DISH not allow Self Installs anymore?

[NIdaho]

First, I have been a DISH Network customer since the first few months they went commercial and installed my own system at that point in time. I have installed between 25 and 30 DISH systems over the years, as well as FIXED a number of installations done by "professionals". I am an electrical engineer and have worked in the RF communications market for ~25 years.

We have decided to upgrade our system current Dish 500 to an HD system and Dish is telling me that I can not install it myself. The big problem is that both my wife and I work and can not be home during the day for "professional installation". Saturdays don't work for me either as we have something already scheduled for the next 6 Saturdays.

Does anyone know of a way to get the receiver and a new dish shipped to me so that I can install it myself?

 

[stone phillips420]

flebay or dishstore.net

 

[JimK2]

First, I have been a DISH Network customer since the first few months they went commercial and installed my own system at that point in time. I have installed between 25 and 30 DISH systems over the years, as well as FIXED a number of installations done by "professionals". I am an electrical engineer and have worked in the RF communications market for ~25 years.

We have decided to upgrade our system current Dish 500 to an HD system and Dish is telling me that I can not install it myself. The big problem is that both my wife and I work and can not be home during the day for "professional installation". Saturdays don't work for me either as we have something already scheduled for the next 6 Saturdays.

Does anyone know of a way to get the receiver and a new dish shipped to me so that I can install it myself?

The problem is you need a new dish installed and probably a new switch.

 

[NIdaho]

The problem is you need a new dish installed and probably a new switch.

Yes, is there a way I can get them to ship me a new dish, switch and receiver so I can install it myself?

 

[TheKrell]

I appealed to the ceo address to get two self-installed 612's for $25 shipping apiece. I had already taken care of my antennas and switch. I have 110/119 on a Dish 500, and 61.5 on another Dish 500.

 

[MikeD-C05]

I bought my hd dishes at an online retailer and installed them Both myself. I've "moved" several times and I have never had to have a dish installed. Just called and said I moved and did the install myself , here is my new service address. I have also installed my parents and my aunt too and did their receivers etc.

 

[jeffcustom]

You will have to buy the dish and switch from a retailer. Dish will not ship these to you to install them yourself.

 

[BuddyBoy]

$70 for a 1000.2 on Ebay was worth it to avoid waiting around all day for an installer who knows less than I do.

 

[DishSubLA]

A fair number of self-installs are done by people who don't really know what they are doing, or at best don't peak the dish properly. Then those people have a lousy experience, blame Dish and cancel service thinking Dish signals are unreliable (I know of one person who says he will never get Dish because at his fire station, they are always losing the signal. DUH! It isn't peaked properly, but he doesn't know that). This is why back in 1999, Dish started the whole "free installation" when subscribing to Dish. Too many part-time techies didn't do a proper install.

Dish wants to be certain, especially now with more complex installs--a lot of different LNBF's and in situations were some don't need an external switch, but in others do, many dish type, several sats to look at now such as EA or WA or a mix of EA (MPEG4 boxes only) and an WA sat for additional service of LIL or internationals (sent via Ku FSS requiring a special LNBF to receive some LIL's and Internationals at 118.75 with a larger dish to get a good signal of FSS), many external switches to choose from some can use the DP separator, but others won't function with the separator, then the back feed matter, and no it is not quite like Direct TV installs and often Direct TV knowledge won't help you in many Dish installs, anyway, my point is they don't know what your skill level is because it isn't always simple anymore--that the install is done by a technician, and if they don't do it right, it is Dish's fault and they will fix it at no charge.

Even simple upgrades aren't always so simple anymore. You are probably well equipped to do the install, but consider the high number of posts on this board from really smart people who did their own install thinking they knew the technology, but have posted pleas of, sometimes dire, help on this board because the DishPro technology and all its variances and what can be mixed and matched and what LNBF's can support multiple TV's but go beyond that and you need a PARTICULAR external switch and the use of splitters and diplexers and separators, they are smart people and had no idea and spent $$ on the wrong parts, etc.

Dish just want to do its best to guarantee a proper install that won't cause problems for you in the long run. Not a perfect solution, but they believe they may lose you with a poor self-install.

 

[chiodo]

I did self install, purchased equipment from Dishstore.net, installed it myself , picked up phone called Dishstore was lucky enough to get the man himself Claude
and got activated, no problem.

 

[montanatech]

DishSubLA's response is perfect. Trouble Calls are expensive. I know there are many very capable self installers, but as a tech I can tell you that there are many more who have no idea what they are doing. Dish is a 24/7 operation. You can schedule a Sunday (or holiday) if necessary. I agree that not all Dish techs do great work, but the customer has the last say. If you don't like the job, make them fix it to your satisfaction!!

 

[TheKrell]

If you don't like the job, make them fix it to your satisfaction!!

Not possible because Dish won't pay for what I would call a professional job. (Draping ugly black cables all over the outside or the inside of my house is IMHO unprofessional.) So why bother allowing them to screw up the job or argue with you about where they're going to run cable? It's just a waste of time and emotional energy. Like so many things in life, I've found that if I want the job done right, I have to do it myself.

 

[DishSubLA]

Not possible because Dish won't pay for what I would call a professional job. (Draping ugly black cables all over the outside or the inside of my house is IMHO unprofessional.) So why bother allowing them to screw up the job or argue with you about where they're going to run cable? It's just a waste of time and emotional energy. Like so many things in life, I've found that if I want the job done right, I have to do it myself.

You do have a point. If you get a contractor, the odds are it won't be as aesthetic an install as Dish company installers perform. Dish company installers have a variety of colored cables for aesthetics. They proper loop the cables and run them in the most aesthetic way possible. Dish co installers always install external switches in the most neat and secure a least visible place. Well, in other words, Dish company installers would meet your very high standards. but you may not get company installer nor a great contractor who installs to high standards.

So, to get things going and get out of the stuck position you are in, let them install it, and if you don't like the aesthetics, then go ahead and make it up to your standards. What's the difference if you do the entire install yourself, or just make a few changes to the "professional installation?" You're going to have to do the work, anyway. Play their little Dish game to get all the equipment you need for free or at a really big discount and let Dish install it. Then make it your own install. Problem solved.

 

[chainblu]

I consider most customers who take the time to visit sites like this a step above the average customer. In turn, most installers who come here are again, probably better than average.

I can assure you that every installer here has been to a Trouble Call for a 'self-install' that was so FUBARED, that it was a miracle the setup worked as long as it did.

 

[snocrazy]

I had a bad installer experience. There was damage to my house. I would not let them come back ever again. If you are educated, do the job your self. You will get the best possible install. The way you want it. Damage free the right way!

I moved after that and set up at the new house.

Here are a couple of pics.

 

[digiblur]

There's a no-no right there... tree mount.

 

[webbydude]

There's a no-no right there... tree mount.

RIGHT!

And what's the yellow cable supposed to be...a ground? If so, good luck explaining THAT to your insurance adjuster

 

[sethwell]

First, I have been a DISH Network customer since the first few months they went commercial and installed my own system at that point in time. I have installed between 25 and 30 DISH systems over the years, as well as FIXED a number of installations done by "professionals". I am an electrical engineer and have worked in the RF communications market for ~25 years.

We have decided to upgrade our system current Dish 500 to an HD system and Dish is telling me that I can not install it myself. The big problem is that both my wife and I work and can not be home during the day for "professional installation". Saturdays don't work for me either as we have something already scheduled for the next 6 Saturdays.

Does anyone know of a way to get the receiver and a new dish shipped to me so that I can install it myself?

don't they install on sundays? call and ask for a sunday date.

 

[mjstraw]

As I outlined in another post, I did a "partial" self-install. I ran cable provided by the local retailer from whom I purchased service. Did grounding and terminating (except at dish end).

Retailer asked if I wanted to physically mount the dish and they'd peak it - I declined. Would have liked to but just didn't have the time.

Installer did dish mount/peak, checked my grounding, installed receivers. Said it was the first broadband install he'd ever done.
Very nice guy - especially after he realized I knew what I was talking about

Mark

 

[Liquidforce88]

You do have a point. If you get a contractor, the odds are it won't be as aesthetic an install as Dish company installers perform. Dish company installers have a variety of colored cables for aesthetics. They proper loop the cables and run them in the most aesthetic way possible. Dish co installers always install external switches in the most neat and secure a least visible place. Well, in other words, Dish company installers would meet your very high standards. but you may not get company installer nor a great contractor who installs to high standards.

.

Your kidding right?!

Just because it's a DISH installer does not mean you have any better chance of getting a good install. DNSC, Retailer, or Subcontractor any one of them can be good or bad. To tell you the truth Your best bet for a quality install is probably a contractor, they are under far more pressure to do quality work.