Advice on how to handle engineer / Box change?

consultech

Ok, so I've finally gotten round to arranging a Sky engineer out to address the problems Ive been having since day 1 with my Sky HD+ Thomson box. I made a big deal about getting a Pace due to everything I'd heard about Thomson, but caved on the day when I was told it was all they had...

So,
- Variable delay between sound/picture on different channels, HD especially, hugely bothering.
- Sky+ Freezing/causing power-off
- Powering off, need to plug out and back in to get it going again

How should I go about getting a pace box? I've already stipulated that I want one, and it's been attached to my job number. Have been told to get an update on this from engineer when he calls me on Sat whether he has it in stock or not. Ive been told this before though during original install.

What should I do to make sure I get a pace box? Im thinking the "threaten to cancel" route will eventually be necessary, as Ive seen this chain of events play out b4, but am I just gonna get caught in a series of arranged engineer callouts where they tell me they dont have a pace box with them every time?

currythis

Had the same problem,had sky+installed after new year and was given a amstrad pvr3 box.it worked fine when the engineer installed it but developed an annoying noise and started having failed recordings for no reason.I contacted sky and told them I too would prefer a pace box as they seem to be the most reliable,the cs guy said that I'd get whatever the engineer had on the van and lo and behold all he had were amstrads and am still having problems with new box.I guess the next time engineer rings me to confirm the time of arrival I'll ask if he has any pace boxes and if he doesn't I'll tell him not to bother coming,I cant see any other way around this as sky ridiculously wont let you choose your prefered equipment!the only way i can think of is buying a pace box off ebay!any other suggestions would be apreciated!!

jethrodublin

the amstrad boxes aren't really used anymore, haven't been in the last 5+ months or so. if you got one it was just by chance.

the hd boxes are just a problem, the make isn't the problem, its software issues. also, they are just made too flimsy. we have to call back most times a week or so later to replace them! all hd boxes were recalled from our stores just before christmas, and they were replaced with 2 new container loads. so far so good.


alot of time when we ring to give an eta, you(the customer) already has a big of an issue with us. we are the indians, sky is big chief! so just explain the prob to us casually and we're usually more than willing to sort the issue. we have to really, we don't get paid unless the job is COMPLETE

steveon

Definetly try and get a Pace box they are by far the best and quickest at changing channels in my opinion. I have fitted a couple of Samsung Boxes and find them a little sluggish, there made in slovakia and even the packaging isnt up to scratch when compared to the pace in my opnion...

consultech

UPDATE ON THIS:

Get a call from a pretty sound engineer last night tellin me he doesnt have any paces on the van, but he'll call by the warehouse to do his best and let me know first thing today. Calls this morn and says they dont have any AT ALL in the warehouse, but can get one for Tues, so I arrange a call-out. THEN I get a callback tellin me his manager said they cant get one at ALL, there's none in stock anywhere in Ireland, as they've "just come in over here", and cant tell me when they'll have them in again...???

Can anyone confirm/refute this? Any Pace installs in the last week or two? He's comin out afer lunch to put a new Thomson in, which I'm uber-uncomfortable about...

stanley1

Amstrad is owned by Sky.

niceirishfella

stanley1 wrote: »

Amstrad is a owned by Sky.

yep, Sky bought Amstrad a year or 2 agos. I'd say it'll be Amstrad all the way now.