Thinking of dumping TWC for Direct, any thoughts

[Hugh R]

I'm thinking of getting rid of Time Warner Cable at home for TV, internet and phone at $245/month, and using TWC for internet only (no other options where I live) dumping the internet phone, which I don't use anyway, just use mobile phone instead. My internet only cost to TWC would be $65/mo. I'd then be going to Direct for home TV and a receiver and antenna on the RV. Friends tell me you buy the antenna and rent the box for around $6.50/month and just turn it on and use it, no additional monthly charges.

The cost is more or less a wash between TWC and Direct for the home. BUT the big selling point, to me, seems to be not having to pay DISH their $85/month for their Tailgater system for the Big Ass RV. Without going into great detail, DISH can let you "pause" the tailgater system for $5/mo but if you go out more than once in their monthly billing cycle, its cheaper to keep the system active. Case in point, I'll be going out at least four times over the next three months and its cheaper to keep paying the $85/mo.


Any thoughts or insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Danimal16]

Hugh,

This is what I transferred to: Time Warner Cable Santa Clarita, CA | TV, Internet & Phone | CableTV.com

You may find that the cost of the $89.99 package is less channels, but I have found that I get everything I need. Mostly sports and the local stuff, you know, made in Los Angeles.

[AsleepKat]

We dumped TWC a couple years ago back when they had all those problems with AMC and whatever other channels it was. Got DirecTv and never looked back. I love it. Much easier to use, has everything we watch and picture quality is great. I still use TW for internet though.

[Erakad]

I'm looking at satellite for internet also, but concerned with the limitations for downloads (2-4GB/mo), impact to streaming, and slow speed....has this changed?

[mikester]

Direct TV is owned by AT&T now.

I go over the air and use streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and what not. I have a Tivo DVR.

Over the Air is HD and I get all the major networks. Unless you need the cable stations, screw it. I have TWC Business class since I work from home for Internet. I spend $90 a month for it. My home phone is still a land line.

[Baz]

Hugh,

$245.00 is a LOT more than what I am paying for my TV/Phone/Internet package from TWC. I have some upgrades on my TV package but not HBO stuff.

They want to charge me around $160.00/mo. but what you have to do is call customer service and ask if they have any promotions which will benefit your account. I just did that on Friday and it dropped me down to $139.00/mo.

Try it and see what happens. Most subscribers don't realize you can do this. Sometimes the promotion lasts for almost a year....after which you have to call again and see what they have. They have to give you the best promotion package they have but you have to make the phone call yourself to get it.

Good luck!

[David]

I switched from TWC to Direct several years ago when I got tired of returning the cable box every few weeks trying to find one that actually worked. Then a hurricane came through knocking out a cable amplifier for a month and I was done.

I still have Infinity (TWC) for internet for $46/month and Directv for $160 for 3 HD DVR boxes and mid level plan with no movie channels.

[craigster59]

Check with Costco and see if they still have their DTV deal. I have one up from the basic plan for $40 a month for one year (2 year commitment, goes up to $75) and you get a $200 Costco Visa gift card.

[Scott Douglas]

I don't want to hear any complaints from you DTV guys when El Nino comes this winter....just sayin'.

[Hugh R]

I went with Craigster's suggestion and went the Costco route, the wifey wants HBO and Showtime.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I went with Craigster's suggestion and went the Costco route, the wifey wants HBO and Showtime.

Doesn't Dish offer a deal with the home system and the camper system? Or which ever you use?

We were with DISH and had Comcast for Internet. I looked at the cable programming we actually watched. I switched us to Comcast for cable and internet, and we're saving about $150 per month. I did seriously downgrade the service. With DISH we had everything, except any of the special sports packages.

Comcast Internet was $77/mth
Dish = $200/mth
Cable+internet Comcast = $135/mth

Good: Comcast multiple service is Cheaper. Don't lose the signal in thunderstorms.
Bad: Comcast has had some multi-day outages. Dish had better organized channels and a better DVR.

[Hugh R]

DISH doesn't combine the two. You pay for the RV one for $85 or so per month. You can purchase a month and use it for a few days and "pause" it for six months for $5/mo. The trouble is you can't turn it on and off again in a given month of billing cycle without paying a lot more. So if you use the RV three times in 3 months, financially you end up paying 3 x $85. If you use it one month and not for another 2-3 months it makes sense to go that route.

I looked our DISH tailgater bills for the two years we've had it and we've paid around $400 to them for very limited use. Plus 1/2 the time I turned it on at a campsite I had to call them to have them restart it. Very annoying when you have sketchy cell service, like at Carpenteria State Beach.

With Direct, I'll pay $6.50/month to have the extra box in the RV (the home ones they rent now "talk to each other" and won't work in the RV.

So for the same two years period, as DISH I'll pay a little over $156 to Direct versus the $400 to DISH.

I project that I'll save about $1,200 over the first year, and after the special offer expires I'll still be $500 or more/year ahead of staying with TWC and DISH.

[craigster59]

Did you also get the gift card?

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

DISH doesn't combine the two. You pay for the RV one for $85 or so per month. You can purchase a month and use it for a few days and "pause" it for six months for $5/mo. The trouble is you can't turn it on and off again in a given month of billing cycle without paying a lot more. So if you use the RV three times in 3 months, financially you end up paying 3 x $85. If you use it one month and not for another 2-3 months it makes sense to go that route.

I looked our DISH tailgater bills for the two years we've had it and we've paid around $400 to them for very limited use. Plus 1/2 the time I turned it on at a campsite I had to call them to have them restart it. Very annoying when you have sketchy cell service, like at Carpenteria State Beach.

With Direct, I'll pay $6.50/month to have the extra box in the RV (the home ones they rent now "talk to each other" and won't work in the RV.

So for the same two years period, as DISH I'll pay a little over $156 to Direct versus the $400 to DISH.

I project that I'll save about $1,200 over the first year, and after the special offer expires I'll still be $500 or more/year ahead of staying with TWC and DISH.

Makes sense. I am "annoyed" at the far flung, disjointed channel lineup on Comcast. But not enough to pay to go back.

[Hugh R]

Craig, they say yes on the gift card, 6-8 weeks. Sweet deal, thanks. Funny thing they didn't even ask for my Costco account number.