Goodbye DirecTv

[Buckeyephan]

After being customers of DirecTV for 15 years, it is time to kick them to the curb. We have had issues in the past (weather issues, lying about credits promised, etc.). The only reason we stayed with them was because we have 4 years of programs on our DVR which we cannot replace. Some are shows that aren't available on demand or through Amazon or Netflix. One is an interview my DIL did recently on CNN. So, this morning our main device died. Since we are losing the saved programs, there isn't any reason to stay with them. After all was done, they offered to send me a new unit which won't be here until Tuesday. Not even as fast as Amazon! To top it off, they wanted to charge me $19.99 plus tax for shipping. Wouldn't send out a tech to make the switch. Did cancel that charge but we are still leaving them

I know there are huge issues with Comcast customer service. However, my daughter has them and their equipment is amazing compared with what we have. We have Spectrum for phone and internet. We live south of 466A so I am going to spend time on the phone looking for good prices.

Guess we are the proud owners of the dish on our roof. Is that a permanent part of the décor on our house? If we remove it, I assume there would be holes in our roof.

Would appreciate current pros and cons on the various choices we have. Thanks for any help.

[starflyte1]

I just went back to Comcast Xfinity, because of a guaranteed fixed price for two years, as long as I don't change the contract. I spent hours on line before deciding. I think that online offers are different than those in their office.

I have their double play, just internet and tv, plus received a $150 gift card. Supposedly high speed internet and 140 channels.

I am happy, especially with the fixed cost for 24 months, then I owe them nothing.

[OpusX1]

Direct TV went down the tube when ATT bought them. We opted for Xfinity. 5 times the internet speed, telephone where the caller id pops up on the TV if it's on, love the voice control remote. All at a $70 per month savings guaranteed for two years.We also recoeved a $150 Visa gift card.
Be prepared Direct TV will call you every day sometimes twice a day trying to get you back. Finally had to tell the to put me on the do not call list. I imagine in twenty months I may have to check around for another supplier.

[Bonnevie]

I have Comcast and to be honest, it does a good job most of the time. they recently sent new voice activated remote. Customer service has improved also. Isn't spectrum formerly Brighthouse? I used to have Brighthouse at my previous home and I liked them a lot. Would probably use them if I had a choice.

[outahere]

Isn't spectrum formerly Brighthouse? I used to have Brighthouse at my previous home and I liked them a lot. Would probably use them if I had a choice.

Yes, Spectrum is Brighthouse. The new company was formed by a merger between Charter and Brighthouse. Our son has them for internet and TV, rarely has any problems and gets a much sharper picture than we do. Once our contract with Centurylink is up, I may look into switching to them.

[graciegirl]

We still stand by Direct TV. They aren't responsible for weather issues. That's the way it goes.

[bagboy]

Yes, Spectrum is Brighthouse. The new company was formed by a merger between Charter and Brighthouse. Our son has them for internet and TV, rarely has any problems and gets a much sharper picture than we do. Once our contract with Centurylink is up, I may look into switching to them.

I'm curious why Time Warner is now advertising they are Spectrum? Maybe Time Warner owns Charter and Brighthouse.

[Bosoxfan]

We've had Direct TV since 1999 and would never think of dropping them. They have the best HD picture by far! They're also the only choice for sports fans. I can't and wouldn't give up my NFL ticket...Sure Red Zone is an option but only watching a twenty yard game!!! Not me!! Also customer service has never been a problem with us!

[BobnBev]

DirecTV gets an all around rating of A+++ in my book.:wave:

[MikeV]

We love our DIRECTV. Every year just before our contract is up I call and get a better price than what it would be if let the contract expire.


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[Cajulian]

I'm curious why Time Warner is now advertising they are Spectrum? Maybe Time Warner owns Charter and Brighthouse.

Charter Communications bought Brighthouse and just completed the deal with Time Warner. The Spectrum name was established after those buyouts.

This makes Charter either the biggest Cable or one of the biggest providers.

[JGVillages]

We've had Direct TV since 1999 and would never think of dropping them. They have the best HD picture by far! They're also the only choice for sports fans. I can't and wouldn't give up my NFL ticket...Sure Red Zone is an option but only watching a twenty yard game!!! Not me!! Also customer service has never been a problem with us!

:a040::a040::a040:

[Toymeister]

Avoiding the calls from DirecTV is kinda like finding the cure for AIDS, but it can be done. In the annual privacy disclosure notice there is an address to send a letter to opt out of all e-mails, texts, and calls. It does work, but each time you contact them they will ask for your permission to contact you with special deals. It is like getting an STD, DirecTV marketing never gives up. For this reason alone I am dropping them, I don't deal with firms that must resort to this level of marketing to retain customers.

[Nucky]

I do like the service of Directv. Since we have landed in Florida they can't seem to get a hold of the price correctly each month, it is on a swivel. They did deceive me with the NFL package. It started out at $350 for the season, I said no. Then I threatened to cancel and the price came down to $100 for the season, I accepted. When then screwed up the next bill I called to cancel our service and the NFL package became free. I never thought about it but the AT&T aspect sounds like it is the answer...how did they go from flawless to being so inconsistent? Comcast is not an option for me. I'm tempted to try Centurylink TV....I wish the OP luck but I think we are going to go thru these kind of issues no matter what company we choose.

[bagboy]

Charter Communications bought Brighthouse and just completed the deal with Time Warner. The Spectrum name was established after those buyouts.

This makes Charter either the biggest Cable or one of the biggest providers.

Thank you! ☺

[jojo]

We switched from Comcast to Direct TV two years ago and love Direct TV. The picture quality and ease of recording are the major features I like. We do experience brief outings in storms but usually changing to the non HD channels works. Both companies play the same game of raising rates after the intro offer and annually thereafter. We have Comcast for Internet and I had to call both companies in the same week to do the dance with rates. It is most annoying.

[2BNTV]

For many reasons, I dropped Directv a couple of years ago and switched to DISH. I haven't noticed any difference in the quality of the picture. The NFL package is the only advantage Directv has over it's competitors but their service and pricing leaves a lot to be desired. IMHO

No holes in the roof as I paid to had the dish mounted outside my home.

[UpNorth]

Most business reward loyal customers. Cable and satellite TV companies punish them, with ever-increasing rates. Sometimes the only way to get a deal is to keep switching companies, and become a "new" customer ever other year. You just need to bite the bullet and switch. Most don't care if you threaten them with switching anymore. The good rates are for "new" customers only.

[John_W]

I love Directv, the DVR and the NFL Package, I couldn't live without them. I have never in 9 years received a telemarketing call from Directv.

I have Centurylink for phone and internet and I use to get telemarketing calls for their Prism TV and after the third time in 3 months, I said I want 'call block' added to my phone at no charge. They added it 2 days later.

Once I had a problem with my notebook computer, it started asking for a logon when I powered the computer on and I couldn't get past that page, and I never had a password. I called Centurylink and explained the problem to their internet tech support. They said for $15 a month we have technical support for all your connected computers. I thought about for a minute, and then they said, you can sign up today and cancel tomorrow. I said go ahead, they took control of my computer and I sat and watched as they moved the mouse around and fixed the problem, it took about 10 minutes. The next day I called and cancelled tech support and there was zero charges on my usual monthly Centurylink bill. In almost six years I've had zero problems with Centurylink and my bill has never changed from the original $59.99 a month.

[Buckeyephan]

We are going to give Comcast a try for a two-year contract at a set price. This will save us almost $80/month. If we cancel before that time, the fee is $10/month for the unused months. Also, 30-days to try without cancellation fee. Liked the fact that their DVR programs are stored in a cloud so a dead device won't cost us our saved programs again. The $400 gift card was pretty nice, too. It is hard to make a change and I appreciate the info you shared.

[JoMar]

Spectrum user here, have triple play, NO contract, stable pricing and have NEVER had a service or billing issue.

[xcaligirl]

I agree Gracie Girl. We had a different technical install the dish. It's almost directly across the street from our former home and the reception is great. We hardly ever lose the signal except when there are severe storms. The reception across the street was horrible...the technician does make a difference.

[The Buckeyes]

Have been a customer of Directv for nearly 20 yrs. Would not give it up.