cost of swm16s

pjwinstalls · Oct 22, 2012

Does anyone know why swm16s can be had for $68-$80 on amazon but through a directv distributor such as perfect-10 they cost $225?

just curious.....

Thanks

Philip

RunnerFL · Oct 22, 2012

Because Amazon is pretty much always cheaper on everything. Less overhead for companies who only sell on Amazon.

pjwinstalls · Oct 22, 2012

i agree with that statement but.... directv equipment has to be purchased through directv distributors such as perfect-10 and pace. If they are selling it to dealers for $225, how can people be selling them for $80 and they are new.

Jason Drummer · Oct 22, 2012

Wondering if those "fell" off someones truck...

HarleyD · Oct 22, 2012

I don't know but I got my SWM-16 (with 29V PI and two 8-way spliters), my wireless CCK and four DECA adapters on eBay (not all at once...gradually over a few weeks) and I figure I saved myself somewhere between $300 and $350 dollars doing it that way.

Everything I got was as advertised, brand new and fully functional.

Stuart Sweet · Oct 22, 2012

I don't want to make accusations and I don't know the listing you're talking about but my information says that SWMs cost more than $60 to make. They certainly cost legitimate DIRECTV dealers more than $60 to buy, much more.

I have heard of too many cases where a DIRECTV installer will claim to install equipment at a customer site, the customer signs off because they don't know what they are getting, and the equipment ends up for sale elsewhere. There is no cost of acquisition, it's pure profit for the installer.

As I said, I make no accusations here, it's simply that the information I have doesn't support a legitimate dealer in a legitimate transaction being able to sell those parts at those prices.

dave29 · Oct 22, 2012

Stuart Sweet said:
I don't want to make accusations and I don't know the listing you're talking about but my information says that SWMs cost more than $60 to make. They certainly cost legitimate DIRECTV dealers more than $60 to buy, much more.

I have heard of too many cases where a DIRECTV installer will claim to install equipment at a customer site, the customer signs off because they don't know what they are getting, and the equipment ends up for sale elsewhere. There is no cost of acquisition, it's pure profit for the installer.

As I said, I make no accusations here, it's simply that the information I have doesn't support a legitimate dealer in a legitimate transaction being able to sell those parts at those prices.

That's exactly what is going on.....

RunnerFL · Oct 22, 2012

dave29 said:
That's exactly what is going on.....

I seriously doubt it.

There are numerous dealers on amazon.com selling them less expensively. There aren't that many shady dealers. It's not like they are being sold by individuals on amazon.com, they are being sold by dealers.

http://www.amazon.com/DirecTv-Chann...?ie=UTF8&qid=1350943001&sr=8-1&keywords=swm16

RunnerFL · Oct 22, 2012

And just to make things even more "baffling"... On amazon they come with a PI, most dealers make the PI extra.

Sixto · Oct 22, 2012

They've been so inexpensive that I bought a spare one just to have lying around. Tested it and it seems to work great.

RunnerFL · Oct 22, 2012

Sixto said:
They've been so inexpensive that I bought a spare one just to have lying around.

I'm considering doing that myself now.

Lord Vader · Oct 22, 2012

Stuart Sweet said:
I don't want to make accusations and I don't know the listing you're talking about but my information says that SWMs cost more than $60 to make. They certainly cost legitimate DIRECTV dealers more than $60 to buy, much more.

I have heard of too many cases where a DIRECTV installer will claim to install equipment at a customer site, the customer signs off because they don't know what they are getting, and the equipment ends up for sale elsewhere. There is no cost of acquisition, it's pure profit for the installer.

As I said, I make no accusations here, it's simply that the information I have doesn't support a legitimate dealer in a legitimate transaction being able to sell those parts at those prices.

I had this very issue, for the most part, when MDU Communications installed my receivers at my Houston address. There is a master dish w/ SWM for the entire building, but for some reason the first 2 install appointments didn't go too well. I was getting dish error messages on a couple of my receivers. To make a long story short, I ended up having them come back a 3rd time and install a dish (in which they replaced the LNB assembly with a new one that included an SWM) so I can properly set up my receivers. I ended up using an ethernet cable to get my Whole Home DVR/MRV working properly.

They ended up charging me $169 for a DECA kit for my 2nd of 2 appointments, claiming that I needed this. Never mind the fact that I never did receive the kit, primarily due to the fact that the technician told me they didn't have any in stock and would have to order one, which never did arrive. MDU wouldn't credit me the $169 fee, so I had to dispute the charge with my credit card company. What made that more difficult was that my credit card company asked for copies of documents, etc. Well, I had only an invoice from MDU showing the charge, but MDU doesn't have explanations on their invoices. Their invoices are the vaguest things I have ever seen. It's as if I have to prove a negative here, which the credit card company is making extremely difficult.

Oh, and phone calls to MDU? Each and every call--I kid you not--begins with an approx. 25-minute wait on hold to even reach someone, then another 20 to 30 minutes of hold time while they "research the account." What a horrible company! I wish nothing but a slow, painful, miserable death for everyone at that company.

trainman · Oct 23, 2012

Lord Vader said:
Oh, and phone calls to MDU? Each and every call--I kid you not--begins with an approx. 25-minute wait on hold to even reach someone, then another 20 to 30 minutes of hold time while they "research the account." What a horrible company! I wish nothing but a slow, painful, miserable death for everyone at that company.

So in other words, you find their lack of customer service...disturbing?

Lord Vader · Oct 23, 2012

To say the least

SomeRandomIdiot · Oct 23, 2012

About 4-5 years ago when SWiM 8s were just appearing in CE, Overstock.com was selling Zinwell WB68s for $9 - as many as one wanted. I'm sure that these are coming from high volume distributors/accounts that have ridiculous low costs on the units and have a high inventory they are wanting to lower (Could also be Zinwell dumping).

Stuart Sweet · Oct 23, 2012

I've been told that no one's costs are that low, except maybe Zinwell who makes them, and they wouldn't be so foolish as to jeopardize their positions by selling directly.

These could be refurbished or return units, or they just could be stolen or acquired in an an unorthodox or illegal way.

My sources tell me that even the highest volume dealers pay more than $80, much more in fact.

iceman2a · Oct 24, 2012

I just went back to look at my invoice for my SWM16!
View attachment 21153
Including PI!
Then I went to the reseller's site, all of the D*tv products are still listed
but "currently unavialable"!

Just last week I bought 5 D*tv remotes, 3 IR only for $1.50ea and 2 RF for
$5.00ea. I did pay as much $14 for shipping but still 5 for $30 brand new!
Some how some one is getting a hold of this stuff, if they were not legit
they would be selling on EBAY not AMAZON!

cost of swm16s

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