Local Dealer Install

[serial lurker]

After being told twice that my trees blocked the new Satellite signal (even though I get the old HD channels) having 2 missed appointments; seveal "that's impossibles" and lots of phone calls and emails I have reached the conclusion that I would be much better off paying for the installation myself.

I spoke to a non chain TV high end TV store owner yesterday and he says he will gladly do the install.

Is there any way to get D* to just ship me what I need?

[bigref]

if you are going that route you need to go out and buy the dish at least.

[serial lurker]

if you are going that route you need to go out and buy the dish at least.

You mean instead of getting the "free" upgrade dish?

What do you think it will cost for the dish?

[Mike728]

You mean instead of getting the "free" upgrade dish?

What do you think it will cost for the dish?


They won't just give you the dish. You'll need to get it on your own. Here's one: SlimLine (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=02&CAT=&PROD=AU9-S)

[serial lurker]

They won't just give you the dish. You'll need to get it on your own. Here's one: SlimLine (http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?main_cat=02&CAT=&PROD=AU9-S)

Well the price isn't too bad.

Bot it does seem trivial that they won't give it to me free unless they install - which apparently they won't.

So assuming I go this route = will they send me the boxes?

[bigref]

If you are getting an DVR I doubt they will send the boxes. If you get your custom install 1st and just an HD box, they should do that.

Just remember, since they will not install it for you because of other problems, the install is not free.

I have paid a custom installer in the past, they did a much better job with cables etc, then the "FREE" install

[carl6]

I acquired and installed a slimline dish on my own. I bought an HR20 from a local retailer, and had HD up and running.

Then I called DirecTV for an HD upgrade, and the installer came with a DVR and slimline dish. I signed his paperwork, handed him a small tip, he handed me the slimline and the DVR, and was off to his next stop in a couple of minutes, very happy. I now have a spare dish and LNB assembly, which I mounted and wired, so I have access to two dishes.

Carl

[dshu82]

If you get the third party contractor to sucessfully install the dish and get satellites, you may be able to get some credits for the misinformation you recieved from the D* installers. Could help offset the cost.

[Renard]

After being told twice that my trees blocked the new Satellite signal (even though I get the old HD channels) having 2 missed appointments; seveal "that's impossibles" and lots of phone calls and emails I have reached the conclusion that I would be much better off paying for the installation myself.

I spoke to a non chain TV high end TV store owner yesterday and he says he will gladly do the install.

Is there any way to get D* to just ship me what I need?

Did they even try to install the dish and get some signals, or did they just look at the trees and conclude that it's impossible
I really have a hard time to believe that you cannot receive sat 99 and 103 because of the trees, according to you,you mentioned that you receive old HD channels, so you should receive sat 110 and 119, and i suppose that you receive sat 101
Maybe it's a silly solution, call for another appointment, ask to the guy to install the new dish, so far he should be able to receive sat 101, 110 and 119, then if he really says i can't do it, just tell him that you alreday receive the sats i mentioned above, tell him to install the dish then you can tweak the dish by yourself for sat 99 and 103 (not that hard believe me, and a lot of people can help you to tweak the dish in this forum). If you really can't do it, remember that the install is under warranty for 3 months
At least you have a free dish,and a free install and you can align the dish by yourself and believe me when you do it by yourself you have a good chance to get some better signals.
Hope it helps

[glennb]

Why can't the non chain TV high end TV store owner get the equipment ?

[randyk47]

When I had a "failed" DirecTV Slimline install I had to go out and find my own installer. Finally found one through a high end home theater company. They once were but are no longer authorized DirecTV dealers so they didn't have the dish or receivers. They referred me to an installer they use and he got the dish from somewhere in town. I was able to leverage buying my own dish and paying a private installer to get some money off an HD-DVR but it still cost me about $200 out of my own pocket to upgrade my system. One other thing I discovered. Our yellow pages, the 2007 version, lists a couple of pages of local dealers. A number of them advertised that they were custom installers, "been in business since 1997", etc., etc. I gave up on that route after I got the "no longer an active number" message for 6 different companies. That tells me satellite dealers come and go or the industry is squeezing out the smaller dealers/installers.

[serial lurker]

Why can't the non chain TV high end TV store owner get the equipment ?

1. He told me that D would send me the equipment if I just asked.
2, I had negotiated (2) HD 720's for 199 each - he was talking 299 each
3. I guess I will call em - sent an email already.

[serial lurker]

Did they even try to install the dish and get some signals, or did they just look at the trees and conclude that it's impossible
I really have a hard time to believe that you cannot receive sat 99 and 103 because of the trees, according to you,you mentioned that you receive old HD channels, so you should receive sat 110 and 119, and i suppose that you receive sat 101
Maybe it's a silly solution, call for another appointment, ask to the guy to install the new dish, so far he should be able to receive sat 101, 110 and 119, then if he really says i can't do it, just tell him that you alreday receive the sats i mentioned above, tell him to install the dish then you can tweak the dish by yourself for sat 99 and 103 (not that hard believe me, and a lot of people can help you to tweak the dish in this forum). If you really can't do it, remember that the install is under warranty for 3 months
At least you have a free dish,and a free install and you can align the dish by yourself and believe me when you do it by yourself you have a good chance to get some better signals.
Hope it helps


First guy just looked at the trees - "Impossilbe" he says for about the 4th time during his brief visit

Second guy did go up; looked it over and said basically the same thing but added " I don't see how you get a signal now" I took him in and showed him I got the HD channels....................

Since the second visit I have topped 2 of the 3 alleged offending trees. The biggest (but furthest away) is too much for me.

[techrep]

You should be able to find a local installer/contractor with equipment on hand and, after install, you should be able to get programing credits from DirectTV to cover your costs.

[serial lurker]

You should be able to find a local installer/contractor with equipment on hand and, after install, you should be able to get programing credits from DirectTV to cover your costs.

Today's brainstorm: I am going to get the Dish installed by the local guy and THEN call D* pending resolution of my call to D* yesterday. Hopefully then they can just come install the boxes .

[onin24eagle]

Today's brainstorm: I am going to get the Dish installed by the local guy and THEN call D* pending resolution of my call to D* yesterday. Hopefully then they can just come install the boxes .

I was going to suggest exactly that. Just install the dish, and then call D* and have them try another install. Keep the dish and lnb the installer brings as a back up, or try to get some credits from D* to offset your initial cost.

[serial lurker]

I was going to suggest exactly that. Just install the dish, and then call D* and have them try another install. Keep the dish and lnb the installer brings as a back up, or try to get some credits from D* to offset your initial cost.

D* says they will give me a $100 credit.

Things are working out!

[techrep]

D* says they will give me a $100 credit.

Things are working out!

Where there is a "determined" will, there is a way. ;)