Tips for Satellite Subscribers (of those who might become subs)

[Jonathan Kramer]

Tips for new (and even current) subscribers to U.S. satellite television service:

1. If you currently subscribe to satellite service and your contract is up, ask the satellite provider whether it will give you any discount(s) for staying with the service, rather than switching to the other major satellite provider, or to cable TV.

2. Ask for the best available installation fee. The best fee is ZERO, and in most cases satellite providers (actually their dealers) will provide free installations if you sign up for minimum term (one or two years).

3. Don't sign up for more channels than you want. Select the lowest-level service package that meets your current needs. You'll be able to upgrade later if you want.

4. If you don't think you're getting the real deal from the satellite provider's CSR by all means ask to speak with a supervisor. KEEP A WRITTEN RECORD of all contacts with your satellite provider including the CSR's name, date, time, and subject of the call. You'll be glad to have such a record later if you start getting different answers to the same question.

5. Satellite firms are NOT usally regulated by your local government. The reason they're not is that satellite firms don't use government right of way to deliver their services. A few governments do regulate satellite firms in the area of consumer protection, but don't expect that your government is one of them. Sorry.

6. If you live in a state (such as California) which has a special law governing some satellite service providers who miss appointments (yes, like in cable, satellite providers to miss appointments!), then consider using that law to recover for your lost time. In California, for example, a cable operator may be liable for up to $600 plus court costs if they miss a scheduled 4-hour window appointment. A similar section applies to large service organizations, which may include your satellite installation company. See CA. Civ. Code Sec. 1722.

7. Virtually all satellite operators are required to follow government safety codes regarding how they install their service in your home. If you have concerns about potential unsafe conditions, contact the technical manager of the firm that installed your dish and services and ask for an inspection. Ask for the satellite provider's findings in writing. If you're still not satisfied, call the local government's Building and Safety department and ask them to inspect your installation.

In our experience, one of the things that some satellite installation firms do is to take the existing ground wire from the cable TV installation and use it for grounding the satellite dish service. This can create safety code violations connected with the old cable TV service. Yes, even disconnected cable TV service lines are subject to safety codes to protect your home!

8. Be a smart consumer and don't accept everything you're told about the good/bad of satellite TV without checking it out!

Satellite TV service is powerful blend of technologies and offerings. While not as robust as the best cable TV digital offerings, and subject to rain and snow outages, digital satellite TV is a quality product. Of course, your satellite service won't be knocked out like some cable TV services if a car hits a pole away from your home.

In some cases, you'll pay for equipment/dish repairs, and your service may be out for an extended period of time while you wait for the repair service. Perhaps someday satellite TV operators will be able to offer video on demand like cable TV systems (likely using high speed DSL connections). It's also way cool!

---Brought to you by the
staff of Kramer.Firm, Inc.