Affordablemobiles.co.uk - what's so bad about them?

albo2002

Everybody says they should be avoided like the plague, but I haven't read anything from someone with experience of using their redemption cashback deals.

They have to abide by the law and they, presumably, offer terms and conditions that need to be adhered to, so why should they be avoided?

At the moment they're doing the Samsung Tocco Lite for 18 months for free, and the only thing stopping me from getting it is everyone saying I shouldn't use Affordable Mobiles, but no-one giving me evidence of why.

Anyone got any examples of why I shouldn't go with them?

mobilejunkie

I have. Fail to follow the groundrules from day one and they'll stuff you.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/558661

Of all the dealers I've used (and I've ordered hundreds of cashback deals - literally) this has to be the worst. I won't give personal details but every specific bad thing you've read is true. I tried them despite all the feedback, making certain I am covered legally (most wouldn't). Just as well because otherwise I'd have lost all my cashback immediately. You have been warned from someone who is VERY experienced and knowledgeable and who has used them despite all the warnings. I went in expecting to sue and I wasn't disappointed!

People often make the basic mistake of assuming that you are covered by "the law". That is only the case IF you cover yourself at every possible point AND if the dealer is still in business. With a company calling itself "Shebang" it should already sound warnings. Very few people would have taken the precautions with this dealer which I have taken; therefore the vast majority would not have got any cashback.

If you are happy to take such a high risk approach you should be able to force them to pay up - provided they are around long enough to sue when you get the chance.

albo2002

cheers mobilejunkie - I can see that you're the guru on this.

I wont go with affordable mobiles.

I'm now thinking of mobiles.co.uk or buymobilephones.net although I'm wary given some of the things you've said about them in the past.

I'll trawl through the T&C's with a fine-tooth comb, but how easy / cheap is it to sue these redemption companies if they dont honour their own terms?

And who would you recommend out of the above two?

albo2002

Also, have you got any advice about what to do to ensure you cover yourself at every point?

mobilejunkie

Last post; it's all on that guide, which you've now come across.

As for suing; not that difficult but requires a certain amount of time and effort. "Cheap" is irrelevant; if you haven't put yourself into a position to win you shouldn't sue; if you have then you will recover the court fees and basic costs (but not solicitor's costs should you require one - it shouldn't be necessary if you know what you're doing.).

Andrew_Spence

Thanks for that. Im looking fior a new mobile. My existing one is about 8 years old. It has the simcard from the phone I had before.
I buy top ups from the local Spa grocer. These last until I have used up all the units I have purchased. I use the phone seldom, but at least once a month to prevent it being switched off by T-Mobile. I would like a big screen and qwerty keyboard so I can send texts more easily than now, which I avoid because of the difficulty of using those tiny keys. I want to use it to phone people on UK land lines and a few mobiles. I am not bothered about the camera or internet. I have seen the LG Town GT350 and Samsung S5230 tocco lite - both seem to have what I want. I dont want to pay 25p a minute for calls. I would prefer not to have to go through all the fuss of claiming back cashback offers. Is there anything that would suit me? I dont mind paying £90 for the phone. I dont want a contract that has terms which enable them to covertly charge me money for something that is not obvious. Help. Please! Thanks.