Mail Box in The US

[rwings01]

I'm in Montreal looking to rent a mailbox in the US closest to the border. Anyone have any suggestions? I want to sub to DTV.

Thanks

[maxheadroom]

go to google
find "mailboxes etc" in your desired location you can even do mapquest to find one close to the boarder.
call them up you can sign up without actually going there. Just fax them ID etc...
They can forward your mail to you if you want you just pay the postage.
Instead of using PO Box 123 on your address just use suite 123 or #123.
If you require a US phone number I suggest you sign up with www.freeworlddialup.com
a free VOIP provider Then go to www.IPKALL.com and sign-up there they will give you a Washington State phone number for free which you can set to forward calls to your FWD number. It is nice since it comes with free voicemail sent to your email address. You can download a free software client to receive calls such as X-TEN or FWD client or you can go to Voxilla.com and buy a box for $60 such as the Sipura spa 1001 and you can connect a regular phone to this which will ring anywhere you have broadband internet if somebody calls your free IPKALL number.
STANAPHONE.com will give you a new yprk number for free but you have to make outbound calls at least once a month to maintain the number. incoming calls are free.
There are other companies where you can pay a nominal fee for a local phone number to receive calls.

[rwings01]

Hi, just found one in Plattsburgh. I will call to seet 1 up on Monday. Thanks for all the great info, much appreciated.

TC

[eights]

Do not want to burst your bubble and wish you success, but my recent experience has been that all web DTV providers are insisting on installing the system for you and will not sell/ship anything unless they do the install....let me know how it works out and PM me with the people that will do it without an install.....

[rwings01]

eights, you are correct. I called many dtv sellers in the us and the only way is to have them installed by an installer. I couldn't find 1 store that would let me putchase the equipment. If anyone finds a store that will allow this, please let us know.

Thanks

[sfg]

Why not just buy used equipment and activate it? Should work just the same as buying new.

sfg

[JT]

Best bet is if you have a friend in the states that will let you use his addy. Second best option is a service like mentioned above.

[maxheadroom]

You can buy the equiptment from Radio Shack.
All you have to do is tell them the equiptment is installed.
If they still insist let them go set it up at the po box place LOL.
Or you can tell them its for your RV.
Or you can tell them that for security reasons I'm sure you understand unauthorized personnel will not be able to enter your building. LOL
The point is they can insist all they want until they are blue in the face in reality the worst they can do is deny you the sub. Tell them there will no be anyone there to allow them access.
Or your lease requires only the property owner's people to do the install.
This is not that difficult you just have to put them in their place that's all.

[maxheadroom]

p.s. tell them that grounding of the equiptment has to be done by licenced electrician according to your lease and if not done to building's specification can get you kicked out.
The other day i've seen installations where the dishes are on tripods in the balcony due to condominium restrictions. Tell them they are very strict and for security and safety reasons they can't have unknown intallation people messing around with building's wiring.
I am almost sure even if the guy comes over and sees it's a PO box they will let you sign up, and if they call you because the guy couldn't do it, you can tell tem it's for an RV and you are travelling throughout the state.

[maxheadroom]

p.p.s
don't get scared from their insisting tactics you just have to have balls and you will get it your way.
Just a thought what about being in Mexico????

[maxheadroom]

ppps.
If they do insist on coming by and ask yo for a date tell them you are working and will not be around so they will have to do it without your presence.
And if they charge a fee to come out that's one way you can get out by saying you are not paying it or if the guy does go out then you call your credit card company and reverse the charge because the service was not delivered. From Canada you can totally claim its fraud since you do not live in the US.
Or better yet use a prepaid MC card that you control the balance that way if they bill it it will get declined.
If you need an SS# for the credit card you can get one from US government download form SS8 I belive. check it out at the irs.gov website under forms and publications. They will give you the number they give these things out like crazy.
The SS number will eventually establish credit for you. Right now it will appear like you have no credit history which should be OK.
If you want to know the loop holes, I've got all of them and being in CANADA you are pretty safe from Dish.

[eights]

Max....

I tried all those things...I'm not gonna be there, can't give a time, dish already there from previous owner...blah, blah, blah.......they simply said no..period, end of story....didn't care if they lost business........ So, like JT said, I'm gonna give my buddy in US free DTV for 1 set, as long as I can have the rest....

[vmod32]

eights, thats probably the best way to go. just make sure you buddy has enough tv to hook all the receivers up to when them come do the install.

[eights]

Why??? I will make it clear that if they want to do install because they have to fine....put up the dish and run wire to outside where cable is now, but I will insist on doing any more wiring in the house myself. I don't trust some moron drilling holes just anywhere to make it work....besides...I can say that the other tv's are coming/just bought...whatever...

[maxheadroom]

eights
what DTV phone number did you call? was this a DTV dealer or the DTV headquarters?

[eights]

It is a DTV dealer...one of them on the web (there are many!!)....I am a little hesitant about calling DTV directly....