You can purchase satellite TV from a local retailer, directly from the national office, or from one of the big companies that operate in big regions. It is very important to remember that when a local satellite company installs your satellite, you deal with someone face-to-face from the very beginning. You have a showroom locally where you can visit and ask questions. And, when you are installed by that local retailer, you become his client to take care of from that point forward. If you have a problem, and you call that local retailer, he is the one who comes out to remedy the situation.
On the other hand, when you call a toll free number and talk to a national office or regional provider, your installation is likely going to be done by someone with whom the national office has contracted to do their installations. While you are a Dish or DirecTV customer in either instance, you are NOT the client of the local retailer unless that retailer was the one who performed your installation. Why does this matter? Because it determines who services you after the sale.
So, does it really pay to have a local company do your installation? It certainly does. When you have a problem you want it fixed fast. When you call a national toll free number, your request is put into the pool and routed to a repair provider in that area. Even if it is routed to a local provider, this system may result in your having to wait longer than is necessary to get your services done. When you call a local Dish or DirecTV retailer, you can often get service the same day.
Also, your problem may be very simple to correct. Many times, a “service” issue is something as simple as a child or inexperienced satellite customer hitting the wrong button and getting their tv “off channel”. By calling a local provider, this minor type problem can be remedied over the phone.
Saving time and reducing costs are the benefits most consumers want in all of their services. By contacting a local satellite TV provider, you very likely will be able to do both. Finally, when you find that dealing with a local provider is the preferred experience, make sure you help that local provider by referring that company to your friends.
