Recent upgrade to HD was sloppy

[Mr. Wolf]

Hello all!

This past Thursday I had my service upgraded to HD. Everything reception-wise is working good, so no problems with alignment. But the installer (from IRONWOOD a DTV contractor) did a horribly sloppy job with the outside cables. When he installed the new 5 LNB dish he had to run 2 additional cables along with the 2 I already had out there from my previous dish. He didn't bother to tack anything down, just draped it over my roof and let it hang down to the entry point in the wall.

To compare, my previous install for a DVR and standard box in the bedroom was 2 cables. The guy that did that did an absolutely wonderful job. He only used cable lengths he needed and stapled down all of the cables into a neat run along the edge of the room and down a corner to the entry point. Maybe it's because he was a local contractor and operated mainly from word of mouth between his customers. He did a wonderful, clean job.

So I'm wondering, should I call up DTV and complain about this new job and get someone out here to tack down these cables? Or, should I just run out to the store and get what I need and do it myself? If I call them, will they charge me an additional fee to come back out?

Thanks

PS. Did the kid have to run all 4 coax cables from the dish into the house even though I only use 2 receivers? I was under the impression that you only need to run cable for the ones you actually plan to use.

[litzdog911]

Yes, you should call DirecTV to request that the job be completed properly. Be polite. They should not charge extra. In fact, you should request some compensation since the job was not completed properly the first time.

Each DVR should have two cables, one for each tuner. A standard receiver only requires one cable.

[Mr. Wolf]

Maybe I should have clarified my setup. I dumped the DVR and got a standard HD receiver, not the HD-DVR. In the bedroom is a standard DTV receiver and in the livingroom is the new HD receiver. Only needs 2 cables running into the house. I already had 2 cables run from my previous install, but the kid (installer) insisted that he run an additional 2 cables. So, now I have 2 holes in my walls and the lines he ran are all just dangling all over outside.

Should I call DTV or the installer company (IRONWOOD) direct?

[lostman72]

Maybe I should have clarified my setup. I dumped the DVR and got a standard HD receiver, not the HD-DVR. In the bedroom is a standard DTV receiver and in the livingroom is the new HD receiver. Only needs 2 cables running into the house. I already had 2 cables run from my previous install, but the kid (installer) insisted that he run an additional 2 cables. So, now I have 2 holes in my walls and the lines he ran are all just dangling all over outside.

Should I call DTV or the installer company (IRONWOOD) direct?

Well call Ironwood and ask to talk to a supervisor. If you get no were than call Directv. Tell the person that you talk to at ironwood that if they can't help, you will be calling Directv. Be nice and say that you are giving them a chance to clean the work up. Never hurts to ask.

[turey22]

call dtv and tell them to setup you up with another service call and be very nice to them of course but, ironwood should fix the problem but they will ask you for a work order which they will need to come out to your house. I know that i am saying the samething as everyone else but dont waste your time with the hsp (home service provider) they dont do anything without a work order.

[RobertE]

This is not ment as an attack, so...

Why didn't you inspect the work during and after the upgrade, but before signing the paperwork?

[Mr. Wolf]

This is not ment as an attack, so...

Why didn't you inspect the work during and after the upgrade, but before signing the paperwork?

Inspection is something I wanted to do, and normally would have done. But the guy arrived late at 5:30PM and took his sweet time out there. He seemed rather ill prepared to do the job. It was raining and he kept going back and forth to his van for each little part instead of bringing what he needed before starting the work. He didn't complete until about 7:50PM and it was pitch black outside by then.

[glennb]

Inspection is something I wanted to do, and normally would have done. But the guy arrived late at 5:30PM and took his sweet time out there. He seemed rather ill prepared to do the job. It was raining and he kept going back and forth to his van for each little part instead of bringing what he needed before starting the work. He didn't complete until about 7:50PM and it was pitch black outside by then.

No flashlights in CA ?

I'd just get what you need and clean up the cabeling yourself. Ironwood(deadwood) might consider this installer the best of the bunch.

[Mr. Wolf]

No flashlights in CA ?

I'd just get what you need and clean up the cabeling yourself. Ironwood(deadwood) might consider this installer the best of the bunch.

Plenty of flashlights....

I offered him mine and even a couple chem-lights to setup outside but he declined and worked in the dark. In fact, there was no paperwork for me to sign. After he turned on the box he said "All done" and left.

Anyways, I went out and got some coax straps today and did the work myself. Decided to tweak my alignment while I was up there and boosted my reception from the mid 70's to mid 90's now.

[K4SMX]

....Anyways, I went out and got some coax straps today and did the work myself. Decided to tweak my alignment while I was up there and boosted my reception from the mid 70's to mid 90's now.
Very impressive! Welcome to DBSTalk!

[Milominderbinder2]

Inspection is something I wanted to do, and normally would have done. But the guy arrived late at 5:30PM and took his sweet time out there. He seemed rather ill prepared to do the job. It was raining and he kept going back and forth to his van for each little part instead of bringing what he needed before starting the work. He didn't complete until about 7:50PM and it was pitch black outside by then.First,

:welcome_s

Your case shows how important it is for consumers not to sign a contract without reading it. Don't sign a checklist as complete if you do not know it is complete.

Just as your case again proves, we also know that afternoon appointments should be avoided.

See the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=76617):

What do I need to know about HD DVR ordering and installation?
→ Ordering Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=839938#post839938) ● Installation Guide (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)

Much of this same advice applies equally well to having any contractor come to your home whether it is the phone company, cable company, etc.

- Craig

[kschaper]

In reguards to the 4 lines, we are "required" to bring 4 down from the ka/ku. Reason being if you upgrade in the future.