Do you absolutely hate getting automated assistance when calling in for help after you bought the equipment?
At Ground Control, this won’t happen.

Do you want to get the most out of your entertainment equipment?
At Ground Control, you’ll get the options to decide on.

Consider your main choice when getting connected with Dish Network or DirecTV…

... Your choice of a mega / nationwide company or a local licensed contractor?

Consider the following before making your decision:

Myth 1) By calling Dish Network, DirecTV or a nationwide reseller of either one directly, you can expect a higher level of service than a local independent contractor?

My answer to this comes from years of fixing “basic” or “Free Installations” done by installers that have no connection with the customer and their overall satisfaction.

From 2001-2004 GCSS was contracted by a nationwide firm that handled Sears’ maintenance agreement calls regarding DirecTV and Dish Network clients. GCSS was the primary service contractor for L.A. and Orange Counties during this period until the nationwide contracting firm decided to part ways with Sears.

During this period I heard many customer accounts regarding their installation experiences. According to customer accounts, what typically happens when you call Dish Network, DirecTV, or a nationwide reseller directly, is that they contact their installation force.   Typically, the customer had no say in where the dish went or how the cabling ran. Also, when the installer was done installing the dish, the customer education portion lasted about 2 minutes and went something like this… “Ok, here’s the remote control. Just put the TV on Channel 3 and if you have any other questions here’s the 800#”.

This is because the installer has no real relationship or accountability to you the customer. Many are so focused on trying to do so many installs in a day, that you are an extreme inconvenience if you ask a question. Sure, if you complain to the place you bought it, there may be a complaint filed against that installer. But you will never likely know if the thing they are hearing when you complain is "blah, blah, blah".

 When you call Ground Control, you get a person that you can talk to that cares that you are educated about the choices you are making regarding your entertainment system. I am happy to give you the options regarding your installation. Of course there may be certain choices that will cost you more money to get the way you want, but it is, and should be, your choice if you want something beyond the “Basic Installation”. When it comes to customer education, I am happy to show you how to get around on the remote control and show you what I think are the exciting things that you should not overlook.

I realize that even in a 30-60 minute briefing, there will be too much information for many customers to be able to recall after I’ve walked out the door. My hope is that I can at least show the customer these features and they will have a desire to try to get back to them (using the manual if necessary) and be able to appreciate their purchase to their fullest satisfaction. There may be times when they need assistance and they can either call me directly or they can call the DirecTV or Dish Network 800#.

For more on this, see Bad Install

Myth 2) If you buy through Sears or a major chain store, you are assured that they will always be there to service it. Where as, if you buy from a local contractor, you are taking a chance.

In general, this was a perception that I carried for a long time myself.

However, after being in the C-Band (Big Dish) business for about 10 years and competing with Sears, I found that Sears had stopped selling big satellite dishes and their customers were left to sift through the Yellow Pages to get repairs done. I ultimately got referrals from my local Sears Outlet store for their former customers regarding repairs and upgrades.

Sears also used to sell DirecTV and now, instead, sells Dish Network. Ground Control still services the equipment that our very first customer purchased in 1983.