[tigerlily]

We picked up a flyer today outside Walmart about this company that sells Star Choice programming. They also loan you equipment (you must make a refundable security deposit) so you don't need to purchase it. They charge for installation of the equipment but not for maintenance and routine service calls. We spoke with a man named Blake Edwards.

We're wondering if anyone has ever used this company and would you recommend them?

[slumdog]

This sounds like Tom's son. Tom died last year and his son kept the Shaw Direct (formerly Star Choice) business going for a bit, then disappeared.
S.A. de C.V. stands for Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, meaning it is a corporation, and for us I believe that means he has tax numbers and is allowed to operate as a business under Mexican law. Considering his age and business circumstances, I'd be impressed if he actually managed to get them.

Other than that, the two of them seemed to keep things working okay; Tom was not fly-by-night. After Blake took over, I heard from several people that he was impossible to get ahold of, and that his prices went up quite a bit.

[johanson]

slumdog, on 10 March 2010 - 05:55 PM, said:

This sounds like Tom's son. Tom died last year and his son kept the Shaw Direct (formerly Star Choice) business going for a bit, then disappeared.
S.A. de C.V. stands for Sociedad Anonima de Capital Variable, meaning it is a corporation, and for us I believe that means he has tax numbers and is allowed to operate as a business under Mexican law. Considering his age and business circumstances, I'd be impressed if he actually managed to get them.

Other than that, the two of them seemed to keep things working okay; Tom was not fly-by-night. After Blake took over, I heard from several people that he was impossible to get ahold of, and that his prices went up quite a bit.

Whomever you use make sure that they provide you with a large enough satellite dish. Getting technical, Star Choice/ Shaw Direct uses the Ku band frequency. Which means that when it is raining either on you or between you and the satellite you are pointing at that you will loose some of your signal. To ensure a good quality signal lakeside when it's raining, you need at least the Star Choice 75 E satellite. Never accept the 60 E unless you are willing to give up your programming when there is quite a bit of rain either on you or between you and the satellite you are looking at.

Some satellite dealers will give you a small dish that works just great when there are no clouds in the sky but sucks big time during the rainy season.

[senor vivo]

I know the Edwards family, in fact Tom was our optometrist in Canada many moons ago.
He and his son Blake were both involved in the start up and running of the business,and indeed the legalities regarding incorporation were completed while Tom was still alive, and the company operates legally at this time.
Tom's wife Cheryl, is CEO of the business, and is involved in the day to day running of the company, with the assistance of her son Blake, who handles service calls, and enquiries in her absence. I believe they also call in a local techie to help out if they are super busy,
Cheryl has been in the USA over the last few weeks , but returns today.
Also, it is my understanding that there is no security deposit for equipment,it is on a loan basis with a monthly package fee, but there is one time installation fee.
I suggest you give them a call for clarification, I am sure they will be happy to assist you.

[Limey]

johanson, on 10 March 2010 - 07:34 PM, said:

Whomever you use make sure that they provide you with a large enough satellite dish. Getting technical, Star Choice/ Shaw Direct uses the Ku band frequency. Which means that when it is raining either on you or between you and the satellite you are pointing at that you will loose some of your signal. To ensure a good quality signal lakeside when it's raining, you need at least the Star Choice 75 E satellite. Never accept the 60 E unless you are willing to give up your programming when there is quite a bit of rain either on you or between you and the satellite you are looking at.

Some satellite dealers will give you a small dish that works just great when there are no clouds in the sky but sucks big time during the rainy season.

I agree with the writer based on practical experience. By chance I have a 1.2 mtr (4foot) dish for sale complete with both a dual channel Circular and dual channel Linear LNB's, the dish stand and plenty of RG6 twin feed coaxial cable. PM me if interested.