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Though TWC customer service is really poor--Directv and Dish is equally bad. Truth is, TWC beats both sats in quality and cost. And wait until you decide to add another TV (as I did when I had Dish) and the sat company charges you $250.00 for an additional receiver and installation!!! Not to mention, you have to pay for any service call when you have problems with sat service (not true with TWC). Warning---what the sat companies call HD service is known by most as "HD Lite" since the signal is highly compressed, thus the quality of the picture and sound is very compromised. I wonder how many have fallen for the advertisements for Direct which offer service for $29.95/mo. while hawking HD service? Of course, Direct does offer a $29.95 package, which includes no HD channels, no local channels (4.99/mo extra), and only for one set (extra sets are $4.99/mo). The cheap package is mostly shopping and religious channels!!! Very deceptive advertising, IMHO.
I've had Direct TV since the days it was called Prime Star, and have always been very happy with the service and the lineup. We had the satellite when we were 10 miles outside of Wilmington, and couldn't get TWC, years ago. It was our first experience with Direct TV, and has been our preferred provider, by far, whenever we've had a choice. We briefly had TWC, for a period of two years, and the only thing I liked about it was the on-demand feature -- everything else about TWC s-t-u-n-k.
I have been evaluating my options ever since moving back to the Triangle in February. I decided to go with TWC (for cable and internet) but once my initial promotion expired, my monthly bill jumped $40. I called to gripe and they offered a "retention" promotion of roughly $25 off for 6 months. Once this expires, they say I am eligible for one more. After that, I'm on my own. That's why they don't mind offering promotions. Eventually they will expire and you'll be stuck paying $150 for their service.
With this in mind, I have been considering a move to a DirecTV but I don't think the numbers work in my favor. I have many TVs (6) and don't feel like paying for all the receivers. The monthly service would be cheaper but I'm not big on contracts. Also, DirecTV offers more HD channels, NFL Network, all digital channels, AND Bravo (the Project Runway fans will know why this is so important).
I've heard good things about Dish Network but haven't had time to research them much.
We've had DirecTV (almost 10 years), TWC and Comcast. And of the 3, DTV is the best. Right now we have 3 HD TV's. 2 of them have HD recorders, and the other just has a HD receiver. The 3 receivers didn't cost me a thing, but I have to give them back if I drop DTV. Our bill is lower then it was with TWC the few months we were living in an apartment and couldn't get DTV. And when only had 2 tv's then. I have had a couple of small problem with DTV service. The failed to show up to install DTV in our new house on the date they were suppose to. But they gave me a $50 credit for the delay. I can not see us leaving DTV to go back to cable any time soon.
With this in mind, I have been considering a move to a DirecTV but I don't think the numbers work in my favor. I have many TVs (6) and don't feel like paying for all the receivers.
You can call them and see what they will offer you. I doubt you'll have to pay for 6 boxes if you mention you're switching from cable. They do charge a $5 access fee per box though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by moedog
Though TWC customer service is really poor--Directv and Dish is equally bad. Truth is, TWC beats both sats in quality and cost. And wait until you decide to add another TV (as I did when I had Dish) and the sat company charges you $250.00 for an additional receiver and installation!!! Not to mention, you have to pay for any service call when you have problems with sat service (not true with TWC). Warning---what the sat companies call HD service is known by most as "HD Lite" since the signal is highly compressed, thus the quality of the picture and sound is very compromised. I wonder how many have fallen for the advertisements for Direct which offer service for $29.95/mo. while hawking HD service? Of course, Direct does offer a $29.95 package, which includes no HD channels, no local channels (4.99/mo extra), and only for one set (extra sets are $4.99/mo). The cheap package is mostly shopping and religious channels!!! Very deceptive advertising, IMHO.
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With the exception of the highlighted portion, your post is debatable at best. In regards to deceptive advertising, TWC's current campaign makes my stomach churn.
The DVR HD boxes from TWC have software issues that TWC is hoping to correct very soon by a download to customer boxes.
The service otherwise is great and they gave me a free month for the trouble with the box.
Of course, service calls are 100% free with TWC.
Dish's only value IMHO is to keep TWC from getting too greedy.
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