Here's the deal:

First, I don't know anything about satellites or satellite equipments.

I found this guy on craigslist that said I would get free international programming by DirectTV (he said it was Free to air) if I paid him $300.

So my stupid/idiot/dumba** agreed to the deal. He came over and installed an international satellite dish and a receiver, both by DirectTV.

After installing, he made a phone call to someone who "programmed" the receiver so I would receive the international channels. All the international channels were working so I gave him $300 and he left.

Then the same night, I turned the receiver off before I went to sleep. I woke up in the morning and turned the receiver on: "Satellite searching for signal". No picture, no guide, nothing. It was like the receiver was never programmed.

I called the jacka** but he isn't picking up his phone or returning my phone calls. so my question is: Did he just rip me off? I already spent $300 on the dish, which is worthless if I don't get anything. What can I do now? Is there anyway to get the programming back on?

Did you see any kind of company logo on his car? If he's advertising on CL, that immediately raises a red flag in my mind. Search for his number online, check the local BBB. No record? You got bilked.

It's remotely possible that he was legit, but to be absolutely certain, you should contact DTV and talk to them about it.

Do a search for DTV International and look at their page, see if it makes sense to you, see if you can relate any of their packages to what he was offering.