New Dish convert

Howdy folks, I have just signed up to receive Dish equipment and programming (convert from DirecTV). I signed up because I don't take advantage of sports programming on DirecTV and because I got a great promo deal on the HD equipment with Dish. More than half off what I'd be paying for new equipment with Direct! A local retailer for Dish told me that most of his business comes from bad install jobs perpetrated by Dish Network tech guys.

Here are my questions: Has anyone had their equipment installed by a Dish tech, as opposed to a local retailer? Has your experience been positive or negative? Does anyone suggest I have the equipment delivered and go with a local guy install for the additional $150-$200?

Here's what I'm getting installed: 300 & 500 Dishes, 942 HD/DVR receiver and 311 receiver (two room set-up). My programming will consist of America's Top 180 w/ locals (Philadelphia area), HD Pak, VOOM Pak, HBO.

Thanks in advance for your valued feedback :)

Think of it this way....when all is done and said do you want to be dealing with someone who has a business right there in your community or someone that came from who knows where??(that you will probably never see again). I prefer to be able to drive into town and look the person in the eye that I do business with.Oh and your local retailer can set you up with the exact same "deal" as calling DN.Good Luck and either way Welcome to High Def Forum and to Dish.

Think of it this way....when all is done and said do you want to be dealing with someone who has a business right there in your community or someone that came from who knows where??(that you will probably never see again). I prefer to be able to drive into town and look the person in the eye that I do business with.Oh and your local retailer can set you up with the exact same "deal" as calling DN.Good Luck and either way Welcome to High Def Forum and to Dish.

It's really a toss-up I think. It depends greatly on the expertise of the individual. If you can judge that by looking them in the eye, then go for it.
Talent in the area of satellite install varies with location. I am fortunate that in my area, when I call Dish they send a major A/V installation contractor to do the works and they are never short experience or resources.
But in 2 other places I lived, they sent out small business installers, and they were fine too. If you are in a new area, it's really the luck of the draw unless you know how to judge their ability and ask the right questions. Same goes for any 'service' calls I suppose.

It's really a toss-up I think. It depends greatly on the expertise of the individual. If you can judge that by looking them in the eye, then go for it.
Talent in the area of satellite install varies with location. I am fortunate that in my area, when I call Dish they send a major A/V installation contractor to do the works and they are never short experience or resources.
But in 2 other places I lived, they sent out small business installers, and they were fine too. If you are in a new area, it's really the luck of the draw unless you know how to judge their ability and ask the right questions. Same goes for any 'service' calls I suppose.
Yes I agree with you daleb,I should have made that point in my original post.If the local guy seems to be somewhat of a bafoon,seek out other avenues. :D

Yes I agree with you daleb,I should have made that point in my original post.If the local guy seems to be somewhat of a bafoon,seek out other avenues. :D

Exactlly, and I am not saying Dish has never sent out 'baboons'. But they do seem to learn faster than 'rats or snakes'.... :D

I think I'll go with the earliest install date I can get :D I appreciate your feedback numbskully and daleb!

If the install person shows up and asks me where my toaster is plugged in, then I'll be concerned.

I think I'll go with the earliest install date I can get :D I appreciate your feedback numbskully and daleb!

If the install person shows up and asks me where my toaster is plugged in, then I'll be concerned.

Just make sure he's not carrying a toaster with him!

My Dish guy 'forgot' to plug in the DVI cable (used the RCAs!) so I was getting no HD. He figured it out after a few phone calls to the home office. I love "undocumented guest workers". Cheers.

With all my installs Dish made the arrangements, if I wanted to select the technician of my choice I might have to pay additional for that privilige. The most important thing is that they do a good job on the roof and running the coax. Do let them leave until you've verified the switch test and see the good (typically 90% or better) signal strengths on 61.5 110 and 119 satellites. Also verify you're getting all the channels you're paying for. Usually a simple phone call to dish if you're not getting something.

I also am thinking of going from cable to Dish and I will use my local dealer who has been around here for the 12 years I have lived here and told me 10 years ago when I was thinking of going with Dish to stay with cable because after they got their birds paid for the satellite companies would be giving their equipment and installations away for free with special promotions, guess he was right in some ways.
Anyhow I went to his store and was asking some questions such as where the dish had to be pointed around here etc. and the employee at the store said that they would come out, no charge, and look at the site and tell where best to put the dish, look where they had to run the cables and tell me if this was a normal install or there would be an extra charge and what it would be so I could determine if I wanted to install dish or stay with cable. He also said if there was some extra work such a drilling through the brick of my house, drilling holes from my basement upstairs or installing a pipe in the ground he would tell me and I could do the work myself to save money.

I have installed at retail, as a subcontractor, and now with DNSC. The only thing I can tell you is that it does not matter where or who an installer works for, If they are a good installer they are a good installer, if they are bad they are bad.

DNSC is supposed to be held more responsible for the work they do. A retailer has reasons to take care of the customer as well (charge backs from Dish if the customer leaves). You really have to go with your gut when the installer shows up. If he looks like a bum, his truck is falling apart, and seems to not want to answer your questions, you may want to think twice about if you let them do the job. Ask if they have their SBCA certification, this at least means the care enough about the job to get certified (it's does not mean they are any better of an installer though).

Watch the installer while they work. Make sure they seal the roof if the dish is put there. Make sure the cable is run so it looks good. Make sure that the dish is grounded to NEC code (if the installer can't tell you what NEC code is run). Make sure the holes they drill are sealed. Have them explain how they are going to do the job before they do it.

I hope this helps.