zero2dash
09-25-2008, 11:54 AM
(Looking for any input on how DirecTV HD is.)
We've had Dish|Network through AT&T for 4 years now. During that time, there was a brief spot where we upgraded to Dish|HD for a few months when a free upgrade was available with an HD receiver (but not an HD DVR; that was a $200 fee). We tried it but didn't watch it too much because we use our DVR daily so we usually kept switching over to the SD feeds on our SD DVR and I ended up canceling the HD and sending back the HD receiver.
Fast forward to late last year when more HD channels were available with both Dish and Direct. Dish told me I had to wait a year since I had already upgraded within the last year to HD; "Ok, I'll call back" I told them.
Recently, DirecTV has been running a massive promo (especially if you're an NFL fan like me). New subscribers pay for NFL Sunday Ticket for $74.99/month for 4 months, you get every other channel they have (including premium movie channels - which, under Dish we have Showtime for Weeds and also Cinemax), as well as a FREE HD DVR upgrade ($199 savings), and all of the HD channels free. After the 4 months you can keep the same package for $104 or drop down (if you want).
I waited, waited and waited on this despite telling my wife about 3 weeks ago about it, saying we should do it..she said let's wait a few weeks. They have the promo for 13 more days, so I went and filled out all the stuff on their website and ok'd the credit check and I passed. I was a little leery of the credit check because we don't have much credit, but I've had a few medical bills go to collections in the past. But I passed ok (which makes sense since it's only tv service; not like they're loaning me a couple grand or something). My wife used my Visa check card last night and didn't put it back in my wallet, so I can't fulfill the order which asks for a CC even though upfront cost is $0; but my order + credit check status are saved since I created a new account on their site.
So - I just called Dish (specifically ATT|Dish's line, that's a long story in itself) and asked about upgrades available to me as an existing customer. I was told I'd have to pay $100 for an HD DVR in addition to $10 more a month on top of what we already pay (which including our Top 200, Showtime, Cinemax, Baby First TV and DVR fee runs around $90). No free upgrades. "Since around August of LAST YEAR ('07) we have not offered free receivers or upgrades to new or existing customers." Gee I wonder why; they're dropping the Dish bundles and pushing U-Verse now. (http://technorati.com/posts/57KLb0hAsKNc2Qp24UuJNPNadFJ2QxqfFYVwZ2GvKWY%3D) :Yea right (which isn't available in my area and has poor HD selection anyway) I commented on how I'm disappointed with this as a longtime customer, I mentioned that DirecTV is running a lot of good promos with free upgrades and HD DVR and said I'll have to shop there and probably call back and cancel. I was given an apology, "sorry we don't have those types of promos anymore".
Bundling Dish through ATT is arguably the worst decision I've made; I should've tried for Dish by itself and kept them seperate. I've gotten the runaround on upgrades, I've had billing issues...all while being a customer for 4 years and (over the last 1 1/2 years) ordering nearly every UFC PPV which airs monthly for $40 (now $45). I'm throwing money their way on a consistent basis and now I'm getting a swift kick in the groin when asking for a free upgrade to an HD DVR.
So long Dish, hello Direct. :wavey
Now I can finally watch The Ultimate Fighter + UFC Fight Night in HD since Spike HD is available on DirecTV. :)
We've had Dish|Network through AT&T for 4 years now. During that time, there was a brief spot where we upgraded to Dish|HD for a few months when a free upgrade was available with an HD receiver (but not an HD DVR; that was a $200 fee). We tried it but didn't watch it too much because we use our DVR daily so we usually kept switching over to the SD feeds on our SD DVR and I ended up canceling the HD and sending back the HD receiver.
Fast forward to late last year when more HD channels were available with both Dish and Direct. Dish told me I had to wait a year since I had already upgraded within the last year to HD; "Ok, I'll call back" I told them.
Recently, DirecTV has been running a massive promo (especially if you're an NFL fan like me). New subscribers pay for NFL Sunday Ticket for $74.99/month for 4 months, you get every other channel they have (including premium movie channels - which, under Dish we have Showtime for Weeds and also Cinemax), as well as a FREE HD DVR upgrade ($199 savings), and all of the HD channels free. After the 4 months you can keep the same package for $104 or drop down (if you want).
I waited, waited and waited on this despite telling my wife about 3 weeks ago about it, saying we should do it..she said let's wait a few weeks. They have the promo for 13 more days, so I went and filled out all the stuff on their website and ok'd the credit check and I passed. I was a little leery of the credit check because we don't have much credit, but I've had a few medical bills go to collections in the past. But I passed ok (which makes sense since it's only tv service; not like they're loaning me a couple grand or something). My wife used my Visa check card last night and didn't put it back in my wallet, so I can't fulfill the order which asks for a CC even though upfront cost is $0; but my order + credit check status are saved since I created a new account on their site.
So - I just called Dish (specifically ATT|Dish's line, that's a long story in itself) and asked about upgrades available to me as an existing customer. I was told I'd have to pay $100 for an HD DVR in addition to $10 more a month on top of what we already pay (which including our Top 200, Showtime, Cinemax, Baby First TV and DVR fee runs around $90). No free upgrades. "Since around August of LAST YEAR ('07) we have not offered free receivers or upgrades to new or existing customers." Gee I wonder why; they're dropping the Dish bundles and pushing U-Verse now. (http://technorati.com/posts/57KLb0hAsKNc2Qp24UuJNPNadFJ2QxqfFYVwZ2GvKWY%3D) :Yea right (which isn't available in my area and has poor HD selection anyway) I commented on how I'm disappointed with this as a longtime customer, I mentioned that DirecTV is running a lot of good promos with free upgrades and HD DVR and said I'll have to shop there and probably call back and cancel. I was given an apology, "sorry we don't have those types of promos anymore".
Bundling Dish through ATT is arguably the worst decision I've made; I should've tried for Dish by itself and kept them seperate. I've gotten the runaround on upgrades, I've had billing issues...all while being a customer for 4 years and (over the last 1 1/2 years) ordering nearly every UFC PPV which airs monthly for $40 (now $45). I'm throwing money their way on a consistent basis and now I'm getting a swift kick in the groin when asking for a free upgrade to an HD DVR.
So long Dish, hello Direct. :wavey
Now I can finally watch The Ultimate Fighter + UFC Fight Night in HD since Spike HD is available on DirecTV. :)