Quidco v Topcashback. Ethics

skyflyer

Got an email from TopCashback today saying that following the receivership of DGM* that left many potential users without their cashback, they will be honouring them all.

I emailed Quidco with this info to ask if they would do likewise (I am owed £105 via the DGM fiasco) and got a feeble reply stating that it was 'out of their hands' and with the official administrator.

Fine - but I know which cashback site I will be using in future..

*for those unaware - cashback sites like TCB and Quidco often don't get the cash directly from the retailer but via an intermediary marketing company. DGM was one of these interediaries and having got the money from the retailers it went bust before passing it to Quidco or TCB.

The cashback companies plead poverty - claiming they pass on all the cashback to us but this ignores the fact that they make a handsome income from advertising on their sites. Clearly TCB appreciate this and have decided to take the 'hit' in order to keep the customers happy.

So far Quidco dont seem to care about keeping the customer happy...

Jeff_Bridges_hair

This seems to be a goodwill gesture from TCB though and they are probably hoping to claim it back from the administrator. Quidco are going the other way and waiting for the administrator to get some money back.

Remember they cannot be held responsible if companies go bust before payment..

Browntoa

I suppose it also depends on the amount of money involved for both sites , maybe TCB have a much smaller exposure to DGM

custardy

theres already very long thread on this subject

skyflyer

Guys get real - there will not be any money from the administrator.

A company like DGM has little if any assets, which will be sold for a pittance at auction. Their income is through marketing and their expenditure is paying staff and paying out cashback.

To have got to the point of insolvency they will have spent the family silver.

First with their hand in the pot of what is left is the Inland Revenue, VAT, ex-employees and the adminsitrators themselves, who are paid in full (if there are funds available) and the rest is divided up amongst the creditors.

This is why you hear the expression "they paid 2p in the pound" and similar small amounts!

Quidco's exposure may well have been larger but all I am saying is that I have never found a deal on Quidco that wasnt on TCB (Not saying they arent there, just not the things I want to buy). maybe a few punds or percentage points less cash back, but from now on I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I dont have any connection with either company of course. I just feel that Quidco treated its customers shabbily over this - but wont bore you with the details again!

skyflyer

custardy wrote: »

theres already very long thread on this subject

Indeed, and I have posted there as well, but this new thread was designed to attract the attention of people considering using either site for the first time rather than disgruntled existing users!

Torby

skyflyer wrote: »

Indeed, and I have posted there as well, but this new thread was designed to attract the attention of people considering using either site for the first time rather than disgruntled existing users!

well if (as you claim) you started the thread for "first timers" choosing Quidco or TCB, what's gone before and is now awaiting resolution is immaterial....why don't you just say Quidco p1$$ed you off with their response? and use the existing thread? ....it's not as though you could have missed it the length of time you've been on here...you're just muddying the waters for any new subscribers...

I vote for Quidco....:rotfl:

skyflyer

... and you were a teacher???? Clearly not of logic!

Of course its not immaterial what went before!

The way that TCB have dealt with the DGM receivership shows them to be a company that is interested in helping the end user, even at their own expense, and is reasonably indicative of how they view the likes of you and me and value our continued custom.

Look at the title of the thread and the forum in which it is placed.

Both the original post, what it says and where it is placed are totally appropriate - if you think otherwise report it!

It isnt rocket science - if I had used TCB I'd be getting my cashback. I used Quidco and I'm not. They arent interested in matching TCB's offer so either they dont need us or they are short of cash themselves maybe - who knows?

But yes - do exactly as you wish. This is simply a Praise, Vent and Warning post rolled into one!

gordikin

The ethics question should be asked of DGM...not Quidco.

skyflyer

gordikin wrote: »

The ethics question should be asked of DGM...not Quidco.

yes, I suppose you are correct! To be fair it is not "unethical" of Quidco to not pay cashback owed, but it is uncompetitive!

However, having said that, Quidco (and for all I know, every other cashback site including TCB) have never as far as I am aware until the DGM issue ever been upfront about the fact that there was an intermediary involved.

Thus when you buy a product through the site from - say - Vodafone, you dont realise that there might be a problem in getting your money as you assume that Vodafone will be paying. At worst you think there is only the one internediary - Quidco itself, etc

Knowing (now) how it works, I would never buy something with a high value cashback that wasnt already good value anyway - ie if the cashback doesnt come you would suddenly think it wasnt such a good buy!

gordikin

If quidco don't get the money...how can they pass it on? Other than by a 'goodwill gesture'. CCE? That's a minefield we do not want to open up!