Have Forward Cellular Gone Bust?

terrierlady

lots of members have lost stars,,, we have all been naughty!!!!
See the thread already going on this Trev, something to do with new site.

TREVORCOLMAN

It also says the last time I logged onto the site was 01-01 1970! at 01:00am my mum would have killed me if i had not been in bed at that time! LOL

magic

TREVORCOLMAN wrote:

They replied in a couple of days saying the were sorry that people had been having problems with them replying but that they were definately still trading.

Trev

they really should reply to emails then or put out some kind of message because apart from yourself and the poster above, no one seems to have had any contact for a long time. and if they are still trading then the good reputation they have built is is really going down the drain.

magic

and if they have replied to your email so quickly when you mentioned a consumer website, perhaps it would be a good idea if martin could get in touch to find out exactly what is going on...

pennymakespounds

as i mentioned on this thread a couple of days ago i actually sent them 3 emails last week saying that there were worrying postings on here and they should make some comment ... apart from their auto-response emails i've still not heard a word.

Think whatever has happened ....my loyalty and support of them is now going to stop.

mike_paterson

Well, I emailed them about the postings and they quickly emailed me back and that they would take a look at this thread (but that was last Friday just before the froums came down).

eleanorchang

I work in the mobile phone industry. And my previous employer supplies Forward Cellular, so I see if I can pull a few string and get some answers. Cannot make any definite promisses but I will try.

However from previous experience, when a company is in trouble us distributors are always last to know. However, you can always get an inkling when they are in financial trouble and are in areas with their payments on accounts with the distributors.

Another reason on your delayed handsets is because they are not many around. Handset manufactures ( ie Nokia, Samsung etc....) control the industry and the prices of their handsets by releasing certain amounts into the market at a time. Some are allocated to the network providers.The network providers can only supply X amount these companies like Forward cellular , and if they are out of stock then there is nothing anyone can do but wait.

Another option is Forward cellular can use alternative suppliers from abroad, But handset prices fluctuate like shares on a daily basis based on supply and demand, and if Forward Cellular cannot buy at the right price to sell the phone on to you then they have to wait aswell. In business nobody buys high and sell low!!

I am waiting for my free Samsung D500 upgrade from Orange, no stock for months, however I can purchase a simfree phone from my contacts but will be paying an extortioate £300 or more for it. I cannot imagin Orange buying this handset and supply me just because I am desperate for it.

You might be asking why advertises on the net if there is no stock around? The industry is very volitile, nobody can predict the availablilty and demand for tomorrow.

Mobile phones are costly, profit margins are minimium due to much competitions. Business rely on credit terms with suppliers and commissions from Network providers to sustain their businesses It could all boil down to the network providers delaying their commissions for the month, hence delay on your rebate.

I hope this gives an insight of how the industry work. Its just the tip of the iceburge.

lorien

This is interesting stuff, but (and the point has been made before), it would have been better to put a notice on the website or at least make some effort to tell customers that there would be a delay. It may be a small operation, and it may be cheap but its reputation on here and other boards has been shot to pieces.

They haven't had the courtesy to even acknowledge my cancellation. Still their loss and mine to a certain extent as the deal I went for isn't as good but I'm still well impressed with the service and speed of delivery from Mobileshop.

Have noticed that the FC site is unavailable - could just be my system but I can get on here ok thank goodness!

TREVORCOLMAN

I agree, if they were pretty quick to answer me they should also have answered emails from customers too! I fear it doesnt sound too good. If they are a very small company then at least a quick reply to customers, saying they have had supply problems or the like would be helpful.

Genie

Yeah, They should have at least acknowledged the 2 order cancellation email's I and probably others have sent, and at least let us know whats going on.

I've ordered a phone from elsewhere now, but what can I do if Forward Cellular decide to also send me the phone in a few weeks? even though I have sent in 2 order cancellation emails?