DirecTV / AT&T Bundles

[bani1717]

I've had cable basically my whole life but am considering switching to a DirecTV / AT&T U-verse bundle for TV and internet. My Time Warner bill has increased significantly over the past few years, and with the DirecTV/AT&T promotions available, I could probably save ~$45 a month for two years (even after talking TWC down a little bit last week). I'm not unhappy with the service at TWC by any means, it just seems like I could get basically the same thing for a lot less money (plus free Sunday Ticket for a year) by switching. I've never had satellite for TV or AT&T for internet though, so I do have some reservations that I wanted to see if anyone could answer.

 

1) Reliability is my #1 concern (especially on the Internet side since I sometimes work from home with a VPN connection, but also very much on the TV side). My issues with TWC have been few and far between, and I'd rather continue overpaying than switch to a less reliable service. I live in Greenfield, a little north of Whitnall High School. Not sure if anyone maybe has experience with DirecTV or AT&T's reliability in this area. I'd be looking at AT&T's "Max Plus" (18mbps) internet.

 

Also, does anyone know if AT&T slows internet speeds beyond a certain usage point?

 

2) Would my house have to be re-wired vs. the cable I already have installed? The promotion I'm looking at includes free installation, but having to have a bunch more wires running all over is a potential drawback. I also have an outdoor TV that would need a receiver - currently with the cable wiring going through some buried PVC pipe to get from my house to my pavilion where the TV is. Any idea how DirecTV would hook that TV/receiver up?

 

3) Any other words of wisdom?

 

I read through some older threads that made it sound like the key to reliable TV service from DirecTV is having the dish properly aimed/calibrated to have a really strong signal strength, and potentially knocking off some snow or ice on (hopefully rare) occasions if it accumulates. Also, it sounds like DirecTV charges fees for lots of things (changes in service, adding receivers, etc), in addition to the two year contract. Anything else I should know?

 

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[DuWayne Steurer]

I had DirecTV, and every. Single. Time. It rained, there were service issues. On top of that, after one year, the package went up almost 80% in price, and there are fees for everything.

 

When I had a card go bad in one of the receivers, they tried to charge me for an entire receiver replacement and it took 3 months to sort it out.

 

When I finally cancelled service with them (or tried to), I had multiple reps hang up on me when I mentioned I was trying to cancel service, refuse to transfer me, and try to over-charge me for things I had not received. I never did end up getting back the partial month credit I was promised would be mailed back to me, but I decided not to fight for it, because the headache of going after the $70 dollars was not worth it for the small amount of money.

 

I've had several different service providers, and DirecTV is 5 times worse than any of them when it comes to Customer Service. The user interface is great on the Guide and Menu, and the price is fantastic when you're starting out, but I hope and pray if you go with them, you never ever have to interface with their customer support reps, because that is nothing short of a nightmare.

[paul253]

I'm surprised by your comments about Directv. I actually consider their customer service to be pretty good. Pretty much every time I tell them my bill is too high they find a discount somewhere. When I moved not only did they do it entirely for free but for some reason they gave me the NFL Sunday ticket for free too. Now you do have to sign a contract which sucks and RoCo is right about how when it rains the service is disrupted. And I haven't looked elsewhere but I'm sure there are cheaper options. But I'm satisfied enough with it to just keep paying the bills. That's more than I can say for my Sprint cell phone service whom I terminated a month after I moved. Just keep in mind that the first person you talk to when you call isn't usually a directv employee they are some cheap contract employees. If you're unsatisfied at all ask to talk to a supervisor.

[adambr2]

I've also had pretty good experiences with Directv. In most cases, I've found that getting what you want just boils down to talking to the right person. I've always just straight up said I want to cancel when my bills get too high, and I've never had a rep hang up on me for it.

 

In most cases they'll get you to a 'retention specialist.' Some will bend over backwards to keep you, some won't, or say they can't. Usually if you push, and ask to speak to a supervisor, they often have more discretion in what they can allow. I'm always straight to the point in what they need to do to keep me, which is let me keep my discounts, and give me NFL Sunday Ticket for free. That worked for a long time, and when they finally refused, I switched to Dish.

 

Stayed with Dish for 2 years, but when my bill shot up to 140 dollars with them, they wouldn't budge, saying I needed to have at least 8 years of service with them before they would work with me. Needless to say, there's no way I'm paying that much for that long. At that point, Directv was more than happy to welcome me back with a $63 monthly bill, free premium channels for 3 months, and free NFL Sunday Ticket, and a $200 VISA gift card.

 

The companies really don't like customers who work the system like this, they prefer the ones that will cheerfully let their account autodraft for $150 a month for years. But I won't pay that much for television. So I'll keep making them treat me like a promotional customer if they want to keep me, and if they get to a point where they don't, that's fine. That will be my cue to switch to Sling TV.

[statman0007]

Can anyone with DirecTV in Milwaukee tell me if there are any issues with their local channels? I'm currently a DISH network subscriber but am potentially looking to make a switch as they are currently lacking FOX due to a conflict with Tribune broadcasting. When I go to DirecTV's site and enter my address to see which local channels are available it lists CBS and ABC as unavailable...don't want to switch one contract dispute for another. I called to ask, but for some completely terrible reason they said they needed my SS # to run a credit check prior to being able to tell me what local channels would theoretically be available to me.

 

Dealing with cable/satellite companies is beyond frustrating...makes me tempted to switch to Playstation Vue (Sling is also tempting but lack of big ten network is a deal breaker for me)

[jerichoholicninja]

I can't give you an answer for right now but there'll be a dispute with some other channel in the future so there's that.

[superfly]

Stayed with Dish for 2 years, but when my bill shot up to 140 dollars with them, they wouldn't budge, saying I needed to have at least 8 years of service with them before they would work with me. Needless to say, there's no way I'm paying that much for that long. At that point, Directv was more than happy to welcome me back with a $63 monthly bill, free premium channels for 3 months, and free NFL Sunday Ticket, and a $200 VISA gift card.

 

The companies really don't like customers who work the system like this, they prefer the ones that will cheerfully let their account autodraft for $150 a month for years. But I won't pay that much for television. So I'll keep making them treat me like a promotional customer if they want to keep me, and if they get to a point where they don't, that's fine. That will be my cue to switch to Sling TV.

 

 

Never seen a bigger racket in my life than TV. Mediacom (cable) started us out around $60, then steadily increased to nearly $200.00 A MONTH for a freakin middle of the road cable/internet package. No bells and whistles, no movies ordered...just a middling package. And it was going to increase for the next 2 years from there!

 

Until folks start paying attention and telling these companies to F off with their autodraft policies and overcharging they're going to continue to do it. Hopefully in a couple years Sling/Roku/Hulu etc will be a bit more friendly to general consumers and I'll go there. Looked into it before going to Dish and by the time I added what I wanted it was nearly the same price anyway...the channel selection isn't as ala-carte as people think it is.

[LouisEly]

This is one of the benefits of living in a homeowner's association. When you can leverage a couple hundred accounts, they don't play those games with you.

 

Also good that fiber optic companies (Verizon, AT&T, Google Fiber, etc.) are spreading so the choice isn't just cable vs. satellite.

[Invader3K]

Dealing with cable/satellite companies is beyond frustrating...makes me tempted to switch to Playstation Vue (Sling is also tempting but lack of big ten network is a deal breaker for me)

 

We just recently cancelled our cable TV (Charter) and started on Sling. We tried Vue, but could not get Brewers games on that service. Sling has the FS-Wisconsin feed when the Brewers are on. Maybe in the fall I'll switch to Vue for Big Ten. Otherwise, we've been very impressed with Sling and the value we get for $25 dollars a month.

 

We kept Charter for our internet service. What's funny is the "bundling" with cable TV was only saving us a whopping six bucks a month.

[jerichoholicninja]

Dealing with cable/satellite companies is beyond frustrating...makes me tempted to switch to Playstation Vue (Sling is also tempting but lack of big ten network is a deal breaker for me)

 

We just recently cancelled our cable TV (Charter) and started on Sling. We tried Vue, but could not get Brewers games on that service. Sling has the FS-Wisconsin feed when the Brewers are on. Maybe in the fall I'll switch to Vue for Big Ten. Otherwise, we've been very impressed with Sling and the value we get for $25 dollars a month.

 

We kept Charter for our internet service. What's funny is the "bundling" with cable TV was only saving us a whopping six bucks a month.

 

Speaking of bundling, when we moved into out house and I called Charter to get our TV and internet set up they kept trying to sell me on the home, internet, and phone package. I kept insisting we didn't need a home phone and would never use it and it was in fact cheaper to get just internet and TV than the package. The service rep didn't believe until I walked them through the math from their own website. The rep was shocked and then agreed with me that, yes, it was cheaper than their bundle.

[fondybrewfan]

I agree about DirecTv about reception. The sight lines for my receiver are really good but if there is even a moderate rain shower it will go in and out.

 

I know Dish Network has 2-3 year fixed price contracts which are really nice compared to the 1 year promo period for DirecTc followed by a 50%+ rate hike.

[tmwiese55]

They all play the same game on jacking your rate after a certain period. I'm not totally familiar with how they'll be transmitting the internet now that they're bundled? So, if it's also coming by satellite when it rains your internet would be going out as well or will internet be done another way? I don't think I've seen anyone mention that yet, could be big for people working from home.

[Boomer5]

Anyone had any success with getting NFL Sunday Ticket at a discount or free? I have been able to do that year after year but this year no luck. Im guessing due to the ATT buyout?

[1992casey]

I'm not totally familiar with how they'll be transmitting the internet now that they're bundled?

 

I'm sure that you'll get AT&T Internet through the phone line. The purpose of the bundle is to be able to offer TV in areas where U-verse doesn't reach.

 

Satellite Internet is expensive, and the last I heard, Internet through DirecTV had data caps. Reaching your cap would cause you to get throttled for X number of days, and there was way to pay more to get around it.

[pacopete4]

The directv account was in my wife's name. After they refused to lock us in at the two-year deal they are offering people for $50-$60/month, I went to the At&it store and signed up for Directv through them. Got locked in for $60/month plus NFL for free and 3 months HBO/starz/showtime.

 

If in two years they don't give me a similar deal, I'll do it again. Screw them.

[brwrsfan]

Anyone had any success with getting NFL Sunday Ticket at a discount or free? I have been able to do that year after year but this year no luck. Im guessing due to the ATT buyout?

 

I've done it multiple years, simply calling to tell them it was too expensive and I couldn't afford Sunday Ticket and they've always worked with me. I haven't yet tried it this year, so that's disappointing if they've wised up on that.

 

I didn't always get it free, but I always got at least 1/2 off or a year long $30 discount or something.

 

I'd love to get their internet too, but they keep telling me it's not available in my area, which is maddening considering I live in the city of Waukesha, not out in the boonies somewhere.

[RobDeer 45]

Yes I tried as well and even brought it to the point of disconnecting, but then said I needed to call back once I had my cable setup. I'm going to try one more time, but I'm thinking I might just ditch DTV if they aren't going to do anything to keep me around. I pay way more for their services than I would with cable.

[Boomer5]

I haven't gotten my usual 50% off call yet for Sunday Ticket. ATT really changed things.

[Brew City Baseball Fan]

Yes I tried as well and even brought it to the point of disconnecting, but then said I needed to call back once I had my cable setup. I'm going to try one more time, but I'm thinking I might just ditch DTV if they aren't going to do anything to keep me around. I pay way more for their services than I would with cable.

 

I found that you need to actually discontinue service. Give them a date a week or 2 out and then watch your email as they will/should offer you a nice package to stay for another 2 yrs. Also make sure your requesting the "retention" dept on the automated service. You will have to say it 3 times, but it will get you to someone that actually has some power

[RobDeer 45]

Yep I was with them last time and even said ok, go ahead and cancel. Then she called my bluff so I said I will call back in a day or two, once I have the cable appointment set. So I think I might call back today and see what happens.

[FVBrewerFan]

Yes I tried as well and even brought it to the point of disconnecting, but then said I needed to call back once I had my cable setup. I'm going to try one more time, but I'm thinking I might just ditch DTV if they aren't going to do anything to keep me around. I pay way more for their services than I would with cable.

 

Do you really pay way more than cable? Seems like they're all the same. They will offer promotional rates for new customers that usually last the first year (sometimes two) then they convert to the standard rates. So there's really no way to escape the high rates unless you're willing to change every year.

 

I have been with TWC forever. Costs way too much, but I have heard and seen first hand how easily satellite TV's signal goes out. With my luck, feed would be dropped during the 7th game of the Brewers World Series or something.

[RobDeer 45]

I believe I pay way more with DTV. Now, I'd have to do the math because of DTVs 12mo promotion (average it out over 24mo), but I still believe it's a good chunk more. Especially when you figure in the bundle rate you get when you have internet and cable together.

[FVBrewerFan]

I believe I pay way more with DTV. Now, I'd have to do the math because of DTVs 12mo promotion (average it out over 24mo), but I still believe it's a good chunk more. Especially when you figure in the bundle rate you get when you have internet and cable together.

 

Right, if you're switching from DTV to cable it will be less. For the first year or two- depending on the promotion. But then it will revert to their standard rates which will be roughly the same (my guess is a little more) than the cost for DTV.

 

Not saying it's still not worth it, as long as you understand the cable rates are promotional rates for only the first year or two.

[adambr2]

Next year I doubt I'll pay for Sunday Ticket if they won't at least do 50% off. My team is the Packers and in market so I really don't need Sunday Ticket that badly. I would really miss the Red zone channel though. I wonder if there is a way to just get Red zone from them without buying Sunday ticket.

 

I think Sling now offers local channels, red zone, and Fox Sports, which is a game changer IMO.

[RobDeer 45]

I think you might be a able to get just red zone channel, but not sure. There are many services that offer the red zone channel as a stand alone option. I did get the Ticket for $150 this year. I forgot to update. I told them I had cable coming to hook up in two weeks and want to cancel my service for that date. I then told them my reasoning, and that I like the service but if I can't have Ticket I can't justify paying higher prices for DTV compared to the "deal" I'm getting on cable. This was my second call in and I have to say the lady I spoke with was wonderful. She also gave me some other discounts and some free movie channels for 4 months (which was the promo going on). I feel content with DTV now. It's a great service overall, but just can get pricey if you aren't on top of them.