Social Feed

daytech43

Last reply May 3, 2011 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

DTV Contractor Group - Info Needed

If I am putting this in the wrong forum, I apologize in advance, feel free to move & send me a message telling me I'm in the wrong forum.

I currently have 10 SBCA Certified contractors with 4+ years experience in Dish & Directv installs & I am looking to work with an HSP to perform residential/commercial installs in OH & Kentucky. I have a price in mind of what I want to charge on a per install rate with additional charges per receiver, deca, additional line items, etc.

My question is this: Do I contact the HSP & discuss what I have in mind as far as a rate goes or do the HSP's have a rate that they pay contractor groups that are either negotiable or not? I have been working in audio video for 7 years now, but this is my first time running my own contractors group, so the negotiations part is a little foreign to me.

Anyone that has helpful information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time.

23 Replies · 5206 views

Load Replies (23) Reply Legacy View

Joe Diamond

Feb 18, 2011

A prediction and observation:
The HSPs have a hard won territory. They do not need you because you are their best competition...competent techs, operating money and management skills to organize 10 techs and move them as a group. They do need your techs and maybe even you personally to work at their rate under their name & office.

What to do?

They will promise what is needed to get you started. Then the routes will become thin. The drives will get longer. Then the cash flow will slow down. There will be short checks and charge backs you can disprove. This will also take time. Eventually your operating cash will be gone....After you miss a few payrolls and your men try to hang you the HSP will offer them work.

All they have to do is get you signed up for a full pallet of receivers and cut back your work. As those receivers go out of date,,,so do you.

There is only so much meat on the bone and not enough to subcontract from subcontractors. The standard installation has become more complex as the money offered has declined. Directv will not involve themselves in the operations of their HSPs (other than to approve & suggest stuff.) The largest HSPs get sued all the time...even if you win in court you will be out of money and out of business. Your techs will be elsewhere.

Stand in the door....kiss your ass goodbye & jump. Hit the ground running. There will be gunners in the trees. These HSPs are not friendlies!

Joe

kjlued

Feb 19, 2011

Honestly, I do not know how some of the installation companies stay in business with all the back charges D* enforces.

Under 40% on phone lines? $3 per receiver installed that month (yes every receiver)
Sit on equipment for more then 14 days? Back charge
Customer calls in wanting to know when tech will be there? $10 back charge (even if a 12-4 appointment calls at 8 am)
Late for appointment and customer calls? $150 back charge

This is on top of constantly cutting pay rates (last cut costs me about $100 a week) while materials and gas keeps going up.

I am just wondering when we will have to write D* a check every month to be able to install their crap.

Joe Diamond

Feb 19, 2011

kjlued said:
Honestly, I do not know how some of the installation companies stay in business with all the back charges D* enforces.

Under 40% on phone lines? $3 per receiver installed that month (yes every receiver)
Sit on equipment for more then 14 days? Back charge
Customer calls in wanting to know when tech will be there? $10 back charge (even if a 12-4 appointment calls at 8 am)
Late for appointment and customer calls? $150 back charge

This is on top of constantly cutting pay rates (last cut costs me about $100 a week) while materials and gas keeps going up.

I am just wondering when we will have to write D* a check every month to be able to install their crap.

I too have a question...no two questions?

#1= Why do we do this crap.

#2. Where is Bill (Willie) Major of Emerald Cabling Satellite of Baltimore, MD? I need the $4000.00 plus all the interest awarded by the courts.. DirectSatUSA and DirecTv say they are not responsible. Bill left MD and is now in PA. Anybody want $1000.00? Sub partner my ass! Help me collect and I will share. Frank Genco you are next.

Joe

kjlued

Feb 19, 2011

Joe Diamond said:
#1= Why do we do this crap.

Because it is a job in this crap ass economy.

Eventually the economy will get better and we will move on to better things or they will start bringing the rates back up.
Either that or they will be stuck with crappy ass installers.

Joe Diamond

Feb 19, 2011

kjlued said:
Because it is a job in this crap ass economy.

Eventually the economy will get better and we will move on to better things or they will start bringing the rates back up.
Either that or they will be stuck with crappy ass installers.

I respect the "any port in a storm" idea. Kids should be fed. It is hard to move kids from school to school to follow work.

But these crooks and defrocked car washers think they have management skills. As they progress by screwing anyone who comes through the door one could get the impression they are competent. Also, let the Directv customers be stuck with the crappy ass installers. I (we) have no responsibility to bring Directv to anyone unless I (we) are paid to do it. I am positive if the Directv sats fell from the sky tomorrow the advertisers would neither send checks nor even answer the phone. Let Directv pay the freight for competent installations! We are not f**kin missionaries!

Everything is possble. Money talks. Directv mumbles while the HSPs just BS.

In My Humble Opinion!

Joe

kjlued

Feb 19, 2011

Joe Diamond said:
I respect the "any port in a storm" idea. Kids should be fed. It is hard to move kids from school to school to follow work.

But these crooks and defrocked car washers think they have management skills. As they progress by screwing anyone who comes through the door one could get the impression they are competent. Also, let the Directv customers be stuck with the crappy ass installers. I (we) have no responsibility to bring Directv to anyone unless I (we) are paid to do it. I am positive if the Directv sats fell from the sky tomorrow the advertisers would neither send checks nor even answer the phone. We are not f**kin missionaries!

Everything is possble. Money talks. Directv mumbles while the HSPs just BS.

In My Humble Opinion!

Joe

I can agree

Although I know subs can not technically unionize, we need to form a union.
We need to start speaking up for our rights.
If every installer nationwide spoke up and laid their tools down att he same time, they would have to play ball.

Unfortunately it will never happen

Daddy Dithers

Feb 21, 2011

It does get depressing at times however the alternative at this point is worse.

SatGuyGa

May 2, 2011

I work for a HSP the 40% isn't D* mark they want 27% that is the HSP mark if they hit above the 27 then management gets a bonus for every phone line

eraymond2110

May 2, 2011

Joe Diamond said:
A prediction and observation:
The HSPs have a hard won territory. They do not need you because you are their best competition...competent techs, operating money and management skills to organize 10 techs and move them as a group. They do need your techs and maybe even you personally to work at their rate under their name & office.

What to do?

They will promise what is needed to get you started. Then the routes will become thin. The drives will get longer. Then the cash flow will slow down. There will be short checks and charge backs you can disprove. This will also take time. Eventually your operating cash will be gone....After you miss a few payrolls and your men try to hang you the HSP will offer them work.

All they have to do is get you signed up for a full pallet of receivers and cut back your work. As those receivers go out of date,,,so do you.

There is only so much meat on the bone and not enough to subcontract from subcontractors. The standard installation has become more complex as the money offered has declined. Directv will not involve themselves in the operations of their HSPs (other than to approve & suggest stuff.) The largest HSPs get sued all the time...even if you win in court you will be out of money and out of business. Your techs will be elsewhere.

Stand in the door....kiss your ass goodbye & jump. Hit the ground running. There will be gunners in the trees. These HSPs are not friendlies!

Joe

I agree with most of the response other than the old receivers. The receivers can be returned to the local warehouse within the grace period which varies from one location to another. just make sure to get the receipt signed by the warehouse personnel before you turn them over.

This is coming from a person who received over $20k in receiver charge backs from Multi-Band. After a while you learn that you can fight most of the charges and win.

Joe Diamond

May 3, 2011

eraymond2110 said:
I agree with most of the response other than the old receivers. The receivers can be returned to the local warehouse within the grace period which varies from one location to another. just make sure to get the receipt signed by the warehouse personnel before you turn them over.

This is coming from a person who received over $20k in receiver charge backs from Multi-Band. After a while you learn that you can fight most of the charges and win.

True,

The point is that the delay will cost you cash flow. I know of instances where the HSP back charged for receivers that had been activated and were in service.

It is not important whether they are sloppy or evil. The result is you get dragged down screwing around with them.

And my experiences are only me,

Joe

View all replies (23)

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply 5 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

67107 Replies · 2662292 views

Load Replies (67107) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

harshness

Today at 9:01 AM

Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper

Reactions: long_time_DNC

sdfntx

Today at 9:50 AM

Right on Time - Brandi Carlile

gms49ers

Today at 11:00 AM

Time Stand Still - Rush

Reactions: long_time_DNC

Bobby

Today at 11:08 AM

I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) - B.J. Thomas

long_time_DNC

5 minutes ago

Help Is On Its Way - Little River Band

View all replies (67107)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

39 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8ErY6s7b8WI

Direct YouTube Link - Apple Intelligence: Siri AI Revolutionizes Your Devices! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 0 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Tech News Weekly 441

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL5XFOpX4_A

Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 441
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 3 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 2:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CRhynF2RE20

Direct YouTube Link - Home Theater Audio: JBL SCL-6 Speaker Custom Build! #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 2 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

teachtom

Today at 2:30 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Problem when I switch from Bonus View channels back to regular Dish channels

Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks

0 Replies · 14 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 2:19 PM · posted in What's Cooking?

What's For Lunch?

We have a Breakfast and Dinner thread so...

Continuing from the Breakfast thread, found Cornbread mix so ...
Yellow Cornbread Mix
2 Hatch Green Chiles -diced
1 Egg
2/3 cup of milk
add to greased pan
Bake for 400f 20-25 minutes(From instructions)
now to put together and try... this to go with pinto beans...

5389 Replies · 334599 views

Load Replies (5389) Reply Legacy View

TRG

Monday at 3:34 PM

Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.

Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.

Reactions: Bobby and dfergie

dfergie

Monday at 4:27 PM

TRG said:
Pork shoulder, refried beans, cheddar and chopped green chile burrito with a pint of pale ale.

Its nice being able to have a pint with lunch during the week or whenever. I've been enjoying the retired life.

View attachment 191651

Congrats! I love retirement, no wake ups, no e-mails...
Leftovers for lunch, bacon wrapped salmon fillet from Saturday and a KFC thigh from Friday, Tea.

Reactions: TRG

TRG

Monday at 4:50 PM

dfergie said:
Congrats! I love retirement, no wake ups, no e-mails...
Leftovers for lunch, bacon wrapped salmon fillet from Saturday and a KFC thigh from Friday, Tea.

I've been retired since October. It was very strange at first. But I'm loving it now.

Reactions: dfergie

TRG

Yesterday at 4:11 PM

Creamy flat chicken enchiladas with green chile, beans and rice.

Reactions: dfergie

dfergie

Today at 2:05 PM

Layered Spicy Dorito / chili cheese Frito pie casserole…real sugar Pepsi

Reactions: TRG and Bobby

TRG

Today at 2:19 PM

I had a very unusual but delicious 1/4lb hotdog with cream cheese, raspberry preserves and chopped Hatch green chile. It is an unlikely combination but it works.

Reactions: Bobby and dfergie

View all replies (5389)

N5XZS

Last reply Today at 2:08 PM · posted in Over the Air Television By RabbitEars.Info

New low power station with CP has been granted. "Albuquerque "

New low power station has been granted by the FCC and the new call leter is K33OB-D on RF ch. 33.

Will run at 15 KW ERP, this one runs from the Westside same location as KWPL-LD a HC2 owned station.

It's going to be aimed at eastern part of Albuquerque, so it's tightly focused beam pattern.

This new station is owned by Digital Network and what kind of programmings is unkown at this time.

10 Replies · 153 views

Load Replies (10) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: comfortably_numb and dfergie

N5XZS

Yesterday at 4:51 PM

Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets on like the Rev'n, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station. :hatsoff2

Reactions: comfortably_numb

comfortably_numb

Yesterday at 4:54 PM

N5XZS said:
Yeah, there are some diginets like Heartland, Retro, The Family Channel diginetworks that we already have here in this market and we don't need duplicates, but bring the new diginets like Revn, Karate Acton movies, different kind of music videos on the new station.

I watch MovieSphere Gold channel a lot. Many recent movies on that digitnet

N5XZS

Yesterday at 4:59 PM

Yes that's a good channel MovieSphere, only thing is the missing CC on it.

Reactions: comfortably_numb

comfortably_numb

Today at 1:35 AM

According to the FCC listing, the tower is near I-40 and Juan Tabo:

FCCInfo Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

www.fccinfo.com

primestar31

Today at 2:08 PM

comfortably_numb said:
According to the FCC listing, the tower is near I-40 and Juan Tabo:

FCCInfo Results

FCC Info is a Radio and Television Station Search Engine provided by Cavell, Mertz & Associates, Inc.

www.fccinfo.com

Many of these in my DMA are on cell towers, so don't always reach very far because the towers aren't very high.

Reactions: comfortably_numb

View all replies (10)

Linus Tech Tips

Today at 2:02 PM · posted in Linus Tech Tips

I Found Free Money in the Tech House

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FoAOhbeo5Y

Direct YouTube Link - I Found Free Money in the Tech House
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store

0 Replies · 4 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 1:32 PM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOgBoy9ScCY

Direct YouTube Link - Hollywood Faces the AI Tipping Point with Robert Tercek
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 2 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

zippyfrog

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 1:28 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Price Increase on Owned Equipment?

Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?

As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.

6 Replies · 96 views

Load Replies (6) Reply Legacy View

zippyfrog

Today at 11:29 AM

However, when I make a change (tried to add the Columbian pack for $2 so I could generate my bill) and there is a new line - it says "Access for TV" - whereas previously that line item was not there. I hope they aren't charging $5.00 for the initial TV now...

Reactions: charlesrshell

telstar_1

Today at 11:45 AM

Apparently it's not an "owned receiver" fee but rather an extension fee that's applied to 2nd and subsequent viewing. Maybe that played into their decision to force a box at every TV- garnering those fees

Reactions: zippyfrog and charlesrshell

zippyfrog

Today at 12:34 PM

telstar_1 said:
Apparently it's not an "owned receiver" fee but rather an extension fee that's applied to 2nd and subsequent viewing. Maybe that played into their decision to force a box at every TV- garnering those fees

Possibly. In theory, $9 of the base pack has a rental fee built in. But now is this $5 a chance to get a little more? I don't know for sure. According to chat, it is a glitch and will be resolved in a timely manner, but we shall see. Part of my thinks there is a going to be a new charge, whether it is now or this fall. Here in Illinois, the law requires we are given 30 days notice of any fee changes, but I have not been given anything.

Reactions: charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Today at 1:11 PM

These fees are why streaming has caught on so well across the country and DISH is losing subs each quarter. Soon won't be enough subs to be profitable.

Reactions: dishdude, Mr Tony, zippyfrog and 1 other person

telstar_1

Today at 1:28 PM

Does cable charge box rent?

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (6)

Top

Back