The Satellite Installation from h-e-double toothpicks

[Kevy Baby]

I've (briefly) mentioned elsewhere that we are trying to get a new satellite installation so we can get HD. We've been Dish Network subscribers for 8 or 9 years and have enjoyed the service. Unfortunately, living in a condo has made the service buggy over the years. The association installed a master dish for each building (one each for both Dish and DirecTV) along with a splitter designed for use of multiple receivers off of the single dish. While that splitter works well with DirecTV, it is problematic with Dish. (The reason for the master dishes is that they didn't want everyone putting their own dishes up.)

As we looked at HD, we looked at the options. Between Dish and DirecTV, DirecTV had slightly better HD channel options and they are about to launch a whole bunch more. Also, while both have "deals" for signing up, you have to be a new subscriber - Dish wouldn't let me take advantage of the sign-up deal.

I looked into it, and DirecTV has a special right now where I can get their HD DVR (50 hours HD or 300 hours of standard def). We've had TiVo for a few years (Series 2 hacked to 240 hours) and we've become accustomed to watching what we want when we want. While we know that the DirecTV DVR will not be up to the level of the TiVo, we decided that it was a sacrifice we had to make to get HD. Also, the HD TiVo is $800 (plus another $200 to transfer my lifetime service to the new box) and only has 30 hours capacity.

Because of the above mentioned issues with the master dish setup, we elected to go with a private reseller of DirecTV as they were the ones who installed the master dishes here and were familiar with the location. I could secure the DirecTV HD with DVR for $300 and then get a $100 rebate. I could have purchased the same unit for $30 less at Costco PLUS securred a $50 AMEX gift card, but I elected to pay the higher amount to go with the installation company who knew the location.

As I was setting things up with this company, I went over a few technical details to ensure that there wouldn't be any problems installing HD with DVR at our location.

So we had installation scheduled for last Saturday. They gave me a 2 hour window (noon-2). 2:00 came and went with no one showing up. I kept my cool until around 4:00 (I can be a patient man). Unfortunately, by that time, no one was at the office. Now I'm pissed.

I reached the office on Sunday. Person looked into it, called the manager, etc. Turns out they were waiting for an approval from the association. Damnit - I TOLD them that I was working with the association and had their clearance. Why the dickens didn't someone CALL me to let me know that they weren't going to be there?!? Person told me that manager agreed to knock $100 off the cost, so I accepted and rescheduled for during the week.

So installer shows up last Monday (I was at work). Installer quickly informs Susan that they CANNOT install HD with DVR at this location. Seems they need two leads from the antenna to inside my unit (a detail I specifically confirmed when I placed the order). Grrr...

So I make multiple calls to their service manager and to the association and finally work out a plan. Service manager says that while our installation will be more difficult than the standard installation (they will have to run cables through two attics and then down the inside of two stories worth of interior wall), they were committed to doing this for me since all the trouble I had experienced to date. OK, I'll roll with it. Third installation scheduled for today; 10-noon. I had to take Susan to the airport and could make it back in time for the install.

So, about 11:45, when no-one had showed up (or called), I was not a happy camper. I called the office to find out what was going on. Service manager was out, but the person I spoke with said they would call him and have him call me right away.

45 minutes later, not receiving a call, I call again. I confirmed that they have my home number (my initial calls were from work). The person I spoke with said he would call manager again AND would let me know the plan. Sure enough, he calls me 5 minutes later to confirm that manager will be calling (I appreciate that!).

20 minutes later, STILL no call from manager. By this time, I am losing my window of opportunity with the neighbors (the attics are in my neighbors' units and I had this set up with them - the one directly above me is vacant, but I had the key). So I call AGAIN, reconfirm the number and I am assured that manager will be calling. 10 more minutes, no phone call, so I call again.

Finally, my luck completely ran out. I try to call the office once again and now no one answers - they've left for the day. FVCK!!!!!

So now I have to decide what to do. Do I give them another chance? (Even if they can come out tomorrow, the one neighbor will be at church most of the day.) While my gut reaction is to say eff-em, I KNOW that the installation is not going to be easy and if I call anyone else for the install, I am going to have to pay for an expensive installation.

I had been avoiding cable because we are in a former Adelphia territory and I have heard the converting from Adelphia to Time Warner is not going well. While I could afford the HD TiVo (I found out Costco is selling it for $650 and we have a tax refund due in any day that will cover it), it only has a 30 hour capacity. That and going with cable is not my first choice.

So, gonna sleep on it.

Why can't people just do what they say they are going to do?!?