TheMobs.com

samw_3 · 14 March 2006 at 6:57PM

Just wondering whether anyone else has had any problems with themobs.com? They offer mobile phones with free line rental - only problem is you have to claim it back.

Unfortunately they have 'lost' my claim form and now it is too late for me to claim back my money - £150. I have emailed them three times and not had a sinlgle response. Now after waiting 15 mionutes on hold I have been told it is tough, too late - I should have sent it special delivery then they would have processed it!

I am furious and feel cheated. Has anyone else had a problem or could it be that I'm a one off?

deekmcc · 16 March 2006 at 11:11AM

Used them before & they were ok with cashback.

I always send cashback vouchers by recorded delivery & when i forgot to send one to another provider (dialaphone) i phoned to say it must have got lost in post they said don't worry just send a copy of your next statement & that way we know your contract is still running so can't see why the mobs are being so daft with you.

samw_3 · 17 March 2006 at 11:00PM

They say I've not stuck to their conditions so I can't get anything. Unless it was a numpty I was talking to - which is always a possibility!
I can't send the same bill again though - which is what he told me to do - because they insist that you send them the original the first time - clever heh!

I will never ever do a cashback deal again - this is how they can afford to do it - by fleecing other people - not good companies to do business with.

Anon · 19 March 2006 at 12:47AM

Follow the t&cs and it can work - I have had two deals so far with OSPS and CPW and both paid out. Currently have two other deals with The Link and Mobileshop (not claimed yet but they didn't have negative comments like some of the other providers).

Always send recorded or but better still special delivery (with consequential loss) as that was it is tracked through the process and RM insure it if it goes missing (Recorded would only cover you for the actual cost of the paper - not much use in these circumstances where you need the actual voucher to claim). It does seem that some companies are now using the recorded delivery/special delivery root - they check whether you sent it by this method, and if not, they are rejecting claims as you cannot prove you sent it/they received it which in my mind is sharp practice (though to be fair, a number of retailers now tell you to send recorded for your own peace of mind).

You say they have lost the claim form - does that mean you have proof that they received it or have they said that they have not received it? It is always possible that it went missing in the mail (though it is surprising how often this seems to happen with some of these companies offering cashbacks ...).

Other threads have discussed using the small claims court to go after companies who have refused cashback claims, but read about them rather than taking my word (as you would need to have evidence to prove you had sent and that you had stuck to the t&cs as if I recall correctly they claimed breach of contract).

Good luck

Anon

skeggysteve · 19 March 2006 at 4:11PM

I'll try and make this as short as possible! Please give me your thoughts, even if it's only to tell me I'm a stupid male!

Got an email ad from LG that linked to http://www.themobs.com/

Brought the LG u8380 with the £2.99 a month deal.

Turns out to be a cash back deal.

I did check around the web and every other site that offered a similar deal made it very plain that it was a cash back. I don't think The Mobs site does.

I have found the small print now!

Have emailed them and got a 'you signed up so tough' response & no answers to other questions I asked.

The first I knew about the cash back was on page 3 of the very un-proffesional looking info they sent. The last page of which has the cash back forms which are very strange and wrongly worded.

I know the the deal is very good but I did look around and assumed that LG and 3 just wanted/needed to get susbscribers. I thought I had done all checking I could - but I suppose I should have read all the pages of small print!

So where do I go from here?

Thanks in advance,
Steve

seanparkin · 19 March 2006 at 4:15PM

How long ago did you sign up? All contracts will allow you a 'trial' period where you can cancel in without penalty.

If you're outside this, then you'll just have to make sure you stick exactly to the cashback requirements.

skeggysteve · 19 March 2006 at 4:24PM

Sean,
Only signed up a couple of days ago.

the_tired_one · 19 March 2006 at 4:34PM

Then providing you havent used the sim/phone, you should be able to return it under the 'Distance Selling' ruling.

As long as it within 7 days, you should be OK. I think you may have to ring The Mobs up - ask for a Returns Code/Number, and quote that in any correspondance/return.

Good luck

skip2mylou · 19 March 2006 at 4:41PM

hi steve,

u could 1) remain with your contract and make sure you stick to the cashback terms and claim them punctually

2) like what sean said, if you haven't exceeded the 'trial period' (usually 14days i think) cancel the deal by sending it back to themobs...i think you'll need to pay 3 for whatever usage you've incurred on that particular SIM over the past few days....BUT! themobs may charge (i'm not sure myself, never dealt with them) an admin fee to cancel - refer to your documentation....for example, i bought my mobile from mobilerainbow and to cancel within the trial, it'd cost £20 on top of postage costs

skeggysteve · 19 March 2006 at 5:35PM

OK I know I should have done this earlier!

Have checked and the email didn't come from LG, it just looked like that, it actually came from The Mobs, cleverly disguised.

The Mobs appeares to be someone called Khizer Hayat who's address according to Nominet UK is
24a Otley Road
Guiseley
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS20 8AH

The more I look the more doggy it looks!

Has spoken to Three (Indain call centre) and they seemed interested - hope they follow thru'.

Will speak to LG on Monday.

But, but, but.......
If The mobs web site doesn't make it plain (which IMHO they don't) that it's a cashback/redemption offer could I hold them to it?

Having said the above I don't really want to keep the phone but I'd like not to be out of pocket - admin fee £2.50, return postage £10 - and i'd like to stop companies like The mobs conning others.

seanparkin · 19 March 2006 at 6:08PM

Yeah, they're a bit misleading really, in order to get people to sign up as you have. Where they then try to convince them they have no option but to continue with the contract.

Fortunately if you really really do not like cashback deals (I'm the same, I wont deal with them at all) then you do have the option to cancel. Check your documentation, but they shouldn't really charge you to cancel (I'm guessing themobs will try to charge you though).

TheMobs.com

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