Mobileshop.com (merged)

Quentin

No.

They still get their commission for new sales.

But don't have to pay any cash back out on them for many months.

Pagan98

But if they were in financial difficulty, wouldn't they have removed their current 12 months free line rental offers?

No. If they are in difficulties they want to maximise their income and minimise outgoings. A good way to increase income in the short term is to offer more attractive offers and get the commission up front.

They have also been taking action to try and limit outgoings, by making their redemption process more convoluted (by increasing the number of claims on a 12 month contract from 4 to 6). They've also sneakily changed the T&Cs on the website to extend out the payment date to 60 days for all contracts after 15 May 2006. My copy of the T&Cs for a purchase in June 2006 stated 45 days from receipt of claim. And, of course, they aren't paying out until pressed anyway.

Jimmy_Conker

Mobile shop are an absolute joke - I have followed thei processes to the letter - now months overdue and they are saying no cash currently - only vouchers!!! Previously I have been offered crappy free gifts instead - alarm clock radio's etc

NOT HAPPY AT ALL - SUGGEST PEOPLE USE WITH SERIOUS CAUTION!!



From: Samantha Scott [mailto:samantha.scott@MOBILESHOP.co.uk]On Behalf Of Cash Back Enquiries
Sent: 25 April 2007 13:53
To: James Conker
Subject: RE: MobileShop.com Cash Back Enquiry


We are currently experiencing difficulties with making cashback payments due to a technical problem we've encountered with our computer systems. We are working hard to resolve this problem with our technical team.



We anticipate that our cashback payment systems will be operating normally in the near future when your claim will be processed. At this time we can not advise on payment dates.



We can however offer you payment by means of an Argos points card for 110% of the value of your cashback claim. For example a £90 cashback will be worth £99 in Argos points. To take this offer, please email your name, address and voucher number to argos@mobileshop.com and we will issue your card within 7 working days.



We appreciate your patience and co-operation during this period and we will endeavour to keep you informed of developments.

---

Sent: 24 April 2007 09:50
To: Cash Back Enquiries
Subject: MobileShop.com Cash Back Enquiry From Mr James Conker


Mr James Conker
Their Query Type is: Enquiry re Payment of Cash Back
They sent this message: Hello
I have not received either payment A or B of my cashback despite having successfully claimed then when I look at your tracking system
A is now 4 months and B 2 months, please let me know urgently what is going on?
Thanks
Jimmy

Lynsey

My cashback payment is in my account as of today, a lot earlier than expected, God am I pleased !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I going to leave a negative reply on their cashback cooments page because of all the hassle - let's see if it's published. I might win a £100 prize, you never know ;-)


Lynsey

Totoriko

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=253911

Join the club. Free membership

grayme-m

I've chased them directly and now I am up to date, got my second overdue cashback today (thanks MS ).

You can complain to Watchdog, the ASA, the government and call in the A-Team, but I found tackling them directly worked best for me.

Lynsey

but I found tackling them directly worked best for me

I agree with that, by pointing out the t&c's and giving a deadline prior to taking action should be suffice and the first step. I can't believe a company once shown they are in breach will not pay as they obviously know they will have to pay costs against them.

Lynsey

romeobrass

Been about 70 days since they recieved my 1st voucher. I emailed an enquirey to them and recieved this back (see below). hope they're not delaying payments just so the customer ends up taking the vouchers instead of waiting for cash.

"Unfortunately we recently experienced a major technical problem with our cashback payment system. We have since rectified the cause of the problem however we now need to ensure that the integrity of our database has not been compromised. Until this exercise is completed, we will be processing all of the cashback payments manually to ensure the right customers receive the correct cashback payment. Due to the sheer volume of customer claims, we anticipate this clearance process will take considerable time. At this point, we cannot provide specific payment dates but can assure you that your claim will be paid as soon as the backlog has been cleared. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are making every endeavour to get your payment to you as soon as possible.



If you do wish to accelerate your claim, as an alternative to cash we would be delighted to offer you an Argos / Homebase gift card for 110% of the value of your cashback claim instead. We normally offer our customers a gift card to the value of 105% of the cashback claim but, as a gesture of goodwill and by way of compensation, we are prepared to increase this offer to 110% of the cashback claim value. For example, for every £100 of cashback value, you can receive an Argos gift card worth £110 which can be spent at any Argos or Homebase store. Please be assured that Mobileshop has already paid for these Argos vouchers and they are available for immediate use. If you would like to accept this offer as an alternative to your cash claim, please email your name, address and voucher number to argos@mobileshop.com and we will issue your card within 7 working days. "

betheebee

Hi Jimmy, Mobileshop received my claim on 12th Jan have only just received my £90 cashback on 26th April. I phoned 12 times and sent 20 emails, not 1 reply.
I have left them and gone to Virgin, Free Motorola L6, 50mns, 100 txts, free 3mth insurance £20 a mth. Cashback £240.

Anon

romeobrass wrote: »

Been about 70 days since they recieved my 1st voucher. I emailed an enquirey to them and recieved this back (see below). hope they're not delaying payments just so the customer ends up taking the vouchers instead of waiting for cash.

"Unfortunately we recently experienced a major technical problem with our cashback payment system. We have since rectified the cause of the problem however we now need to ensure that the integrity of our database has not been compromised. Until this exercise is completed, we will be processing all of the cashback payments manually to ensure the right customers receive the correct cashback payment. Due to the sheer volume of customer claims, we anticipate this clearance process will take considerable time. At this point, we cannot provide specific payment dates but can assure you that your claim will be paid as soon as the backlog has been cleared. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this process and apologise for any inconvenience caused. We are making every endeavour to get your payment to you as soon as possible.



If you do wish to accelerate your claim, as an alternative to cash we would be delighted to offer you an Argos / Homebase gift card for 110% of the value of your cashback claim instead. We normally offer our customers a gift card to the value of 105% of the cashback claim but, as a gesture of goodwill and by way of compensation, we are prepared to increase this offer to 110% of the cashback claim value. For example, for every £100 of cashback value, you can receive an Argos gift card worth £110 which can be spent at any Argos or Homebase store. Please be assured that Mobileshop has already paid for these Argos vouchers and they are available for immediate use. If you would like to accept this offer as an alternative to your cash claim, please email your name, address and voucher number to [EMAIL="argos@mobileshop.com"]argos@mobileshop.com[/EMAIL] and we will issue your card within 7 working days. "

On my final claim in December, I took the Argos vouchers as I couldn't be bothered waiting for the final payment due in April and it was a good deal. Argos vouchers duely arrived as promised. They were experiencing the same technical difficulties in August (something to do with BACS but it appears people get slightly different reasons when they ask).

Based on the above reply, I am wondering how they can process the Argos vouchers more quickly when they must be referring to the same database (that apparently is not working properly and therefore cannot process the cashback payments on time) to work out the 110% ...?

I went to CPW for my next deal in February as they only have 3 claims rather than the five/six required now for Mobileshop - a shame really as MS have much better deals (but only if you get the cashback!) and until last summer had a cracking reputation .

Anon