View Full Version : Do you tip your D* Installers?
BuffaloDenny
07-09-07, 12:01 PM
And if so, how much for a job well done? I've got one coming up on Saturday, and we all know these can go horribly wrong, or you can get a really good one. Are they accustomed to seeing tips?
houskamp
07-09-07, 12:03 PM
I tip em by getting it all done before they get there :)
JACKIEGAGA
07-09-07, 12:05 PM
I gave my guy $40 he was so professional he had everything he needed cleaned up after himself and the installation went flawless. You dont see that very often in any field. By the way it took him only an hour and ran me another line to a bedroom at no charge.
No....it didn't occur to me. Then again, leaving junk strewn all over the lawn (some of which was hidden and got hit by the lawn mower...nice metal projectiles:), would not have motivated me particularly either.
He did do a good job with the install and was personable.
I did GIVE HIM my Samsung T-360 (perfectly working) when he asked for it, so while I didn't do cash, I guess one could say I gave him an "in-kind" tip.
I almost wish I had kept it....for it's OTA capabilities.
philslc
07-09-07, 12:07 PM
And if so, how much for a job well done? I've got one coming up on Saturday, and we all know these can go horribly wrong, or you can get a really good one. Are they accustomed to seeing tips?
My installer showed up on time and did an excellent install. I gave him a nice tip because he earned it. :)
admiral39
07-09-07, 12:18 PM
I tipped the first guy who originally installed my first sat dish (triple-LNB non-HD) when we moved in 2 years ago. He was very professional and ran an extra line to our family room in the basement for future expansion.
The second guy who put the HD dish up and brought the HR20-700 was a knucklehead so he got nothing. He was clueless about the unit and had to align the dish by calling me on his cell phone from the roof and having me read off readings on screen for the different Sat's and transponders. I almost had to give him something of a kickback out of pity so he could go get himself the proper equipment (not that dish alignment is important or anything). But in the end, I had to let him fend for himself.
HoosierBoy
07-09-07, 12:24 PM
When I upgraded to the 5lnb and HR20, my installers (yep, there were two of them) did a great job. Roof install was excellent, placed the old dish near my garbage cans.
Inside, the set up the remote for my TV and receiver. They each got $20.
I'm on cable now, but my last sat install (DNSC) was very professional. He called
the morning of, showed up on time, was neat and did a thorough job. He gladly
did a few "extras" at my request. I gave him a $50 tip for which he seemed sur-
prised, but very happy to receive, what with the wife, the kids and all...
When I got my system installed last Friday, I was all prepared to give the installer $20 if it was a quality job.
Well, it was a good job, but there were two of them and I only had one $20 bill.
So instead of saying "split it up guys", I fed them both lunch and gave them both a 24oz. Mt. Dew for the road.
Michael D'Angelo
07-09-07, 12:32 PM
When I had my original install down I gave the guy $40. Then when I upgraded to the 5 LNB dish I gave the guy $25. Out of the other few times I had someone come out only one person did something besides me taking the receiver from them and just signing the paper work and them leaving. That time I gave him $20. I do tip if they do something because I did do deliveries for about 5 years and I know how it is to get tips. It all comes down to if you feel the installer deserves a few dollars or not. I am sure a lot of people do tip and a lot of people don't.
judson_west
07-09-07, 12:34 PM
I feel tipping is for work above and beyond. I can't see tipping for work that is expected -- neat, clean, and functional. But, if I ask for something not on the work order or something a little extra, I will tip.
davring
07-09-07, 12:38 PM
As a rule I am a generous tipper, but it was the fourth installer that finally deserved the tip. First three didn't have a clue as to where the southwest was.
markrubi
07-09-07, 12:55 PM
Hell no! Especially when they don't hookup ground wires, leave tools in my gutter and carry on a 25 min activation call while laying on my living room floor all while flirting with the lady csr at directv over speaker phone. Yes all this happened on the upgrade.
packfan909
07-09-07, 01:36 PM
I have tipped when the installer has shown up early, done some extra work, and generally has been good to work with.
If they are late for their window, don't call to let me know when and if they are going to show up, and have done a second rate install then my urge to tip is not there.
It is at your disgression. I always have cold drinks like bottled water, Propel, etc. ready for the installer regardless. It gets unbearable here in the central valley of California. That is more out of concern than anything else.
pf
cygnusloop
07-09-07, 01:41 PM
$20 if the installer does an "as should be expected" job. More if the guy seems interested in what he is doing, and enthusiastic about the killer system he just installed. Or, if he is interested in learning about it.
I usually do. HOWEVER...
My last upgrade, I tipped the guy $20 because I thought he did a fast, clean job.
Then, 1 week later, I lost all service, and it was 1 week before I could get another installer out. I found out from the repair tech that the dish was not secured properly and had slipped out of alignment. I did not tip this guy, and he "fixed" it. Then, 3 days later, I lost all my HD feeds. The 3rd installer said the dish had moved again and he "fixed it". Assuming the worst, I did not tip him either. The service has been okay since then. Knock, Knock.
Now, I've been installing my own OTA Antenna, and climbing around my roof. I have found, bolts, nuts, zip ties and other equipment left by DTV installers EVERYWHERE.
So, I will probably not be tipping anymore.
Spanky_Partain
07-09-07, 01:55 PM
I didn't tip my installer...
He did everything he was suppose to do, nothing more.
lmurphy
07-09-07, 02:08 PM
No !!!!!
"I don't tip...I overtip."
- Steve Martin in "My Blue Heaven"
Anyone that does work for me that does a quality job and leaves the site clean gets a very nice tip.
HDTVsportsfan
07-09-07, 02:27 PM
I do tip. I usually offer a drink (non-alcoholic) and a snack. The amount depends on what he had to do and how well he did it.
If the job is excellent and things are cleaned up, yes. $20-40 and a snack and drinks.
I always offer a beer if it'sa late job.
I had one install years ago that was terriable! The guy waited for a tip with hints. So I gacve hima tip that I was calling to personally complain about him.
While it's not a really a "service Industry" job where you normally tip, if they go out of thier way, I tip them.
Last guy gave me 100ft of double coax for free! He got a $40 tip after a PERFECT install of my HR20 and 5 LNB dish.
Alan Gordon
07-09-07, 02:56 PM
I've always done my own installs until 23 months ago when I got a HR10-250 and it had to be professionally installed.
The guy came, found out that I had some of the work... and I knew how/wanted to hook up the HR10-250... and all I wanted him to do was give me the stuff. He was VERY happy. He gave me some RG6 for running an additional line to the HR10-250... a LNB to replace the one on my Phase III (I was telling him one of the outputs wasn't working well). He didn't have a multi-switch because the work order didn't tell him, so he said he'd bring it later that day after work. I let him go... but he never came back that day... so I called DirecTV and complained about the multi-switch... and they said they'd send someone back. I got a phone call from the same guy a day before he was supposed to be back out asking what was wrong, and I explained to him about the multi-switch, and he apologized for forgetting... and said that he'd be off in a little bit and he'd bring it right on after work. He came, brought it by and we talked for a little bit.
So... I sorta tipped him by doing all the work, and he sorta tipped me with the LNB and the RG6 cable.
I finished running cable for the HR20 yesterday... but am still waiting on getting the pole to install before I give DirecTV a call to try and get a good deal on the HR20. Either way, I hope they send the same guy again as I really liked him, but since it's been almost two years, I don't know if they will or not...
~Alan
Rockywwf
07-09-07, 03:01 PM
I feel tipping is for work above and beyond. I can't see tipping for work that is expected -- neat, clean, and functional. But, if I ask for something not on the work order or something a little extra, I will tip.
I agree! I don't get tipped for my job no matter how well I do. If however they do something extra for you then by all means give them a tip. I do always offer food and drink to anyone that works on or in my house.
I've done all of my own DIRECTV installations.
I don't think I'd tip for the quick&dirty free installation work.
If I did have to have an installer do it I'd probably have all the inside and outside wiring in place. All the installer would have to do was mount the dish, align it, and connect wires to the dish. I probably wouldn't tip for that.
If the installer showed up hours late(late enough that it was a waste to take the time off work) or had to reschedule for another day I don't think they should be given a tip.
A friend of mine just got an H20 and a slimline dish installed. The free installer DIRECTV sent over didn't know how to fish cables in walls. All he knew how to do was drill a hole thru the ouside wall to the inside wall to run the cable into the room. My friend called up an electrician to come over the same day to fish a wire for him. I'd have called DIRECTV and reported an incompetent installer being sent out. I thought fishing walls was one of the basic requirements to be a DIRECTV installer.
LR308er
07-09-07, 03:18 PM
No tips.
They're paid a decent wage.
Not $2.65/hr. or whatever it is now for waiting tables.
Michael D'Angelo
07-09-07, 03:18 PM
I've done all of my own DIRECTV installations.
I don't think I'd tip for the quick&dirty free installation work.
If I did have to have an installer do it I'd probably have all the inside and outside wiring in place. All the installer would have to do was mount the dish, align it, and connect wires to the dish. I probably wouldn't tip for that.
If the installer showed up hours late(late enough that it was a waste to take the time off work) or had to reschedule for another day I don't think they should be given a tip.
A friend of mine just got an H20 and a slimline dish installed. The free installer DIRECTV sent over didn't know how to fish cables in walls. All he knew how to do was drill a hole thru the ouside wall to the inside wall to run the cable into the room. My friend called up an electrician to come over the same day to fish a wire for him. I'd have called DIRECTV and reported an incompetent installer being sent out. I thought fishing walls was one of the basic requirements to be a DIRECTV installer.
There is actually a extra charge for fishing wires in the walls.
TBoneit
07-09-07, 03:19 PM
The last guy replaced the connections, changed out the switch (Warranty), he replaced some bad cable company connectors in the house too. And of course he knew what he was doing. a couple of misc. parts that were nice but optional as he could have got by skimping and I'd never have noticed it.
So I tipped him. It beat me going out buying quality ends, crimping tool etc.
The repair guy for the cable company, basic cable High Speed Cable internet, replaced ends that were causing the problem was knowledegable and didn't mind answering questions. I suspect he could have gotten the signal levels up enough for the internet to work since it sometimes worked and the Tv was Ok by just changing the easy ones at ground level. However he went up to the distrobution box, changed those ends too. I didn't even have to have him come into the house. He was so confident that it would work he started on the paperwork while I checked and sure enough it now works great. Speeds from 14Mb to 22+mb usually in the high teens to 20s for throughput. Download a 1 gig test file in 7 or 8 minutes. I tipped him too.
Chuck W
07-09-07, 03:22 PM
If the installer shows up on time and does quality work, I'll tip him, otherwise, no.
LR308er
07-09-07, 03:34 PM
If the installer shows up on time and does quality work, I'll tip him, otherwise, no.
Isn't that what he's supposed to do?
Have we become so accustomed to sub-standard service that we now tip for standard service?
thumperr
07-09-07, 03:53 PM
Tipped twice skipped once. My initial install in 2003 was really good, The guy was outstanding fished attic walls in July. This guys was top shelf.
The H20 install in 2006 different story. Guys were terrible. used my tools, and all they need to do was install the AT9 and Multiwitch. they did not even offer a mono pole, i had to install that later. I called and compained about them and got the install fee refunded.
Dish realignment this year, excellent work, tipped the guy.
It really depends on the quality of service. The 2 fools who delivered my washer and dryer and did crummy work no tip. The 2 guys that delivered dining room furniture who did good work tip.
The HVAC technican at 11pm doing a no heat call, who lets me watch and explains the issue, definitly a tip.
There is actually a extra charge for fishing wires in the walls.
I know that. This installer just plain said he didn't know how to do it.
Isn't that in the cableTV/SatelliteTV installing for dummies book ?:D
aim2pls
07-09-07, 04:53 PM
No tips.
They're paid a decent wage.
Not $2.65/hr. or whatever it is now for waiting tables.
what do you consider decent ..... 10.00 - 12.00 an hour ???????????????????
LR308er
07-09-07, 06:53 PM
what do you consider decent ..... 10.00 - 12.00 an hour ???????????????????
I'm not hiring installers.
It's not up to me to determine their salaries. They agreed to work based on the given salary, unlike a wait person who is hired based on tip potential.
VLaslow
07-09-07, 07:08 PM
I can't even remember an installer who did an intelligent job. Was it the two who wouldn't install the 4th cable to one of my two dual tuner tivos? Was it the installer who put that dish out of my reach when I specifically asked him not to do that? Was it the newbie who didn't understand about multiswitches and my three Tivo's? No tip for you!
ejjames
07-10-07, 02:00 AM
Quick bit of trivia. The tip used to be given before the job began, and meant "To insure promptness".
ej
SteveHas
07-10-07, 05:24 AM
These installers I and my neighbors have had ARE TERRIBLE!
ARE YOU LISTENING D*!!!!!!
The only tip they deserve is to get another job!
I agree with others who have written here.
We are the customers, we pay installers for a service. Tipping creates the expectation on the installers part that they do not need to do their job properly if the customer doesn't choke up additional cash.
:nono:
tfederov
07-10-07, 06:04 AM
I offer them a cold drink but that's pretty much it. My house was already pre-wired and the dish was maybe 10' up. The only thing they did was install (power up) the HR20 and install the Zinwell. When my next two came in I was showing him some tricks and he thought it was hella-cool.
Strejcek
07-10-07, 07:58 AM
I figure you tip someone that really deserves a tip. If your installer really goes above and beyond what is expected from a regular installation than perhaps a tip is warranted. Remember, your installer is getting paid to be there as it is, but if he/she "throws you a bone," a tip is probably a good idea.
But when you actually have to help your installer because he is not familiar with the hardware, receiver, and software, a tip is probably not warranted. I actually had to help my installer with dish installation, LNB troubleshooting when my HR20 was not receiving my local HD channels which turned out to be an incorrect satellite setting in setup, and had to tell my installer how to force a software upgrade. My installer was nice and friendly but really did not have a clue what he was doing. He also did not clean up after himself and only was there to only put up my AT9 dish. Everything was already wired up so he really did not have much to do at my place.
Mike Huss
07-16-07, 06:33 AM
I've never tipped a D* installer. However, when I upgraded to the AT-9 from the 3 LNB, I was his first install of the day on a Saturday but by the time he got to my house at 8:00 I already had the old dish down so all he had to do was mount the AT-9, align, and activate. When I had the latest R15 installed and a cascade of a standard receiver, I already had the cascaded receiver moved and the spot where the R15 was going open. So all that installer had to do was connect wires and call in the activation. The list goes on and on.
So I guess I do tip, just not in a monetary way. They've all said they appreciated the pre-work on my part so they were able to complete the jobs quickly and move on to the next one.
4DThinker
07-16-07, 06:46 AM
I've only had one installer, and that was to upgrade me to HD. I put up my original dish when I first joined DirecTV and put it up again on my current house when I moved here. I ran all my cables, and labelled every one. They all come to a central point in my attic where it was trivial to install the 6x8. I had to show the installer how to drop a second cable for my HR20. I provided the wall plate and I spent more time in the attic feeding cable than he did. I had already pulled my old receivers, leaving the phone, optical, video, sat, and antenna cables easy to reach and organized. I'd gotten an HR20 and an H20. He got on his phone to authorize one while I got on my phone to authorize the other. He was very polite and eager, but I taught him more than he'd come with about the HD installs in my house. I Asked him if he was usually tipped. He thanked me for asking, but stated his company policy prevented him from accepting tips.
You must be losing your senses! Installers are supposed to be professionals. If the job is not completed in a professional manner, call the installer and DirecTV to fix the problem.
If the install is good - I tip.
If the installer is not good...I don't.
Basically, I've had enough of these installs over the years to know if the guy is decent or not, and I usually expect not.
vurbano
07-16-07, 10:20 AM
I'm not hiring installers.
It's not up to me to determine their salaries. They agreed to work based on the given salary, unlike a wait person who is hired based on tip potential.
Agreed. Its not my problem what they are paid. If its not enough go get another job.
spartanstew
07-16-07, 11:50 AM
Isn't that what he's supposed to do?
Have we become so accustomed to sub-standard service that we now tip for standard service?
I tip just about anybody that comes to my house and performs work that I'd rather not perform, especially if it's free. When the D* installer comes and gets on my roof to put up a dish in the 110 degree Texas heat, I tip him (if a job well done). All 3 times I've had D* installers at my house(s), the installs were free and they did a great job. All 3 times I tipped them and they had cold drinks the whole time they were here.
TBoneit
07-17-07, 10:11 AM
MY guess is based on where I used to work in the 70s and 80s and 90s is that the installers talk to each other about their day. Where I was we always knew what you would want to go and do or not. There was friendly competition to go to the tippers and no one wanted to go where the place was unfriendly or otherwise somewhere you would want to go. The no tips unfriendly where they would begrudge a glass of water even got the quickest get in and out you could get away with. When I used to go to a local diner I always overtipped somewhat. I never had to wait for service, it was always prompt and correct so I could get in and out quickly.
Well, now we all know who the tightwad, heartless bastids are! :grin:
No tip to the first installer years ago, he was mucked up.
$20 to the 3-LNB and HR10-250 installer a couple of years ago, he was good.
I'll see next week about the 5LNB dish and HR20 installer. Football's coming!
VegasDen
07-17-07, 11:31 AM
My installation was yesterday and I did tip the guy.
First, they called 3 hours early says they had a morning opening and could I accommodate them. Once here, the installer spent a good deal of time outside in the 100+ degree Las Vegas sun. He was personable, knowledgeable and helpful.
So he gets the tip.
Unfortunately, the D* computers were down and it took 6 hours after the install to get activated. Not his fault....and I did the activation.
hobbes4444
07-18-07, 12:50 PM
As a society, we tip someone for writing something down and then walking a plate of food from Point A to Point B. Nothing wrong with that of course. But someone who climbs up a ladder in rain, heat, cold, etc, attaches a dish to a roof or wall, tacks wire, drills holes, and so on, isn't deserving of a tip? I don't get it. Yes, they are being paid to do the work, but so is the waiter or waitress. Sure tips are factored into the waitstaff's wages, but because it is a custom. If the installer does good work, I tip him as I would others that provide good service for something that I don't want to do. If he does a shoddy job, then he goes home with his wages. . .
I don't tip anyone UNLESS they do a great job and going above and beyond what they are required to do. This stating no, I have never tipped an installer and I won't unless they go above what they were supposed to do and yet that has happened they don't even do what they are supposed to. If I go into a restaurant and the service isn't up to par if it's just average then no I don't leave a tip. I work very hard for my money and I'm in the service industry (call center agent) and I deal with the public everyday and if I don't go above and beyond what I am supposed to my employer doesn't give me a bonus so why should I do the same for someone else who is simply "doing their job".
I believe in tipping...what goes around comes round.
A single friend who once "tipped" an exotic dancer $100 enjoyed the
pleasure of her hospitality at her home for the remainder of the night.
:p
JACKIEGAGA
07-18-07, 05:39 PM
I believe in tipping...what goes around comes round.
A single friend who once "tipped" an exotic dancer $100 enjoyed the
pleasure of her hospitality at her home for the remainder of the night.
:p
What is her number?
I had a tech out at the house yesterday and felt so bad because I only had $3 on me. I was home all day and never checked my wallet, so when he left, I gave him the $3 and a bottle of OJ for the road.
Today I had a different tech at the house, and I actually LEFT while he was here to go to an ATM. I have him a nice tip and asked him to pass on more money I handed him to yesterday's tech. In front of me, he got the other tech on his 2-way and told him that "yesterday's customer wants a tip passed to you".
Now I can sleep easy! :)
SPAWNREBORN
07-23-07, 09:41 PM
Hello all, i have been reading your post and my hat is off to you all. I am an installer and have been doing it for 5 years now, I agree with a lot of you about Tipping if they are doing a great job, but if there not and leave a mess in your house or yard they deserve NOTHING!!. I have done over 600 installs and out of that i have had only one call back.(son cut cable with weed wacker LOL ). I have gone out and done alot of repairs of installers that have done HACK jobs. when i get to these repairs i just stand back and ask my self, what the heck was they thinking and why was they thinking that.
When i go out to do an install, beleave it or not,getting a tip is the last thing in my mind,have i gotten tips for a job well done, more then i can count. If a customer is not happy with my work i want to know right from them, not from my boss. I take Pride in what i do,and i know there are a few out there that do not care what the install looks like, just as long as they get paid for doing it. Sorry but that does not fly in my world.NOW i didnt put this post up to toot my own horn or pat myself on the back. I just wanted to let you all know that i agree with alot of you on the idea of giving tips or not giving tips. I really great installer will never look for a tip, for me, a hand shake and a "JOB WELL DONE" is good enough for me.:grin:
DawgLink
07-23-07, 09:44 PM
When they first came install, no...I didnt know I was supposed to
When they came to install the new dish/DVR...I gave them each $20 and thanked them BEFORE they installed it
They did a fantastic job :)
SPAWNREBORN
07-23-07, 09:47 PM
You dont have to tip them.:)
DawgLink
07-23-07, 09:48 PM
You dont have to tip them.:)
But you could ;)
I personally don't think there is anything wrong giving a few extra dollars to someone even if that is what they are supposed to do.
SPAWNREBORN
07-23-07, 10:01 PM
:lol: Oh i agree 100%, there is nothing wrong with tipping an installer.:D
I didn't realize you were supposed to tip installers. I feel bad now since I just recently had an install.
aim2pls
07-24-07, 04:22 AM
I didn't realize you were supposed to tip installers. I feel bad now since I just recently had an install.
tipping is an option .... not a "suppose to" ... most installers don't expect it ... but they are usually happy to receive them
tipping is an option .... not a "suppose to" ... most installers don't expect it ... but they are usually happy to receive them
I tip if the installer does an job above excellence or if they do me an extra favor like running a line. BUT I had on Installer and his partner do something I've never seen in my life.....he asked for the vacuum after he drilled a few holes and ran some cable! :eek2: I almost had a heart attack because this man actually wanted to clean up his mess opposed to a previous installer that left little chunks of cut RG6 under a spare bed, that i didnt find until months after. I gave him the vacuum, and tipped him very generously. That just shocked the hell outa me. Unless it was a scam to get me to tip the idk......but i dont think so. the installer was very nice the whole way, did a great job, and cleaned! I wish every installer i had was like that.
Spawnreborn those were good posts and point of view as you're an installer "straight from the horse's mouth" :)
,
The Ironwood installer here just put up the new Slimline dish; I hooked up the HR20 while he was at it. Because I had problems (fear) watching the deck roof bow while he was up on it. Yes he was a very hefty fellow lol. I supplied stainless bolts and nuts, vice him using the lag screws. Running more leads through the crawl space into the house was out of the question so I'll run them later (need to look around under there anyway). He got faint on a cool cloudy day so gave him water and soda. Pretty good install job, not great, took 4.5 hours, I tipped $20 anyway.
Tipped the installer $20 only to climb onto the roof and find all kinds of cut-offs,extra parts,etc.And also found he didn't ground a pair of the RG6,the dish,or tighten some of the nuts on the mount and one monopole he placed.Never again.
Then the guy said he pulled down $50,000 doing this part-time,while doing home theater installs(Hope he does a better job on those).The guy was knowledgeable...............and lazy!
funhouse69
07-30-07, 05:01 AM
tipping is an option .... not a "suppose to" ... most installers don't expect it ... but they are usually happy to receive them
Wow I wonder if you had the same company I had (Direct Tech NE). I've had a total nightmare with my HD upgrade which has resulted in something like 7 Techs at my house since late Feb and with the exception of 2 of them the bulk of the installers spent more time telling me how much money they aren't making and how much money other customers tipped them rather than getting my install correct.
It was actually really sad. Add in the fact that a few of them didn't have a freaking clue what they were doing. One of them spent something like 5 hours trying to figure out how a multi-switch worked. He only ran two of the 4 connections from the dish to the 6x8 Zinwell and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working.
It is sad when you know more then the Installers and even worse when they won't listen to you or care about what you say. Then to add insult to injury he left (ok gave up) and left me with a completely disconnected system that I had to reconnect to get up and running with at least SD content.
Wouldn't you know that the same tech showed up recently for a receiver upgrade. When I met him outside he said - Man I never though I would ever be back here. Needless to say I wasn't too thrilled to see him but I did the upgrade myself. All the time he was telling me it was a dish problem that prevented him from completing the install last time. I saw wow that's funny they didn't replace the dish, they only connected the other 2 connections to the dish. Imagine my surprise when he stopped talking :eek2:
fredandbetty
08-06-07, 10:04 AM
And if so, how much for a job well done? I've got one coming up on Saturday, and we all know these can go horribly wrong, or you can get a really good one. Are they accustomed to seeing tips?
i did tip and i believe we gave them ( there were two of them) lunch on us at the golden arches ( which happened to be about a mile away) because they did a great job and were very very nice!! were in and out very quickly!!:)
Nachosgrande
08-06-07, 10:30 AM
If my installer does a good job I will tip. My HR20-Slimline Dish Install took about 2 hours, everything worked and I was happy...
The longest part of the install was booting the machine, rebooting for the new software, etc...
primetime
08-06-07, 10:59 AM
When my dish was upgraded to the 5 LNB early this summer I tipped the guy $20. He wasn't the fastest installer I have ever watched but he did a great job. He fastened down some of the lines that a previous installer did poor job of, resealed the holes a previous installer drilled to get into the basement and ever ran a new line for me to add the second tuner on an old unit that wasn't part of his install. I helped in pull the cables and provided an extra ladder for him. The guy was careful and went the extra mile doing the little things to make the install great. His English wasn't very good but he didn't even need me to ask him to resecure the old lines or reseal old holes.
I have always done my own installs but had to have the new dish installed because that was the only option when getting the HR20. My tip was supervising the install to make sure it was done correctly. I also had to convince him that the dish would fit where I told him to mount it. I also installed the HR20 and moved my existing R10 to the bedroom while waiting for him to finish mounting the dish. The guy was very pleasant but not exactly a real go getter.
Installer just got done with new dish and HR20-100 setup. Nice guy,cleaned up wiring from previous install,did a few extra things I ask him to do. Since I got the upgrade for Free without the $19.95 shipping cost I gave him the $20.
I tipped the original installer, but then again not only did he do the job he came out for, but he also used his ladder against a tree to get my daughters frisbee out of a tree! I only had $20 on me, but he was relcuent to take that, but he did.
newsposter
08-17-07, 01:16 PM
I've done all my own installs and i'm kind of afraid of what they will do once they see it's a crawlspace under the house they need to access. You climb in from the window. But it's the only way cheap way to get a new dvr so I guess I'm stuck.
Anyone have a crawlspace like this?
Id love to do a self install but DTV wont give out self install credits anymore will they?
charlestonemt
08-17-07, 05:43 PM
Because my installer fished two walls and didn't charge me anything extra, I definitely tipped him...$40
RickD_99
08-20-07, 06:30 PM
My installer did an excellent job upgrading my HR10-250 to the HR20-700 today (eastern NC-I believe the company is Mastec).
Thus I tipped him $20.
I would have (3 story house, needs a 40' ladder to get up to the dish on a real steep roof) since it's such a pain in the rear, but since they decided to ignore the special note I had the CSR who took my order put on it that says "Dish on roof of 3 story building, bring 40'+ ladder," which was even clearly on the work order the guy showed me this morning, called his boss, and then promptly left with a "We'll try and get back between 4 and 8 tonight". Aparantly the one guy with a 40' ladder wasn't available, and since I got stiffed to next Tuesday for the 5LNB update, I doubt I'll be tipping anyone when they deign to come back. Course, since they didn't bother to call me back to tell me he wouldn't be around and I had to call DTV myself, they're just digging the hole deeper. Oh well.
And they wonder why people go FIOS or cable....
HDTVsportsfan
08-20-07, 08:36 PM
I would be upset if I were you as well. All I would suggest you do is not take it out on the guy that does end up coming out. Especially if he's not the same guy. He probably would have no idea what happened previously.
Good luck to you.... i hope it works out.
Welcome to DBStalk btw.
I serve them my famous southern iced tea today, but since they didn't do anything extraordinary that was all.
islander66
10-17-07, 05:16 PM
My first installer only installed one line to my HD DVR. Second installer, requested tip to do it the way I wanted. I gave them $20. Well worth it.
ClaudeR
10-23-07, 08:21 PM
Tried to tip the FIOS installer, best install job ever. He said he couldn't take it. True?
rirwin1983
10-23-07, 09:33 PM
No tips.
They're paid a decent wage.
Not $2.65/hr. or whatever it is now for waiting tables.
no were not, when u minus gas, vehicle maintence, supplies (like rg6 cable) we ar around min wage, thats unless ur an in house employee where they provide the van and suplies then maybe 8-10/hr. oh yes wall fishing is something most of us know, but its not free, and the ones that do wall fish, charge, as that is custom labor no matter what a csr tells u, or tries to order us to do.
paulman182
10-24-07, 06:10 AM
My original installer in summer of 2006 really went the extra mile with the install.
He put phone jacks in four rooms at no extra charge and did just great. He was driving an old Tracker with a failing transmission.
I did not realize how they were treated until later, after reading these forums. I wish I had tipped him.
chopperjc
10-24-07, 07:36 AM
When I got my upgrade installed last October (on the third try and a call to senior management at Mastec) the guy did a great job. Even went to home depot for something else he needed (not on work order) to make the job right I felt obligated. Gave him pizza and 40 bucks. That was the only time. The rest of the guys I have had always seems to do the bare minimum and I end up fixing after. No tip for them. I refused to sign one guys workorder and he tried to unistall. I had to threaten to call the police. As with anything there are good and bad. With the margins being so small the installer I am sure is not paid a lot. I have no problem tipping the guy who is nice and puts some effort into his work.
randyk47
10-24-07, 08:21 AM
Now I don't necessarily blame my last D* installer but after wasting 2 hours of my time he decided he couldn't install a new dish. He wouldn't leave the dish and took the HD DVR, that was part of the install, with him when he left. He, or one of the other D* installers, will be back this weekend with the HD DVR after I paid $400+ out of my pocket for what I admit was a tricky (high, steep roof location) dish install. I have prepped the location (all cables, phone line, power, etc., etc., are in place and ready to go) for the HD DVR so all the tech has to do is plug, play and leave. In fact, if it weren't for the spotty track record with HR20's I'd probably be more than happy to have them just hand it to me and leave but I want to make sure it works. Understanding that I don't blame the first tech for not installing the dish, I'm also not leaning toward tipping the person who brings the HR20.
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.