Ruffian
01-09-2011, 10:12 AM
We have a huge HDTV we bought off my mother when she moved to a smaller place. For over a year, we've had an HDTV but not the HD.
We've had a Verizon bundled packaged for 3 1/2 years--Verizon home phone, internet, and then DirecTV for television. Our prices have been inching up over the years. I would like HD, but the first time I inquired this of DirecTV I was told it'd cost about $200 for the new receiver box. Um...pass.
So, I called Verizon to get info on new packages, since I'm not on a contract anymore. A woman quoted me about $130/mo (when taxes and such are considered) for 2 HD DVRs, the home DVR (so we can watch and pause from one room to another), and the premium channel package. Then...nothing happened. I called yesterday and was juggled back and forth from Verizon to DirecTV,and despite having an order confirmation number, no one had any record of this change in service. Then a Verizon rep told me the woman I spoke to had no authority to change DirecTV since I'm an existing customer, and that I would not be receiving anything I was quoted. ALl changes to TV service from existing customers have to be made by contacting DirecTV, not Verizon, he said.
Next I called DirecTV, who said for $200 I could get two DVRs (I only need one to be HD, but they said since I'm "a longtime loyal customer" I can get it for "only" $100, too), and then my monthly charges would be something along the lines of what we're paying now--$200/mo--OH, plus taxes and fees.
First, I was furious that a representative of the company so spectacularly misinformed me, then I was aggravated that no one knew anything, and THEN I was bothered that for being a longtime customer, I have to pay MORE than a new customer.
Screw this, I contacted Time Warner Cable...and for $160/mo before taxes and fees), I can have 2 HD DVRs, the most premium channels, and their fastest internet service. This means it's at least $40 less than we're paying now per month, and we don't have to shell out $100 for the HD DVR. It also means signing up for a 2-year contract, boo.
BTW--the Better Business Bureau gives Time Warner an A+ rating, and DirecTV an F. Yikes.
So Dopers--what are your recommendations? If we switch from DirecTV to TWC, are we going from bad to worse? (FTR, Verizon Fios isn't available in my area.)
We've had a Verizon bundled packaged for 3 1/2 years--Verizon home phone, internet, and then DirecTV for television. Our prices have been inching up over the years. I would like HD, but the first time I inquired this of DirecTV I was told it'd cost about $200 for the new receiver box. Um...pass.
So, I called Verizon to get info on new packages, since I'm not on a contract anymore. A woman quoted me about $130/mo (when taxes and such are considered) for 2 HD DVRs, the home DVR (so we can watch and pause from one room to another), and the premium channel package. Then...nothing happened. I called yesterday and was juggled back and forth from Verizon to DirecTV,and despite having an order confirmation number, no one had any record of this change in service. Then a Verizon rep told me the woman I spoke to had no authority to change DirecTV since I'm an existing customer, and that I would not be receiving anything I was quoted. ALl changes to TV service from existing customers have to be made by contacting DirecTV, not Verizon, he said.
Next I called DirecTV, who said for $200 I could get two DVRs (I only need one to be HD, but they said since I'm "a longtime loyal customer" I can get it for "only" $100, too), and then my monthly charges would be something along the lines of what we're paying now--$200/mo--OH, plus taxes and fees.
First, I was furious that a representative of the company so spectacularly misinformed me, then I was aggravated that no one knew anything, and THEN I was bothered that for being a longtime customer, I have to pay MORE than a new customer.
Screw this, I contacted Time Warner Cable...and for $160/mo before taxes and fees), I can have 2 HD DVRs, the most premium channels, and their fastest internet service. This means it's at least $40 less than we're paying now per month, and we don't have to shell out $100 for the HD DVR. It also means signing up for a 2-year contract, boo.
BTW--the Better Business Bureau gives Time Warner an A+ rating, and DirecTV an F. Yikes.
So Dopers--what are your recommendations? If we switch from DirecTV to TWC, are we going from bad to worse? (FTR, Verizon Fios isn't available in my area.)