My understanding of the reasoning for Tech charges stems from the fact that the Rental Receivers do not belong to Express Vu, they are owned by a Third Party.
All Rental receivers and switch's etc NEVER belong to the Customer, they will always belong to this third party. They can, after refurbishment be sold to Express Vu, if they so desire.
This is the reasons we have been given when asking the exact same question when the Rental program re-started a few years ago.
As an installation Company, we were supplied with 2 versions of almost everything, SW21's, SW44's, multiswitch's, Receivers. We were not allowed to substitute an ORS (Out Right Sale) switch if we ran out of Rental switch's, we had to cancel the installation and reschedule, we shouted long and hard, and after many weeks we finally got our way to interchange switch's etc, we could NEVER interchange Rental Receivers for ORS customers but could, with prior written permission, use an ORS receiver for a Rental Customer..
Even now, with a couple of exceptions, all refurbished receivers have to used for Rental customers.
When the rental system started, all Receivers had a small black sticker on them saying they were Rented, they, Express Vu, expected us to apply the same stickers to LNBF's, Switch's etc at every installation, so there was never any question of ownership.
One very frustrating situation for ourselves is that if a new customer Rents, say, 4 x 4100's and during installation asks for a 5th receiver, the procedure is quite complex.
Our Technician calls into Express Vu, puts the customer on the telephone, they are charged another $50 for the Rental Certificate, which is refundable. Then they are charged $75 for the running of this 5th line, not refundable. Lastly they are charged $150 for an 8 way multiswitch, again not refundable.
So, for what the customer is invariably told is going to be a "Free Installation" they suddenly find they are paying an extra $225 for ONE additional receiver, which will NEVER belong to them...... Absolutely bloody ridiculous.
Do you know how many times we get 4 receivers installed that advise the customer of the charges for the 5th line and have to remove all the ones we just installed.? Well it happens at least 5 times a week, what a waste of time and effort, the Technicians get ZERO for all the work.
We even have a recording, made by a Customer, who was told by the CSR, to NOT mention the 5th line until the previous 4 had been installed and activated...... I had the pleasure of visiting this gentleman, he was very professional in the way he dealt with our Technician and myself, but when I returned the next day, with an Express Vu Manager, he ripped his head off.
That was the highlight of my day, no my week...... This Manager thinks he can calm any situation down, he was wrong.
The outcome was even funnier, as from our activation to the Managers visit and subsequent follow up, exceeded the 10 day cooling off period, the Customer was now locked into a 2 Year Contract..... It is heading for the courts, I have my side of the story all ready to go, so has the Technician.
Just as a caveat, Once a receiver is activated by a Technician, he CANNOT take it out, even if it fails whilst he is still on your premesis..!!!!
God I enjoy my job......lol