Need help. Considering switching to DTV

[ShawnB137]

Hello. I am a long time Dish customer, but have been contemplating switching to DTV. I am brand new to this site, and I am hoping I can get some feedback from the experts. Years ago (probably 10 years or more) I had purchased DTV equipment at Best Buy. I quickly learned that I should have purchased the equipment directly from the provider, but being new to satellite I was ignorant about the process. After a huge headache with DTV customer service, and a return to Best Buy, I was finally able to set up an install appointment. After a month and three cancelled appointments by the installer (which meant using 3 vacation days that I didn't have to) I cancelled DTV and went to Dish. I have been extremely happy with Dish; both their equipment and customer service. These days responsive, polite customer service seems to be hard to find.

My reasons for the proposed switch:

I currently have America's Top 250 plus HD for $79.99, HBO $13.00, Cinemax $13.00, Blockbuster that just appeared one day which runs me $10.00 per month and I have found no use for. My equipment is the VIP22K and VIP612, which gives me 3 TV's and two DVR's. My total bill is $138.99 per month. I will probably drop Blockbuster and Cinemax which will drop my bill to $115.99. $115.99 is still much more than I would like to spend.

At a glance, and being a potential new subscriber, it looks like I could save by switching to DTV. But is it worth it?

What really got me considering the switch was the potential for Dish to drop AMC etc. I almost switched a few years ago when they dropped my local sports channel. I do not watch a ton of sports, but aside from football, I rarely get to see the hockey or baseball teams I like on Dish. And I don't want to pay even more for the various sports packages. Like I said, I considered switching then, but never pulled the trigger. Now with the potential loss of AMC and other channels that I do watch, I am seriously considering a switch. Checking the various channel packages from both, I just can't seem to find one that covers all the channels I like to watch. Unfortunately for me I enjoy some of the more obscure channels that tend to only be on the premier packages if at all. Fios is not an option where I live and Cable is just terrible. I spent the last few hours going through threads on this site and this looks like the place to go for advice.



Does anyone have any suggestions? Whether it be how to reduce my bill, opinions regarding quality of equipment of either company, customer service, the whole Hopper/Joey thing vs DTV's whole home system, or just which company is better overall. I realize I am asking a myriad of questions that are all over the place, but I just want to make an educated choice and figure that the people on this site are the best people to ask.

Thanks.

- Shawn

[king3pj]

You might have better luck in the directv section for comparisons of directv packages. It would also help if you named some specific obscure channels you want to make sure you get. I would like to help but I'm not as familiar with the directv packages.

[RandallA]

As suggested above, you will get better answers in the Directv forum.

[garys]

Platinum HD became Blockbuster and has four EPIX, SMC, PIXL, HDNet, HDNetMovies, MGM, MoviePlex, Indie and Retro as well as some other channels. You may want to rethink Blockbuster if you watch any of these channels. You can also get HBO and Max for 1/2 price for six months. Try a PM to a DIRT member to go over programing options, they can also cancel the service and set up equipment returns if you need it.

[ShawnB137]

Thanks to all. I did also post in the Direct TV forum, as well as the Dish v. DTV War Zone, but being new here, I don't rally have a feel for how polarized the two groups are and I kinda wanted to hear what both sides have to say.

[maryb@Dish Network]

---

ADVERTISING BOX

---

Hi Shawn, and to Sat Guys! I am sorry that you are thinking about leaving DISH but I can understand. If you are wanting to have your account reviewed to see if there is anyway to lower your bill, I can assist you with that. Please PM me your full name, account or phone number, and the 4 digit pin number on the account and I will see what I can do.

Blockbuster@Home is the renamed "DISH Platinum" package. We changed the name and added features to the channels that you were receiving as a part of that package and did not change the price. You do not have to activate the Blockbuster features but you are still getting the DISH Platinum channels.]

On a side note: DIRT is not able to disconnect accounts, we can get you to the department that will handle these requests but just wanted everyone to know. Thank you!