Help me find the real costs of switching service

[UncleMeat]

So I am looking at going with DIRECTV now (had UVerse, not available at my new address, tried OTA, went to TWC, not happy, long story).

I am looking at
- CHOICE— Locals Included Monthly $52.99        
- DIRECTV DVR Service $5.99          
- HD Access $9.99         
- $9.99/mo. credit for HD Access for 3 months -$9.99
- Lease Fee $4.99
- Total: *$63.97     
- Additional Discount -$5.00
- Online redemption -$18.00
- Total:* $40.97

The $5 and $18 discounts are supposed to be valid for 12 months (contract period).  So after 3 months, I should be paying $50.96 (free HD period runs out).

What additional charges are involved?  Obviously sales tax will add ~$2.50.  Any other fees?  Anything else I should know?  The only other thing I can find is the upfront fee for the HD-DVR.

[budda]

Free if phone line is not not hooked up.5.99, other wise I think you have it. Looks like you. Don't use the NFL ticket if so why not use Dish HD-DVR is free VIP722 has a huge hard drive great features, same package as choice. same price. and no equipment fee. every body has a different view point on this but I like Dish compared to DTV. If you like a quality picture you will like either one. Good luck.

[AndrewP]

budda, phone line fee is for Dish Network. DirecTV doesn't have this fee.

[brewtownska]

On Dish, if you don't have a home phone line (or don't want to use it), you can connect via ethernet to waive the fee.

[Bluto]

I'm pretty sure D* still locks you in for a two-year commitment.  Not one.  But if you get those discounts for two years instead of one, that would be a good thing for you.

[TonyC]

DirectTV sub-contracts their installs, so you have the luck of the draw with that (I tried them first, but they totally botched the install date/time and the phone rep didn't seem to care).

Dish Network has their own employees and did a great job w/followup by a QA person on-site (which surprised me).

I have America's Top 250, Gold HD package, DVR service for $64.99 fixed fee for 24 months. The local channels for $5.99 more. I chose an OTA antenna to get all the DTV sub-channels since either DBS service only provides the main feed.

DirectTV from what I read won't supply OTA-capable receivers anymore, where Dish does (I have the Vip722). DirectTV also pushes an intro price that goes up.

As long as you have a phone line connected, they waive the "phone fee". I think its just a marketing ploy to survey market channel watching stats. Side benefit is Caller ID shows up on the TV as well as the phone line.

Also, my 722 will support two TV's at once and record up to three programs at once. I have TV1=HDTV and TV2=SDTV which the kids watch. The receiver cost is bundled in with the Top250 service. I think Direct and TWC of course charge for every device connected.

BTW, TWC just raised the "Basic Package" an additional $6.50 right after I dropped them. With all the Dish programming I'm still saving $15-20/month over TWC and without all the unsolvable technical problems I had with them.

Hope this helps!

[Blitz68]

Free if phone line is not not hooked up.5.99, other wise I think you have it. Looks like you. Don't use the NFL ticket if so why not use Dish HD-DVR is free VIP722 has a huge hard drive great features, same package as choice. same price. and no equipment fee. every body has a different view point on this but I like Dish compared to DTV. If you like a quality picture you will like either one. Good luck.

He wants to go with a leader not a follower...

[Chinatown]

I think, will be necessary to get all of the HD content........if not now then after the 1st of the year.:confused:

[UncleMeat]

Hi folks,
Thanks for the responses... I was looking at Dish, but I think my problem was I checked it out via ATT as I would likely be going back to them for phone/internet.  The ATT website either doesn't offer many options or makes it really difficult to add them.  

I'll have to look at Dish a bit more, especially if DTV does a 2 year contract.  I don't plan to be living in the state for 2 more years and cannot predict what my next situation will be (IE - may not have a dish mounting point, etc).  

I'm not concerned about installation as the previous resident at our place had Dish and left the dish attached to the side of the building.  Even if it is outdated technology (I doubt it's more than a year old, if it matters), I have the wiring and mounting point.  Even so, I'm a capable installer and have the tools/ladders needed.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm just fighting a losing battle with TV service.  I'm just so easily angered by TWC and their constant price changes, inconsistancy in customer service and unwillingness to honor their word.  I had endless problems with UVerse, but I almost wish they were in my area as it was the best deal around and I'm assuming they would improve their service.  I just don't want to be endlessly switching services, but I think a majority of  that problem is I keep finding my way back to TWC (I take full responsibility for my stupidity, but I just always hope I can use their service without billing issues).

[Chinatown]

Hi folks,
Thanks for the responses... I was looking at Dish, but I think my problem was I checked it out via ATT as I would likely be going back to them for phone/internet.  The ATT website either doesn't offer many options or makes it really difficult to add them.  

I'll have to look at Dish a bit more, especially if DTV does a 2 year contract.  I don't plan to be living in the state for 2 more years and cannot predict what my next situation will be (IE - may not have a dish mounting point, etc).  

I'm not concerned about installation as the previous resident at our place had Dish and left the dish attached to the side of the building.  Even if it is outdated technology (I doubt it's more than a year old, if it matters), I have the wiring and mounting point.  Even so, I'm a capable installer and have the tools/ladders needed.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm just fighting a losing battle with TV service.  I'm just so easily angered by TWC and their constant price changes, inconsistancy in customer service and unwillingness to honor their word.  I had endless problems with UVerse, but I almost wish they were in my area as it was the best deal around and I'm assuming they would improve their service.  I just don't want to be endlessly switching services, but I think a majority of  that problem is I keep finding my way back to TWC (I take full responsibility for my stupidity, but I just always hope I can use their service without billing issues).

I think if you go to the Dish site..........https://customersupport.dishnetwork.com/builddish/DishBUILDER_04.do, you have the option of not having to commit. You are subject to a $99.00 fee. That's not a bad deal, and a lot less them Directv

[kevbeck122]

DirectTV sub-contracts their installs, so you have the luck of the draw with that (I tried them first, but they totally botched the install date/time and the phone rep didn't seem to care).

Dish Network has their own employees and did a great job w/followup by a QA person on-site (which surprised me).

You'll have the luck of the draw with either service for installation.  Dish has their own installer network (DNSC), but that doesn't mean you'll have a good install.

If you do get Dish, go with the morning install.  I tried getting dish.. they gave me a 12-5 install window.  They came at 5, were a little rude, and didn't install it because they were too lazy and probably just wanted to go home.

[UncleMeat]

The dish that is on my building now says "DISH 500" on it.  Looks like it's older... I'm guessing this won't work with new subscriptions?

[Chinatown]

The dish that is on my building now says "DISH 500" on it.  Looks like it's older... I'm guessing this won't work with new subscriptions?

I have a Dish 1000...........since 2006. I get all the current HD offerings. I am sure, they will update as part of the installation.