1-800 Number vs Local Dealers
Over the years we at Columbia Basin Satellite have heard a lot of confusion about the difference between a local satellite retailer like us and the 1-800 number. Is there a difference in pricing and promotions? When a customer signs up through the 1-800 number do they use a local retailer to install it? Are retailers assigned territories ? We would like to address some of these questions to better inform the public concerning the differences between a local retailer and the 1-800 numbers.

Who installs my system?
When a customer calls the 1-800 number for

Dish Network

or

DirecTV

in

Longview, WA

they are usually calling the corporate office for each provider.Sometimes national dealers portray themselves as the corporate office in order to take advantage of corporate marketing dollars so buyers beware.We often hear stories about people signing up through a 1-800 number and then have billing issues and can't track down who they signed up through.If they sign up through the correct corporate number the installation is performed by their corporate installation department and not a local dealer.Some customers may feel that this can mean a better quality installation but this isn't always true.While installations directly from the corporate installation departments are good, often a local dealer will spend more time helping the customer get set up.In addition, local dealers like Columbia Basin Satellite can sometimes perform installations that corporate installers can't perform due to internal policies.

What is the difference between a local dealer and the 1-800 number?
A local dealer like Columbia Basin Satellite is an authorized agent of the satellite provider.This is similar to an insurance agent.While I could sign up through the Allstate 1-800 number I can also sign up through a local Allstate agent.In both cases the pricing is the same but with a local agent I have a face I can talk to a local expert.If I use a local agent I will be their customer until I cancel my service.This means I can still call the 1-800 number for billing issues and if it's not resolved and I feel like I am getting the runaround then I can go to my local dealer and ask for his help.If a person signs up through the 1-800 number they do not have this option.In addition, you can call your local dealer for tech support issues and not have to call overseas where it can sometimes be difficult to understand the company representative.No touch tone prompts just straight to the local office.If it's after hours the 1-800 number is always available for tech support.As with an insurance agent there are no territories for satellite dealers nor are they franchised.They are independent companies that are authorized to provide satellite services.Furthermore, satellite dealers can carry multiple services for satellite, internet, phone, and more in order to better serve their customers.

Do I get better pricing through the 1-800 number?
The simple answer is no.Dish Network and DirecTV get a large percentage of all their sales from local dealers and recognize the need of a level playing field.They do not want to bite the hand that feeds them.Sometimes there are rare occasions where the corporate provider has a small test promotion that may differ from the regular national promotion but we can almost always get authorization to match it.So whether a customer signs up in Kennewick or a call center in Malaysia the pricing is the same.Sometimes in rare cases upgrades for existing customers can be more affordable through corporate however.
Aren't the reps through the 1-800 number better trained to answer my questions?

Local dealers like Columbia Basin Satellite do typically offer more knowledge and experience.For example, the average length of employment of an employee in a call center is three months.While they have automated systems to help them answer questions they are still fairly new to the product.Most retailers have been specializing in satellite for years.The average employment in the satellite industry at Columbia Basin Satellite is over 3 years.They also routinely attend training on new systems, promotions and programming.This allows us to answer questions that cannot be answered through any call center.In fact, larger dealers like Columbia Basin Satellite often meet with the executives from both Dish Network and DirecTV in meetings where they are asked for insight from a dealer's perspective.I have personally met with Charlie Ergen, the billionaire owner of Dish Network and talked about issues that concern the Tri-Cities.This channel of communication also allows us to know about other issues that pertain to our specific market that someone in a call center won't know.

How can a dealer offer Dish Network and DirecTV ? Aren't they competitors?
As with some insurance agents, satellite dealers can carry multiple services.In the case of Columbia Basin Satellite we carry Dish Network, DirecTV, Clear, Desert Winds Wireless, Qwest, WildBlue, Monitronics, Sony, and more.We do this so we can offer the best service to our customers.If a customer called up Dish Network and asked them which satellite provider is better Dish Network or DirecTV?  What do you think they would say?  Dish Network of course.At Columbia Basin Satellite we used to just carry Dish Network but found that in some cases DirecTV was a better choice so we would tell the customer to call DirecTV.We decided to carry both so we can give the customer the best solution for them.Our philosophy is to act as a consultant instead of a sales rep.This way we know we are genuinely doing what is best for the customer and we can sleep at night knowing we did what was best.

Are there other advantages of signing up through a local dealer ?
Absolutely! Columbia Basin Satellite has a showroom so you can see how all features work before you sign up.Not convinced High Definition is worth it?  Come see how it looks.Want to see how a

DVR receivers

works?  We will walk you through it even before you decide if you want to sign up.Need a free site survey to see if you have a line of site?  No worries.We install people all the time who were told by a corporate installer that it couldn't be done.If it can be done we will find away to do it.Which is better for you,

Dish Network Packages

or

DirecTV Channels

in

Longview, WA

?  It depends on each customer and we will make sure that the provider and the package you get meets your criteria best.

Should I sign up with TV from a door to door sales rep?
Buyers beware! Every summer satellite door to door sales reps show up in the Tri-Cities and claim they are local.They even tell customers that our office is theirs.Once they leave we have customers show up at our office with billing issues only to find that the sales rep was not from our company.Unfortunately by that point there is nothing we can do.The customer is out of luck.It pays to do business with a local company and verify it.

Is satellite TV reliable?
Independent studies have shown that satellite TV has a reliability rating of 99.9% compared to an estimated 96% reliability rating of cable.So not only is it reliable, it is more reliable than cable.

Do satellite TV packages have lots of fees in

Longview, WA

?
Satellite TV has fees for

DVR receivers

and

HD receivers

services like cable TV.The difference is that a satellite DVR fee is $7 compared to a combination of fees of typically over $16 with cable.HD is normally $10 with satellite but is currently $0 if autopay is used.With cable they typically charge a combination of fees for a total of over $11.Satellite gives you your first digital receiver just like cable does.Some satellite receivers work two TV independently instead of one however.Satellite does charge $5 to $7 for each additional digital receiver while cable usually charges over $6 each.

How much are satellite TV taxes in

Longview, WA

?
Satellite TV taxes typically amount to $3 to $5 depending on the package.Cable taxes are typically $12 to $16.Satellite is able to absorb a lot of the taxes since they do not have the expensive overhead of the cable company.

Is there an installation fee?
A standard satellite installation is free.Sometimes additional fees are charged for custom work.Cable typically charges $50 for an installation unless waived by a promotion.A standard satellite installation includes the basic wiring of a house to each TV outlet as needed.This cost is typically $10 per outlet for each additional outlet with cable.

Is there a contract?
Yes.There is a two year commitment with both Dish Network and DirecTV.This allows each

satellite internet provider

to offer great promotions and allow a free installation.Cable providers typically also require a two year contract as well.Satellite providers will move you anywhere in the continental US one time for free while cable charges approximately $20.

Is there a credit check?
Yes.Satellite equipment is very expensive and they offer it to new customers for free.Most customers get $300 to $900 in satellite equipment at no cost.Satellite providers like

DSL internet providers

i.e.Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) &

wireless broadband internet providers

in

Longview, WA

are able to do this by performing a credit check.If a customer has poor credit we do have options as well.

Do I need a credit card?
Yes.While a customer can opt out of autopay, satellite providers keep the card on file to keep customers honest so they return the equipment when service is cancelled.This keeps monthly prices low for all customers.

Can I bundle with satellite TV?
In certain areas with certain providers there are bundled options.We have found that our independent internet and phone options often provide customers with equally as good savings and sometimes better.By avoiding the bundle our customers avoid issues with all services not working if a connection is lost or a billing issue arises.

Does satellite TV have good customer service for

Longview, WA

?
According to the JD Power television rankings for the western US, Dish Network and DirecTV rank higher in affordability, billing, performance and reliability, and customer service than Charter Cable, Comcast Cable, Cox Cable and Time Warner Cable to name a few.Any questions?

Why Choose Columbia Basin Satellite in

Longview, WA

?