Inability to directly hire an installer

[jasonblair]

I see TONS and TONS of posts from installers on this thread who cry and moan about how poorly DirecTV pays them, and how they won't do out-of-the-ordinary custom installs because they are afraid DirecTV will charge them for doing non-standard work.

Yet when I want something out of the ordinary, I've found it to be almost IMPOSSIBLE to find an installer to do work for you directly....

I was willing to pay for my own install because I had already used my Mover's Connection credit for the year, so checked the yellow pages for companies who advertize DirecTV installs...

Yet EVERY SINGLE ONE of those companies in the yellow pages said they could not install DirecTV service for me because I am already an existing DirecTV customer... Than existing customers had to arrange install work through DirecTV's own customer service.

It seems like installers would LOVE to do direct work for a customer willing to pay, but for some reason no one wants to do it. Why is that?!? Step up installers!!!

[joe diamond]

I see TONS and TONS of posts from installers on this thread who cry and moan about how poorly DirecTV pays them, and how they won't do out-of-the-ordinary custom installs because they are afraid DirecTV will charge them for doing non-standard work.

Yet when I want something out of the ordinary, I've found it to be almost IMPOSSIBLE to find an installer to do work for you directly....

I was willing to pay for my own install because I had already used my Mover's Connection credit for the year, so checked the yellow pages for companies who advertize DirecTV installs...

Yet EVERY SINGLE ONE of those companies in the yellow pages said they could not install DirecTV service for me because I am already an existing DirecTV customer... Than existing customers had to arrange install work through DirecTV's own customer service.

It seems like installers would LOVE to do direct work for a customer willing to pay, but for some reason no one wants to do it. Why is that?!? Step up installers!!!

Jason,

Many have moved on. If you want access to the Ka/Ku equipment, SWM tech knowledge you have to work for or with one of Directv"s Home Service Providers. It is difficult to find and install enough work independently of this system. But many will not continue to work with them.

Read around. HSPs (Home Service Provider) are the inhouse contractor....there are a few around Maryland. MASTEC Advanced Technology and DirectSatUSA are two.
You could call them but do some research.

Joe

[jasonblair]

I've tried calling MASTEC. The number in the phone book just rings busy 24/7. I also tried DirectSatUSA, but the woman on the phone said they couldn't do anything without a work order number from DirecTV.

What do you mean "many have moved on?" Moved on from what? (Pretty ambiguous.) Is there some sort of exclusivity clause that if you work with one of "Directv's Home Service Providers" that you are not allowed to do any install work outside of that?

It just seems strange to me that installers complain and complain about DirecTV's system, but refuse to do work for a paying customer outside of that system.

[RobertE]

I've tried calling MASTEC. The number in the phone book just rings busy 24/7. I also tried DirectSatUSA, but the woman on the phone said they couldn't do anything without a work order number from DirecTV.

What do you mean "many have moved on?" Moved on from what? (Pretty ambiguous.) Is there some sort of exclusivity clause that if you work with one of "Directv's Home Service Providers" that you are not allowed to do any install work outside of that?

It just seems strange to me that installers complain and complain about DirecTV's system, but refuse to do work for a paying customer outside of that system.

I can't speak for other DMAs, but I had to sign a non-compete letter. If caught doing anything that would be considering competing, it's grounds for instant termination.

To expand on what joe said. Many independant guys have moved on from the DirecTv/Dish realm, on to other sat services or out of the arena completely.

[4120 woodrow ct]

Try looking on craigslist, that is where I get my custom work from, if I were near you I would do it. You already have the equipment... just need a contractor to do the work...

[AntAltMike]

Have you tried calling Davis Antenna, Fairfax Antenna or Action Antenna? They all service your market, but there may be a premium fee for the distance involved. I'd think Davis would install a dish for you in China if you were willing to pay for the destination charge.

I think there used to be a Germantown installer under the name, Attic Antennas.

[BattleZone]

Here's the issue:

DirecTV will not pay any independent for upgrade labor, nor reimburse them for any hardware needed. The customer would have to pay for all of this, and when most customers learn this, they get very angry AT THE INSTALLER. They don't understand why everything can't be free/cheap like it is when they go directly to DirecTV, and tend to take it out on the person they're talking to.

After the independent has been yelled and screamed at a few times, they quickly learn to point existing customers to DirecTV, because they will almost never get a customer to agree to paying them for their work/parts. It isn't worth the hassle to deal with them at all, usually.

Since you are the rare customer who actually understands this, you might want to talk to them again, and explain that you know what's involved, and that you just need someone you can hire to do the work. Usually, once they know that you're going to be willing to pay, they'll be much more eager to work with you.

[Mertzen]

I'd me more then happy do to it. But I'm not around right now. Been to DC market before for cutoom jobs. DBS is a hard market to be a retailer in. The parent companies directly compete against you.

[Ira Lacher]

The last installer I had, in the Des Moines, IA, area, said he worked for DirecTV, not a third-party installer, and that DirecTV was phasing out third-party installers, at least in this area. Can any installer verify this?

[boba]

I'd me more then happy do to it. But I'm not around right now. Been to DC market before for cutoom jobs. DBS is a hard market to be a retailer in. The parent companies directly compete against you.You are being overly polite the PARENT COMPANIES cut your throat.

Many "independent companies" today are nothing more than order takers for DISH and Directv on new customers they can make enough money they take the order then allow the "parent" companies installation crew to do the install and when service is needed D* or E* provides the service work. Twenty yrears ago you were the pro the customer came back to for problem solving. Today we run to the internet then to the PROVIDER and as a last resort to that high priced dealer that is still the pro who knows what he is doing.:):):)

[jasonblair]

Then here is a question... Is there some sort of training program I can take so that I can just buy the equipment and set it up myself? The only thing I think I'd need is some sort of tool that would help me fine-tune the orientation of the dish. That way I can just bypass installer headaches altogether!

[Mertzen]

You can try to get a SBCA certification, but then you would still not be able to generate an order or obtain equipment.

[sigma1914]

I found a guy via google businesses one day in the Dallas area who would charge $99 just to re aim the dish. He also did custom installs & guaranteed all work for 1 year.

[AntAltMike]

If you are, "already a DirecTV customer" then what do you need for equipment? A dish antenna? You can buy one online or at eBay.

You don't need a training course. Most DirecTV and DISH installers in the 1990s and early 2000s weren't trained. Just bolt the dish mast base to something solid, use a map for the rough aim and use a portable TV connected to the receiver to peak the aim. Then coax it all together. Any eighth grader can do it. Do you have one?

[joe diamond]

I've tried calling MASTEC. The number in the phone book just rings busy 24/7. I also tried DirectSatUSA, but the woman on the phone said they couldn't do anything without a work order number from DirecTV.

What do you mean "many have moved on?" Moved on from what? (Pretty ambiguous.) Is there some sort of exclusivity clause that if you work with one of "Directv's Home Service Providers" that you are not allowed to do any install work outside of that?

It just seems strange to me that installers complain and complain about DirecTV's system, but refuse to do work for a paying customer outside of that system.

Jason,

I moved on...left the field because I had to sue the last two companies I worked for to get paid. In one case I can't find him or his money but have a judgment against him.

You may find someone by checking Home Theater companies. They end up manipulating the sat systems while doing their work. Their guys are pretty good.

I get work from a home theater guy around here only because he will not allow the Home Service Providers to touch his jobs. They cut his wire to get their part of the installation done. All his techs are well qualified and he is glad to let me interact with Directv and mostly stay out of the way.

As AntAltMike stated, you could do this yourself. There is a meter in the receiver and you will need tools to compress fittings. Many MASTEC supervisors are cavemen and they can sometimes do it. Instructions come in the box.

Go for it!

Joe

[WestDC]

I see TONS and TONS of posts from installers on this thread who cry and moan about how poorly DirecTV pays them, and how they won't do out-of-the-ordinary custom installs because they are afraid DirecTV will charge them for doing non-standard work.

Yet when I want something out of the ordinary, I've found it to be almost IMPOSSIBLE to find an installer to do work for you directly....

I was willing to pay for my own install because I had already used my Mover's Connection credit for the year, so checked the yellow pages for companies who advertize DirecTV installs...

Yet EVERY SINGLE ONE of those companies in the yellow pages said they could not install DirecTV service for me because I am already an existing DirecTV customer... Than existing customers had to arrange install work through DirecTV's own customer service.

It seems like installers would LOVE to do direct work for a customer willing to pay, but for some reason no one wants to do it. Why is that?!? Step up installers!!!

So why wouldn't you just call in for a reconnect of service? $49.95 for a visit? or have they qutoed you more?

Why not consult the yellow pages for a electrician to pre-wire your outlets? RG6 & Cat5- call D* and have them install the Dish and reconnect your account?

I don't understand why you cannot call D* and have your servcie re-connected? What am I missing?

[bixler]

http://www.cranberryelectronicstv.com/index.html

[JosephB]

If you're willing to pay, why not just go through DirecTV and pay the normal rate?

[jasonblair]

You can try to get a SBCA certification, but then you would still not be able to generate an order or obtain equipment.Can't I get all the equipment from Solid Signal? Or do they not have some stuff I'd need?

[jasonblair]

If you're willing to pay, why not just go through DirecTV and pay the normal rate?Because the installer DirecTV comes out and says "I can't get up on your roof. It's three stories, and that's too high for me." So he installed the dish where I think it's ugly... I want it moved.

And when I asked him if I could get a SWM setup for future expansion, he tells me "That's not required for your current configuration... Plus, I don't have any SWMs."

And at my last place, 5 miles down the road, I was running about 10% higher signal across the board on my transponder signals... I almost NEVER had rain fade. When my current installer set me up, I asked him if he could dial the signal in more. He simply said "it is dialed in." Then he proceeded to tell me that my signals met the minimum requirements for a strong signal. Now i get rain fade all the time.

Bottom line - I'd rather pay for an installation and have it done right than be at the whim of whatever minimal effort the installer wants to put in to the project, and end up with whatever components the guy has in the back of his van on that given day. (Which would have also allowed me to get a glossy HR-22 to go with my glossy AM-21 rather than the flat black HR-22 that doesn't match.)

It's just a bad way of doing business. I understand that if it's provided to the consumer for free, they shouldn't complain when they are limited by choice... But when one is WILLING to pay for what one wants, it's amazing that one can't easily find an installer willing to take their money!

[AntAltMike]

Last I knew, you could. Last I knew, they shipped the receiver/antenna package to the buyer and then had the installer contact the buyer to arrrange the installation, which you can either cancel, or you can even invite the guy out and surprise him when he arrives by showing him that all the hard work has been done and all he needs to do is peak the aim, call in the activation, and show you how to operate the receivers. I used to do this with people in multiple dwelling units where I had installed the distribution system but were not part of DirecTV's MDU program, whereas if a new subscriber called DirecTV directly to buy the equipment, they will only ship it to their installer.

[jasonblair]

Last I knew, you could. Last I knew, they shipped the receiver/antenna package to the buyer and then had the installer contact the buyer to arrrange the installation, which you can either cancel, or you can even invite the guy out and surprise him when he arrives by showing him that all the hard work has been done and all he needs to do is peak the aim, call in the activation, and show you how to operate the receivers. I used to do this with people in multiple dwelling units where I had installed the distribution system but were not part of DirecTV's MDU program, whereas if a new subscriber called DirecTV directly to buy the equipment, they will only ship it to their installer.So you are saying I can call DirecTV and have them ship me an SWM capable Slimline dish, along with a SWM Multiswitch and power supply, and they will do it? I was always under the impression that they couldn't guarantee the exact type of equipment they will ship. Don't they usually say "we'll ship you an HD-capable dish" and leave it at that? How do I go about getting them to ship me the exact type of SWM dishes and multiswitches that i want?

[AntAltMike]

So you are saying I can call DirecTV and have them ship me an SWM capable Slimline dish, along with a SWM Multiswitch and power supply, and they will do it? I was always under the impression that they couldn't guarantee the exact type of equipment they will ship. Don't they usually say "we'll ship you an HD-capable dish" and leave it at that? How do I go about getting them to ship me the exact type of SWM dishes and multiswitches that i want?

No. You snuck in a post one minute before I posted mine. I meant that you could get Solid Signal to send you what you want. I take it you haven't called any of the companies I listed. They all have 40' ladders they can bring if you tell them in advance that they'll need one.

[tcusta00]

http://www.cranberryelectronicstv.com/index.html

+1. They did my install and did a fantastic job.

Hey, didn't I recommend them to you? ;) :grin:

[bixler]

+1. They did my install and did a fantastic job.

Hey, didn't I recommend them to you? ;) :grin:

Yes you did....THANK YOU. Awesome job, system is almost 1 year old.

[GTS]

So you are saying I can call DirecTV and have them ship me an SWM capable Slimline dish, along with a SWM Multiswitch and power supply, and they will do it? I was always under the impression that they couldn't guarantee the exact type of equipment they will ship. Don't they usually say "we'll ship you an HD-capable dish" and leave it at that? How do I go about getting them to ship me the exact type of SWM dishes and multiswitches that i want?

If you haven't found anyone to help you out yet, give me a ring and I will be more than happy to help you out with whatever equipment you require/wish. Fully authorized Directv dealer. We are located in Illinois, but if you're willing to pay, we're willing to travel (if you really can't find a local installer). I'll even talk you through the install if need be.

Luis Mondragon
Norcom 2000
618-257-3750 x 223

[wallfishman]

jason im an installer about an hour from you. I can do anything you need done. if you are interested email me what you need , and what you want done and i can help you out. customwiringman@yahoo.com
brian

[tcusta00]

If you haven't found anyone to help you out yet, give me a ring and I will be more than happy to help you out with whatever equipment you require/wish. Fully authorized Directv dealer. We are located in Illinois, but if you're willing to pay, we're willing to travel (if you really can't find a local installer). I'll even talk you through the install if need be.

Luis Mondragon
Norcom 2000
618-257-3750 x 223

!rolling

That would be one expensive install!

[AZsatTech]

I am a dealer, and custom av install company. The funny thing is, we specialize in non standard and custom installs. Especially commercial installs, and sports bars. But, the more work the competition passes on, is more work for us.