Moneyback on Comet Breakdown Cover

PPJ

My mother took out breakdown cover on a Sky Digibox she bought from Comet five years ago. This cost a whopping £150. I didn't find out until after the cooling off period, so there was nothing I could do about it at the time.

I noticed that it had one of these "full money-back if no claims" promises, so I made a note of the date when it was due to expire. This date has now arrived and I've managed to find all the paperwork.

Being cynical, I expect they will try and find any excuse to wriggle out of giving the refund. Has anyone successfully made a claim of this type? Are there any particular catches I should look out for?

Davidboy

Hi - yes I bought a Sony TV, also bought the extended 5 year warranty from Comet. Every year we made sure the expiry date was entered on our calander so we would not forget.

Then last December the 5 years was up, sent off all the paperwork (recorded/registered post cant remember which one). I stated on the letter that I had copies of the originals, that I sending it recorded, that it was within the date period of the contract and also confirmed that I had had no repairs carried out to the TV. A few weeks later a cheque for £260 dropped on the door mat. So in answer to your question yes it does work. What they relied on is people forgetting to claim, and you have to be careful that you claim within a certain period after the expiry date.

Best of luck.

D

Bossyboots

Yes, I reclaimed mine without any problems at all. My OH also had one expiring at the same time and again, the refund arrived without any difficulties.

We did ours more than five years ago so I don't know if the system changed in the meantime but we had to send off a registration slip and received back a certificate which you need to send in to claim the money back. If that was still the system five years ago and she didn't do it then she won't be eligible to claim the money back. This is actually the catch in these schemes because people either don't realise they have to do that or they simply forget later on to claim.

PPJ

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know someone has succeeded.

My mother did do the initial registration, so she has a "validated redemption form", as required.

Not sure whether to send originals (as specified in the T&Cs) or copies, as you did, DavidBoy. I'll definitely send it recorded delivery, though.

Poppycat

Yes I did for a Dyson, I think its underwritten by an insurance company. When I got the Dtyson I had to send off the forums within a short period of getting the Dyson, and then when the day was up send the forums back in time, think I had only two weeks grace. I got the money back but I made sure I kept a note of when the day was due to claim.

I did this a few years back about 4 years ago.

Bossyboots

PPJ wrote:

Thanks for the replies. Nice to know someone has succeeded.

My mother did do the initial registration, so she has a "validated redemption form", as required.

Not sure whether to send originals (as specified in the T&Cs) or copies, as you did, DavidBoy. I'll definitely send it recorded delivery, though.

I read it that DavidBoy sent the originals but kept copies. We too kept copies in case of difficulties.

You will need to send the originals or they won't refund the money.

Rogerb_2

I expected the worst but no problem and the cheque came after about 3 weeks when they suggested it would be 4. Like everyone else posting I sent it recorded delivery and followed the rules exactly to avoid an insurance company trying to wiggle out of a claim.

Sting_2

I bought a Dyson from Comet back in 1999 and took out the extended warranty 5-year money-back thingy. In 2004 I sent off the originals and waited. After about 4 weeks I rang the company (usual annoying 0870 number with recorded message!) and was told about delays and things but eventually I got my £49.99 by cheque so it does seem to work.

The Watchdog website has a few template letters you can use to chase things up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog/draft_letters/warranty.rtf

Sooler

yep, we got the money back no problems - you have to send the originals as per T&Cs

MVC

Got 49.99 back this month from a Comet/Dyson warranty - no probs.

magoogy

i have recently had 2 warrantys finish with no problems on the items - how do i check whether they were 'money back' ones as i have chucked all the paperwork away now - do they keep copies? would they be honest....thanks