Pugsley: aka, the Sausage.
Lori: Loves Pugs. Writing. Food and Fashion.
« more problems | Main | hand and paw »
So while I'm still waiting for my final clear to close, in the meantime I have been contemplating what will be the best television option for me. I'm hoping some of you can tell me your experience and make some recommendations.
Right now I'm a little torn between Direct TV and Cable. And wondering if there are any other options out there.
Here is my list:
No sports channels are required
HD and DVR is not required
On Demand would be nice
Internet is an absolute MUST HAVE
Also required are all the major network stations and channels like Discovery, Animal Planet, Nat Geo, A&E, History, Oxygen, WE, Hallmark, TMC, etc.
I also want to keep HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, and Encore.
I want to keep my bill under $100 per month AND I want a 2 year lock in agreement. None of this 6 month promotion BS where I all of the sudden get my cable bill and it's gone up $40.00 so I have to call Charter and go through an hour of torture arguing and negotiating my bill back down without losing my channels.
I don't need telephone so I can't save with a 3 tiered multi bundled package.
Please send me some ideas to help me make a decision!!
TinaRenee commented May 12, 2010 5:59 PM
Who is the local cable provider?
Personally, I've had Direct TV for over 10 years and have nothing but good things to say. Customer service, top notch. When I hit my ten year anniversary, they gave me a $10 discount each month for a year in honor. The service people who come out to your house are mostly contractors in my area, but very polite and helpful. I live in tornado alley, so the only time I've needed someone to come out was when my dish was blown askew.
Of course, if cloud cover is very dense, the satellite will go out (can't find a signal). Never had it happen for more than 15 mins or so.
My internet is thru my cable company (Comcast) as they are the only high speed available. And it seems to go off and on about 3 times a week. The satellite internet is WAYYYY too expensive.
I have HD, DVR and all that jazz, plus 4 separate boxes. I imagine if you get only the premiere package from Direct TV, then high speed internet ONLY from cable, I bet you can get darn close to $100 put together.
MacGuy commented May 13, 2010 9:35 PM
OK...
DirecTV or Dish Network will offer a tad more channels and slightly better PQ. BUT my issue with either is that you sign a 2 year contract (which in itself is not the issue) BUT I loathe signing an open contract. By open they can raise the price take away channels or move tiers in that two years and you have no way out. That and like you said they only give a 6 moth or 9 month promo then it goes up. I just switched from DirecTV to my local Cable company.
My local cable company gave me a deal only a fool would of turned down - I'm paying about $80 bucks a month for 2 years fixed (no contract) includes internet (30 down 5 up) all HD channels but no premium and phone (i didn't want phone as me and the wife use our cell phones - but the deal would have costed $20 more if we didn't take it. And I have two HD TiVo Premiere DVR's which I paid for one year upfront.
In short I'd stick with the cable company - is it the same cable company as you had prior? you need to talk to a real sales person at the cable company and ask/tell them to give you a 2 year deal for sat subscribers or you'll go with sat! play hard ball!!!! Let me know what cable co -- if its the same as you had you can threaten to leave and they should bend over backwards to keep you.
3rd option - is att Uverse in your area? if so you can bundle it with your iphone and get a good deal too!
Lori commented May 14, 2010 10:13 AM
So presently I use Charter and their billing is erratic and the 6 month change ups and promos drive me INSANE. I would like to avoid dealing with that if possible.
But it sounds unavoidable, from what Macguy is saying like standard practice even with Direct TV and 2 year contracts can be changed. Ugh
I was really psyched when I heard about U-Verse but unfortunately it isn't available at my new address yet.
I'm now thinking maybe I just use Charter for TV and then switch to DSL for Internet which is a tad cheaper.
I don't know...
Anyone else??
Lori commented May 14, 2010 10:23 AM
MacGuy what is an SAT subscriber??
MacGuy commented May 14, 2010 12:04 PM
SAt = DirecTv or Dish Network
just e-mailed you... please let me know if I can assit?