Comcast or Direct TV

[Mellie2162]

Help me decide. I actually have Direct now but I hate their customer service. Comcast has some specials that might lower our bill a good bit for 6 months and then still be about 10 dollars lower a month after that. So if you have comcast do you absolutely hate it, love it, dont care, no difference between the 2?

 

[Mellie2162]

bump

 

[MM27]

I have Comcast. I think it's hit or miss with Customer Service. I've had some very helpful people when I've called, but just recently when they overcharged me for the Center Ice Package, I had to go through two CS reps and finally their supervisor before I could get the problem solved. It was actually a very simple issue. The first girl actually got snippy with me and then came back on the phone and apologized. I think someone must have heard her and told her it wasn't professional the way she was speaking.

 

[Mellie2162]

Do you like the channel line ups and such? I would be going with the digital starter which im told comes with 120 channels. I just want something basic, no pay channels, for the kids and get news and stuff.

 

[MM27]

I have a package that includes HBO, Showtime and Starz, but honestly I don't watch them that often unless there's really nothing else on. I can always find something on the channels I have.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I have AT&T U-Verse.

Other than getting hooked up to a bad splitter and having cable go out only a week after having it installed, we love it.

One dvr and 4 receivers. We can watch any dvr'ed program on any tv in the house. I can also control my dvr online.
There's also a way to control the channels that can be watched by the little ones.

We also have no contract and can quit whenever without having to pay for a full year. Of course, I did tell my dad that may come and bite him in the butt later.

 

[lisalynn]

We had Adelphia for years & were satisfied with them, then Comcast came in & bought them out & the troubles began! We hated Comcast & their customer service was the WORST!!! We switched to Directv several months ago & have been very happy. Just our experience.

 

[Mellie2162]

Thanks for all the responses. Still trying to figure out what I want to do.

 

[Tony-NJ]

I had DirecTV and hated their customer service - they were awful. Then they teamed up with verizon - if you had a question you spoke to India and forget about understanding anything. I called Comcast and the person on the phone spoke english ( they didn't realize that's all I needed LOL). I've had Comcast now for about 2 years and am pretty happy. If I ever have connection issues or cable issues I call get someone here in this country and they speak english!

Go for Cable.

 

[dznymemories]

We are very happy with our Comcast. We did switch to AT@T once but ended up switching back due to customer service issues.

We recently moved and Comcast customer service couldn't have been more helpful when I called to arrange switching service to our new address.
We had internet and digital cable and the service rep showed me that adding the phone service would save a considerable amount over keeping the AT@T phone. So far we are very satisfied.

I would suggest keeping a note whenever you talk to service rep...name, date, time, services agreed upon and price. That information goes a long way toward resolving any problems that may show up later. If you are not happy with the customer service on any call, I would suggest either calling back or asking to speak to a supervisor. The service rep usually has no power to make price adjustments without clearing it with another department anyway.

Maureen

 

[Kies99]

I have Comcast.

My plan is $26.75 (all taxes/fees included) and includes Basic Service, Digital Starter and Digital Preferred service.

I've only had one issue where I needed to talk to customer service and they handled it quickly and on the line with me (no calls backs or sending someone out to the house).

I get around 120-150 channels total with about 40 or so music channels.

Here is my channel lineup (though I think I'm missing some HD channels and some movie channels):

2 WPCB-40 (Cornerstone TV) Lifestyle
3 KDKA-2 (CBS Pittsburgh) News & Info
6 WTAE- 4 (ABC Pittsburgh) News & Info
7 Public Access Help & Services
8 WPGH-53 (FOX Pittsburgh) News & Info
9 QVC Lifestyle
10 WPXI-11 (NBC Pittsburgh) News & Info
11 WGN News & Info
12 WQED-13 (PBS Pittsburgh) News & Info
13 WPMY-22 (My Network TV Pittsburgh) News & Info
14 ESPN Sports
15 ESPN2 Sports
16 WQEX-16 (PBS Pittsburgh) News & Info
17 Government Access Help & Services
18 Home Shopping Network Lifestyle
19 Educational Access News & Info
22 WPCW-19(CW Pittsburgh) News & Info
23 TV Land Children & Family
24 Lifetime Lifestyle
25 Fox News Channel News & Info
26 Versus Sports
27 The Golf Channel Sports
28 Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh Sports
29 MTV Music
30 The Weather Channel News & Info
31 PCNC News & Info
32 CNN News & Info
33 A&E Lifestyle
34 Disney Channel Children & Family
35 TBS Children & Family
36 TNT Lifestyle
37 TLC Lifestyle
39 USA Network Children & Family
40 Travel Channel Lifestyle
41 Sci Fi Channel News & Info
42 Nickelodeon Children & Family
43 PCN News & Info
44 American Movie Classics Movies
45 The History Channel News & Info
46 HGTV Lifestyle
47 VH1 Music
48 Country Music Television Music
49 Local Programming News & Info
50 Cartoon Network Children & Family
51 CNBC News & Info
52 Spike TV Lifestyle
53 FX Lifestyle
54 Comedy Central Lifestyle
55 Headline News News & Info
56 BET Lifestyle
57 E! Lifestyle
58 Discovery Channel News & Info
59 ABC Family Children & Family
60 C-SPAN News & Info
62 Style Lifestyle
63 Food Network Lifestyle
64 Animal Planet Children & Family
70 Bravo Lifestyle
72 Big Ten Network Sports
100 WTAE Weather & Traffic Watch 4 News & Info
101 Discovery Kids Children & Family
102 The Science Channel News & Info
103 Planet Green Lifestyle
104 Investigation Discovery News & Info
105 Discovery Health Lifestyle
106 The Military Channel News & Info
107 Current TV (fka NWI) News & Info
108 GSN Children & Family
109 BBC America Lifestyle
110 Retro Television Network Children & Family
111 WPXI Weather Plus News & Info
112 TBN Lifestyle
113 Inspirational Life Lifestyle
115 The Biography Channel News & Info
116 History Channel International News & Info
117 Toon Disney Children & Family
118 Soap Net Lifestyle
120 National Geographic News & Info
122 Speed Channel Sports
125 Fox Soccer Channel Sports
127 Outdoor Channel Sports
128 Bloomberg News & Info
129 G4techTV Lifestyle
130 Fit TV Lifestyle
131 ESPN Classic Sports
132 ESPNews Sports
134 DIY Lifestyle
135 Fine Living Lifestyle
136 CNBC World News & Info
137 MTV 2 Music
138 FUSE Music
139 MTV Jams Music
140 WE: Women's Entertainment Lifestyle
141 Turner Classic Movies Movies
142 BET Jazz Music
143 CMT Pure Country Music
144 VH1 Classic Music
145 TUBE Music
146 Fox Movie Channel Movies
147 Independent Film Channel Movies
148 Noggin Children & Family
150 TV One Lifestyle
152 The N Children & Family
153 Nick Too Children & Family
154 Nicktoons Network! Children & Family
155 VH1 Soul Music
156 Gospel Music Channel Music
158 The Word Network Lifestyle
160 MTV Hits Music
161 LOGO Lifestyle
163 Lifetime Movie Network Movies
164 Sundance Channel Movies
165 FOX Reality Lifestyle
166 Fuel TV Sports
167 Great American Country Music
177 NFL Network Sports
184 C-SPAN 2 News & Info
185 CSPAN 3 News & Info
186 Sportsman Channel Sports
229 Qubo Children & Family
233 PBS Kids Sprout Children & Family
235 Flix Movies
242 Oxygen Lifestyle
248 Encore Movies
252 Encore Westerns Movies
253 Movieplex Movies
254 Encore Mystery Movies
255 Hallmark Channel Children & Family
258 Encore Action Movies
259 Tru TV News & Info
262 Indieplex Movies
263 Retroplex Movies
264 TV Guide Channel Help & Services
265 EWTN Lifestyle
266 MSNBC News & Info
267 Big Ten Network Sports

Digital Music Channels included:

401 Sounds of the Seasons Music
402 Today's Country Music
403 Classic Country Music
404 Bluegrass Music
405 Hip Hop and R&B Music
406 Classic R&B Music
407 R&B Soul Music
408 R&B Hits Music
409 Rap Music
410 Metal Music
411 Rock Music
412 Arena Rock Music
413 Classic Rock Music
414 Adult Alternative Music
415 Alternative Music
416 Retro-Active Music
417 Electronica Music
418 Dance Music
419 Lite Hits Music
420 Adult Top 40 Music
421 Hit List Music
422 Kidz Only! Music
423 Party Favorites Music
424 Showcase Music
425 ’90s Music
426 ’80s Music
427 ’70s Music
428 Solid Gold Oldies Music
429 Smooth Jazz Music
430 Jazz Music
431 Blues Music
432 Reggae Music
433 Soundscapes Music
434 Easy Listening Music
435 Big Band & Swing Music
436 Singers & Standards Music
437 Show Tunes Music
438 Contemporary Christian Music
439 Gospel Music
440 Classical Masterpieces Music
441 Light Classical Music
442 Pop Latino Music
443 Musica Urbana Music
444 Salsa Merengue Music
446 Rock en Español Music
448 Opera Music

 

[GeorgeG]

Up in New York we had cable and switched to DirecTV satelite because they offered a great deal. Those great deals are usually limited to 3-6 months and then the cost pretty much balances out between cable and satelite. We ended going back to cable because the satelite went out every time we got a heavy rain or snow.

We moved to Florida a little over three years ago and have been with Comcast since with mostly good results... mostly.

When we first moved in the Comcast serviceman (actually a sub-contractor) was here the first day to install two cable boxes and modem for the computer. The boxes he brought in looked like they were dragged out of a dumpster and he went through about six to get two that worked. The computer modem was brand new, but it took three to find one that worked. We ended up calling within the first week and demanded a regular Comcast serviceman come out since the contractor seemd pretty inept all-around. Nice guy, but certainly not the brightest light on the porch. The Comcast serviceman came right out and spent several hours getting everything working right. To start, he had to re-make all the connections because the contractor didn't do that right. Then, the cable boxes weren't even the right ones for anywhere in Florida so he replaced them as well as a new cable modem (they were all brand new Motorolas, but obviously from a bad batch).

Fast forward to yesterday...

We have two cable boxes, one basic digital and one with DVR. The DVR box (only) went out yesterday and my wife called and was told that they were doing some upgrades to the system that didn't affect all boxes and ours should be back up soon. Well, soon didn't happen and last night my wife was on the phone again. This time the call had been routed to somewhere in Texas and the rep had no idea where in Florida we were, but managed to transfer her to Miami. The rep in Miami was just as clueless. Anyhow, we got a promise that everything would be working fine by morning. Everything was not fine this morning. My wife goes to Comcast online and spends 45 minutes getting nowhere with a rep who agreed that something wasn't right, but that was it. She finally gets a Comcast rep out of the local Leesburg office and then a supervisor. This was early and I was still sleeping, but my wife had to come in and wake me so I could tell the supervisor is was okay to talk to my wife since the account is in my name only. Now I'm up and not very happy.

After confirming that it was, indeed okay for them to talk to my wife and having to identify myself with a life history, I listen to my wife getting nowhere with this supervisor. Perhaps we are behind in paying our bill? Not! Perhaps the box is not plugged in? It was! Well, the earliest they can send a serviceman out is Sunday. That was the best they could do. That's when I took the phone and re-confirmed my name, last four digits of my Social Security number and added that I was now awake and not happy (I didn't actually use the words "not happy"). I explained to her that they would, indeed, have someone out here THIS MORNING! There was a moment of silence. I asked if she was still there and she said, "yes, Mr. G..., someone will be there between now and noon." I thanked her and advised her that if someone was not her by 12:30 I would be on the phone with someone at the corporate level. Then, she tells me that Comcast phone service is now available in my area and asks if I'd be interested. I couldn't believe what I had just heard and told her that this was probably not a good time to be trying to sell me more Comcast services.

Anyhow, the serviceman showed up at 11:30. He told us that a lot of the boxes did not accept the upgrade and he replaced the box and everything works fine. He also told us they sent them out yesterday without even telling them about the upgrade and they got blindsided on many calls for the same problem. They haven't even been given a real answer for the problem. The Comcast servicemen who have been here have all been great and fixed any problems we have had, but this last round with their customer service was not good and it took 24 hours and some determined assertiveness to get them to agree to send someone. To be fair, this is the first real problem we've had with Comcast customer service.

The bottom line is we don't like satelite and Comcast is the only option for cable... and they know it.

 

[tazdev3225]

I have had Comcast for over 11 years. Sometimes I'm happy with them and sometimes. . . The customer service is hit or miss and I have gone on to a few supervisors over the years. Usually I wind up happy with the problem resolved. They are pretty much the only carrier in our area. A couple people I know went with Direct TV and switched back to cable. In most stroms they would lose the signal and it took several hours to get it back and once in a while several days. Neither is perfect but since comcast carries the Flyers and Phillies my DH won't let me switch carriers.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

The bottom line is we don't like satelite and Comcast is the only option for cable... and they know it.

Wow. Exactly why I don't like that there are so few choices now. Isn't that what certain laws were made for? To keep from having only 1 or 2 choices in products and services?

At least in Indy we currently have a choice of Comcast, AT&T, Direct TV, and Brighthouse.

When our cable went out this past sunday, I called in and got an English speaking person immediately. After only talking for a few minutes with the first person who figured out they couldn't help me, I was sent to the next person who was also American. After she couldn't fix the problem on her end, she immediately set up an appointment with a tech to come out. Unfortunately, it did take until wednesday for them to come, but he was here bright and early at 8:30 am and it was fixed within and hour. And the tech was not from a contracted company. He came in an AT&T truck.

I'm pretty happy with them so far.

 

[gmboy95]

I hate both.....I have comcast, because every time there is a bad storm i lose reception with DTV, and it drives me nuts

 

[5Slays]

We have been having contemplating the same thing. Everytime the wind blows hard our satellite goes out. And I really hate AT&T for our phone and internet, so I would like to get the bundle pack.

 

[Mellie2162]

Ok I talked to Dish Network (completely forgot about them, ty to the pp who suggested) and they have a better deal than cable, so I might actually go with them. Anyone else have Dish that can give me pros and cons?

 

[GeorgeG]

I would just like to say again that introductory deals, while sometimes really attractive, are usually only for the first 3-6 months,and that goes for Cable, Dish, or Direct. It's the same marketing strategy they all use. They will all eventually cost about the same based on what channels you get. That's why you should choose according to what channel packages they offer and the non-introductory rates for those. As upset as I am with Comcast right now, it's still the only viable choice for me. I'll be better after I get off a letter praising the service tech. and then voicing my displeasure with their customer service, at least this time around.

 

[Mellie2162]

I would just like to say again that introductory deals, while sometimes really attractive, are usually only for the first 3-6 months,and that goes for Cable, Dish, or Direct. It's the same marketing strategy they all use. They will all eventually cost about the same based on what channels you get. That's why you should choose according to what channel packages they offer and the non-introductory rates for those. As upset as I am with Comcast right now, it's still the only viable choice for me. I'll be better after I get off a letter praising the service tech. and then voicing my displeasure with their customer service, at least this time around.

Good point. Comcast actually offered me the 6 months introductory deal, Dish offered me a deal monthly longstanding, it was actually 10 cheaper than Comcasts introductory 6 month deal and had 100 more channels (how many channels can one watch?)

 

[Golf4food]

I have Comcast. I think it's hit or miss with Customer Service. I've had some very helpful people when I've called...

Ditto. Can't wait to leave Comcrap for AT&T when we move. Comcast has had a lot of problems since we got them but we have no other option in our neighborhood. Billing errors, installation problems, service outages... and they overcharge for what you get, I think. After our one year promo our bill was up to almost $150 / mo for phone, internet, and 1st tier digitial cable (without HD). I can get all that and more for less other places. And they have few options - it is all or nothing (like I can pay less for phone because we don't use long distance, etc. and keep everything else - the price would then be HIGHER).