Friday, November 20, 2009

DirectTV

A few weeks ago, we decided to upgrade our satellite receiver to a DVR so we could more easily record shows we miss (we can never watch any TV shows when they air, we always have watch them later). This really applies to Smallville because now it airs on Fridays (Thursdays were so much better) and this season finally has Clark and Lois . . . well, I don't want to spoil anything. I would've been excited about this feature for American Idol but now that they have Ellen DeGeneres as a judge (since when is she at all qualified to judge musical talent? Oh, yeah I forgot about her album . . . what was the name again?) I'm not planning to watch it anymore. But, I digress.

I've been a DISH Network customer for over 12 years so I called DISH to set up an upgrade. They scheduled a technician to come between the hours of 12:00 and 5:00 (why can't they actually set appointments? After all, I have a life, too). So I completely arranged everything around the appointment window. At 5:00 no one had showed up nor had anyone called. Since we'd also scheduled a dinner date with our son for his birthday and planned to do some Christmas shopping, I was quite unhappy that at 5:00 nothing had been done to set up the new system. Long story short, I ended up cancelling the installation. Worried that DISH would not keep a second appointment, I started to shop around for other options.

I found DirectTV. I was pleased to see special pricing packages and especially excited to se they offer PBS Sprouts, a channel dedicated to preschoolers. DISH doesn't even offer Sprouts.

I set up an appointment, which DirectTV kept, and we now have DirectTV service. I was even more thrilled to find FitTV as one of the channels because it hosts workouts around the clock. No matter what time I need to workout, there's a show I can workout with. Even better, I found Gilad whose show Bodies in Motion was my favorite workout show over 15 years ago. He's from Israel so he has a fun accent and I love how he pronounces some words. I've been happily working out with him each day and I love it. I'm sore, but I love it.

DISH lost a 12 year customer for refusing to accommodate us after they stood us up. But, I'm happy about it because I love the programming on DirectTV. I've even found that the Hallmark channel plays my favorite show, Murder, She Wrote--can't imagine why I love that show :).

8 comments:

Rebecca Irvine said...

Public commentary on poor customer service is the best thing you can do to help DISH improve their business. Hopefully they see this and get things into shape.

Lisa @ Pulsipher Page said...

What did we ever do before DVR's? I can't imagine watching commercials anymore or enjoying certain shows together on the best night for us.

I used to like Murder, She wrote too. There's a show on now that is a murder mystery I like called The Forgotten. You might like it.

Anonymous said...

good....................................................................................................

Karlene said...

We've had good service from Dish...but Sprout?...hmmmm.

Patty B. said...

Great to know. Thanks! I like to know the real story about companies' ethics. I'll remember DirectTV if/when we reconsider our cable company.

Marsha Ward said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Marsha Ward said...

I've enjoyed my association with DirecTV ever since I moved to the forest (4 1/2 years). They've always been responsive to my needs.

You might enjoy watching Castle, a mystery writer/police procedural that is enchanting. It's on Mondays on ABC in the last hour (my 9 p.m.). Nathan Fillion plays the writer, Richard Castle, if that's a factor for you. The female cop he shadows for book inspiration is played by Stana Katik.

Unknown said...

The best advantage of satellite TV is that you can choose what you want to watch. You can choose from a wide range of dish channels. These channels can be yours according to your tastes and preferences.

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