Switch from Direct TV to Dish?

[sixdogs]

Should I take the bait and switch from Direct TV to Dish Network? Dish sends me a special offer at least once a week and some of it has got my attention with price discounts. I've been with Direct TV for 5 years so my equipment is that old. I pay $100 month, don't care about modern movies and really only watch a few channels. Dish offers new equipment, a 50% price discount for the first year and then regular pricing for the next year of the two year contract. I figure that's worth $600 to me.

Others have been in this same boat so what did you do? Do you like one or the other? Dish or Direct TV? I suppose I could call Direct TV and get new equipment with a two year contract. Maybe I could just get a discount? Anyone know about this and what do you think?

Using the Internet for TV right now is probably not possible. While I sort-of have high speed service, I live in the middle of nowhere and gat a satellite signal beamed off an antennae on my neighbor's grain bin. Yeah, really, so it's only partially reliable.

Has anyone switched to Dish like this or have Dish and can offer a satisfaction report?

 

[deerseeker001]

I personally wouldn't,i have in the past big mistake.

 

[deerseeker001]

I would say do what ever you want,this is my opinion.

 

[davidinappling]

Personally, I like
dish, and have switched back and forth over the years. If you like direct they will upgrade your equipment free with a phone call

 

[vulcancowboy]

I have been with DirectTV for years, back to when they bought out PrimeStar. Give Direct TV a call and tell them you are going to switch, I bet they can make some changes for you.

 

[forgeblast]

Call directv, tell them the prices they are offering, and they will lower your bill and give you free channels. I did it last week.

 

[nybirdman]

My son just switched from Dish to Direct TV;can't believe how much better it is.I have been with them since about 1992.
They will upgrade your equipment,just call them.

 

[oosik]

I don't know - I've always been with Dish. It wasn't until just recently that Direct was even available out here. Dish has always been fair with me. Out here its either satellite TV or nothing. No cable or antenna TV.

 

[LD1]

Not sure if dish has wireless, but direct TV does and its nice. Just had it installed a few weeks ago. Only have to have a coax going to one TV. The rest are all wireless. Only need a HDMI cable to connect a box to the TV. Other than that, the only wires are the two 120v wires. And can record a show in any room, then watch in any room, IF you use DVR.

Current promotions for wireless, Xtra package, 4 tvs is somewhere around $75/month. And will go to ~$110-115 after the first year

 

[MarkF48]

For the heck of it pop your zipcode into the links below and see what you might be able to get with digital UHF.

What Channels can I get on my HDHomeRun

or......

The Digital TV Transition: Reception Maps (this one shows relative signal strength bars)

I put up a high gain UHF antenna, mast mount amplifier, and rotor as a possible alternative to cable TV. I get a several major network channels for news and a bunch of other smaller ones which have older movies and programming. If I had to dump cable TV I could live with what I get. Neither my wife and I are big TV watchers and generally use Netflix through a ROKU at night for movies or programming with no commercials.

 

[paulharvey]

We have had both off and on, switching every two years when the contract is up. Frankly I liked Dish every bit the same as Direct, but it costs less. Now, I have Direct TV, and Dishnet internet. In about two months my direct TV will be up, and I'll be going back to dish. Save about $20/month, plus $10 off the Internet bill. To me the only problem is losing all the DVR movies that the kids watch.

 

[turnkey4099]

Personally, I like
dish, and have switched back and forth over the years. If you like direct they will upgrade your equipment free with a phone call

Which automatically signs you up for another contract - happened to me, nothing at all was mentioned about 'new contract' when I accepted the upgrade to replace a failed receiver (old type).

Harry K

 

[davidinappling]

(Which automatically signs you up for another contract - happened to me, nothing at all was mentioned about 'new contract' when I accepted the upgrade to replace a failed receiver (old type).

Harry K ) Maybe your phone skills arent the best. I just did this as I ws going back to Dish 1 phone call new equipment lower rate and NO contract.

 

[Stimw]

I am looking at cable, I have Dish now but they have turned off FOX News and if I watch CNN for more than a few minutes I start looking for sharp sticks to poke in my eyes and ears!!!!!!! Their ratings really sums it up.
I have always heard that Direct was more sports channels. The only sport that I watch is NASCAR.

 

[paulharvey]

I am looking at cable, I have Dish now but they have turned off FOX News and if I watch CNN for more than a few minutes I start looking for sharp sticks to poke in my eyes and ears!!!!!!! Their ratings really sums it up.
I have always heard that Direct was more sports channels. The only sport that I watch is NASCAR.

Base package direct TV doesn't even have ESPN... no idea about the higher level packages or the season long packages

 

[TnAndy]

I have been with DirectTV for years, back to when they bought out PrimeStar. Give Direct TV a call and tell them you are going to switch, I bet they can make some changes for you.

I know that works for DISH......I told them I was leaving, and they reduced my bill from 70/mo to 20/mo for 10 months.......saved me $500.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I stay with Dish because I own my equipment, and don't want to rent it with Direct. with that said, you almost have to keep switching back and forth to get the special offers, or else they both jack the rates up on you if you stay for any length of time.

 

[rekees4300]

Should I take the bait and switch from Direct TV to Dish Network? Dish sends me a special offer at least once a week and some of it has got my attention with price discounts.

DirecTV is better than Dish so don't switch. However you can use the Dish offer as leverage to get a better deal from DirecTV. It's all a big game and DirecTV has retention specialists who are the players. You'll be surprised what great offers they will make if they truly believe you are switching. Note that you may have to do without TV for a few days to convince them you are serious but be patient. Their specialists will eventually call, make a great offer and beg you to come back!

 

[nc redneck]

We have had both off and on, switching every two years when the contract is up. Frankly I liked Dish every bit the same as Direct, but it costs less. Now, I have Direct TV, and Dishnet internet. In about two months my direct TV will be up, and I'll be going back to dish. Save about $20/month, plus $10 off the Internet bill. To me the only problem is losing all the DVR movies that the kids watch.

Any subcontractor needs to be changed out every few years or so. Any businessman will know that. A new sale will pay commission or gold star. Unfortunately retaining a current customer is not high value in today's world. Make the change but squeeze for best deal.
Good Luck

 

[KiotiKowboy]

I am looking at cable, I have Dish now but they have turned off FOX News and if I watch CNN for more than a few minutes I start looking for sharp sticks to poke in my eyes and ears!!!!!!! Their ratings really sums it up.
I have always heard that Direct was more sports channels. The only sport that I watch is NASCAR.

Fox News will be back. Just wait it out for a few weeks. Even DirecTV goes through these problems.