We're about to switch from Dish Network to Direct TV - your impressions?

[skooooo]

We finally got so sick of the lack of service from DishNetwork, that we're switching. Paying them $100 a month is ridiculous when on top of that they charge for any little visit to fix equipment, and we've had a lot of problems with the dish.

So, those of you who use Direct TV or have switched from one to the other, I'd love to hear your experiences and impressions of both companies. Thanks.

[Rambis]

1. Direct TV

It has been great for us and cheaper than cable. We do have a little trouble when really big thunderstorms erupt but generally pleased with it.

[LeftyMom]

2. I have had only good experiences with DirecTV.

I'd have service with them now, but I live in an apartment.

[Chan790]

3. I've had both...

I never had any really serious problems with either (anything requiring more than one visit or a 30 minute phone-call walkthrough) but I preferred Dish. Both are going to piecemeal you on service calls and those sorts of issues and whatever issues you have with one you're probably going to have with the other as most dish issues are meteorological in nature. (wind usually, occasionally cloud-cover or snow)

The best advice I can give you is this: Either one is going to send a contracted installer/service-tech...ask for their card, sometimes they'll be willing to work directly with you. When you call the service department at either Dish or DirecTV, they quote you a service-call rate ($100 when I had to deal with them)...they keep 50% for being the middleman and pay the contracted servicer the other 50%. My local service guy (who contracted with both) was willing to come out and fix my issues for $75 if I called him directly.

I prefer either to my crappy Comcast that I have to have because of my internet service.

[driver8]

4. I have had Direct TV for almost 10 years, now -- never a problem!

I have never had a problem with the dish, or any of their equipment.

I probably just jinxed myself...

[supernova]

5. I have DirecTV

and they've been wonderful. Have had them for about 4 years now and no need to call them. Sometimes it goes out in bad weather but that's never more than five minutes or so. It comes right back as soon as the clouds and thunder pass over.

It's also easy to go online and change your service at any time, so I appreciate being able to do that vs call customer service.

[ogneopasno]

6. I'm happy with Dish. We also get a little bit of trouble during a heavy rain, but it's not bad.

Unless, of course, it's during something good. Then it sucks.

[WCIL]

7. We ditched Comcast for DirectTV

After agonizing over DirectTv/Dish, we finally decided to go with DirectTV. The contractor who came out also happens to sell Dish, and he says most customers prefer Dish. I have no complaints though, and DirectTV is 1112% better than Comcast. We have only experienced two outages - one during a thunderstorm and one during an ice storm. Both outages were less than an hour in duration.

[BOSSHOG]

8. We left Dish years ago for Direct

Mainly because Dish did not provide local channels. We have been very happy with Directv from Day One.