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Blindowl1234
Blindowl1234
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

Done with FTA for a while

It's been an interesting 4 or 5 years with FTA but I think I'm done for a while. The parts are getting hard too find in my opinion. Seems like no one stocks that much anymore. I can't blame them in this economy. Last month I'd spent far too much in shipping just getting spare parts from multiple places. I prefer not to deal with Ebay do to lack of support after the sale. The quality of most off shore products are not that well made. The exception is the Micro Hd. Anyone thats been in this for a while can tell you that realistically there's less to watch than there used to be too. That's due to a variety of things I know. I seriously thought how I've sunk more $$$ in this one hobby than any hobby I've ever had. The number of receivers I've owned is probably 10...the number of motors almost as high. Some lasted a year some less. Had a few D.O.A. too. Its true I guess we spend more time tinkering than watching. I can't count the hours spent in the freezing cold fixing something. I remember the heyday of the big dish too. Putting up ten footers in a cornfield in zero degree temps..brrr...Guess I'm getting older and less patient too. I'll keep the equipment going for as long as I can with what parts I have and then that's it. Thanks to all for their help over the years and hopefully I've helped someone along the way too. So for a while I'm gonna sit back on the sidelines and watch I guess. Thanks to all....Blind AKA Jeff
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turbosat
turbosat
Hey, it's a hobby but for me it has been educational. And entertaining too. I agree there aren't a lot of places to get parts these days, partly the economy and more probably due to us being a niche market. The tv model that has evolved in the US doesn't leave us much hope for expansion, I doubt there will ever be an option to buy a card, and subscribe to anything like cable tv channels with our own equipment. The big money guys have a lock on that, if you want to pay them and agree to their stupid contracts and fees, then that is an option. I enjoy the variety and the lack of monthly billing, auto-deductions and arguing with script-readers half a planet away when I need something.
When it stops being fun, then maybe it's time to back away awhile. Space, and space-related tech has always interested me, this hobby allows me to follow along. Another thing I've gotten out of satellite tv, discovery of different sports I possibly wouldn't have been exposed to, like hockey!
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johann12
johann12
turbosat said:
Hey, it's a hobby but for me it has been educational. And entertaining too. I agree there aren't a lot of places to get parts these days, partly the economy and more probably due to us being a niche market. The tv model that has evolved in the US doesn't leave us much hope for expansion, I doubt there will ever be an option to buy a card, and subscribe to anything like cable tv channels with our own equipment. The big money guys have a lock on that, if you want to pay them and agree to their stupid contracts and fees, then that is an option. I enjoy the variety and the lack of monthly billing, auto-deductions and arguing with script-readers half a planet away when I need something.
When it stops being fun, then maybe it's time to back away awhile. Space, and space-related tech has always interested me, this hobby allows me to follow along. Another thing I've gotten out of satellite tv, discovery of different sports I possibly wouldn't have been exposed to, like hockey!
Click to expand...

I did not know that camel racing existed until I got into FTA.
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johann12
johann12
After having cable for years and even dishnetwork, I got into FTA because of economy reasons.
I set up an OTA system, but there was problems getting reception because of my house is surrounded by trees and my house is below level.
So the only possible option I had to receive signals is pointing my antenna up into the sky.

I read all I could about FTA even before I joint this group because I was afraid that I would be wasting my time and money.
Finally after dishnetwork contract was ended I used their dish put an linear LNB on it and pointed to 97w and I got channels to watch.
.........And a hobby out of need was born.
Little by little over time I expanded my system, which consist of a 10 foot dish that I am using and a KU dish. And one 7 1/2 footer in storage.
So far I got $480 in the whole system which turned into a multiroom setup.
The only thing left is to get one more receiver which most likely will be another S10. After that my setup is complete and there will be only the cost to maintain the system.
Before buying parts I usually check here what those ladies and gentlemen here at this forum think about a specific item. Why reinvent the wheel If folks here are driving a Mercedes already?
As of buying parts, I usually buy all over the world as needed. So far no problems.

I do not keep up with the Jones, all I want is a economic system. I will not go back to a paid subscriber to pay to watch commercials if i can help it.
Even with the initial investment for setting up the system, it is still cheaper than any paid provider for me.
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T
tdti1
Hmm, and I always thought the states had everything with Skyvision, global, Sadoun and satav but from what I'm reading lately looks like in Canada all our dealers like rpssat, hobbysat and that newer place drsat seems to have everything in stock when in the states they don't? I have not found anything fta related I have looked for the past few years to be hard to find at all.
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AcWxRadar
AcWxRadar
Blindowl1234 said:
It's been an interesting 4 or 5 years with FTA but I think I'm done for a while. The parts are getting hard too find in my opinion. Seems like no one stocks that much anymore. I can't blame them in this economy. Last month I'd spent far too much in shipping just getting spare parts from multiple places. I prefer not to deal with Ebay do to lack of support after the sale. The quality of most off shore products are not that well made. The exception is the Micro Hd. Anyone thats been in this for a while can tell you that realistically there's less to watch than there used to be too. That's due to a variety of things I know. I seriously thought how I've sunk more $$$ in this one hobby than any hobby I've ever had. The number of receivers I've owned is probably 10...the number of motors almost as high. Some lasted a year some less. Had a few D.O.A. too. Its true I guess we spend more time tinkering than watching. I can't count the hours spent in the freezing cold fixing something. I remember the heyday of the big dish too. Putting up ten footers in a cornfield in zero degree temps..brrr...Guess I'm getting older and less patient too. I'll keep the equipment going for as long as I can with what parts I have and then that's it. Thanks to all for their help over the years and hopefully I've helped someone along the way too. So for a while I'm gonna sit back on the sidelines and watch I guess. Thanks to all....Blind AKA Jeff
Click to expand...

Blindowl (Jeff),

I understand a great deal of what you are saying. Expressly the money part. I have bought so many different receivers and LNBFs and dishes and switches and H-H motors and this that and the other thing! I don't want add it all up for a total tally of money spent, I would probably be very depressed! I might have traded it all instead for a brand new truck! And many of you all know exactly what I am talking about, as it ain't no joke for this hobby to be an addiction!

This hobby does provide a great education. I really am intrigued and passionate about learning anything in general, but electronics and science and math and physics, etc. really drive me!

But, there is something else... Something that isn't a joke, but is quite serious to me. That something is you. All of you. Each one of you individually and all of you as a whole. It is the friendship that we share here in this forum, even without knowing one another in person, that is worth every penny that I ever spent on this hobby! I would spend it all over again for the opportunity to meet and chat with each one of you!

It was damned well worth it!

Thank you Jeff and thank you everyone!

Gordy
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hwm
hwm
With three LNBFs on my ten foot C-band dish, and 5 fixed Ku band dishes, we get enough English language programming to make it worthwhile. Probably more "good" channels than the cheapest subscription services. Many of my dishes were obtained free or cheap from Craigslist.

I do miss the happy times on 123w Ku and also the History channel on 101w Ku. There is less programming available all the time, and I think that trend will continue as more TV is available over high-speed Internet. DSL will finally be available to us in the next few months, and I may lose interest in FTA myself at that time.


I have had excellent results dealing with the USA based seller Hypermegasat on eBay. I would not ever just log onto ebay and buy the cheapest one offered of the item I needed, FTA or otherwise.
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/N2oPp-plZEw


Direct YouTube Link - Agentic AI Security: Why Unconstrained Agents Alarm CISOs #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

AI, Coding, and SpinRite

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHY_0D10LGw


Direct YouTube Link - AI, Coding, and SpinRite
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

The OpenCode Cyberattack

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8ylZleSQCE


Direct YouTube Link - The OpenCode Cyberattack
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu8iBMhokOk


Direct YouTube Link - Apple's Foldable Phone Is Finally Here
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge
Last reply · 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....
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RaiderPower
RaiderPower
Working My Way Back To You - The Spinners
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long_time_Dish
long_time_Dish
Find A Way To My Heart - Phil Collins
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dishstaller
dishstaller
Heart of Glass - Blondie
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Magazine - Heart
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hwkn
Harden My HEART-Quarterflash
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SuperDish_Fan23
SuperDish_Fan23
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!
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S
slow_poke_pete
remembers when ATT had stores and leased home phones
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dishstaller
dishstaller
My Wife was recently in an antique store and saw a rotary desk phone and it had one of those sticker overlays that had a business listed with phone number under each number on the dial. She looked closer and it had my old Radio Shack listed under the 8...she bought it. Pretty cool keepsake. Back then I rented vhs movies as well so I had it listed as Radio Shack / Movie Gallery and then the phone number.
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Almighty1
Almighty1
I remember this in the news too...

www.nbcnews.com

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
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Bobby
Bobby
Almighty1 said:
I remember this in the news too...

www.nbcnews.com

$14,000 spent on rented rotary phone

A widow rented a rotary dial telephone for 42 years, paying what her family calculates as more than $14,000 for a now- outdated phone.
www.nbcnews.com www.nbcnews.com
Click to expand...
That is a misnomer. In the old days you subscribed to telephone service. That included the telephone line and one telephone. An extension cost $1 a month extra. So that $14,000 over 42 years was for the service not the leased telephone. There is no way they paid $28 a month for 42 years for a leased telephone.
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HIFI
HIFI
2.webp
2.webp
anybody remember this disaster ?
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meStevo
meStevo
Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Sports Section

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
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rvvaquero
rvvaquero
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.
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HipKat
HipKat
Week Six Balls and Goats and WTH is Going On in The NFL??

Browns. 1st place in the North. Yup. Believe it or not

Chiefs. Undefeated.

Titans. Won a game ! .... Colts I know, but still.

Saints. Won a game after a while.

Steelers. Having the same season they always have. They somehow find wins on their way to an unceremonial 1st round exit. Mike Tomlin is proud.

Cards. Won a game without scoring a single touchdown

Broncos. How they manage to win games with the dogshit offense they have should be studied.

Bears. Caleb's back and so is their mojo.


Goats

NFC East. For the 2nd straight week no team from this clown show of a division won a game. Eagles are cooked without Hurts. Who's not that good anyway. Commanders suck, Dallas is well ..... Dallas and the Giants have no QB.

Ravens. Lamar is out (as usual). But still. Losing to the Browns is never ok.

Chargers. Still can't win.

Rams. So much for the powerhouse team. They are 2 games under .500

Seattle. Lost to the offenseless Broncos.
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Y
Yespage
rvvaquero said:
Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.
Click to expand...
Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.
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b4pjoe
b4pjoe
Yespage said:
Johnson built it, but without the Herschel Walker trade, it never happens.
Click to expand...
Jerry made himself General Manager after he bought the team but make no mistake Jimmy engineered that trade. As well as a lot of others at the time.
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rvvaquero
rvvaquero
Jimmy Johnson is a football guy. Jerry Jones is a marketer (hustler).

When I see a football player get a 15 yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct (like taunting) in a close game, I often wonder what he was thinking. Was he thinking, I'm doing everything I can to make this a better team and help win a championship? Or, was he saying to himself, I want everyone to notice how great I am?

Johnson inspires one, Jones the other.
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meStevo
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S
SatZach
· posted in The Chit Chat Club

Hello again

I haven't posted in almost 17 years. Over the air, sat, offline, anything-but-the-internet is still one of my avid pursuits. Been playing with offline tv viewing and offline web browsing. I have great appreciations for this site still being here. It's so hard to find public communities that haven't sold out to social media company.
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SkyWatcher57
SkyWatcher57
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in Free To Air (FTA) Discussion

KOQIT receivers

Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
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(((Garyd)))
(((Garyd)))
SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary
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navychop
navychop
More room for the return of the Plague & Pestilence?

;)
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S
slow_poke_pete
SkyWatcher57 said:
Hello folks, well my luck ran out last week with a nasty thunderstorm and after 39 years here, finally took a hit. Now, the FTA receivers I had for some years worked great until now. Recently picked up a fairly cheap receiver, online, KOQIT and seems to be good, but for the life of me, I cannot get the HDMI output to work with 3 of my Samsung monitors. I can hook it up to my Samsung TV and its HDMI input and it works fine. The 2 receivers I lost also worked fine with them, so am I going crazy? anyone have come across this or have any suggestions? And, since this is a somewhat cheap unit but works, what is everyone out there using for receivers these days? without breaking the bank? I enjoy watching FTA TV, so I will invest more if needed, what is a really good, detailed unit these days. I'm so use to watching a few of them HD channels. Right now I'm down to composite hookups, yuck! Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Frank :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
a good surge protector will help to.
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SkyWatcher57
SkyWatcher57
(((Garyd))) said:
Take the cover off, show me pics of the board of the bad one and also the bottom of the board. I'm an old hardware electronics tech plus a satellite dealer; I fixed a lot of FTA and regular receivers. I may be able to fix it for you. And yes, they got hit by lightning; it's best to email me the pics at diamondsatellite@snet.net or call me at 203-232-8888. I give you a 50-50 chance of fixing it; I do have spare parts. my phone is a fliptop phone
Gary
Click to expand...
Hi Gary, still working on getting you those
SkyWatcher57 said:
Hi Gary, just saw this, ok, I'll grab some pics tomorrow and post them. thx
Click to expand...
Still working getting you those pictures, nice weekends means yard work and fall prep, thanks
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k4otl
k4otl
Anybody know how to add "hidden" audio channels like for 101 W Ku or 105W C band on these recvr's? I've exported the database file but don't have anything that will read or edit it.
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cyberham
cyberham
For 105W C, you scan in the Westwood tp normally. Then select the audio channel you want. Not necessary to manually enter. On 101W, you must manually enter.
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TRG
TRG
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Prescription drug costs

Now that I'm retired, obviously I have different health care insurance. I take 2 prescriptions. With my old insurance I didn't have to pay for either of them, now I do. It's not a huge amount but it led me to dig a little into the cost of prescription medications. I have been using Walgreens for the longest time. But what I found was that Walgreens price is 4.8 times more for one of my prescriptions and the other is 2.3 percent more compared to the lowest price pharmacy. If you pay for prescription medications you might want to have a look at trumprx and see if you can get a lower price.


Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-43-53.webp
Screenshot from 2026-10-22 15-23-34.webp
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comfortably_numb
comfortably_numb
I run them through several different providers to see who has the lowest cost

Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx

Also...

Homepage of Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug homepage. Provides safe, affordable medicine or medication with transparent low prices.
www.costplusdrugs.com

You can also price them through the CareCard and WellRx apps.

Sometimes Amazon Pharmacy is cheapest.
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T
telstar_1
TrumpRx?!?

I went on Medicare recently (not an "advantage" plan) and my prescriptions at HyVee were very low out of pocket. The clerk said she was putting them on "Good Rx".
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osu1991
osu1991
I take 10mg Rosuvastatin (Crestor). I was paying $34 for a 90day supply at Walgreens last year when I was on Blue Cross. My Blue Cross premiums were going up to $1800 a month this year, so I switched to an Ambetter Bronze plan (I think that's a Cigna company) for $825 a month. I now have a $40 copay for doctors visits which is fine as I usually only see them once or twice a year, so a huge cost savings. My Rosuvastatin was going to go up to around $90 for a 90 day supply at Walgreens and even more at CVS or one of the local family pharmacies. Ordering online thru my insurance portal from Express Scripts it's $0.74 for a 90 day supply.
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comfortably_numb
comfortably_numb
telstar_1 said:
TrumpRx?!?
Click to expand...

Scripts arrive in a gold paper sack.
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dishstaller
dishstaller
comfortably_numb said:
Usually it's Walmart or Sam's + GoodRx
Click to expand...
I'm fortunate and don't take any medications. A couple years ago I had to take some antibiotics and used the GoodRx app. Went to Walmart and the person behind the desk knew me and told me to just buy them outright....the GoodRx price was a LOT higher. She said they aren't supposed to tell customers when they see they are being screwed.
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navychop
navychop
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
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Bobby
Bobby
navychop said:
That's ok. I probably take enough for the two of us.

God knows what Bobby takes. Maybe so much they count as a meal?
:D
:devilish
Click to expand...
Actually I take just 2 prescriptions, Atorvastatin and Lisinopril. They cost me $6 each for 100 pills. Next year that will be nothing.
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