View Full Version : New Dish install didn't happen
plt3121
09-29-09, 10:38 PM
I ordered Hd Dvr fro dtv and the installer came out today and saw that the roof of my apt building was flat and immediately stated that he would not be able to install the dish unless I paid him $100 so that he could go to home d to purchase some stuff he would need. Needless to say I told him never mind and called d and they basically said it was between me and the installer to discuss price for install. WTF. what happened here. Please help with suggestions,recommendations anything...:mad:
I had to have a non-pen roof mount at my apartment complex (as they wouldn't allow drilling into their building) and it cost about $100 extra for the kit and bricks. I actually had to reschedule my appointment as he didn't have the parts or the time that day to go get them. I gladly paid for the extra parts as I need my D* for sports.
He was probably going to get something like this for the install:
http://www.thesatelliteshop.net/non-penetrating-roof-mount-for-slimline-and-international-dish-p-839.html
Free standard installation does not include any non-standard equipment or service, including non-penetrating mounts, wall-fishing of coax, etc. Basically, you get what you pay for (free install).
CCarncross
09-30-09, 06:53 AM
I ordered Hd Dvr fro dtv and the installer came out today and saw that the roof of my apt building was flat and immediately stated that he would not be able to install the dish unless I paid him $100 so that he could go to home d to purchase some stuff he would need. Needless to say I told him never mind and called d and they basically said it was between me and the installer to discuss price for install. WTF. what happened here. Please help with suggestions,recommendations anything...:mad:
Apt. Building, with permission to mount hopefully? Did you tell them up front you lived in an apt. with a flat roof? These are all things that need to be known so they can schedule and have the right gear they need for the install. A non-penetrating roof mount is not free, its not part of a standard install and you would have to pay for it if you chose to have Directv.
BattleZone
09-30-09, 07:30 AM
A "standard" (read: free) install means bolting the included mast to the building and mounting the dish on it. Being that you are in an apartment, you'd need written landlord permission to attach anything to the building (good luck there), and you can't bolt a standard mast to a flat roof anyway, as sooner or later (and probably sooner), it would cause a leak.
The installer was actually doing you a big favor, because ultimately it is YOU, the tenant, who is going to be responsible to the apartment complex for any damage done. There are some moron installers out there who might have bolted the dish right to the roof and done your install so they could get paid, and then you'd have been screwed. Your installer did the right thing at HIS expense (he didn't get paid for his time or fuel to visit you), and gave you the price of an appropriate mounting option that will protect the building from damage.
Many aspects of live are compromised when you live in an apartment vs. a single family house. This is just one of them. You're better off than many folks are, though; more than half of all apartment dwellers can't get satellite TV *at all*. You have a solution available to you.
You could end up with something like this if he DIDN'T leave to get the right gear.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Talosfour/100_1826.jpg
And what did I find underneath all that roof cement?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Talosfour/100_1827.jpg
:grin:
plt3121
09-30-09, 06:55 PM
Thanks for all your replies. I personally thought I was being ripped off that's all. Dtv didn't seem to care either that's why I asked.
joe diamond
09-30-09, 11:26 PM
Thanks for all your replies. I personally thought I was being ripped off that's all. Dtv didn't seem to care either that's why I asked.
Don't feel pregnant,
Installers call Directv to report that they have not been paid for their work. Directv doesn't care about that either.
Someone should have discovered your situation long before a n installation was scheduled. The thinking is that maybe the tech will figure something...if not..nothing spent....except your time and that of the installer.
Joe
dracozny
10-01-09, 01:31 AM
maybe its just my market but for 99% of things I cannot charge you a dime for anything, i'm not even allowed to accept a tip anymore.
anything extra I get paid OEP by my supervisor. subcontractors are required to call our office for aproval to charge anything as well. if anything is charged its required to be paid via check to directv home services. no other forms of payment are accepted, and paid to the order of must be filled out as such.
sometimes that stuff can be purchased via the csr rep but I find that usually happens by third party sales reps and they basically ripped you off as directv doesnt see a dime, same with the LIFETIME PROTECTION PLAN. if you are offered that you are getting fleeced!
JimDaddy
10-01-09, 11:59 AM
As an installer, I normally charge $75 for a NPRM. The mount costs me about $35, and I use 8 block at $1.25 each. So I am making $30 for my extra time and effort. The hardest part of the job is getting the blocks to the roof. Other than that the installation of the mount is easier than attaching to the building or doing a pole mount. $100 may not be excessive if the Tech had to travel far to get the materials. The tech may be working for one of the rip-off fullfillment companies and this is the only he can make any real money.
What's the yellow item?
For some reason a rag was buried there too.
Just to complete the story. This is where the cable shown went.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y205/Talosfour/IMG_0028.jpg
joe diamond
10-01-09, 06:34 PM
maybe its just my market but for 99% of things I cannot charge you a dime for anything, i'm not even allowed to accept a tip anymore.
anything extra I get paid OEP by my supervisor. subcontractors are required to call our office for aproval to charge anything as well. if anything is charged its required to be paid via check to directv home services. no other forms of payment are accepted, and paid to the order of must be filled out as such.
sometimes that stuff can be purchased via the csr rep but I find that usually happens by third party sales reps and they basically ripped you off as directv doesnt see a dime, same with the LIFETIME PROTECTION PLAN. if you are offered that you are getting fleeced!
If you are an employee that is how it goes. Keep the tips.
If you are considered a contractor ignore all that stuff. You are free to contract with other entities. That is part of the definition of a contractor relationship. You can't use their materials or truck.
That term Home Service Provider is usually a bad thing.
Joe
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.