We have had DISH Network for over 11 years with no problems until about a year and a half ago. We switched out 2 old boxes for a new one that controlled 2 televisions. This required some installation. Dish sent a local company out to do the work. We had cable line ran to several rooms when we had our home built. We paid extra to the builder to have this done. The cable line was in the wall with a switch plate on it so that we wouldn't have to drill holes and run cable wire in the walls when we had cable or satellite installed. It was already done.
The installer that was sent out by DISH Network installed the new equipment with no problems, so we thought. A couple months ago, we were going to change the satellite from one room to another room. When my husband went to change the cable to a different room he found that the cable running through the wall to that room had been cut. The only other person that was in our basement besides my husband and my self was the installer that DISH Network had sent out. My husband and I knew we had not cut the cable and the only one who could have done it would have been the installer that DISH sent out.
I called DISH Network to inform them of what happened. I wanted them to pay to have the connection repaired. After all, we had to pay extra for the cable connections when the house was being built. They questioned me like I was a criminal and insinuated that I was lying. They asked what kind of proof I had that it was their installer that cut the cable. I told them I had no proof but I know my husband or myself didn't cut the cable and that leaves only their installer. The installer is a local company and not a part of DISH Network. But since DISH Network contracted this installer and sent him to my home, I feel they should be responsible for any damages done by the installer. But DISH Network refuses to do anything about it. So if you have DISH Network doing any kind of installation in your home, be sure to keep a close eye on the installer. Take pictures before the installer begins and when he is finished so you will have proof of anything that may be done wrong or if any equipment that may belong to you is destroyed either intentionally or unintentionally. I do wonder if the installer was instructed by DISH to cut cables already installed. That way they can charge you to install a new one.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Adolph
Homosassa 46517,Florida,
USA
Congratulations, James........
#3General Comment
Thu, July 29, 2010
.....you truly do sound like you possess a valuable knowledge base. Dish network, as you allude, uses local installers. Dish Network, as are most businesses, determined to cut costs and operating expenses any way they can. Bottom Line, you know.
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If your installation rate is $60.00 per hour, and other installers are available for $15.00 per hour, it doesnt take a member of Mensa to determine who theyre going to contract for the job. My personal experience with cable and dish (Brighthouse and Comcast cable, Direct and Dish Network) installers mirrors that of the OP. I have run cables for various installations myself to avoid holes drilled through walls, only to have the installer drill through right next to co-ax already in place. My experience would indicate Ive had very few $60.00 installers, but a whole lot of $15.00 installers. Such is life, I guess.
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One cable installer had such unbelievably bad body odor I was obliged to leave him unattended (thats scary) while he worked in my office. He had an air about him that lingered for some time. An hour after he left, my wife asked me: whats that strange odor?, upon her arrival home.
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As a side note, every time unnecessary, unsightly holes were drilled in siding, siding or something other was damaged, I have filed claims with the network involved. This includes telephone land line installation which I terminated several years ago. These claims have always been paid, with photographic proof of the claim. (My claims were always legitimate and reasonable.) I can only wonder how far the money paid for several claims could go towards involving an installer paid sufficiently to avoid these irritating incidents. My orders of "no holes of any kind in my aluminum siding" has been completely ignored several times. This was after I provided co-ax or co-ax routing to easily facilitate my "no holes" orders.
James
guthrie,Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
cut cable
#3General Comment
Thu, July 29, 2010
as a dish network installer one of the thing we are suppose to do. is a walk through when doing an installation. the lack of communications can cause a problem.
when i prewire a new home. i dont charge the customer for the extra drops in the home. when they get the satellite system from me. i did one with a older couple/ were we discussed wre what was going were and i marked the drops. she told me during the summer they would spend a lot of time in the screen room.
so when i went back i talked to her to make sure of what was going where. i set it up to where the equipment would be in the livingroom the satellite , stereo. they had the electrician run the coax to all the rooms . then once they moved in i installed the equipment.
i get a called a month later that they were having a problem with the remote not working. they decided to turn this tiny room into a den. they had to recliners, loveseat and tv int his room. they werent using the living room tv at all.
i explain to my customers all about the uhf remote before install. the fcc part 15 on the operation of uhf remotes. they understood this when i installed the equipment .
but what got me was they never said one word about not using the livingroom at all and living in this tiny room. a walk through is to give both parties an idea on what is going to take place.
so communication is everything. i dont know what was said between you and the installer. but it is always a good thing to ask questions and be involved. i always try to explain what im going to be doing to install the equipment.
it the job was sent to a local dealer . they are required to carry insurance if anything happens. even during equipment upgrades.
the biggest problem is the experienced techs and dealers and being push out. for much cheaper techs. i give my customers a 1 year warranty on the worked preformed. im only required by dish netowrk to give a 6 month warranty.
every customer that i have been out on for the month of july. has given me anywhere from 30.00 to 100.00 more than i asked for a service charge. i normally charge 60.00 for a service call.
ive got 30 years in the satellite business and i have done work for many dealers in the state at one time. also ive dont component repair of satellite equipment for my customers and other dealers. ive got 4 years as a air traffic control radar repairman, 2 years repairing tv for pts electronics, 2 years in the manufacturing of satellite equipment , 12 years as a dish network installer and also while doing dish network. i was also helping a friend install federal signal tornado sirens. then ive got a hand full of cusomters that i repair their computer for. one customer i have installed a driveway announcer. dont get me wrong i have made some mistakes over the years and paid for them.
this is the difference between a 15.00 dollar technician and a 60.00 dollar technician.
my expertise is in installing dish network in such a way. that when im done the customer can watch on every tv in the home. 4 dish network tuners ( especially dvr's ), dvd player and the local tv antenna. ive been doing this longer than at&t u-verse thought about doing this with dvr's.
customers should get involved with their install and the installers should'nt mind getting them involved.............................james