Don't Forget To Contact Us About Digital Conversions!!
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Celebrating 31 Years in Business!! | Get a Free Dish Network satellite system and up to a four room system installed free when you sign up with Dish Network. Dish Network has over 180 channels with 100% digital quality signal. |
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This Website dedicated to My Son, Jared Gassmann. February 3, 1984 - July 16, 2002.
Get a Free Dish Network satellite system and up to a four room system installed free when you sign up with Dish Network. Dish Network has over 180 channels with 100% digital quality signal.



"What everybody ought to know about Dish Network's Free Satellite Dish and Installation offers?"
"Everybody
Appears to Have a Great Deal on Dish Network Satellite Systems?"
"Why Should You Believe Any Dish Network Retailer Could Have A Better Deal,
Including Us?"
"The truth is every Dish Network Retailer can make incredible offers to you, because Dish Network and Direct TV are willing to make an investment in you."
I've heard "Dish Network" invests from $450 to as much as $750 in each new customer. I'm not sure it varies because of the different programs they offer to customers. The bottom line is they want your business and for them to make a profit from your monthly subscription they have to work hard to keep you happy, so you don't quit their service and go back to cable. You are an important long-term investment!
"Dealer Program is another way for them to protect their investment, you, the customer."
They know who is doing the best job taking care of their customers, "their investment"; it's the small to medium size dealer.
The equal opportunity system developed for their dealers, had you in mind. Because "Dish Network" treats all their dealers the same, the largest dealer buying a truck load of systems may save $10 over the smallest dealer that may only order 1 or 2 systems at a time. This helps to keep smaller dealers competitive and profitable so they don't go out of business.
The independent Dish Network Retailer that has the technical background, training, and experience knows how to give a customer better service and each customer is more important to this type of dealer.
There is a large number of medium size Dish Network Retailers, like ourselves with technical background, training and service experience who care and have the know how to take care of customers like you.
"So, what is the answer? I think it's having the right information:"
1. Understanding the programs offered, so you're not fooled by a misleading ad.
2. Knowing what you have to expect from the installation process.
3. Knowing the Dish Network Retailer you choose to install your system
and service later if needed.
4. If it's a factory or subcontract installer, you will know what you
want and can make sure they can deliver it to your satisfaction.
"The
information on this web site will prepare you to make an informed decision you
can be comfortable with and are happy with after your system has been installed."
"The first thing we try to do is help you understand the promotions that Dish Network has to offer. These are the rules for the 3 main and most popular promotions."
1. Digital Home Advantage:In my opinion, this is the best program on the planet!
- Gives you a FREE 4-Room Dish Network Satellite System for $49.99. (Including your choice of the Dish 301, Dish Dual Tuner 322, Dish Player Digital Video Recorder 510 (DVR), Dish Dual Tuner Digital Video Recorder 522 (DVR) and Dish 811 High Definition Receiver) Click here for more receiver info.
- Limit of 2 Dual Tuners or 4 Receivers, with 1 DVR receiver (model 510 or 522) or 2 Dish 811 High Definition Receivers.
- Dual tuner receivers require a telephone line, so Dish Network can update the software to their receivers. If a phone line can't be hooked up Dish Network will charge $5 a month on top of your programming to update the receivers via satellite.
- Dish Player DVR-510 and DVR-522 has a monthly $4.98 Dish Video-on-Demand Service fee.
- Dish 811 High Definition requires that your purchase the Dish Network's HD Pak at $9.99 a month.
- FREE basic/standard installation.
- Gives you a "1 time credit" for $49.99 on your 1st monthly bill for the programming package of your choice.
- Charges a $4.99 additional outlet fee for each receiver starting with the 2nd receiver and beyond …………but not the 1st receiver.
- Requires a credit card, which they will reserve $1 for a short period. (Up to 30 days)
- Requires a credit check. (Social Security Number Required)
- You lease the equipment.
- Your choices of NO Commitment, 1 Year Commitment, or 2 Year Commitment.
- Alternate Program for customers who want this program, but their credit won't pass, Dish Network will accept a $300 deposit, which after the 1st year, they will credit you back that amount over the next 12 months.
2. FREE-For-All Program:
Gives you a FREE 1-Room Dish Network Satellite System for $149 or 2-Room Dish Network Satellite System for $199 Including your choice of the Dish 301 Receiver, Dish DVR-510 Receiver (Must upgrade for $200) and Dish HD 811 Receiver (Must upgrade for $300) Click here for more receiver info.
Upgrade to a Dish Player DVR-510 for $200 or a Dish 811 High Definition Receiver for $300.
Gives you a $10.00 credit over a 15 month period for a 1 room Dish Network system($150) or a $10.00 credit over a 20 month period for a 2 room Dish Network System($200).
Dish Player DVR-510 has a monthly $4.98 Dish Video-on-Demand Service fee.
Dish 811 High Definition requires that your purchase the Dish Network's HD Pak at $9.99 a month.
FREE basic/standard installation.
Charges a $4.99 additional outlet fee for each receiver starting with the 2nd receiver and beyond …………but not the 1st receiver.
Does Not require a credit card or credit check.
- Requires a Social Security Number.
- NO commitment!
- You own the equipment.
So the "Free-for-all Offer" could at the end of the 1st year, return your upfront costs making your system and installation effectively a FREE Dish Network Satellite System?
Order a Dish Network Satellite System
"Now, if somebody tells you that they can waiver from the rules I just described, because they have a special deal with Dish Network, for example; not require a credit card or credit check for DHA, something is not right, and for your own protection call them and ask them about the offer!"
"Now that you have all the rules to the main programs you can make an informed decision and pick the program that you feel will be the best for you. We have customers in all 3 programs. These are reasons our customers tell us they've picked one program over the others."
CHOOSE THE PROGRAMMING THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
America's TOP 60-$31.99 a month with local channels. An exceptionally well-priced package that will please every member of your family. Includes the best in entertainment, sports, news and childrens programming. Click here for channel listings
America's TOP 120-$42.99 a month with local channels. Our most popular programming package! America's Top 120 offers some of the finest news, sports, movie, children's and family programming available, along with more than thirty commercial-free, CD-quality music channels and a dozen Public Interest Channels. Click here for channel listings
America's TOP 180-$52.99 a month with local channels. This package includes over 180 channels of the best entertainment available including all the programming from DISH Network's America's Top 120 and America's Top 60 as well as such fine channels as History Channel International, Discovery Kids, FOX Movie Channel and more! click here for channel listings
Multi Sport-$5.99 a month. The Multi Sport Package is available in some geographical locations when you subscribe to America's Top 120 or 180 programming package. This package may be subject to extensive blackouts of sporting events and other programming noted in the guide. Click here for channel listings
DISH Latino Max-$44.99 a month. DISH Latino Max is a package that includes DISH Latino and DISH Latino DOS with other exciting channels. This package brings you 31 Spanish-language and over 130 English-language channels! An exceptional package for sports, action and entertainment lovers. Without a doubt the best value for your money. Click here for channel listings
DISH Latino DOS-$34.99 a month. DISH Latino DOS brings you exceptional Spanish and English programming in one package! DISH Latino DOS brings you 31 Spanish-language and 89 English-language channels only $34.99 per month. Thats right - 120 channels with the best bilingual programming! With this incredible package you will enjoy the best sports, movies, news, music and entertainment to please every member of your family. Click here for channel listings
DISH Latino-$24.99 a month. DISH Latino is incredible! It is the best Spanish-only programming package available in the market. DISH Latino has 31 channels with the best programming including soccer and sports, novellas, movies, news, music and entertainment for the whole family for only $24.99 per month. With this package you will find exclusive programming and the best value in TV. click here for channel listings
Here with Digital Home Advantage and receiver pricing guide(Basic pricing, pricing may change depending on which receiver you go with.)
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PROGRAMMING WITH LOCAL CHANNELS(where available)
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$52.99 per Month
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$52.99 per Month
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$57.99 per Month
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$57.99 per Month
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$42.99 per Month
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$42.99 per Month
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$47.99 per Month
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$47.99 per Month
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$31.99 per Month
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$31.99 per Month
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$36.99 per Month
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$36.99 per Month
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CHOOSE THE MOVIE PACKAGE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU!
10
Channels $11.99 per Month. |
8
Channels $13.99 per Month. |
8
Channels $11.99 per Month. |
5
Channels $11.99 per Month. |
Add
Premium Packages Price
to Americas Top Entertainment Packages.
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America's Top 60
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America's Top 120
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America's Top 180
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All 4 Premium Packages
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HBO/Cinemax/Showtime/Starz
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$36.99
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$36.99
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$36.99
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3 Premium Packages
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HBO/Cinemax/Showtime
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$29.99
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$29.99
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$29.99
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HBO/Cinemax/Starz
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$29.99
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$29.99
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$29.99
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HBO/Showtime/Starz
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$29.99
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$29.99
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$29.99
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Showtime/Starz/Cinemax
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$29.99
|
$29.99
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$29.99
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2 Premium Packages
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HBO/Cinemax
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$20.99
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$20.99
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$20.99
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HBO/Showtime
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$22.99
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$22.99
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$22.99
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HBO/Starz
|
$22.99
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$22.99
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$22.99
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Showtime/Starz
|
$20.99
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$20.99
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$20.99
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Showtime/Cinemax
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$20.99
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$20.99
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$20.99
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Starz/Cinemax
|
$20.99
|
$20.99
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$20.99
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This next step, unfortunately, is the most glossed over and under-explained part by sales people. The installation of the Satellite System is important and understanding the reasons will help you choose the best dealer.
This business is for some dealers and chain stores a numbers game, they want to keep it simple and hope the customer doesn't notice or their subcontract installer can handle the problems.
A lot of sales people are order-takers and the more orders they take, the more commission they earn.
Sales people are taught to "shut up" as soon as the customer is ready to buy. Well today, because of the advertisements that tell you everything is Free, customers loose out on the information process.
Sales people are also taught to: "Sell the glitter, not the gold." In this case the "glitter" is Free access to the lowest cost digital programming available. The "gold" is equipment features and an installation process that can be hard for the customers to understand and boring to the customer if the sales person can't explain it in a way that makes sense to the customer.
A lot of sales people don't understand the installation process and so all they can tell the customer is that basic/standard installation is FREE or give them a brochure.
Very few sales people want to take the time to talk about options:
1. Because they're afraid that if they tell the customer it will cost more, the customer may want that feature or option, but can't afford it at that time and decide not to buy.
2. Because they just don't know what is involved in integrating an option with a customer's existing cabling system.
3. Because they didn't know they could save the customer money in the long run, plus the added convenience it could provide for their customer.
"With all this said about installation and options, you're probably starting to think right now that maybe it's going to be to complicated for you to understand?"
"Not to worry, I've been doing this and explaining this for a long time."
"I'm
not going to try and make an installer out of you, just give you the information
that will insure you're happy with the system and it does what you want it to
do and allows you to expand your system in the future, if you want to."
From the time I started in business in 1973, my thinking has been and still is this: "I approach every job, like I was doing if for myself with your budget in mind."
I have 30 Years Experience in MATV, SMATV, and SSMATV systems installation, service, and design in both residential and commercial.
I teach my installers and service people that the toughest person to satisfy is not our customers, it's me!
My service and installation manager is my Son, Jordan. My Brother, Wayne and his son, Brandon are also service and installation experts.
My brother, Wayne does mostly big dish service today, where other dealers have stopped servicing big dish, we never stop servicing any of our customers.
I have a 2 year college degree in electronics. I've serviced TV's, stereos, VCRs, and large commercial equipment.
I've personally installed thousands of antennas, big dish satellites, and Dish Network satellite systems.
I've fabricated system improvements and have experienced and solved more problems than anybody I have ever heard of, probably because very few dealers have been in this satellite business since 1979.
I pay attention to comments, feedback, and "Wish I Could Do That" requests from customers just like you.
Bottom line is, I love this business and so does my family and the rest of the people who work for us.
OK, the first thing we need is information about you and your home:
How many people and family members live in your home?
How many TV's are in your home?
How many different TV programs are being watched at any one time?
Is there an existing cable system in your home?
Is there a central location that each cable from the different outlets in different rooms converge at, usually by your electrical box?
Do you know if it is a quality cable, it should have RG-6 printed on it?
Do you have an off-air antenna for local channels?
Are there phone outlets at all the locations you plan on putting a satellite receiver?
In our location in eastern Iowa, the Satellites we will be aiming the dish or dishes at are in the south to southwest sky and the satellite that carries the High Definition programming is in the south to southeast sky.
Do you have trees or other large obstructions in your southern view?
How close are they to the house?
How many are there?
How many stories is your home?
Does the basement have a finished ceiling that would not allow us to run cable to internal outlets?
Are there any special needs you might have now, or are thinking about?
"I would say that around 60% of the Satellite Installations we do, fall under the Basic/Standard installation category. Some of these do have tasks that fall outside the basic guidelines, but because other parts of the installation were easier, we don't feel the need to charge customers."
Click here and you can check out what a Basic/Standard installation covers under Dish Network's FREE Installation Program.
Click here and you can check out the information check off sheet we use on the phone when talking to customers, it has some of our non-basic charges.
"I like to think of possibilities that you may want in the future. We pre-wire new homes with this in mind. I like to run all cables to a central location, called the "headend". Then I can add options easily any time you decide there's need or want. A good example is surveillance camera integration with the SMATV system."
"These are the most common installation options we do quite often."
Most homes today have several TVs from the basement, to main floor family room, to kitchen, to the shop, kids bedrooms, master bedroom, etc. They're not all watched at the same time, but you still want satellite at all locations.
The solution is to add a UHF remote control to 1 receiver and feed it back into the cable system that feeds the whole house.
Now you can control this receiver from every room in your home.
It saves money in the long run, because you don't have any additional outlet fees of $4.99 each month on all rooms.
Less equipment means less repairs, more long run cost savings.
You just sat down to relax and rent a PPV movie in the family room, but then you decide to go to bed and watch it, no problem, with this option the PPV can be playing in every room.
2. Let's take the 1st option a step farther. Have you ever had your spouse, after you're both in bed and comfortable, say to you: "Honey, would you do me a favor and go to the family room and set the VCR to record this special program for me? I would get up and do it, but you're the only one who knows how to set the VCR?"
The solution is upgrade you main satellite receiver to the DVR-510 or DVR-522.
It comes with the UHF remote control feature in the 1st option.
It also has an 120 gigabyte hard rive for about 100 hours of digital recording and it it easy to set to record. All you do is hit the guide button on the remote, browse to the program, hit the record button on the remote, and you are done.
3. We do a lot of "local network" off-air antenna installations and integrated it with the satellite through the home cable SMATV system for the following reasons.
No local channels available where they live.
Already have an antenna, so why the monthly fee for the locals.
Some customers don't want to rely on one source, the satellite dish, for all their programming just in case the dish would go out because of a storm, for example.
Plus, it allows another choice for programming viewing, that doesn't require a receiver, thus saves another $4.99 per month additional outlet fee.
4. Sometimes trees, other obstructions and the customer's desire to not have the dish visible from the front of the house can cause additional charges.
We've had to install the dish on the tip of a pole and tripod on the highest peak of the roof to get a clear line of site over the trees, but it still looked good, because it was installed neatly and all 3 parts were the same color gray.
We've had to install dishes up to 200 feet from the house in a clearing to get a good line of site and trench the cable in the ground.
Sometimes we cement a ground pole in the customers flower bed, because that's where they wanted it.
When we do have to do a roof installation for needed height of hiding it better, we use a special sealant pad under the mount passing the lags through to make a perfect waterproof seal.
5. Customers in general don't like to see cables running all over the outside of their home, especially on newer homes and the more receivers the more cable to hide.
One way to solve this problem it to bring the cables into the basement and tie into existing cables or run new cables.
Another way is to go into the attic and drop walls and install outlets.
Sometimes we have had to do both on 2 story homes that weren't wired properly when the home was built.
6. We have several customers with other buildings on their property not attached to the home and they wanted TV outlets joined to the main system. This is not a problem. We may need to amplify the signal which we usually combine with the UHF remoter control signal so they can control a receiver from there. There's other ways also.
It's True, 90% of the complaints we receive "unfortunately" can be traced back to the installation!
I know that writing a negative article is sometimes frowned on. But my Dad once told me that: "Truth is only true when it's all been told." I only ever heard him say that one time in my whole life. It was over 40 years ago and lets just say I was expecting a totally different, much louder, and much longer reaction.
Dish Network and the Satellite Industry are working to improve on this problem. I have taken complaints from customers at our store for years. But I've been servicing and installing Satellite Systems since 1979.
It's also true that these complaints ARE NOT coming from customers who bought their system from us. I'm not saying we're perfect.............................................. We do try to be...................We've had a lot of experience in both commercial and residential, "so" we certainly have the know how to make sure our customers are completely satisfied when we are done!
The thing is, the Satellite Industry does need improvement in this area of installation ................................ And I know they are trying to improve by having installers become certified, which is good. But this is not exactly the whole story, some of the problem is salesmen not giving enough information to the customer.
The main complaints from listening to customers of both Dish Network, Direct TV, and big dish customers over the years comes down to this:
We find that a lot of customers were never told what was included in a standard/basic installation. This isn't the biggest complaint, but I feel it is very important. All these customers were told that it was FREE Installation!
Unfortunately the biggest complaint is from customers unlucky enough to have their Dish System installed by someone who is going for numbers, pushed for time, doesn't take pride in their work, or just doesn't have the needed training.............BUT...........
With just basic understanding of what you should expect from a basic/standard installation from the information on your site you will recognize and know how to handle this kind of installer before he/she gets started.
Which May Be To..................Pick up the phone and call us or the number you called to schedule your installation.
Customers have also been told that the installation would be done from a local dealer and this seldom happens. Dish Network is working to setup a program to refer installs to "elite" dealers in an area.
We've had customers call immediately after the installer left to come out and take a look at where the installer placed the dish. They didn't want it on the front of the house. They told the installer and he told them that was the only place it would work. They didn't know what to do so they let install it on the bottom edge of the roof and he ran the cable down the front of the home about 6 feet from the corner, through the wall their main TV was located.................There were trees in the southern sky, which was in the back of this family's large, new home.
The trees were not in the way, so we moved the dish to the back of the house.
We also ran the cable into the basement by the electrical service and then up to the TV outlet that was installed when the house was built.
We also repair the holes as good as we could without replacing the siding and filled the holes on the roof.
Then we showed them how to use the system.
About 3 or 4 months later we went back and upgraded the remote to UHF and feed the whole house with the same receiver.
We had customers call us, because they were loosing the picture for a few weeks and then it went off and stayed off. These calls were in the summer when the leaves came on the trees. The dish was installed in the winter and put in the wrong place.
This complaint, customers don't usually call us just to straighten out messy cabling at the dish. The disk quits working when we get there, then they ask us if we could make the wiring at the dish a little less noticeable. This installer left over 40 feet of cable rolled up and hanging without being tied to the dish.
First of all the installer should have cut everything to length, which we did.
The installer should also have secured the cable, which was the problem, the weight of the cable pulled itself loose from the F-fitting.
One, we have had complaints on quite often is where the installer used a ground pole to mount the dish and didn't use cement to hold the pole from moving.
Click here to look at an installer inspection sheet.
"A Disappearing Perspective!"
We're located in a small town between 3 larger metropolitan cities, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Iowa City. I started out doing business with customers who were friends, then their friends, and it just kind of spread and grew to the larger communities over 30 years and to the Internet.
I am determined to continue our small town neighbors serving neighbors approach toward people we call our customers. The world moves unbelievably fast today. And Yeah? I know that I will never know most of you, our customers because you are too many, but it doesn't mean we can't treat you like you live next door if you have a problem.
I want people to recognize how we are different from other companies by our attitude toward people. Life was a lot simpler when I started my business back in 1973.
Wayne and I want you to remember us along with our Sons and Daughters as professional, courteous, you were happy with our service .................. And................... We treated you honestly and with respect.
Our name is part our business name, Gassmann's Satellite & Security. We are a family business in our 2nd generation.
I hope I didn't scare you out of getting a satellite system, especially if you were going to get it from me. Most of the time satellite dish installations go like clockwork.
"So, now you have the right information you need, to make a good decision, and you'll know what to expect from the installer!"
If you think you might be in our service and installation area,
Or even if your not,
Just give us a call at 800-770-0906.
Or, just click the e-mail link to customer support
Or, send us a fax at 319-465-5176.
Or, if you like, click our "secure payment link" for a
Digital Home Advantage Certificate.
"Did you know that the odds are in your favor that you can cut your service call expenses to almost $0.00, or even $0.00 over a ten year period by doing 3 things!"
Make sure you get a quality, Professional Installation.
Having a "Quality" surge suppresser with DBS coax, Off-air coax, Phone line and line voltage surge protection installed with your system!
If you have a problem, before you call, unplug your satellite receiver from the wall, wait 5 minutes, and plug it back in.
We will include a Panamax DBS8 Surge Protector (More Info on Panamax Surge Protectors)for you FREE of charge if you give us 5 postcards with friends or family that might be interested in Dish Network. We will include the postcards, postage and mailing them.
Even if you already own a dish, are not ready to get a dish yet, or if you're building a new home or moving and just want to consult with us, we want you for a customer, so e-mail us at customer support today and give use a description of your home or description of your problem, or special wants. I'll even design your SMATV head-end for your home for free even if you decide not to get a Dish from us. I will include a parts list of quality parts most will be commercial grade. My system will blow the expensive packaged systems away.
Myself and my family will do everything we can to make your New "Dish Network System" enjoyable for a long time to come, and the installation a satisfying experience!
Gassmann's
Satellite & Security

819 North Cedar Street
Monticello, Iowa 52310
Phone 319-465-5980
Toll Free 800-770-0906
Fax 319-465-5176