Dish Network, Orion Satellite Misrepresentation by Sales Staff Ripoff Pasadena California

8/09/05 I was contacted by Lance from Orion Satellite, he said he was representing Dish and Direct T V. I explained to him that I still had over 4 months left on my contract with Direct TV. He stated he would cancel out the Direct TV contract and also put that on the new Dish contract.
I had just paid Direct TV their 8/5 bill for $50.97. He said that was not a problem because Direct TV would refund that payment to me when it was canceled He was still inferring that he represented both Direct & Dish network TV and he could cancel Direct TV.

8/10/05 ? After the Dish installation a bill came from Direct TV, I assumed it was a computer?generated bill. I called Direct TV and spoke to the Direct TV Rep and explained that Lance from Orion/Dish/Direct TV Satellite had canceled their service and installed Dish Network.
He informed me that Orion could not cancel my service. It was then that I realized I had been scammed. Direct TV has received other complaints regarding this matter.

Direct TV has suspended my account for a month to stop the charges for a short time, if I cancel their service I will have to pay an early cancellation fee.

8/12 through 8/22/05 I left several messages for Lance @ Orion/Direct on his voice mail (801 473?6890 ? No Response from him). Finally I called the "Orion Hemet Office" (951 526?2004 ? I left a message, no response) I called the office again a few days later and asked for their mailing address. They told me the "office" was in another State. I questioned the Hemet phone number/area code and was told "that it was confusing to people". From that time forward the phone calls went directly to voice mail.

8/26/05 Lance from Orion answered his Cell phone and told me he would call Direct TV, correct the problem and would call me back Sat morning (8/27/05) (He did not call me)

8/29/05 ? I spoke to Lance again, he denied any misrepresentation. He had written on the Dish contract that the Direct TV would be canceled

8/29/05?I called the Hemet Police Dept. They could not locate the Orion office either. They told me I should contact the BBB and a Lawyer.

8/29/05 ? I contacted Dish Network and was told to "take the matter up with the Orion Sales Rep." Circle #1) Then I asked to speak to their legal department Supervisor. I was put on hold. She came back on again and stated, "I would need to take this matter up with the Orion Rep" Circle # 2. I told the Dish Rep I would lodge a formal complaint with the BBB, the DA and the newspapers, same response from them" Take it up with Orion" Circle # 3. They told me if I canceled Dish I would be liable for an early cancellation fee"

8/29/05 ? I E-Mailed Dish Network/Echo Star (Parent Co.) No response from them.

I am sure I have lost the $50.97 paid to Direct TV because it was not canceled. Also Direct or Dish will pursue me for early cancellation. They can report me to the Credit Bureaus if I do not pay these fees.

I have always been very careful to get everything in writing; it did not help me this time

Dave
Hemet, California
U.S.A.