Any horror stories when it comes to cutting install corners? Here is mine! (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

I always hear of horror stories when
people try to cut corners when it comes
to buying Home Theater equipment and
installing it.

Let me add a horror story that happened
to me....

I should have known better.

Almost two years ago a friend of mine
tried talking me into getting into
High-Definition. I wasn't very
interested at that point of time due
to the fact that HD receivers and the
installation costs involved were quite
expensive.

Since I already owned a HD-ready Toshiba
television I was halfway there.

"I have a friend that will give you a
great deal!" I am told. For a mere $800
I would get a dish, HD-receiver and
installation included.

"Wow! What a great deal," I remarked.

Guy comes over with all the equipment.
Install was a little shaky for the fact
that I had trees in my yard blocking the
view, but eventually after several retries
the dish was mounted on the chimney and I
was able to get a clear signal.

Soon after I realized what a "shmuck"
this "friend" of a "friend" really was....

First of all, he gave me the receiver
without a remote control, promising that
he would get it to me. Meanwhile he
simply programmed all the codes in my
Pronto remote.

Next, he took my old satellite receiver
(with my permission) and two old program
cards, neglecting to tell me that these cards
were worth $100 on Ebay (which is why he was
so interested in having them).

It gets even better....

When I confront the guy that he tried
ripping me off and still had not given
me the promised remote, he began threatening
me, challenging me to a fight.

Then the kicker....

Just recently I had a satellite guy out
here to put an additional TV connection
off of my existing dish. The guy comes
off of the roof and asks me who installed
the dish? Upon asking why I am told that
the last installer (the "friend" of a "friend")
drilled 6 holes in my roof, left it as such,
without putting sealant in. The satellite guy
predicted leaks could occur.

The result? Recently I found water splotches
on the bedroom ceiling beneath where the dish
was installed.

The moral of this story? Don't ever fall
for a supposed great deal that comes through
a "friend" of a "friend". Spend the extra
money for a professional install.

The scary part is, this guy is still installing
equipment in the state of NJ....so beware!

Anyone else have similar horror install stories?

 

[Brad E]

This is one reason why, whenever possible, I do all work myself.
I would sue that guy.

 

[Adam Gregorich]

You get what you pay for. I don't know how many times I have had to re-learn this lesson. I have found a really good installer that I pay $35.00 and hour to help me out with home theater projects that involve attics, crawlspaces and drilling holes. Best $$ I have ever spent.

 

[Dave Poehlman]

In your defense, Ron... (and no offense meant to Dish installers out there) the actual process of physically installing a dish isn't much more complex than hanging a basketball hoop.

I think most homeowners would rightly assume that someone who does it for a living would be able to do it correctly. Leaving holes in your roof sounds like this guy is a flake and forgot to fill them, or was too lazy to do things properly. Either way, he should be responsible for any damage.

 

[Orlando]

Sorry to hear Ron. I truly feel your pain and water damage is the worst and make sure you fix it right. Cause putting something on it then paint will cause it to look terrible. I had a problem with a leaky water pipe in my ceiling and the stains are still haunting me years later.

 

[Jonny_L]

IT probably won't make you feel better Ron, but those satellite cards he ripped you off for are hardly worth anything now.

Disenfranchaised Canadians who hate Canadian TV buy them to watch US dish systems like Directv, usually through hacking. Since last year Directv changed their system and so far no hack is known available so no ones buying the stuff.

I agree with Brad though, you should sue him.