Whats up with local installers?

[johntoto11]

Well, I just spent an hour of my life this afternoon "trying" to get estimates on A 2 receiver, (1 Directivo, 1 basic), DirecTV system installed at my home. I will be A new customer. I keep up with this news group, so I think I know what I'm talking about. I called 6 local dealers in the Citrus county Florida area. Only 1 dealer even knew what A Directivo was. They all acted like they only wanted my business if they could make A very good profit on me. After they knew I knew what I was talking about, and I told them about some online deals I found, they did'nt seem to want my business. I'm no sheep. I'll buy online and do part of the install myself. I gave these guys, (local dealers), A chance, and they blew it. With A work ethic like that these guys will soon disappear. I bought my Dish Network system locally and did'nt have A very good experience.Lousy install job, I rewired everything. People, I'm not A hard man to please, I just want to be respected, and have my business appreciated. I used to work in retail, and I seemed to be able to do it. Why can't these people?

[PSB]

Sorry to hear about your local installers : ( I wish you lived here in MN. I would have jumped at the chance to help you with your project. Why dont you try www.dbsinstall.com and look for an installer there, I am not saying you wont get some of the same companies in your area but these guys know their stuff! Dont give up as It sounds like you know what you are doing.

[Jacob S]

The problem is they are too big, the get so much business that they do not care if one customer is lost.

[PSB]

Yep you are right there, if you want a job done right go for the local independant installer, licenced, insured, and bonded, remember companies only need one person licensed, the rest of the techs work under his supervision! So if you can get a licensed tech. to do your install, you have done well. Everyone should ask their installer to present their SBCA# If they dont have one tell them to send someone who has one, I know it may be inconvenient but better to be put out than have a bad install that will let you down in the short term!

[Frapp]

Originally posted by johntoto11
Well, I just spent an hour of my life this afternoon "trying" to get estimates on A 2 receiver, (1 Directivo, 1 basic), DirecTV system installed at my home. I will be A new customer. I keep up with this news group, so I think I know what I'm talking about. I called 6 local dealers in the Citrus county Florida area. Only 1 dealer even knew what A Directivo was. They all acted like they only wanted my business if they could make A very good profit on me. After they knew I knew what I was talking about, and I told them about some online deals I found, they did'nt seem to want my business. I'm no sheep. I'll buy online and do part of the install myself. I gave these guys, (local dealers), A chance, and they blew it. With A work ethic like that these guys will soon disappear. I bought my Dish Network system locally and did'nt have A very good experience.Lousy install job, I rewired everything. People, I'm not A hard man to please, I just want to be respected, and have my business appreciated. I used to work in retail, and I seemed to be able to do it. Why can't these people?

You sound as if a self install is no problem ... soooo ... go-fer it .

Buy from your favorite online retailer or major store ( the cheapest will usually do just fine ) and make yourself a Saturday afternoon project out of it.

The satellite industry has proved that finding a quality local installer/dealer is just like Russian Roulette :shrug: