DIRECTV vs. DISH Network -- Which Is Better?

» left by Jim Everett from Georgetown, Texas 6 years 52 days ago.

Dish Networks Customer Service should be renamed

Respond to this comment

» left by Clyde Elder from Memphis, TN 3 years 71 days ago.

 

DO NOT GET DISH!

Consider both are about the same. With both you have to pay extra for a receiver in each room (Installation is free up to 4 rooms), They have universal but not programmable remotes, they have only limited local channels (You would ahve to check with each to see exactly what these area, or go on their websites).

Number 4 is the Rub. Both will reveal total costs up front. You pay extra for local channels with Dish. Both are very similar in channel offerings. All the hype about a lot of HD offerings usually includes pay per view channels, premium channels, and a lot of channel you probably would never watch. Check out your favorite channels and compare.

The remotes, receivers and ease of use is far superior with DirecTV. For example, As pointed out in another question, with DirecTV you can view and select channels you have recently viewed. Not with Dish.

Also, with Dish you may need a second rooftop dish to receive local HD channels, and that dish points in a different direction to the usual Southwest location.

Beware of Dish. They will get you, even if it is in the end.

I recently switched to DirecTV because of the HD local channel problem and needing to get them by antenna. I tried 3 antennae with reception breaking up until I could not take it any longer. I switched to Direct for the Local HD channels provide at no extra charge or effort.

THEN:

I cancelled Dish and they sent me a box to return the Dish receiver, etc by UPS. I discovered about a week later that I had sent my hard drive DVD recorder to them by mistake. The two pieces of equipment looked similar, down to the silver color. I had taken both out of my media tower, with the switchover and rearranging equipment. I merely pick the wrong one and packed it in the box and sent it off to Dish. When I discovered the error (about a week later), I called them immediately. I had not received any communication form them regarding this error.

The bottom line: Dish has a policy to DESTROY all non-Dish equipment they receive. They make NO ATTEMPT to notify the customer in any way whatsoever. They make no attempt to compensate for the loss of personal property they destroy.

 

They cannot take the time to even email a customer to inform them of the error. They did not actually say it, but in essence told me “sorry Charlie” your S.O.L. They stated they had destroyed my equipment and WOULD NOT provide ANY compensation. Calling the corporate office and the “executive resolutions Department” and filing a formal complaint with the Better Business Bureau only served to confirm their policy and a further denial for compensation. YET, they expected me to return their satellite receiver (which I did) or they would have charged me a lot of money.

 

It is as if they just took my $300 recorder, destroyed it and when discovered, refuse to pay for it. I acknowledged my error in returning the wrong device and would have been happy to pay for it’s return shipment. That was not even an option. If I had not discovered the error, the 30 day period for returning the Dish receiver would have lapsed and they would have charged me for it.

 

I was stunned to say the least and infuriated that a company would treat others in this way, and even have a policy to put it into effect. Who could trust such a company that treats people this way. Their actions and policy speaks loudly to their care about people, customer satisfaction, their regard for the personal property of others. They cannot be bothered! Then, who would be bothered to do business with people like this? Do NOT BITE! Stay away form Dish Network!

Respond to this comment

» left by Zach from Denver 1 year 109 days ago.

Sorry to hear about your hard drive. I work at DISH and just wanted to share something with everyone who stumbles upon this site. DIRECTV has received an F rating from the BBB. The BBB has received almost 40,000 customer complaints about DIRECTV. "DIRECTV stands out for providing the worst customer service and some of the most deceptive advertising of any company we've seen in this field so far."-Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. The will always be someone who has a bad experience with a company, but I would suggest checking out things for yourself before choosing.

Respond to this comment