webbydude said:Ok...add one more thing to the list of "forked tongues"...any retailer having a difficult, if not impossible time getting paid for DPP44 switches? Even with all of our techs utilizing proper procedues (calling Dish up..getting permission...getting Op ID and CSR name) Dish still refuses to reimburse for DPP44 switch installs UNLESS it's for a 4 satellite install. That pretty much kills it for a SD121 or SD105 install in an apartment complex or new, pre-wired home (ok..short of centrally locating things...but c'mon, that can be a pain even if the phone network interface is nearby).
I am in the same boat...I work for a DN Sub but we aren't having to battle for DPP44 pay or stuff like that. I do know this DN would prefer we NEVER use the existing wiring in a home.I have heard Charlie say that to callers on the chats. In fact, I was told by a CSR that we are "suposed to wire the home because the customer is paying for new cable". I think he's nuts he should spend few days riding and working with a tech.....
My thinking is that DN wants to prevent use of the DPP 44 because they want the techs to not not use the prewire..My question is , why have the switch available then?...What the he!! is it for?!!!!!...I guess some at DN think we make too much money and want to see us work more for less .To my knowledge we have carte blanche on use of the DPP44's from my employer So they must be getting paid for them. Because trust me, if they weren't getting paid, my boss would tell us NOT to use them EVER....
It's the damn reinstalls we don't get paid for..Those are listed as "service change" on our w/o..These are out of warranty(over 90 days) installs down by hacks that when we go out have to bring to spec because DN insists the last one there "owns the job". SO we go thru DN get an op id and a name, get the w/o change and they stil don't pay us..Meanwhile I'm doing a new install and not getting paid for it. AND my name is on it..so tyhe jagoff thta did the hack job gets off the hook..Well no more..When we get on a job like that we just get the cust back on line or if it's an add on, just do that and leave the rest of it..We then make detailed notes for the custs account and let dish know we will not be responsible for a previous hack install...I have on two occaisions fixed a no signal problem and just told my dispatch to close the job and not put my name on it..I would rather lose the SC fee and not have to worry about having to spend 3 hours fixing a $hitty install for nothing,....i have warned my employer as have other techs that if we don't get paid we're just not going to do the reinstalls...We will just take the chance that DN won't QC the job..I also said in a tech meeting that if DN doesn't start paying for this work that eventuallly the good techs will just leave the business..IMO, I think this is happening already...I have heard thru the grapevine that DNSC can't find any good techs....The pay is too low and is by the hour..Anyone with experience and half a brain would never do this work by the hour..You'd get killed financially.....
Anyway, I stand down from my soapbox