DTV Installed Yesterday ... Problems

969 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Birdman79, Aug 21, 2008

Troy L

Discussion Starter · Aug 19, 2008

Finally switched from cable to Direct TV and it was installed yesterday. My wife and I were disappointed with the installation. The installer found coaxial cable that was already there and used it for most of the install, which is fine. However, he couldn't find the other end of the coaxial cable in 2 of the rooms that we wanted installations in. He advised us to hire an electrician to run some new coaxial cable to those locations. I thought that the professional installers could take care of that. Am I mistaken? Of the locations that he was able to install, he left cords lying all over the place. Does it cost extra to have them hide the cables?

I tried calling Direct TV today. I got a message saying call back later or email them. Is emailing worthwhile, or should I just keep calling? I'd really like to have another installer come by and take a look.

Any advice for a DTV newbie?

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evan_s

· #2 · Aug 19, 2008

The free professional install does include running cables but it may not be in a manor to your liking. Generally speaking the wires are run around the outside of the house and they just drill through the outside wall. If the runs would have required crawling around an attic/crawl space and wall fishing that would have been a "custom" install and would have been an extra charge for the installer to do or something they may not be able to do.

As far as the cables laying around there shouldn't be any cables run where they would be a safety hazard, EG where people could trip on them. Other than that hiding the cables would be custom work also.

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Troy L

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 19, 2008

Thanks for the response. He made no mention of a "custom" install or that costing extra.

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JDubbs413

· #4 · Aug 19, 2008

Yeah if you call and explain what happened they'll send a supervisor out to finish the job.

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thespaceghost

· #5 · Aug 19, 2008

your complaint is a bit vague. At the very least, he should have offered a solution on how to run the other cables. As far as hiding cables, im not sure what you mean. The installer will not do any cosmetic work (hiding cables) outside of tucking/tying up cables behind the TV. If there is a wire running across the floor from one corner to the other, its your responsibilty to find a way to hide it.

You will not find a definite definanition for a "free" installation. If I was to charge extra for going under crawl spaces, I would never make money.

I start pushing custom charges based on the time and effort on a job. There are jobs where its MUCH easier to do a pole mount than a roof mount. If the customer insists on a roof mount even if I offer a pole mount no charge, I'll do my best to find a way to pass custom charges. I might ride up on the next job and the customer wants a pole mount and I will charge for the pole mount. It could be a 6 room install with everything ran and all I need to do is put up a dish....customer wants the second DRV line fished ... Ill do it no charge.

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Troy L

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 21, 2008

Direct TV is sending somone else out. I don't mind paying extra if that's what it takes to get it done right. I was just a little put off when the installer just told me to call an electrician without mentioning the possibility of a custom job.

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Birdman79

· #7 · Aug 21, 2008

Troy L said:
Direct TV is sending somone else out. I don't mind paying extra if that's what it takes to get it done right. I was just a little put off when the installer just told me to call an electrician without mentioning the possibility of a custom job.

The tech should 've at least installed the other two recievers as part of the basic installation,unless it was impossible and needed to be fished,etc.

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