Comcast v. DirecTV v. Dish Network (metro area)

[ThunderCAT]

Currently have Comcast for cable and internet, and am tired of the big bills that seem to keep getting bigger by the month from them. Finding a fair comparison of the three companies is difficult, so I am wondering if anyone here has any experience comparing the any of the three companies. My bill is upwards of $140/month with internet, cable, HD programming and DVR, and our cable package certainly isn't near the highest one and we have no premium channels.

[Ryan]

You should switch your package with Comcast.  You can get everything you have now plus phone and HBO for about $130 a month.  They told me our rate was going to go up next month if we don't switch to that package.

[ThunderCAT]

Is that a limited promo rate, or locked in?

[Mayfly]

Qwest is now doing bundles with direct tv. In my experience it is cheaper but I like the cable internet so much better. Worth looking into.

[sandmannd]

I just switched from Directv to Comcast and here's why. With directv you pay for the receivers up front. Well when they go down you have to pay again for a new one. I got an HD TV and wanted to upgrade the receiver to HD. They wanted $200 after I was a customer for three years paying $80 a month. I talked to them several times over a few weeks and they wouldn't budge. Got comcast out and called to cancel, then they would give me the upgrade for free. Too late  very poor customer service, not that comcast is great either.

[Ryan]

I think you get locked into the $130 rate for one or two years then it goes up a little.  The best thing to do with Comcast is cancel something and they will offer you something else for free.  I get HBO and at first Cinemax, but didn't want to pay for it Cinemax anymore.  For the last year I have been getting free 6 month trials of the other premium channels.  I guess they are hoping I will find one I like enough to pay for, but I don't think that is going to happen.

[JohnWester]

yes, direct tv has very poor customer service...  but here is the best deal, that I've found using all the comdinations... (and I've tried them all)

Comcast for cable internet(and get basic cable too, you'll save $15 bucks and you'll have basic for like the garage and stuff)
Vonage for phone... it is the cheapest out there and their service is great, unlimited calls us, canada, mexico. free caller ID, voice messages emailed to you, and all the other little services. and 911 works perfectly fine, don't let anyone BS you. (if you need more, we'll can't help you there)
and directTV for television... wait for promos or whatever, you can get a free HD/DVR and all other receivers.  I did.

total that's the best deal.  when comcast calls me telling me to bundle, I tell them I have vonage... and they pretty much leave me alone because they know they can't beat it.

[mopho]

oddly that is the combo i've been recommending  for years ..

[sandmannd]

Had that exact combo. After a while my internet would freeze whenever a call came in. Talking to Vonage is like pulling teeth. Got fed up with them as well. It's good service when it works, but doesn't always work right. I've been on Comcast now for a couple of months and have been very happy.

[JohnWester]

i am not saying comcast VOIP won't work... the concept is simple, it is the exact same as vonage, except vonage is A LOT cheaper.

also with DTV, you can take an extra box and dish (everyone has an old dish laying around, or knows someone who does) and use it on the fish house or the camper.

[Ryan]

I also use Vonage for my home phone and the only problems I have had is when Comcast was having trouble with the Internet.

[groma]

I went from DTV TO DISH TV and absolutely hate it. Who in the heck runs these companies anyways.
When it comes right down to it how many channels do you really use/need ?
Were paying like a grand a year for the privlige to watch tv .Think I'll buy a good antenna 

[mopho]

I went from DTV TO DISH TV and absolutely hate it. Who in the heck runs these companies anyways.
When it comes right down to it how many channels do you really use/need ?
Were paying like a grand a year for the privlige to watch tv .Think I'll buy a good antenna 

you do  that

[groma]

I WILL ..