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View Full Version : D* Retention and Installer Chip:Thank You

BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 10:49 AM
Since I moved into an apartment in Oregon from Florida I have had Comcost due to the rules here about no permanent sat installations plus the complex is already wired for C*.
Well I called D* to just if there was anyway to get D* here. Well out came a very imaginative installer, Chip, who took one look at my front porch and said no problem; he used two u-bolts to attach the pole to the railing of my stairs.
Now I can cancel C* however I will have to pay a EFT of $150. So I called D* retention to see if they could help out. Sure enough I will get a $10 credit a month for 12 months. Now that might not seem that much but it is $120 off over the year.
I might have been able to have gotten more but I didn't want to seem greedy.

So thank you Retention.
HDTVsportsfan
02-04-08, 11:23 AM
Glad to hear it. Good story.

No word from your apartment management yet?
4yanx
02-04-08, 11:37 AM
I thought one of Comcast's "claims to fame" was no contract, no ETF's. No?
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 11:44 AM
I thought one of Comcast's "claims to fame" was no contract, no ETF's. No?

I had to sign a two year contract with a EFT of $150.:mad:
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 11:51 AM
Glad to hear it. Good story.

No word from your apartment management yet?

I don't expect to. There are several apts. here that have D* and their dishes are setup on tripods but all of the dishes are sd. Mine is the only HD and I was told that the tripods would not be stable enough for that size of dish due to the winds here. It only took two ubolts and a post to attch it to the metal railing and the install was finished in about 15 minutes.
Oh and the install was free because it was a movers connection.
HDTVsportsfan
02-04-08, 12:16 PM
Just out of giggles and grins can you post a pictue. I'm just curious to see how it looks.

Thanks.
Greg Alsobrook
02-04-08, 12:23 PM
I had to sign a two year contract with a EFT of $150.:mad:

that's strange... i've never heard of comcast having contracts.... not in this area anyway....
Ken S
02-04-08, 12:29 PM
Comcast offers discounts in exchange for commitments. So you might get $20 off a month in exchange for a two-year commitment. If you terminate early you have to pay back the discount you received to that date as an ETF. At least that was the deal they offered my mother as an existing customer.
convem24
02-04-08, 12:36 PM
I had to sign a two year contract with a EFT of $150.:mad:

Why did you have to sign an EFT? Did you sign up for a triple play deal? If they are requiring EFTs why do they state that they do not require EFTs? I wonder with all the competition and a customer base that is not necessarily loyal or tied into their service will EFTs be a tool that all video services use? I am a Directv customer and I would not ever mind resigning to an EFT because of the service and value I get. If they are starting to require EFTs I would be interested to see which markets Comcast is starting use this in since my friends in Seattle that could get Directv don't because of EFTs. Do you have any documentation on the EFT from Comcast in the Portland area? I have a couple of friends that might be in it and I want to see the langauge fo teh EFT. Thanks for any help.
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 01:28 PM
Just out of giggles and grins can you post a pictue. I'm just curious to see how it looks.

Thanks.

I'll give it a try.
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 01:35 PM
Why did you have to sign an EFT? Did you sign up for a triple play deal? If they are requiring EFTs why do they state that they do not require EFTs? I wonder with all the competition and a customer base that is not necessarily loyal or tied into their service will EFTs be a tool that all video services use? I am a Directv customer and I would not ever mind resigning to an EFT because of the service and value I get. If they are starting to require EFTs I would be interested to see which markets Comcast is starting use this in since my friends in Seattle that could get Directv don't because of EFTs. Do you have any documentation on the EFT from Comcast in the Portland area? I have a couple of friends that might be in it and I want to see the langauge fo teh EFT. Thanks for any help.

I did sign up for the triple play plus I think I got a discount for not going with D*.
At the bottom of the 24 month Term Customer Agreement is written:
"Customer Acknowledges and Agrees That,If Service Is Cancelled Or DownGraded During The 24 Month Period following Activation, Customer Shall Be Obligated and Agrees To Pay Comcast An Early Termination Fee Of $150 As Specified Above."
Tom Robertson
02-04-08, 01:37 PM
Congrats BubblePuppy!

My only concern about that install is rotation of the pipe in the ubolts in a serious wind.

Cheers,
Tom
convem24
02-04-08, 01:38 PM
I did sign up for the triple play plus I think I got a discount for not going with D*.
At the bottom of the 24 month Term Customer Agreement is written:
"Customer Acknowledges and Agrees That,If Service Is Cancelled Or DownGraded During The 24 Month Period following Activation, Customer Shall Be Obligated and Agrees To Pay Comcast An Early Termination Fee Of $150 As Specified Above."

I will have to ask my friends who have a triple play if they are in contract or not. Thanks again!
jimb726
02-04-08, 01:46 PM
Congrats BubblePuppy!

My only concern about that install is rotation of the pipe in the ubolts in a serious wind.

Cheers,
Tom
For peace of mind you could drill a small hole through the pipe and the iron and put a 3/8" bolt through to keep it from spinning.
CJTE
02-04-08, 01:47 PM
Well out came a very imaginative installer, Chip, who took one look at my front porch and said no problem; he used two u-bolts to attach the pole to the railing of my stairs.


Congrats!!
If you still have your work order and you have a few minutes, you could also call the install company and tell them how much you appreciate chip
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 01:55 PM
For peace of mind you could drill a small hole through the pipe and the iron and put a 3/8" bolt through to keep it from spinning.

I'm sure the Apt. Complex powers that be would frown upon drilling into the stair railing..they don't even want us to put any screws in the wood of the porch.

Nice thought though.
randyk47
02-04-08, 02:02 PM
Then just mark the pole against a reference point on the railing so you can turn it back into position if it rotates in the "u" bolts.
techdimwit
02-04-08, 02:31 PM
Glad things worked out for you.

I prefer being connected to space than to cable.

Can I just tell you how much I love this.:grin:
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 02:34 PM
Then just mark the pole against a reference point on the railing so you can turn it back into position if it rotates in the "u" bolts.

Good idea. Thanks.
MrD1234
02-04-08, 03:51 PM
I thought one of Comcast's "claims to fame" was no contract, no ETF's. No?

TriplePlay
looney2ns
02-04-08, 04:09 PM
I'd be concerned in high winds that the dish will come down and take railing and all with it. Railing isn't that securely fastened.
whitey2755
02-04-08, 04:10 PM
It's so refreshing to read a POSITIVE installer story from time to time. Thumbs up to Chip!!:up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :joy: :joy: :joy: :joy:
pratttech
02-04-08, 04:12 PM
Very nice! More like D* Attention than Retention :p
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 04:12 PM
I'd be concerned in high winds that the dish will come down and take railing and all with it. Railing isn't that securely fastened.

Actually the railing is in solid concrete stairs...it is doesn't move a abit when I have tried.
Tom Robertson
02-04-08, 04:17 PM
You can drill a hole in the pipe, insert bolt, and anchor that against the rail without drilling the railing itself.

Cheers,
Tom
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 04:18 PM
It's so refreshing to read a POSITIVE installer story from time to time. Thumbs up to Chip!!:up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :joy: :joy: :joy: :joy:

It gets better. When he ran the cables he used these holding clips for the cables that screwed into the wood part of the porch. It was a few days before I noticed it. I called him (he gave me his cell phone #) and told him that MGMNT might really frown on screws being used and that I might get into hot water.
He was out this morning and undid the screws. I didn't even know he had been out until I took the trash out.

Chip needs a raise.
Tom Robertson
02-04-08, 04:21 PM
Call Chip back and give that man a 6 pack, Pizza, and a compliment. :)

Awesome!

Tom
ddrumman2004
02-04-08, 04:24 PM
You could drill on either side of the rail stile at an angle in two places one up and one low.
Start a drill at the edge of the stile and drill acoss through the center of the pole then go to the other side of the stile and drill across the other hole at an angle.....like an X with the stile being in the "V" part of the X and the center of the X being the pole. Insert bolt through each hole so that they are against the stile to lock the pole in place.
No holes through the railing!
That's what I would do if it were me.
Tom Robertson
02-04-08, 05:09 PM
Per OP request, changed the title to thank Chip the awesome installer. And was very happy to recognize Chip's outstanding service.

Cheers,
Tom
BubblePuppy
02-04-08, 08:09 PM
You could drill on either side of the rail stile at an angle in two places one up and one low.
Start a drill at the edge of the stile and drill acoss through the center of the pole then go to the other side of the stile and drill across the other hole at an angle.....like an X with the stile being in the "V" part of the X and the center of the X being the pole. Insert bolt through each hole so that they are against the stile to lock the pole in place.
No holes through the railing!
That's what I would do if it were me.

Ok now I am being dumb...what is a stile? If it is part of the building then I can't drill holes in it...stupid rules!
Bill Broderick
02-05-08, 09:57 AM
The stile is the vertical portion of the railing. The suggestion isn't to drill into the stile. The suggestion is to drill holes for two bolts into the pole that's attached to the stile. The bolts would straddle the stile so that if cause the dish to attempt to rotate the pole, the bolt against the stile would prevent that from happening. You would need one bolt on each side of the stile in order to prevent the rotation in each direction.
BubblePuppy
02-05-08, 10:29 AM
I just received a call from Ironwood ( the local installation company) because I had cancelled the service for my porch situation because Chip took care of it.
I then when on to tell them what a great job he did and mentioned the thread I had posted on this forum. The service rep wanted to read it so I directed her to the forum and then to the thread. To make a long story short she was very impressed and printed it out to show the supervisor and to let Chip read it.
Hopefully Chip will get some sort of bonus or a raise.
Also I have been very impressed by Ironwoods response to any request that I have had and I told her such.

I just wish this type of service was the rule and not the exception.
Great job Chip and Ironwood!
whitey2755
02-05-08, 03:32 PM
Hook Chip up Ironwood!!!!. I can tell you I cringe when I have any type of install as I have always had issues with MY Ironwood installers. I have pointed out to them on several occasions that they were doing something wrong. In any event, let's hope that he is recognized by his employer.

On a side note, what the heck does Chip stand for?!?!?
JeffBowser
02-05-08, 03:45 PM
Wow, Chip is with Ironwood ? This has got to be the first time I have ever heard something positive about Ironwood. And good for you Chip - a true professional in a world where most people don't seem to give a crap anymore.
BubblePuppy
02-05-08, 04:08 PM
Hook Chip up Ironwood!!!!. I can tell you I cringe when I have any type of install as I have always had issues with MY Ironwood installers. I have pointed out to them on several occasions that they were doing something wrong. In any event, let's hope that he is recognized by his employer.

On a side note, what the heck does Chip stand for?!?!?

Chip is his name.
machavez00
02-05-08, 04:38 PM
I think it's time for a name change to "Bubble Dog" That aint no puppy no more
http://www.dbstalk.com/image.php?u=29431&dateline=1182421492
JLucPicard
02-05-08, 04:38 PM
On a side note, what the heck does Chip stand for?!?!?

Chip is his name.
I've thought that Chip was a nickname for someone named Charles (Charlie, Chuck??). I work with someone named Chipp (yes, two p's) and his given name is Curtis.
whitey2755
02-07-08, 12:03 PM
I've thought that Chip was a nickname for someone named Charles (Charlie, Chuck??). I work with someone named Chipp (yes, two p's) and his given name is Curtis.

:shrug: Now I am even more confused where the origin of Chip came from. I do remember a Charles with that name, now that you mentioned it. Guess it's time to goooooogle 'Chip'
BattleZone
02-07-08, 03:03 PM
Unfortunately, in my area, that install would never fly. There are a few complexes that will let you do the U-bolt-a-pole-to-the-railing (though not many; most require NO attachment of any kind to the building, and the dish to be contained on the balcony), but none would allow it anywhere but the private balcony/patio. Any location not exclusive to the tenant, such as the landing for your entry stairs, is completely unacceptable.

The next county over is almost the opposite; dishes get bolted to everything everywhere, huge holes drilled, etc. and no one seems to care.