Buying vs. leasing usually comes down to a cost comparison either way. Since you generally don't pay lease fees with owned equipment, there is usually a point in the future where owning pays-off, but sometimes that is so far out that it's not worth it. I both own and lease equipment at the same time. Buying my 622 was my only option for getting it while I still had another 7 months to go on my contract with the 811, otherwise I would probably have leased it as well. Owning is more an option for those who are DIYers since most of the time the owner will need to install and maintain the rest of the equipment yourself. E* will not install equipment they don't own, but your friend might be able to find an independent installer who will. Start in the phonebook. Leased or owned, E* will indeed "support" the equipment during the warranty period (unless it's obvious that the owner/lesser screwed it up) and for a fee after that. Your friend might want to look into the DHPP. (I don't think there is any warranty on equipment bought from sources like eBay. If he's thinking of buying, check out an authorized retailer like DishStore.)
It sounds like your friend is a good candidate for leasing since he will be dependent on E* for the installation and he wants them to handle the problems. But I think E* has a limit on the number of leased tuners, like four. He'll need to check that out. Right now he's looking at seven tuners. While technically that's possible with a DPP44 switch, E* may not want to do it. He might have to go with a hybrid arrangement like I have. He could lease the max. E* will allow, have them install everything, then he can buy and install the extra receivers himself, or hire an installer directly to do it. That would be fairly simple once the rest of the equipment (dish(es), switch, etc.) is already installed by the E*.
