Incorrect. Hate to burst your bubble, but techs do not carry blank access cards with them (unless this changed within 6months as I now work for comcast) and the tech will also probably not install this box for you as he will not get paid for it without adding it to your workorder, and even adding a box that is customer owned, will charge you a one time fee to actually hook up the box/run the line. But back to the card, i would bet a small amount of money the tech is going to tell you you have to have directv mail you a new access card that they will have to pair to that receiver before it can be installed. (in the event you were to agree to pay for the installation of this box) the box cannot be added to the work order without it having a matching access card. And directv will not be able to mail you a card for that box prior to you having a finalized account (not pending due to install). So my honest tech opinion is that you will be selfinstalling this box at a later date, or calling for an upgrade. Another question no one asked you yet, are any lines run to rooms where you want receivers? if so are they rg6? if not, do you want the new lines wall fished? (this is an extra cash fee at the time of install, and not all techs will do it)
Not to scare you, but with the amount of work techs are given in a particular time frame, if this was not my only job of the day, or if every line was not preran to a central place, i would be looking for any reason to burn your install..
Sorry, just my honest opinion as a former directv tech.
However as a currect directv customer (while working for comcast), i have a similiar setup at my new apartment, altho I had to buy alot of equipment myself and set stuff up, and call the local hsp (since i used to work there) and say the house was all ready lit up, just come with my boxes. They sent the 40' supp out to qc 'my' install, then pushed the install for later that nite.
Good luck to you, and be sure to post back with any questions, i will do my best to give you a tech perspective.
And you may be wondering why a tech would be trying to burn your job, well the amount of money I would be paid to complete your install would not be worth my time and the amount of supplies used. If you do get a good tech, please be sure to tip him well. If you get a contractor, well good luck on that one..
That's what I get for listening to the DirecTV customer service representative who was also a former technician concerning the owned box install.
I didn't care and wasn't going to ask him to run a line for this one (as this was not part of the order and would be receiver #6 anyways). I've always worked well with technicians that did installs before (Dish Network and VOOM) and took care of them for extra work done. Many years ago I did my DirecTV install myself (except I had the DISH guy put up my DirecTV dish and point it when he did his install months before I actually bought DirecTV equipment).
I realize who I get for a technician and the amount of "work" he's actually willing to do is a bit of a crap shoot. Not sure if this is a standard response, but the automated D* install confirmation call stated my install should take about 5:30 hrs.
I have RG6 runs in some of the rooms that will be getting DirecTV, but they will all be wired to DISH switches and receivers so he doesn't try to use those runs. I may decide to have both services again at some point and those lines were installed by DISH for DISH...end of story.
Since, based on my order, the install will entail a 5lnb dish and an international, 5 leased receivers, all the DECA and MRV stuffs, I would assume he's getting more from Directv then if I was only getting one or two receivers and a standard one dish install.
I have easy access from the attic to the walls that need runs...and the attic as very easy access to the "wiring room", that it will be quicker and easier to do that then to run @#&$* cables around the outside of the house. There was one room that VOOM and DISH did have to run outside as I couldn't come up with an easy path....and those will be reused.
Bottom line: My main concern is getting the hardware I want with the install....
HR24s - Like I said before, it's on my work order too, no HR24, no install. So, if he wants to get out of doing it, he can just bring a pile of HR21s.
SWM-16 - 9 tuners on my order, not much of a choice there
5LNB primary dish - Spanish programming package, no choice there
International dish - MYX on my order, no choice there
The filters and adapters to get my owned HR20 working with the MRV - I expected a possible challenge here. Not sure the process for bill back to D* items required to finish the install. Might see if I can call in and officially get it on the order (even if just as a comment to the technician), since the first rep I talked too was obviously clueless .
Again, not for runs, but so he'll at least leave the DECA adapter, a BSF, a compatible 1x2 splitter, and two coax jumper cables....since the HR20 is a special beast
Getting some new runs for free - Ok, this one might be more difficult if he's too lazy to do it the right way which might be 10% harder maybe then running around my house. If we can't come to an agreement, maybe I'll just have him leave a bunch of cable and let him tap the DISH lines to get the install done. Seriously, I just saw it done with my zoned HVAC install with thermostat wiring fished from the wiring room to the walls that needed them.....I can't imagine drilling though walls and tucking wire can be much quicker or easier.
That's why I never considered being an installer, I like to do work based on quality...doing it right...not done the speed in which it is done.
From what I've been told from someone that worked door to door selling DirecTV locally, most of the installs not sold by them were installed from technicians from the twin cities, a good hour away. Not sure how thrilled they are about driving down here.
Anyways, that about it. I appreciate your perspective.
