Newbie Questions

[codefree]

 

Originally posted by veyj:
Mike S. and myself were able to pick up the Hughes E86 with the full 2 year warranty from Flanners for $399.  Haven't had a single problem.

Thanks for your help.  I called Flanners just before they closed last night and they told me they have the Hughes on sale for $499.  Were the $399 ones the demos?  Anyway, I'll be heading out there later today.

[veyj]

I'm not sure if they were demo's, returns or just open boxes.  Anyway, the one I got look brand new.  Bill, the salesman I worked with, got me a brand new accessory pack that was still sealed.  The accessories are the component and digital optical cables, RF/IR remote (Most STB's are only IR), RF antenna for remote, VCR control cable and manual.  I also double checked to make sure it came with an access card.

Was the $499 quote for the receiver only?  Or was it for Receiver, Elliptical Dish, 2 LNB's and installation?  If you don't already have DirecTV and are going that route, the extra $100 is well worth it.  And if you're thinking about adding ShowtimeHD now or sometime in the future, you can pick up the 3rd LNB from DirecTV for $8 shipping and install it yourself.

[Todd Wiedemann]

Codefree,

My 'guy' at Flanner's is Paul Hugdahl. He is excellent to work with and is a supporter of this group. If you can, and don't mind, please see him and mention the group !

PS - I'm 'codefree' too ... APEX AD-600A.

[codefree]

 

Originally posted by veyj:
Was the $499 quote for the receiver only?  Or was it for Receiver, Elliptical Dish, 2 LNB's and installation?  If you don't already have DirecTV and are going that route, the extra $100 is well worth it.  And if you're thinking about adding ShowtimeHD now or sometime in the future, you can pick up the 3rd LNB from DirecTV for $8 shipping and install it yourself.

AFAIK, the $499 price he quoted was for the receiver itself with nothing else.  Isn't an extra $100 a bit much for Direct TV installion as Best Buy has a deal going on right now for only $24.99 after rebate which sounds a lot more tempting.

[codefree]

Just got back from Flanners.  Picked up the Hughes STB for $499 which came with satellite installion.  Look forward to getting it all ready to go!

Thanks again to everyone for their help.  

[veyj]

Don't think of it as $100 for the install.  First of all, it's open vs. unopened merchandise.  Secondly, try and find that $499 price for the E86 anywhere, including the internet.  American TV, EBAY ... weren't even close.  Add to that, it should be installed by Jeff Burback, who has been raved about on this forum.  And finally, you know you'll be getting the right equipment (Elliptical Dish, 2 LNB's, Multi-Switch).  The Best Buy advertisement you listed showed 2 low-end receivers installed with a Round dish and single LNB for $24.99.  Upgrade that to DD 5.1 receivers and the install is $92.99.  They don't even mention what an HD receiver install would run.  Hard to compare apples and oranges.

The route I took was based on advice from Mike Sheahan.  I got the free installation from Block Buster.  This came with (1) low-end Hughes receiver GAEBO.  I requested the Para Todos package even though I didn't want those channels.  What that did was garauntee the Elliptical dish and Multi-Switch which is required to receive the spanish programming.  The free install came with a bonus (1 year free DVD rentals/1 per week).  The install was great.  He brought duel RG6 down from the Dish/Switch to were it went into the house.  He said they were doing this as a directive from DirecTV on all installs because a lot of people were upgrading to a second receiver.  It worked great for me.  I picked up the open Hughes from Flanners.  Ran RG6 to the second line.  Called DirecTV to activate and voila.  2 receivers installed for $399 and a boatload of DVD rentals.