DTV Intallation Nightmare!

[Cavicchi]

Let me start from the beginning, I had 2 HR24 and 1 H24 installed last Friday. The tech saw the Dish on my roof and I guess he assumed no adjustment was necessary, because he did not check signal strength. I checked the signal strength after he left and saw 80-80 for SAT 99, so I called DTV and they had the installer come back next day and he adjusted the Dish and tightened some loose bolts. Fine. Problem solved.

They eventually set me up via phone for MRV, and we got it working. I asked for On Demand--I have a network with router--and I was given an installation date for Internet Kit and charged for Install and Kit. Meanwhile, Saturday night I discovered the remote control was not changing TV input. I have two Sony HDTV both same exact model. I called DTV tech support and was told the remote control does not operate TV Input--that must be done with your TV remote. I told her the other remote for other Sony TV same model does work to change the TV Input--she didn't understand how that could be. She offered to send me another remote for $20 dollars. I told her this was all installed on Friday--makes no difference. So, I told her the tech was coming Tuesday and to let him bring the remote, as opposed to DTV mailing it to me--and I requested the PP to avoid spending $20 dollars. OK, now we get the real killer.

The tech came today for Internet and first thing I asked was where is the remote control. He said he didn't have one and asked why I needed one. Long story made short, the original installer did not program the remote correctly and this guy did and I don't need another remote. I am going to skip a bit now, I called DTV because I figured she might have mailed the remote. I was told by DTV that no order was placed for remote--so the girl lied about that and the TV Input thing. She did, however, put me in the PP, and I told the guy to take it off my account after explaining why it was put on.

The installer came with Ethernet cable and I asked him where is the Internet Kit. He said that is not needed. I told him I was being charged for the Internet Kit and DTV said that is how it is installed. He said his supervisor went to school or teaches this in school and knows more than those at DTV. I argued for about 10 minutes and he was certain his supervisor knows because they have done it this way before. OK, I said go ahead. He drilled two holes through floor--one next to router and the other next to DVR on another wall. He hooked up the Ethernet cable and it didn't work. After some more wasted time, he took out the Internet Kit from his truck--and he proceeded to do the install using Internet Kit. Everything worked. So, he left without giving me a copy of the work order--on which I stated what was done--the empty hole drilled through my floor. I called DTV and was told to submit a damage claim to them. I have to first get an estimate and include information in a letter to DTV in Colorado. Below I included a picture of the hole. DTV wants me to get a copy of the work order from Installer. Installer says DTV gets work order. Anyway, I am really pissed there is a hole through my floor because of some jerk who does it his way as opposed to the work order that showed installation with Internet Kit!

[wilbur_the_goose]

Get an attorney - seriously.

[4120 woodrow ct]

honestly the installers supervisor probably does know more than any of the people you would talk to on the phone at DTV... but the need for the second hole? what was that for....

[Cavicchi]

honestly the installers supervisor probably does know more than any of the people you would talk to on the phone at DTV... but the need for the second hole? what was that for....
That hole was for Ethernet cable: one end to router and the other to back of HR24 Ethernet connection, which caused him to run cable through hole in floor near router into basement and up through the hole near DVR on opposite wall.

The work order was correct, but he was told at the office to do it that way with Ethernet cable.

[Cavicchi]

Get an attorney - seriously.
Well, I am not sure that would be the way to go just yet. DTV told me to submit an estimated cost to fix the hole by someone, along with pictures to their damage claims office in Colorado. I will do that and expect either installer or professional that gives me estimate to fix the hole without cost to me.

However, we all know the floor will never be as it should be, such as before the drilling. I do have carpeting covering the hole--fortunately he didn't drill through the carpet, moved it away before drilling.

[hilmar2k]

Well, I am not sure that would be the way to go just yet. DTV told me to submit an estimated cost to fix the hole by someone, along with pictures to their damage claims office in Colorado. I will do that and expect either installer or professional that gives me estimate to fix the hole without cost to me.

However, we all know the floor will never be as it should be, such as before the drilling. I do have carpeting covering the hole--fortunately he didn't drill through the carpet, moved it away before drilling.

Couple things:

1) Somehow it got out there that the HR24 can bridge the DECA cloud to your network. This, of course, isn't true. I ran into the same issue (minus the holes in the floor).

2) If the hole is under the carpet, why is it such a big deal? I agree that it was not needed, and shouldn't have been done, but it isn't a structural issue, nor a cosmetic issue, so why push it? Seems more trouble than it's worth.

[Cavicchi]

Couple things:

1) Somehow it got out there that the HR24 can bridge the DECA cloud to your network. This, of course, isn't true. I ran into the same issue (minus the holes in the floor).

2) If the hole is under the carpet, why is it such a big deal? I agree that it was not needed, and shouldn't have been done, but it isn't a structural issue, nor a cosmetic issue, so why push it? Seems more trouble than it's worth.

Because it is a hole going through the floor that shouldn't be there. Another thing is DTV should be informed of issues like this and be able to correct the issue. Bottom line for me is I don't like the fact there is a hole through my floor that should not be there--and I paid for this installation.

[hilmar2k]

Because it is a hole going through the floor that shouldn't be there. Another thing is DTV should be informed of issues like this and be able to correct the issue. Bottom line for me is I don't like the fact there is a hole through my floor that should not be there--and I paid for this installation.

Can't argue with that. I certainly wouldn't be happy, but it is a lot of work to file the claim.

[BattleZone]

Honestly, the repair for a 1/2" hole under the carpet is to squirt some silicone caulking in there and let it dry. While you definitely should complain, because that shouldn't have been done, and the techs clearly need some more training, there isn't a whole lot of "damage."

I *would* send an email to Ellen listing out your issues, noting that they are mostly due to lack of training, and explain your frustrations. You will most likely be compensated with discounted programming worth FAR more to you than what you'd get out of a damage claim, and it would be FAR more likely that the issue would be handled properly, with the involved persons being sent for re-training.

ellen.filipiak@directv.com

[Cavicchi]

Honestly, the repair for a 1/2" hole under the carpet is to squirt some silicone caulking in there and let it dry. While you definitely should complain, because that shouldn't have been done, and the techs clearly need some more training, there isn't a whole lot of "damage."

I *would* send an email to Ellen listing out your issues, noting that they are mostly due to lack of training, and explain your frustrations. You will most likely be compensated with discounted programming worth FAR more to you than what you'd get out of a damage claim, and it would be FAR more likely that the issue would be handled properly, with the involved persons being sent for re-training.

ellen.filipiak@directv.com
Well, that would be an agreeable solution if they did offer me some compensation I felt was satisfactory. When I called to tell them what happened, all I was offered was a discount on a Sports package--but I am not a big baseball fan. I would rather they either gave me a monetary settlement or something with PPV movies, or something else that I could make use of.

Anyway, I will send her an email and see what happens. Thanks!

[Cavicchi]

Honestly, the repair for a 1/2" hole under the carpet is to squirt some silicone caulking in there and let it dry. While you definitely should complain, because that shouldn't have been done, and the techs clearly need some more training, there isn't a whole lot of "damage."

I *would* send an email to Ellen listing out your issues, noting that they are mostly due to lack of training, and explain your frustrations. You will most likely be compensated with discounted programming worth FAR more to you than what you'd get out of a damage claim, and it would be FAR more likely that the issue would be handled properly, with the involved persons being sent for re-training.

ellen.filipiak@directv.com

Well, I was offered $75 dollars--how does that sound to you? Would you accept that as settlement?

[john1117]

Yes, that would work for me.

[BattleZone]

Well, I was offered $75 dollars--how does that sound to you? Would you accept that as settlement?

For something I could fix with a $3 tube of silicone? Sure.

[amorse2183]

Honestly, the repair for a 1/2" hole under the carpet is to squirt some silicone caulking in there and let it dry. While you definitely should complain, because that shouldn't have been done, and the techs clearly need some more training, there isn't a whole lot of "damage."

I *would* send an email to Ellen listing out your issues, noting that they are mostly due to lack of training, and explain your frustrations. You will most likely be compensated with discounted programming worth FAR more to you than what you'd get out of a damage claim, and it would be FAR more likely that the issue would be handled properly, with the involved persons being sent for re-training.

ellen.filipiak@directv.com

Hopefully the OP will never decide to remove the carpet and have a wood floor instead. Then they might be of the opinion there is "damage". Perhaps the OP would get his house appraised to attempt to sell. Random holes in the floors that serve no purpose could be a turn off.

Obviously even if the OP were to go through some kind of legal proceeding it wouldn't result in a million dollar verdict. Most likely not even a thousand dollar verdict. Hell, probably not even a hundred dollar verdict. But that still doesn't mean it shouldn't be done. Pictures should be taken, claims filed, and the OP should shout from the rooftops that the installers for Directv are incompetent.

If I were in the OP's shoes, I would expect the installer to squeeze the silicon into the hole to fix the floor TODAY, and the person who drilled the unnecessary hole in my floor to be fired immediately. Training or lack of training, it's unacceptable.

Good luck OP. I hope you get what you want from all this and the hole is repaired to your satisfaction.

[BattleZone]

Hopefully the OP will never decide to remove the carpet and have a wood floor instead.

That's the plywood subfloor you're looking at. If the OP removed the carpet, he'd have to install the wood floor over the subfloor and you'd still never know that there was a hole there.

I would be giving different advice if the tech had drilled through an actual wooden floor, of the type designed to be seen, or if the carpet had been damaged.

[hilmar2k]

.

If I were in the OP's shoes, I would expect the installer to squeeze the silicon into the hole to fix the floor TODAY, and the person who drilled the unnecessary hole in my floor to be fired immediately. Training or lack of training, it's unacceptable.

Way to over react. :nono2:

[netraa]

Hopefully the OP will never decide to remove the carpet and have a wood floor instead. Then they might be of the opinion there is "damage". Perhaps the OP would get his house appraised to attempt to sell. Random holes in the floors that serve no purpose could be a turn off.


Having built houses for 15 years, If the OP pulls up his carpet, one tiny hole by the wall plate isn't going to be the only hole he finds.

We drilled holes that size in the subfloor of every house we built when the house is under construction. When the subfloor is up, and the roof isn't.... you have to give the rain somewhere to go.

That hole isn't damage, unnecessary yes, but not damage.

get a life, get off your high horse, and move along.

[Carl Spock]

I've done far worse damage myself installing stuff for customers.

Of course, the solution is to come clean and fix it immediately, or when I have screwed up big time, have a professional do the repair and my company pay the bill, which certainly was not done here.

Heck, one of my employees once totalled a customer's truck. Try that, Cavicchi! :goofygrin

[Cavicchi]

I've done far worse damage myself installing stuff for customers.

Of course, the solution is to come clean and fix it immediately, or when I have screwed up big time, have a professional do the repair and my company pay the bill, which certainly was not done here.

Heck, one of my employees once totalled a customer's truck. Try that, Cavicchi! :goofygrin

Well, I wouldn't accept $75 dollars for that one! :lol:

Yes, it would have been a better show if DTV made them fix it within a day or two at most as opposed to me filing a claim. Anyway, I did accept their $75 dollar settlement, though I am still not completely happy about the whole thing. If you read my first post in this thread, there were other "issues" I encountered with DTV with first installation and call about remote control. Considering all the time involved with those issues, I think they should have offered me some kind of compensation. I can well understand their "F" rating with BBB. DTV has lots going for them with equipment and programming, but the fall way short on installations and employees who have a lack of information about what they are talking.

I can tell you my Cable company runs rings around DTV when it comes to tech support and installation. However, DTV has the HR24 and some other goodies that wet my appetite and got me to return as a customer.

[amorse2183]

Way to over react. :nono2:

I guess I'm out of line for expecting work to be done properly the first time. Silly me.


When one of my clients needs legal representation I do the very best I can to make sure the outcome is what they want. If the job isn't to their satisfaction, the only thing that matters is that they were unsatisfied. My excuses or outside influences are meaningless. I am paid for my time to represent a client, so I guess I just expect and demand anyone I'm paying for any service to work as diligently as I would.

[woodybeetle]

I guess I'm out of line for expecting work to be done properly the first time. Silly me.


When one of my clients needs legal representation I do the very best I can to make sure the outcome is what they want. If the job isn't to their satisfaction, the only thing that matters is that they were unsatisfied. My excuses or outside influences are meaningless. I am paid for my time to represent a client, so I guess I just expect and demand anyone I'm paying for any service to work as diligently as I would.

No, absolutely not, you are no way out of line, maybe a bit out of touch but not out of line.

Lets look at them versus you.

Lawyer I asume, requires at least 4 years of college, possible 8 years.

DTV installer, 2 weeks on the job training.

Lawyer, paid well, possibly 6 figures

DTV installer, possible 40 k a year

Lawyer, lifetime employment if competant

DTV installer, 3 years on the job if lucky.

Enough said if they dont meet expectations

[hilmar2k]

I guess I'm out of line for expecting work to be done properly the first time. Silly me.


When one of my clients needs legal representation I do the very best I can to make sure the outcome is what they want. If the job isn't to their satisfaction, the only thing that matters is that they were unsatisfied. My excuses or outside influences are meaningless. I am paid for my time to represent a client, so I guess I just expect and demand anyone I'm paying for any service to work as diligently as I would.

So the installer is trained improperly and he deserves to get fired?!?! :nono2:

Yeah, out of line. If you fire everyone that makes a mistake, we'd all be unemployed...including you.;)

[Cavicchi]

So the installer is trained improperly and he deserves to get fired?!?! :nono2:

Yeah, out of line. If you fire everyone that makes a mistake, we'd all be unemployed...including you.;)

I don't think he means just any mistake. There are mistakes and there are big mistakes. Not following the work order and drilling holes in floors is a big mistake.

DTV employees telling people the TV input button on the remote control is not supposed to do anything is not a big mistake, just a stupid mistake. If someone asks me about DTV, what am I supposed to say? If a company allows these kinds of employees to continue working, well, perhaps that is why DTV gets an "F" by BBB.

[hilmar2k]

I don't think he means just any mistake. There are mistakes and there are big mistakes. Not following the work order and drilling holes in floors is a big mistake.

DTV employees telling people the TV input button on the remote control is not supposed to do anything is not a big mistake, just a stupid mistake. If someone asks me about DTV, what am I supposed to say? If a company allows these kinds of employees to continue working, well, perhaps that is why DTV gets an "F" by BBB.

How is that a big mistake? He thought an ethernet cable needed to be run. If you didn't like how he was going to run it, don't let him do it. He was wrong about the ethernet cable...big deal. A little hole in your floor underneath carpet is not a big mistake.

Seriously, there are so many more things in life that are actually important, to think someone should be fired over this is unfathomable.

[BattleZone]

Installers drill holes in floors all day long, and while this one didn't need to be drilled, the installer actually drilled in the right way (pulling up the carpet and just drilling the sub-floor). The training he seems to need is about DECA networking, not drilling holes.

[Cavicchi]

How is that a big mistake? He thought an ethernet cable needed to be run. If you didn't like how he was going to run it, don't let him do it. He was wrong about the ethernet cable...big deal. A little hole in your floor underneath carpet is not a big mistake.

Seriously, there are so many more things in life that are actually important, to think someone should be fired over this is unfathomable.
I asked him to do it using Internet Kit, and I said I paid for it and DTV said that is how you do it. He said the office told him to do it with Ethernet cable. I insisted he was wrong and he eventually said we have done it this way before and it works.
Well, at that point I decided to let him do it the "cleaner" way.

[Cavicchi]

Installers drill holes in floors all day long, and while this one didn't need to be drilled, the installer actually drilled in the right way (pulling up the carpet and just drilling the sub-floor). The training he seems to need is about DECA networking, not drilling holes.
Yes, I should have called and congratulated them for sending me such an intelligent technician.

[amorse2183]

So the installer is trained improperly and he deserves to get fired?!?! :nono2:

Yeah, out of line. If you fire everyone that makes a mistake, we'd all be unemployed...including you.;)


Where is the accountability? When a mistake is made someone must be at fault. Again, I don't care why the mistake was made, be it from a lack of training or any other reason. If you are paid to do a job, and don't do it to the satisfaction of your employer, you must be held accountable.

Also, if I were to make a mistake in representing a client I would most likely lose their business. Why should they care why I messed up? The only thing that matters in the end is that I messed up.

Yoda said it best-
"Do or do not. There is no try."

[hilmar2k]

Where is the accountability? When a mistake is made someone must be at fault. Again, I don't care why the mistake was made, be it from a lack of training or any other reason. If you are paid to do a job, and don't do it to the satisfaction of your employer, you must be held accountable.

Also, if I were to make a mistake in representing a client I would most likely lose their business. Why should they care why I messed up? The only thing that matters in the end is that I messed up.

Yoda said it best-
"Do or do not. There is no try."

You're killing me. The accountability should be with whoever trained the tech. And firing someone is almost never the answer to a mistake. You clearly have never been in a supervisory position. If you have, god help those accountable to you. :nono2:

[RobertE]

Where is the accountability? When a mistake is made someone must be at fault. Again, I don't care why the mistake was made, be it from a lack of training or any other reason. If you are paid to do a job, and don't do it to the satisfaction of your employer, you must be held accountable.

Also, if I were to make a mistake in representing a client I would most likely lose their business. Why should they care why I messed up? The only thing that matters in the end is that I messed up.

Yoda said it best-
"Do or do not. There is no try."

How about putting things in perspective.

You screw up with a client, they go to jail, maybe even the chair (assuming your in criminal defense). Thats about as bad as it gets.

Tech screws up and makes a 1/2" hole in a sub floor, where it will rarely ever see the light of day again. Meh, so what.

The McNugget guy gives you 19 nuggets instead of 20. Oh noes, fire the guy. The outrage, the horror, the drama queen. :rolleyes:

The neurosurgeon that is removing your tumor, yeah he should be on top of his game. But you know what. He got to practice on a whole, whole lot of cadavers before you and makes a hell of a lot more than a tech.

Get some perspective. :nono2:

[joe diamond]

Well, I am not sure that would be the way to go just yet. DTV told me to submit an estimated cost to fix the hole by someone, along with pictures to their damage claims office in Colorado. I will do that and expect either installer or professional that gives me estimate to fix the hole without cost to me.

However, we all know the floor will never be as it should be, such as before the drilling. I do have carpeting covering the hole--fortunately he didn't drill through the carpet, moved it away before drilling.

Hold it,

Are you ****ting me? Way back in the beginning...you agreed to a FREE installation and held everybody harmless..including God... for holes and stuff.

So suck it in! Nobody is going to fix a hole in your floor. It is part of the FREE installation. He did use a drill, right? We* have been stressing to new installers the need to use drills instead of hammers and digging bars to make holes in customer's homes.

Also, sounds like the new guy missed some stuff!

And another thing...when I contacted Directv about some unpaid fees owed by their subcontractor they reported the matter was between he and I. How come they did not refer you to the installer's insurance carrier?

This happened to you because it is your turn!

Joe

* rhetorical "we" and not the regal "we" when the CSR means Directv, maybe...if they are correct.

[joe diamond]

How about putting things in perspective.

You screw up with a client, they go to jail, maybe even the chair (assuming your in criminal defense). Thats about as bad as it gets.

Tech screws up and makes a 1/2" hole in a sub floor, where it will rarely ever see the light of day again. Meh, so what.

The McNugget guy gives you 19 nuggets instead of 20. Oh noes, fire the guy. The outrage, the horror, the drama queen. :rolleyes:

The neurosurgeon that is removing your tumor, yeah he should be on top of his game. But you know what. He got to practice on a whole, whole lot of cadavers before you and makes a hell of a lot more than a tech.

Get some perspective. :nono2:

RobertE,

Just want to test something first. When I asked CAVICCHI...."are you ****ting me?".... some of the letters were missing on my post. Just checking..............are you so stupid as to expect craftsmanship from recently hired burger flippers?....nothing happened there. Go figure?

Then, the analogy of the lawyer and the "client" has a flaw, I think. The "client" picked a lawyer who could not produce an acquittal. The "client" may or may not have committed the crime.

In this case the client asked for a FREE installation and then an improvement. He still signed off on the possible need to drill holes...even unnecessary holes.

Joe

[Cavicchi]

How is that a big mistake? He thought an ethernet cable needed to be run. If you didn't like how he was going to run it, don't let him do it. He was wrong about the ethernet cable...big deal. A little hole in your floor underneath carpet is not a big mistake.

Seriously, there are so many more things in life that are actually important, to think someone should be fired over this is unfathomable.
My first post stated I paid for the Internet Kit--I did not mention the installation cost or said it was free. A few posts later I said Bottom line for me is I don't like the fact there is a hole through my floor that should not be there--and I paid for this installation.
Now, the fact I said in first post I paid for the Internet Kit should have given you a clue the installation was not free. I never said it was free--I paid for the Internet Kit and Installation. The work order he had stated quite clearly all the parts for installation. He did not follow what the work order stated. He has a work order telling him to install the Internet Kit; he has me telling him DTV told me he is supposed to do the installation with Internet Kit; he has me telling him I paid for the Internet Kit.

As for the hole in my floor, that is damage to my floor, period. The fact carpet is there now does not mean at some point I might remove the carpet and put in hardwood flooring.

I did tell him how to do it as I stated previously--but after arguing for at least ten minutes and him calling the office and telling me they have done this before and this is how it's done and DTV doesn't know how it's done, I relented and let him proceed.

[inkahauts]

The situation sucks...

What is the solution that will make you happy?

If it where me, I'd say some silicone in the hole and $75 in ppv would do it for me. You will never see the hole, and the caulking will plug it up from insects, and such, so its taken care of.

If you ever decide to go with wood floors, fixing that one little hole will be the least part of your bill, so getting that board replaced now is illogical based on the work vs. actual reward...

As for people being fired... Frankly, it depends.. Does this person screw up all installs by doing things he's been told not to do, and that are stupid and unreasonable? If so, fire him.

But honestly, thats not the case in this situation, based on what has been said. Someone gave him the wrong info.. Teach him so he won't make the mistake again and move on, assuming he doesn't fit in the first category. He had a logical reason for doing what he did, its just his logical actions where based on information that was wrong, not his thinking... Big difference there.

Training needs to be better, thats not his fault.. Thats a higher up that needs to get better at his job...

And no matter how much you pay, its ok to ask that a job be done right, based on what is supposed to be the end result... That didn't happen in this case, so the OP has reason to be unhappy.


And Joe, really? Why so rude and condescending? This is supposed to be a happy and helpful place... :D

[Cavicchi]

I should note a few other things here as well.

1. DTV claims a "professional installation."

2. Doing what DTV wanted, filing a claim, would have cost them more in the long run than the $75 dollars I accepted. I live in the country and no one I called would give me a free estimate. Even the handyman who is within 10 miles of me wanted $25 dollars just for the estimate. I can assure you he would want more than $50 dollars to do anything!

3. I don't say the guy should be fired, but this failure to provide "professional installation" must be reported to DTV and action taken somewhere to prevent my experience from happening to others.

[ffemtreed]

you should be thankful he drilled that hole for you. You are going to need to run Ethernet to some of your electronic devices sooner or later and now you have a ready drilled hole for you to run the wire!

That hole isn't a big deal and it was dripped properly. The only problem here was the tech didn't fully understand the new DECA technology. Get over yourself, stuff like this happens with newer technology.

If the hole really bothers you go get some wood glue and a dowel rod the same diameter as the hole and glue the rod into the hole and then cut it off flush with the floor.

[joe diamond]

The situation sucks...

What is the solution that will make you happy?

If it where me, I'd say some silicone in the hole and $75 in ppv would do it for me. You will never see the hole, and the caulking will plug it up from insects, and such, so its taken care of.

If you ever decide to go with wood floors, fixing that one little hole will be the least part of your bill, so getting that board replaced now is illogical based on the work vs. actual reward...

As for people being fired... Frankly, it depends.. Does this person screw up all installs by doing things he's been told not to do, and that are stupid and unreasonable? If so, fire him.

But honestly, thats not the case in this situation, based on what has been said. Someone gave him the wrong info.. Teach him so he won't make the mistake again and move on, assuming he doesn't fit in the first category. He had a logical reason for doing what he did, its just his logical actions where based on information that was wrong, not his thinking... Big difference there.

Training needs to be better, thats not his fault.. Thats a higher up that needs to get better at his job...

And no matter how much you pay, its ok to ask that a job be done right, based on what is supposed to be the end result... That didn't happen in this case, so the OP has reason to be unhappy.


And Joe, really? Why so rude and condescending? This is supposed to be a happy and helpful place... :D

Yeah, You are right.....I shouldn't post stuff at the end of the day. I tend to transfer feeling and emotions about previous contacts with real****s who deserve to have their **** cut off. This was a small deal. Probably shouldn't have gotten started over it.

Sorry, all,

Joe

[amorse2183]

You're killing me. The accountability should be with whoever trained the tech. And firing someone is almost never the answer to a mistake. You clearly have never been in a supervisory position. If you have, god help those accountable to you. :nono2:

well seeing as I'm 30 I have a few more years before a partnership is in the realm of possibility, so no in this capacity I haven't been supervising except to tell the summer intern to make some copies down the hall. however, I've managed and partly owned a couple used car dealerships for a few years. I treat others with the respect that I want to be treated with. But in the end, it's a job. You are paid to do it. If you don't do the job well to my or to the customer's satisfaction I will get rid of them and hire somebody else that will. The economy hurts people in all businesses. While my salary is satisfactory now, the $150,000 I borrowed for law school is my highest expense and that takes a good portion of the salary. Firms aren't hiring much as they were a few years ago. If I don't do my job well there are 1000 other potential lawyers who would kill to have the chance to do it.

and god help any business that would allow someone like you who always deflects accountability or fault to someone else to manage things.

[RD in Fla]

What I can't get over is the OP has enough knowledge to argue with the installer about DECA but didn't think to reprogram the non responsive remote before calling a CSR and getting even more aggravated. :rolleyes:

[BattleZone]

1. DTV claims a "professional installation."

That's called MARKETING. You forgot where they also included the word "free." Professionals don't do things for free.

A professional would have done what all of those other professionals you contacted would do: give you a price to come out for an estimate (in this case, to estimate the cost of the install and how it would be done), which would result in a second price for the actual installation. You would agree, pay the guy, and he'd get to work.

Satellite techs (and I'm one) aren't really professionals because the industry has been specifically built to remove professionals. The sat companies want ultra-cheap labor so that they can offer "free" installations, and customers want ultra-cheap (read: free) labor so they don't have to pay for installation. Well, unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

How people become adults without learning that absolute truth is beyond me, but it is true.

Yes, this tech made a mistake. Yes, your subfloor shouldn't have had that hole drilled in it. Yes, the tech needs more training, and yes, DirecTV is ultimately responsible. No one is claiming that isn't the case. And, in fact, they took responsibility and compensated you.

All we're saying is that the mistake was very, very minor in the scheme of things, and that you blew things a little bit out of proportion. I understand you were angry, and why, but as others have said, not nearly a big enough issue to be worth a damage claim or firing a tech.

[Cavicchi]

That's called MARKETING. You forgot where they also included the word "free." Professionals don't do things for free.

A professional would have done what all of those other professionals you contacted would do: give you a price to come out for an estimate (in this case, to estimate the cost of the install and how it would be done), which would result in a second price for the actual installation. You would agree, pay the guy, and he'd get to work.

Satellite techs (and I'm one) aren't really professionals because the industry has been specifically built to remove professionals. The sat companies want ultra-cheap labor so that they can offer "free" installations, and customers want ultra-cheap (read: free) labor so they don't have to pay for installation. Well, unfortunately, you get what you pay for.

How people become adults without learning that absolute truth is beyond me, but it is true.

Yes, this tech made a mistake. Yes, your subfloor shouldn't have had that hole drilled in it. Yes, the tech needs more training, and yes, DirecTV is ultimately responsible. No one is claiming that isn't the case. And, in fact, they took responsibility and compensated you.

All we're saying is that the mistake was very, very minor in the scheme of things, and that you blew things a little bit out of proportion. I understand you were angry, and why, but as others have said, not nearly a big enough issue to be worth a damage claim or firing a tech.

I don't know what you're talking about. I paid for the "professional installation.", nothing was free, not the Ethernet Kit or the installation.

[Cavicchi]

What I can't get over is the OP has enough knowledge to argue with the installer about DECA but didn't think to reprogram the non responsive remote before calling a CSR and getting even more aggravated. :rolleyes:

Get over it. I followed the instructions on HR24 to program the remote--and it did not work for TV input. The tech who came to my house told me that the installer did not program the remote correctly and did it a different way than what is shown on HR24.