Simply Electronics - WARNING

aob78

Predictably - no refund arrived in my bank account today despite SimplyElectronics saying it was finally processed a couple days ago.

aob78

Just checked my order status update which previously said Refund Completed. It now says the following:

"Refund queing on Payment Gateway
The refund was completed. It should appear on your account soon."

I wonder what the next stage is? Maybe the "Refund has entered the Payment Gateway", followed by "Refund is transitioning in Payment Gateway".

Hammockthing

Yes, and I bet all the emails you've had were signed at the bottom by a different name, as though it's a really big company with lots of departments. Really, you're probably just getting a copy and paste email from someone in a fancy flat in Hong Kong, paid for by you. Not that I'm cynical about the setup or anything.

Tontilly

Like so many on this thread I was taken in by Simply Electronics' very slick web site. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Note 2.

My first concern was pretty much straightaway as I received no confirmation email of my purchase [except from Skrill to say my payment had been authorised!] I then looked at my account page on the web site to see that my order was 'on hold, please contact us'. I emailed and had a very prompt reply saying they needed to confirm my delivery address. I did so. Nothing. Subsequent emails always got a prompt response but usually gave a stock reply to a question I hadn't asked.

Now here's the patience bit.. I phoned my bank [First Direct], who obviously knew Simply Electronics very well, and they strongly advised me NOT to cancel my order. If I did, I would have a lot of trouble trying to get a refund from them. Their advice was to wait the statutory 15 days and if the order hadn't been fulfilled, to contact the bank again for a full refund from them [and they in turn would be refunded by the seller's bank] This I did and 2 days later the entire sum had been credited to my account.

I was extremely surprised when 2 weeks later [ie 1 month after placing my order] the item arrived well-packaged and sealed in its original box! In the meantime I had purchased and received another Note from accessory-online via ebay - and cheaper incidentally than Simply Electronics - so I sent an email to Simply asking them to collect the item. In marked contrast to the delivery, it was collected pretty promptly!

My sympathy to everyone whose stories didn't end so happily. From now on I will check out online companies before making a purchase - and always buy with a credit card. Buying through companies like Ebay and Amazon [their tax arrangements notwithstanding!] does provide 2 levels of security - feedback from previous customers and a claimed guarantee from Ebay and Amazon themselves.

Speculator

Here's the ink to HK police. http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/

I am familiar with the actual building where they run their scam. It's near the APM shopping Mall between Kwun Tong and Ngau Tau Kok MTR station.

Mi2terE

Rushing about this morning and I ordered an ipad 32gb air from them. Thought it was the same place my works used but clearly its not. Normally I am pretty good, what did not help was seeing the website with 4 stars in google and I mistook it for trust pilot. Anyhoots we all know I am not getting the ipad air, plus defo not getting it in time for xmas and certainly not getting a refund.

I spoke to the co op as I paid on credit card. They can not stop the payment. But as I already thought, after 15 days the fraud team will issue a chargeback under section 75. Which is the part I dont get how come everyone is wasting time speaking to them and trying to cancel, surely the best thing to do is contact the bank and let them sort it. I'm not bothered if it takes the bank a month as long as I get my £400 back! Any further advice please let me know as I am all ears. Gutted though over this, I feel like a right idiot!

Outdoorlass

Thank you people of MSE I was just about to purchase an Ipad Air of this site. I thought I would do a quick company search on them first, when I stumbled across this thread. Then from the depths of my poor memory, I recall a bad experience with them myself a few years ago now, with a camera purchase and the exact same thing happened, that has been discussed on this site, lucky escape.

Thank you again and I hope you all manage to get your refunds quickly x

Boris72

Ooops, have seen this after ordering an iPad. I'm still well within the stated delivery period so will see what happens.

I've fired off a few e-mails so let's see what happens.

Not happy if it's a grey import and not sold as such....

*popcorn*

Edit: I paid via credit card and have had no problems getting dodgy transactions refunded before, but it is an annoyance.

Sheepman

I ordered Nokia mobile off SE 29/11 and paid through Skrill. After hearing nothing after 10 days sent them an email which generated automated replies. Then saw all the bad reviews. Next day my order details disappeared from "My Account" page on their website, and no order history listed either. Have sent further emails but no response. I note their helpline tel. no. has also gone down. Sounds like SE might have shut down. Will see bank about chargeback as paid with debit card. Constant learning curve isn't it!!

Lordbrett

I was about to spend £350 with them on a phone but noticed that the website layout was suspiciously like that for a site I bought "Nike" trainers from and had a bad experience.