Forced to buy receiver, now need replacement

[STL]

Geez...so every kid has to have their own TV with their own personal SAT box just for their use -- really!?!?!?! Whatever happened to learning to share and having to compromise? And BTW, I seriously doubt every school at kid has that.

Growing up, my small town was actually a test market so we had cable TV really early (and really cheap too), but the only TVs in our house that were allowed to be connected to cable were in the public areas (kitchen, living room, and den) except for the one in my parents bedroom. My sister and I each had our own TVs in our bedrooms -- but only with OTA antenna programming. I suspect they did this for several reasons (like so we wouldn't watch so much TV and so they could monitor what cable programming we watched) but none of which were monetary as my parents owned their own business and made a very good living. I'm sure I wished I had cable in my room back then, but in retrospect it was a smart move (on many levels).

I think many parents need to stop giving their children their every little desire (because in the long run they aren't really helping them), and people need to stop living in excess trying to keep up with the jones.

[derekcentrico]

Allright, sorry for this pyschosocial debate here. Was not my aim.

I try to do what I can for them because frankly I had nothing when I was a kid. So, I try and help out my grandparents and the younger ninos.

All I know is their dad left their mom, doesn't pay anything, deadbeat, and she has 4 kids to raise on her own. Has a 28k salary job and my grandparents, one of which is paralyzed, said it was time to get a bigger house to help out.

So, I bought all the kids little computers (well built them from cheap parts) and now I'm trying to figure this out.

I agree, kids shouldn't be spoon-fed forever. But there are a few amenities I'd like to let these youngsters take.

[STL]

Sorry for the rant, but I just see too many "how can I live in excess of my means" posts these days.

It's good you are trying to help out -- and I do think it's great for every kid to have their own computer -- but as I said before I think you need to step back on this one and refocus. Perhaps, just make sure every TV is connected to one of the two SAT boxes so they each have the opportunity to watch SAT channels (and could even order some extra RF remotes so they'd each have their own) -- but let'em know that there is going to have to be some compromise when more than two people want to watch (different programming) the same box. And/or make sure all TVs can grab OTA channels.

[derekcentrico]

Well I personally like that idea. While my wife and I each have different laptops (and I also have a linux PC for work purposes), we have one TV and it is shared for PS3 and DISH time.

I really have just been doing the bidding of my grandparents wishes being the eldest grandson and first boy in their family (all daughters), they tend to come to me to help resolve what they want to do.

[aquaman67]

I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I don't get why a 24 month commitment is such a big deal. Are you really going to switch providers that often? Why do this the hard way. Let Dish hook it all up and you'll have exactly what you want. If $100 is a lot then do you really need Sat in the first place? I'm just saying...

All dish wants is a chance to get some money back for basically giving you a $400 receiver to use. Just like free cell phones aren't really free.

[derekcentrico]

is that an ACU i see in that avatar foto?

[R0ss]

I'll throw in my 2 cents.

I don't get why a 24 month commitment is such a big deal. Are you really going to switch providers that often? Why do this the hard way. Let Dish hook it all up and you'll have exactly what you want. If $100 is a lot then do you really need Sat in the first place? I'm just saying...

All dish wants is a chance to get some money back for basically giving you a $400 receiver to use. Just like free cell phones aren't really free.

True nothing is free but you miss the Op's point. He is making an effort to help out his grandparents who, the OP states are in poor health, but have opened up their home to their Granddaughter (maybe daughter the OP wasn't clear) and her 4 children. The daughter has a small income. He is just trying to figure out the best way to do what his grandparents have asked him for help with. This is the place to come for that help.

Ross

[derekcentrico]

Right. Well I just decided hell with it and used part of my great military paycheck (sarcasm to the 100th degree) to pay the $100.00 fee. The guy will go do it tomorrow morning for them.