texas | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've had both too and currently have Direct TV because Dish Network doesn't carry the "Versus" network. Other than that... 200 channels and nothing to watch.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ijust ditched Directv after 15 years. They kept having a billing error and would never fix it. They simply wouldnt beleive there was a problem. That is until i decided to turn it off. Suddenly they came up with the reason for the error and offered 4 months free service to make up for the inconvenience. Also they only have a few HD channels. This may not be of any value unless you have a HD tv.
I replaced it with Dish and it is as good. The service seems a little better overall. However, There is entirely too many commercials. The FCC just allowed more commercial time and you can bet all those TV channels are filling them up.
Frank;y I'm sick of it. If my wife didn't need the weather channel for work it all of it would be OFF.
The cable company? what a waste of time. If they didn't have high speed I would guess they would be just about gone by now. Way too expensive, too many restrictions, you have to have a HUGE friggin box on the TV to decode their signals. In other countries the cable box footprint is no bigger than a postcard. The customer service is somewhere on the planet and they simply do not care about you. All they want is your money. Nothing else. They have too many hidden fees too.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5273 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I held out on getting subscription TV for a long long time but I finally gave in a few months ago.
Dish Network partnered up with my telephone provider and came out with an offer that I couldn't refuse. My DSL was upgraded to a 5Mbps connection, Long DIstance is now free or included, Dish was added although I went for the basic package, and the total bill for it all is $120 per month. Actually the offer was $99 a month but the taxes that get added bring it to $120. Either way, I was spending $120 a month just for DSL, telephone and long distance in the first place so it's not costing me any more to have the satellite.
Anyway, I can't compare Dish to anything else because I haven't had anything else but I'm pretty happy with the service so far.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I have DirecTV and have had it since 1995 when it was PrimeStar. I can't get anywhere near the amount of channels I have on the dish from the cable company. I am in the $50s per month including the sports package.
[ September 11, 2007, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: Dana Blair ]
-------------------- Dana Blair Blair Signs Wooster, OH www.blairsigns.com
If sign makers go on strike, is there anything written on their picket signs? Posts: 835 | From: Wooster, OH, USA | Registered: Jul 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I started out with a 12 foot birdbath in the back yard. Free everything back then. Once they started scrambling the network stations, it became useless and I switched to Direct TV. Interrupted signals every time it rained or snowed. The real bummer was the spring and fall equinox...you lose the signal for a few hours every afternoon as the sun passes behind the satellite. Finally the trees across the street grew tall enough to make getting the signal impossible. Since they finally had the cable lines (which end in my back yard) installed, I just plain had no other options.
Felix, All of the above offer some kind of "Sign Up Now!" bonus that usually last somewhere between 3 to 6 months...premium channels, channel package upgrades, faster internet connection speeds, etc. Once they run out, the bill shoots up and there's no looking back.
Cable service bites!!!! I know as a fact that the node at the end of my street has been bad for almost a year and it causes everyone in the area to lose service. The node costs around 16K to replace and they aren't in any hurry to fix it. Despite being told we would get a refund for the down times, I haven't seen it on a bill yet. The petition and signed complaint have been sent to the state Department of Public Utilities and we're awaiting a response from them.
The minute DSL hits the neighborhood, cable's outta here and I'm either gonna read the book or wait until the movie comes out on DVD. Rapid
[ September 11, 2007, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Thanks guys. That's the thing. I know I'm gonna get a great deal at first, & then they're gonna stick it to me. I'm paying around $52.00 at home for basic cable + 95 at the shop/house for cable & internet. I've also been considering DSL, but I'm sure its the same thing. Might as well keep cable. Seems like all these companies are no better than cel phone co's.
-------------------- Felix Marcano PuertoRicoSigns.Com Luquillo, PR
Work hard, party like a tourist! Posts: 2274 | From: Luquillo, Puerto Rico, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic