New Info On Mobile Rainbow (merged)

Reestit_Mutton

I would like to add the following general comments to the previous reply...

Basically, if it's not a Carphone Warehouse owned company, the T&Cs can be a minefield to follow.

Some of these retailers have very short claims windows (as short as 14 days), one company in particular conceals this fact by only providing this info in their claims voucher sent out to you AFTER purchase. Some companies want ALL your bills...and just about all of them will only accept originals which cannot be replaced very easily if lost in the postal system. In fact, some won't even accept replacement bills because they have "duplicate" printed on them ("Sorry, sir! That's a copy bill and we only accept originals"). What's more, they will all gladly keep your remaining cashback if you miss or fail one claim.

I would like to see these practices changed. By pressing their local trading standards office it seems that I have succeeded in getting Phones2U to lengthen their claims window from 14 to 21 days - this is after they swore blind there was nothing unfair about their T&Cs and that trading standards had examined them and had nothing untoward to say about them.

It's not much in the grand scheme of things. However, I feel that much more can be achieved if we all voice our concerns over potentially unfair terms to the relevant trading standards authority.

My own personal view is that cashback retailers should, at a minimum:
(a) accept photocopies - if CPW can accept them, why can't everyone else?
(b) offer reasonable length claims windows - no less than 28 days (preferably longer)
(c) remove the "dependency" clause from their T&Cs.

If they cannot do all of the above then I would argue that they have designed their T&Cs to maximise failure and, as such, it could be argued to be an unfair contract.

Reestit Mutton

jlgmax

I contacted 3 yesterday to advise them of my concerns regarding Mobile Rainbow and MSOLs.

They confirmed that Mobile Rainbow still has a "live" dealer status and is still making contract connections.

They tried the contact number provided to them by MSOLs and this was unobtainable. They have added my comments regarding the company to my account notes and have raised a query on MSOLs' dealer account regarding their unobtainable phone numbers and asking for correct contact details. They then suggested I direct my query to Trading Standards....

gizzmo_2

I too sent off my 6 month cashback claim mid-July and have called them 3 times in the last 2 weeks chasing it up - every time they have told me that they can confirm receipt of my claim vouchers, everything was in order, and I would receive my money by the weekend - suggesting that they make the payouts on Fridays or something.

Anyway - still no money - called them again last night - first the 0800 number redirected to someone's mobile number and I got an unavailable message - just kicking myself now for not writing the number down.
Then I tried again and got through to someone in India who advised me to call again in the morning as the cashback office was now closed, and he also said that they have been having problems with their telephone and computer system.

This morning - the number seems disconnected....I have sent them an e-mail now - but I don't expect them to reply as they didn't reply to my earlier ones.
This is very fishy indeed.

I hope that Mobile Rainbow is still monitoring this board - and if so post something genuine to reassure us that it is just technical problems they are experiencing at the moment. Otherwise I have my letter to Trading Standards all written out and ready to go, and off it will go....

jlgmax

Numbers now ringing out engaged as opposed to unobtainable......

gizzmo_2

Number is now forwarding to the voicemail for a t-mobile phone number - 07939 887919 - but it says the mailbox is full so you can't leave a message....

raj75

I just did a test call to this number 07939 887919 and some one picked up.

gizzmo_2

raj75 wrote:

I just did a test call to this number 07939 887919 and some one picked up.

You're lucky - I keep getting the voicemail saying mailbox is full.

jlgmax

I managed to get through and told the guy that I had spoken to 3 UK and Watford Trading Standards.

He repeated the "we are having terrible telephone problems" line and sounded quite nervous.

I didnt mention calling the local police but I might do that the next time I call.... I know they wont do anything but it might worry him a bit

jlgmax

PS - Gizzmo - if you are in Harrow cant you pop up and pay their office a visit ?!

benphiasco

Just rang the mobile number and spoke to a guy there, said they were having problems and asked if i'd had a confirmation text to my mobile. gave him my details and he said he will call on monday. fingers crossed he will and won't dissapear over the weekend.