Home audio & video: Satellite TV providers--who to get?

Dish vs Dirsct and cable

After reading the above posts I have come to some conclusions that might be helpful to those making a decision about Dish, Direct, or Cable service.

I have been a Dish customer since the middle 90s and I have gone through both good service and bad with the company. Someone mentioned that when I first signed up with the Dish Co., I was only one of 250,000 people but today they have around 11 million customers. I can say this as far as service goes, I have many good experiences with Dish. But I have had times over the years that the 'growth bug' bit the 'service' provided by Dish.

I am a bit different then most of you out there in that I have no opportunity to have cable. I expect that I will never have cable offered at least not in my lifetime.

But a few points already pointed out: cable companies are given a monopoly in you service area and some consider this a license to abuse the customer. There are regulations that set standards, but I would suggest that, as most laws, they may not do what they are intended to do. Anyone that compares cable services side by side with satellite will find satellite is cheaper. But there are drawbacks. Equipment costs are one. Service outages are another. If a cable goes out they do have people that come by and fix the cable. If your satellite goes out you either pay a repairman or fix it or do it yourself.

The difference between Dish and Direct are negligible. If you are a football fan Direct is probably better then Dish. But you will want to check it out because Dish has added allot of sports to there system. If you are a movie fan as I am, Dish is great, with many movie channels at a very good price.

Dish and Direct both offered Insurance on equipment that will replace faulty equipment: the cost is somewhere around 4.95 or 5.95 a month. For some well worth it and for others an expensive insurance. I personally have it and had my receiver replaced this year that was at least 9 years old. No questions asked.

Outages due to the weather: The satellite will go out in heavy rainstorms. I cannot address snow or ice. The few times I have seen ice my system worked fine and the once in a while that we get snow my system has also worked. But I live in Georgia and I am no judge on this.

However if you are a current customer and want to upgrade to the DVR or/and HDTV there will be a cost. But check to see if there are specials for existing customers. Dish offered me a DVR for $100.

If you are a current customer of Dish or Direct and are thinking of switching to get an upgrade in free equipment and you are receiving national networks from NY and LA because you cannot get your local channels remember the rules for waivers have changed. Check and make sure that you can get the same services from your new provider.

Service for installation Issues. Many people here have had horror stories from installers. I too have seen this. But that is not Dish or Direct. They have contracted with independent companies to do the installs. Some are good but others are very bad. This is like anything else if your service stinks create a big stink about it. Dish will respond and correct it even if they send another installer from another company. I imagine Direct is the same way. Just explain the situation and don't be afraid to move up the corporate chain to get the service you deserve.

To those who contract in writing and orally for service and or equipment and don't receive it: I find that if you don't receive satisfaction from the company do the following: One, pay with a credit card. Two, dispute the charges. Three keep all email, letters and logs of phone calls including whom you talked to and extensions if possible. Four, send a demand letter explaining what the problem is and what you expect to be done and what will happen if it does not happen. Be professional and send the letter certified, return receipt requested. Finally, if all this fails then simply go to your local magistrate court and file suite claiming a violation of the contract under both contract law and the Uniform Commercial Code which controls consumer contracts. If a product does not work as advertised or a service then they are in breach. It is really that simple.

You can do other things like contact the BBB or your state attorney general’s office of consumer affairs and log a complaint but don't expect much, very fast.

In conclusion I prefer Dish Network. They have what I want with a quality product and good service. But the product and service depends more on you and your preferences then on the provider. The product available today is great and improving all the time.

Good luck and good veiwing.