Tired of high priced cable bills

jokir · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011, 07:18 AM

They keep raising the bill at least once a year. Right now we have the Basic Plus package for HD and pay almost $75.00 a month. We are going to check into Dish TV and Direct TV, both available here. Uverse is here too but dh doesn't want that. Anyone here had good or bad experiences with Dish or Direct?

**DeBora4BobbyL** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011, 10:09 AM

I had Direct for years and LOVED them! I recently moved to tornado alley and had to give it up because stormy weather affects reception. I liked it because they were always good to me as a customer and if you set a reminder for a particular TV program, it will not only remind you when it is about to start, it will even change the channel for you. Depending on your area, you may also be able to get the local channels for news and you may also have a package deal for phone and Internet.

**ajrsmom** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011, 10:57 AM

I have Directv so that we can watch the Steelers

If you call them and tell them that you want to make the move from cable, they might make you some really good offers. You have to be willing to haggle a little bit but if you get someone who is willing to work with you, you could get a great deal for 6 months or more. Explain to them that you can no longer afford the high cable prices and have been wanting to switch to DTV ...they have many different price plans to offer, along with getting months of free Hbo...etc.

The only bad thing about it is whenever you make a change to your plan, depending on what the change is, it will renew your 2 yr. contract. Canceling a contract can be very expensive.

The weather can affect the reception. We've had it go out during bad rain storms and also snow storms but overall, we are really happy with it.

I had Uverse for a while and was really happy with the picture quality. I bundled it with Internet service. I got rid of it and went back to DirecTV because of football.

**DeBora4BobbyL** · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011, 11:42 AM

Also, Direct TV also gives you and the established customer $100 credit for switching on their referral program. Here's the link if you want information. All you have to have is their account number.

**cat lover** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2011, 03:59 PM

I have had DISH for 8 years and have been pleased with it for the most part. It is satellite, but the only time we have a problem is with snow or ice..I go out and clear the dish and reception is back up with no problem. They told me to use car windshield de icer on it!

We have the 250 plus plan with no additional pay movies channels, but we do get the "local" channels which is nice for weather and somewhat local news. We pay around $77 per month; that is one box that indepentedly controls two TV's and then we have a third box over in the theater which cost $5.00 per month (that is included in the $77). They have been reasonable on rate increases and have not done that too much. Our bill is that price because of all the channels we want. They havw packages that start out around $30 per month. If you call them they can and will go over all the different deals they have. You can also go online and check them out also. That way you have a little knowledge of what you might want. They also have the 2 yr contract deal like DirectTV so be sure you sign up for what you want because it will cost you big to downsize before that time. And you can't discontinue it either without paying for the whole 2 years; I think Direct TV does that also. So check them all out and sort of make a decision before you sign up. You have to have credit card also for DISH. It is billed onto your credit card every month. That is the only way they do it at least out here. Good luck!