DirectTV?

[frugalmama]

We're thinking of switching to DirectTV - opinions? Does it get expensive with little charges for things? How is the service?

Right now we have a local cable company, and they keep dropping channels left and right. Now that DD is getting older, I want to have access to certain channels and our local cable options don't include them unless I go to the premium tier. DirectTV has them in their basic tier, and the lower cost is tempting.

[crazyms]

Well I don't care for DirectTV. I've had them before and Dish Network and I would go with Dish again before I would DirectTV. I never had a problem with Dish and they had good prices/services. I changed to DirectTV because it was part of the bundle package for our home phone/dial up we got at one time. It ended up being a hassle and I was lied to about the price/services. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding but I don't think so and felt cheated. I would definitely not use them again because of it. Just my experience though.

[grisandole]

I've had Directtv for years and have had great customer service. However, if I wasn't under contract I would cancel as I think their prices are high. I don't think they are high compared to Dish or cable; but in general I am feeling that satellite/cable tv is not worth the money!

I have the second to basic package which I feel is the best value as it is only 5/month more than the basic but it has a TON more channels, and ones we watch. However, it does get pricey when you add DVR and more than one receiver, and taxes, etc. There aren't any hidden fees that I have experienced. But the rates are going up next month, about 5/per package and a few dollars for the DVR.

[K1329]

We have DirectTv and I'm fine with the service - part of  a bundle pack, no issues, no "hidden costs" that I've identified. However, trying to downsize, and  realizing that we rarely watch tv I phoned and asked what options they had for lowering the cost. They offered the "family plan" - it is not listed on their website, includes a smaller number of channels at about half the price of the next tier up and was a good option for us. However, no TLC, and some other "popular" channels, so, I'm sure it's not for everyone, but, it has a good selection of kids, science, history channels and is fine for us. Sometimes the tv companies have options that they don't advertise - be sure to ask!

[enkmom]

We have DirectTV because it was far cheaper, and had more channels available, then the Comcast package available in my area.  Service has been great (much better than Comcast), and I felt that the charges were explained completely.  Our old Comcast package was $110/month for only about 50 channels, and MSNBC was not even an option.  Our DirectTV package costs $83/month and we have a DVR, something like 300 channels, and HBO.  I don't have the HD service, which would involve purchasing a $199 HD box.  The picture is better on DirectTV then it ever was with Comcast, and it has gone out twice in the 3 years we have had the service.  Our cable was out about once a month.

There are cheaper packages, but they don't offer the choices my family is interested in.  My parents pay slightly less/month for Dish and are quite happy with their service too.  I have not been sorry

[Carson]

Love, love DirecTV, but for us, it is a 'luxury' item.  Their billing has always been accurate and we have been pleased with their customer service.  But we don't have a value package, and it is pricey.  There are channels though they offer that Dish and Cable in our area don't. 

Definitely shop around and pit the other companies against each other - they do have stuff they don't advertise and it's possible to just pay for the service you want/need sometimes.

We have been customers for 10 years, and have used that as a negotiation point for enhanced service - eg, when we wanted an HD DVR, they sent us one at no charge, as long as we recommitted to our contract.

[happysmileylady]

I have had Comcast, DirecTV and Dish Network.  DirecTV has been the most expensive of the three options, but also the one with the least problems.  I had Dish first, and had nothing but problems with them, from install to customer service, to it going out if a cloud moved (yeah an exaggeration, but not by much.)  After just a couple of months, we cancelled Dish and went with DirecTV.  More expensive, but also got more channels, customer service was better and had very few problems over the years.  Had to have a receiver replaced a couple of times, had no problem getting a tech out or getting a new receiver.  My biggest issue was one that is an issue with all satallite, it goes out in bad weather.  It didn't go out as much as Dish, but it still did go out.  We didn't have any hidden fees, but they can get a little "nickel and dimey" with charging for each seperate receiver, seperate charges for HD and DVR etc etc.  But, they all do that.

Last year, we switched to Comcast cable.  We got a great deal that included our tv, phone and internet for the same price we were paying for just the tv.  Plus, they included the HD and three movie channels for free, we had none with DirecTV, due to price. 

[goldfinches]

I'll tell you, Direct TV has the worst customer service I've ever experienced.  First, their installer lied about where he could put the dishes, and told me the only place they would get signal was on our roof.  (We were renters.)  I said, show me where, and he said, I've already drilled the holes...on the front of the house.  Literally on the roof right over the front door.

My landlord didn't like this, obviously.

We called and called, and finally, 4 months later, a supervisor came out to see the damage.  Oh, he also drilled a bunch of holes through the rock face of the front of the house to try to stick the wires through.  And, he hot glued the extra room left from the large holes that weren't filled with wire.

Back to the supervisor.  He said, of course there is another place to put them, in the backyard on a pole.  I said, please do that, and we have to fix the damage the other guy did to the house.

The new installer charged me to move the dishes.  He also switched out my boxes, which I knew about, because he said we received the wrong ones in the first place.  But, he didn't tell us he was signing us up for a new, 2 year contract.

So, on our claim we received the paperwork for our installation.  I was shocked to see that he had forged my initials on a form stating that I was so happy with his work.

We moved about a year later, and because the second installer had increased our contract length, we had to pay a cancellation fee.  grrr.

I obviously don't recommend direct tv.  They may be cheaper in the beginning, but sure ended up more expensive after all the time I spent dealing with them and fees they wrongly charged.

Hope this answered your questions... Yes, they do charge for the little changes, and their service is awful.  

Have you tried calling the cable company to see if they can do anything about getting you the channels you used to get since you're a long-time customer?

[zebra15]

I liked (past tense) DTV... they were all well and good until I went to cancel.  Then they got all hot and heavy with the sales pitches and such.  i come to find out they never cancelled the bill and I owe some ungodly amount.  They can clearly see that reciever was never accessed after xx/xx/xx date but they refuse to remove the charges etc.  So needless to say becuase they are inpet in cancelling service I do not recommend them.   Also 12 yrs ago or so when I first signed up with them the installer was clueless on how to install the Dish.  It took the guy like 3 hrs in the AZ summer to install and get a good signal.  All my other installers (2 more moves) got it done in like 20 mins.

Price wise they were comparable and the signal was good.

Right now we are using cox and there is somethign wrong because every night around 930 the sound fades in and out.  no one knows why.  Next time I may go with dish network or cox again in my own name. (now its the roommates and I cant call for help)

[Zach'smom]

We like DTV.  We have had it nearly 10 years.  Good prices, good customer service.  We moved from Wisconsin to Ohio and they were here the day after we moved in getting everything installed and set up for us.  Never have had a problem. My fil has dish network and has had customer service issues and doesn't get all the channels we do.