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We lost our satellite TV signal very late Monday night-- completely lost, not even a flicker. Called for service Tuesday; DirectTV refused to schedule a service call because it was still overcast. Told us to call back if we had no signal with mostly clear skies. Got an hour of clear sky yesterday, and still not even a flicker, so they scheduled a service call today.
Tech arrived promptly, introduced himself, and said, "We may have a problem-- your satellite is right in the middle of your roof, and I'm not allowed to go on the roof to service it." I started spluttering about the fact that the satellite was installed, not a do-it-yourself job. He went to check the cable from the ground, assuring me we'd talk. The problem turned out to be a bad connector, so he had signal restored pretty quickly.
Meanwhile, I had found the paperwork from the satellite installation. It was just put in last June, this is our second service call since then-- and it's the same company. At this point the tech called his boss, and put me on the line.
The boss admits that the satellite is installed in the wrong place, and that it sounds like the installer didn't check the cable (from the previous satellite, this was an upgrade)-- and refuses to authorize moving the satellite for free because it was a subcontractor that did the installation. He won't make any changes unless I pay for them or persuade DirectTV to authorize them.
When I told the tech this, he said, "He said WHAT?" and called him back-- and couldn't get through. He was clearly shocked that the boss didn't just tell him to move it. When I told him I was going to call DirectTV, he offered to move the satellite and replace the cable, on his own, if I'll wait until a warmer, drier day. He believes that if I call DirectTV, it'll show up on his service record no matter what I do to tell them I was satisfied with his work. So... I agreed to that, as long as it's done within three weeks. After that, if he doesn't come through, I'll take action.
Oh well.. at least we have mindless TV back.
Tech arrived promptly, introduced himself, and said, "We may have a problem-- your satellite is right in the middle of your roof, and I'm not allowed to go on the roof to service it." I started spluttering about the fact that the satellite was installed, not a do-it-yourself job. He went to check the cable from the ground, assuring me we'd talk. The problem turned out to be a bad connector, so he had signal restored pretty quickly.
Meanwhile, I had found the paperwork from the satellite installation. It was just put in last June, this is our second service call since then-- and it's the same company. At this point the tech called his boss, and put me on the line.
The boss admits that the satellite is installed in the wrong place, and that it sounds like the installer didn't check the cable (from the previous satellite, this was an upgrade)-- and refuses to authorize moving the satellite for free because it was a subcontractor that did the installation. He won't make any changes unless I pay for them or persuade DirectTV to authorize them.
When I told the tech this, he said, "He said WHAT?" and called him back-- and couldn't get through. He was clearly shocked that the boss didn't just tell him to move it. When I told him I was going to call DirectTV, he offered to move the satellite and replace the cable, on his own, if I'll wait until a warmer, drier day. He believes that if I call DirectTV, it'll show up on his service record no matter what I do to tell them I was satisfied with his work. So... I agreed to that, as long as it's done within three weeks. After that, if he doesn't come through, I'll take action.
Oh well.. at least we have mindless TV back.
