LIKE any good father, when the budget allows, I like to spoil my kids. And when bonus month came, I went and bought a PVR DSTV satellite decoder from Aerea-Sat - what a good investment.
Now, Aerea-Sat is endorsed by many big, well-known radio stations as being the cheapest and even being able to do “same-day installations” even until midnight.
And sure enough, I phoned them the Friday afternoon at 16:00 and that same evening at 23:00 they were on their way. As it had started to rain, I advised them to return the following morning. Once again, promptly the Saturday morning they were there.
The installation “completed”, I was informed that, in order for the second television to have clear reception and for the “eye” to function well, I needed an additional “DC splitter” - the cost of which was R550.
According to Albert - the installer from Aerea-Sat - the splitter was “not part of the package”.
I phoned a local dealer and was surprised to learn that they had exactly the same splitter for only R150.
I went to purchase the splitter and some extra cable, but the installer refused to use the splitter and they left without installing the “eye” or my other SABC channels.
For six weeks I tried to get Aerea-Sat to come and complete their installation, phoning them twice a day. Eventually, after I agreed to pay R350 for a call-out, Brian, the manager at Aerea- Sat, promised to send out someone.
A week passed and after numerous phone calls, someone was sent out. Evidently, the “eye” was faulty and replaced, but still he could not install all my SABC channels.
The local dealer eventually advised me on how to install my channels.
My lesson learnt:
1. Aerea-Sat has a very poor aftercare service - just go to their website and view the numerous complaints.
2. Rather buy local, especially in your own town, where you can meet the manager face tot face and not get empty promises over a phone.
3. Do research about the company before purchasing a product - local might be a little more expensive, but at least you can build a good relationship with your dealer.
4. Thank you to the local dealer in Paarl for entertaining all my requests - even though it was not their product.
