DIRECTV vs. Dish Network Review

I would have to agree with you. I too have DirecTV. I’ve had Dish Network and the thing that chapped my hide the most was that they charged for local channels. I believe in the long run that DirecTV is cheaper because they offer the most channels and more of them in HD. One extra advantage to subscribing to DirecTV is the $100 referral bonus. So far, I’ve gotten 7 months free because of that little extra.

Another great post, Mark. I’m riding out a reduced, “we’re going to cancel” rate from Charter right now but will be back to your advice soon. Every time we consider Satellite, we come back to the lack of options for HS Internet in our area…and back to cable. Gah, TV.

I don’t like the local channel charges either. Those should be free by now.

Thanks Laura. Unfortunately a small coverage area is a limitation of many providers.

Mark,
This is a good comparison! In our Top Picks for 2010 we were provided a side-by-side comparison from http://www.SatelliteTvSatelliteTv.com which also touched on the differences in international programming etc.
Kudos!

-Sam @ Entertainment on a Budget

I made exactly the same assessment as you, and agree. The DirecTV reception and choice of channels is far better, for the money, than Comcast cable. I was very happy to switch (and Comcast’s predatory billing practices are some of the worst in the business).

The problem is that DirecTV’s billing practices turn out to be very similar to Comcast’s. They offered a Free-HD-for-Life promotion, for which I signed up. I signed up for Auto bill Pay and filled in all the required rebate forms.

But they wouldn’t honor the promotion. They cited clauses in some contract somewhere that wasn’t included in my contract. I faxed them a copy of the contract, but they merely said “so sue us.” The attorney would have cost more than the $120/year they are stealing from me, so I settled for filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

I wouldn’t know if Dish TV is any more honest, but certainly it is a “Buyer Beware” type of world for both satellite and cable TV.

Something BIG to consider before getting DirecTV, though:

I’ve done a TON of comparison before I got DirecTV, and the only downfall that I saw was that Dish had better customer service reviews. DirecTV boasts better “customer satisfaction”, but only over cable. I decided to get DirecTV for many of the reasons you pointed out.

When I waited at home on the installation date, no one showed. I called and they said my installation was put on hold. A call would have been nice. But why was it on hold? Because the previous renters did not finish paying their bill. And I’m accountable for that? According to DirecTV, I am. If I wanted to pay $480 I could get my service.

First, I was upset that no one told me sooner. They just didn’t show and waited for me to call. Second, they have my name, my social, ran a credit check – the whole nine yards, yet who I was didn’t matter. The home was flagged. They couldn’t have told me that right off the bat? And once they found out, they couldn’t have contacted me? Poor poor poor business.

So, I went with Dish. A comparable plan, but they also worked with me quite well and there is a TON to say for customer service and that blanket of comfort it is if something does happen. I was going to fight it out with DirecTV, but if that’s any indication how dealing with them was going to be, then I didn’t want them anyway.

If I could give zero stars, I would. I told the person what I wanted, they placed the order incorrectly and installed incorrect equipment. I called to get it fixed and was told I would have to pay for the wrong stuff I already received AND the new stuff I was supposed to get. It had only been a couple of days since installation, so I tried to cancel, but they have a NO CANCELLATION POLICY. Once the stuff is billed, it is yours. You can pay $20/month for the rest of the contract to cancel. So, I would have paid $480 for 2 days of service, which I couldn’t afford. So I kept them. Today, only 4 months in, my nearly new mint-condition receiver had a meltdown and deleted everything I had saved and erased the guide information. After 5 hours on the phone, the thing works again, but my stuff is gone forever and they won’t even consider giving me a credit. Also, BE WARNED. If you accept their free 3 month trial for extra channels, they will automatically begin billing you at the end of the trial. They like to keep this little tidbit to themselves. Do not accept the trial, or be diligent about canceling, or you will get overcharged.

That was in regards to DirecTV. BTW.

DirecTv deliberately decieves and overcharges after service is begun. I had my own reciever, used my own equipment and set up the equipment by myself, at the end of service directv claimed all my equipment as their leased equipment and kept threatening to charge me penalty unless it is all returned, wil never use their service ever again, would not recommend this company to anybody, Dish Network is a 1000 times better and customer service really cares for their patrons, unlike Directv.

Thanks Sam.

That seems deceptive Sam. I would speak to the management at DirecTV.

Wow your experience was horrible. Sorry to hear that.

Your experience was not a good one either. That is totally different from the one that I had.

That is food for thought.

As a DISH Network employee I can tell you proudly we have better customer service than DIRECTV does, are equipment is better than theirs and you can have DVR functions in both rooms. With DISH your new customer promotions kick in as soon as you get the service DISH Network has free HD for life how great is that!

I recently decided to switch from Dishnetwork to Directv as to be qualified for new promotional deals from current Dish provider. So checked promotions on line and I called Directv. Sales person on the phone promised the best deal in universe, their premiere package-285 channels , free premium movie channels for first 3 month, ability to watch all of my recorded programs on all 3 TVs in the house. It was discussed that I am going to receive 3 HD receivers. When I asked how much I’m going to pay each month during the contract I was told $50 a month for first 3 months and then $100 for next 21 months, with a promise of an email explaining everything in detail. Email showed full price for package with no discount, so called back and asked for explanation… Oh yes, they told me that I have to apply for rebates online to get the deal, so I did and once again requested an email with the confirmation of the price promised. On my numerous calls neither the person on the phone nor the salesman could give me consistent figures for the contract (RED FLAG), but all promised my three HD receivers. Finally after threatening them with a cancelation, person on the phone admitted that for the second year of my contract I will be paying full price of $134 (RED FLAG). I was willing to agree to this pricing due to a better equipment and ability to watch prerecorded programming an all 3 TVs. When the installer showed up, I discussed the details of my contract with him and my main question, the ability to watch prerecorded programming on all 3 TVs. Imagine my surprise when he told me NO! Of cause NOT, in order to have that option you MUST have 3 HD receivers not two HD and one regular receiver as they had it in my order. But note that it was the only reason that I still was going to go with DirecTV after they lied to me about the contract price!!! Well that is what NOT in my order he says…So after a couple of hours on the phone with various Directv representatives, I found out that in order for me to have that particular option- to be able to watch my prerecorded programming on all TVs, I must upgrade to a third HD receiver for another $100.
These people are scam artists, they will not give written contract under any circumstances before the installation. DIRECTV had pursued and solicited me until they have my signed contact, after that getting through to the customer service to discuss the problem was virtually impossible. Their customer service is lousy!!!! I had to talk to 5 different custeromer service representatives just to cancel my order! Most of my 30/40 minutes calls were either disconnected or transferred to other department where I had to repeat my “live” story all over again. Do not sigh up with them or at least NOT until you get a written contract detailing the pricing and technology (how many receivers, type of receivers, etc.). TERRIBLE SERVICE~ I would NOT recommend Directv to anyone unless you want to spend the rest of your TV-watching life in misery.

I just want to let everyone know that Directv WILL steal money from you if they so decide.. If you EVER make a single payment via your credit card, they will keep that number and even if you discontinue auto-draft payments or any form of electronic payment (up to and including disconnecting your service or even spaciffically instructing them to remove any payment cards from your account at all), they will not only refuse to remove any cards used to pay with from their records (a privacy act violation I believe), but will draft continue drafting from your account even AFTER you fully cancel and close out your account..

I felt the need to let EVERYONE know what kind of thieves Directv are before anyone decides to actually sign up with this disreputable company. I am currently in proceedings of fileing a payment reversal on over $400 that they took from my account without my approval, knowledge, or even confirmation. I am also going to look into any formal charges I can file agenst the company if at all possible, but doubtful as the courts seem to favor big business.

Furthermore, the company REFUSED to process a return of funds to my account, stating that they do not have the ability.. This was after I was hung up on no less than three times for requesting a supervisor (which i still never got to speak with), and I never even raised my voice or became abusive on the phone (I’ve worked at call centers before, and I know that’s justifiable hang-ups there so I just don’t do it). This leads me to drastically question the company’s Ethics..

Do NOT subscribe to Directv. They have horrible customer service and will try to cheat you out of your money when you unsubscribe. We suspended our subscription (we called to cancel, but they talked us into suspending it instead), then they charged our credit card a couple days later. It has taken many phone calls with unempowerd customer service peons to try and resolve the problem. Then they are still trying to charge us $10 for a credit card reversal. Idiots.

on 8/19/2010 i contacted Directv for changing my service and sign for the NFL package. Rep. named Rosa ID# 2142402 explained different packages they had and it’s pricing. i was interested in choice xtra with NFL which was free for first year, if signed a two year contract. she also told me i could try the premier channels for five month and if i didn’t like it i could cancel the premier channels for no charge at end of that period. I specifically asked what my charges would be after five month if i switch to the plan i was interested from beginning, and she replied 34.99 with no cancellation or any other fees. I switched in Jan. 18, 2011 and after couple of statements i noticed they are charging 64.99. i called them and they said that the rep. made a mistake but, there is nothing they could do at their level so i have to write to their costumer service dept.
Since, the conversation was recorded, i wrote to them and explained the issue and asked them to listen to the phone recording on date of purchase to see who made the mistake, me or the sales person. I received a phone call today from Shy ID# 100514822 and she explained that the review of the call reviled that their Representative made a mistake but the pricing of 64.99 will stand and won’t be changed back to what i was quoted. I explained to them that this seems like a bait and switch tactic and they said that if i have a problem i have to hire an attorney.

Just to give a little insight to this subject. I am a Directv sales representative… don’t hunt me down, we’re not all bad lol. but honestly the entire culture of sales centers piss me off. I try to stay to the truth at all times but with how we’re pushed to hit certain percentages every single day, some tend to hit that gray area where an agent will push the boundaries of truth and not give a straight answer. I’m very good at what I do, 8 times out of ten because of how i answer questions customers never even ask for a second year price even after me previously stating their promotion last for 12 months and me stating its a 24 month agreement. The real problem is outsourcing. Directv often gives contracts to telemarketing companies to sell their product. In doing this, the outsourcee gets an immense amount of pressure to have a high sales closing percentage and they in-turn push their managers, who then push the agents to do whatever it takes at times. I’ve personally seen Directv corporate come in and crack down on this by monitoring calls and firing agents on spot. Directv wants everything done 100% correctly and honestly. Moral of this story, listen closely, be knowledgeable, check over your order e-mail to make sure everything is right. these stories as seen are rare but they do happen because every job will have a few liars and cheaters. My apologies to anyone that’s had issues with us. I love the directv company, but hate the sales environment.

That was a great, honest comment. I can certainly appreciate, and respect, both your viewpoint and your loyalty to your company. I thought I’d chime in too, being that I’m a DISH Network employee and like you, very happy with my company. I did sales for a while, and have to say it sounds like a very different environment over here. We have a huge list of disclosures to tell customers—including a price breakdown of the second year—every effort is made to be completely honest and forthcoming, and I was never pressed to hit a certain sales number or percentage, as you mentioned DirecTV does to you. That’s not to say that misunderstandings never happen, they do, but I’d be willing to bet they’re comparatively rare because of this. I think that difference in company culture probably extends much deeper too, into the policies and how customers are treated after the sale.

We just switched from DirecTv to Dish after 10 years with DirecTv. We did it because our telephone company (TDS Telecom) does a “bundle” deal with telephone and internet (and Dish). Our intial impressions are not good. As compared to DirecTv, the picture quality is very poor (with Dish). We also have been getting audio static which is annoying. We also are receiving a free 32″ HDTV for signing up for 2 years. We’re thinking if we could we would forego the TV if we could switch back to DirecTv at this point. :(