The Elephant Group - SatelliteSales - Eclub Unfair rip-off selling practices South Plainfield New Jersey
On June 29, 2006 I called 1-888-297-1836 number, which I found on an advertising leaflet (with Dish Network logo and www.SatelliteSales.com etc. on it).
The guy called Jason (ext. 5026) provided the talk on the other end of the phone line. I told him I wanted Japan TV package from Dish Network. He told me I must get American package in order to get Japan TV. I said OK and I noted I wanted IFC (International Film Channel) and Science Channel. He told me there is a package called "Family...?" for $19.99 that includes both IFC and Science Channel. Japanese TV package was $24.99. I said fine.
He said he "subscribed" me to those two channels and the Japan package. He told me it will be $44.95 a month plus a $49.99 deposit creditable with first month's bill. My car got charged right away (for $49.99) which was fine then, but.. The next day I found out some things he told me and did were lies.
I have read the email they sent me ("signed" by Ron Andersen - Director of Marketing and Promotions) - it had a broken header and no matter what I did I was unable to view that header (unusual), but that's peanuts. I also noticed that he entered my street address incorrectly, so I called their phone number, but the female on the other end (after I asked nicely to update my address) hung up n me.
So did the guy when I called again. That's still peanuts. The next day I called the real Dish Network and they inspected my order and told me that "The Elephant Group" has not added any Japan TV package to my order and has not subscribed me to "Family" package.
Instead they subscribed me to something for $34.99 or similar amount. They also never informed me about the contract terms nor they did tell me that I will get charged $100 for an extra "super dish" that's needed to view Japan TV etc.
The Elephant Group (run by the following persons: Benny Aboud, President and Chief Executive Officer; Reid Shapiro, Vice President; Joseph Bamira PhD, Chief Financial Officer; A. Zevi Friedman, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development; Dale Motyl, Vice President of Operations; Joel Dickstein, Vice President - Sales & Operations; Elizabeth Bartz - owner - I have included all the names of the leaders of this company also known as SatelliteSales.com to make sure they get a proper publicity) messed my order up completely, did not provide me with the correct stuff and charged my card.
Other known addresses and locations of The Elephant Group:
Global Operations
3303 W. Commercial Blvd
2nd Floor
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Philippines Operations
5 Eastwood Ave
Eastwood City CyberPark
Quezon City
Philippines
National Call Centers:
901 Hadley Rd.
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
6835 Deerpath Rd.
Ste. 105
Elkridge, MD 21075
1100 South State Rd 7
Ste. 100
Margate, FL 33068
Other known phone numbers: 866-304-9183; 877-822-2418.
John
Columbia, South Carolina
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
John
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
The Elephant Group did not cancel my order!
#3Author of original report
Sun, July 02, 2006
After I requested my order to be cancelled the next day after I placed it (due to T.E.G.'s complete (intentional?) screw up of my order) I just got a phone call today rom 1-877-822-2418 and automatically recorded voice told me that I'm scheduled for tomorrow (I cancelled it several days ago!) for Dish Network's (The Elephant Group name is not mentioned in the recording) installation.
I called them back and asked them again to CANCEL my order. The female sounded kind of rudeish a little bit. She said: "Okay! Okay! I will cancel it!". All their (The Elephant Group) music and recording is quite dramatical (dramatized?) with some irony in their voices. It just tells me it's not the good company to go with. I'll be watching my bank account for any unauthorized charges on my account coming from THe Elephant Group or their sister companies. And of course I'll be looking forward for the refund of my $49.99 they supposed to refund in 3 to 5 business days.
John
Columbia,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
SHAME on Dish Network!
#3Author of original report
Fri, June 30, 2006
SHAME on Dish Network allowing themselves such a "partner" as "The Elephant Group"! I warned Dish Network about the SatelliteSales.com a.k.a. The Elephant Group today. Let's see if Dish Network drops their "partner" The Elephant Group and when will that happen.