mobiles.co.uk cashback scam -- small claims? trading standards? watchdog?

Daddy

I will next time, don't worry

grumbler

In case you don't know, the "MCOL route" mentioned above was MCOL - Money Claim Online

I can't estimate your chances of winning.

Guys_Dad

Normally, people keep the replies until the cash rolls in but, of course, most people will have sussed that this is stage payments and either the cashback gets paid within a few weeks or, if it doesn't, then action is taken by customers whilst they have the reply.

Given that there is no point labouring the fact that you messed up on when you should have taken action, let's move positively from here.

1. You said the phone was your wife's. Is there any chance that there was some mismatching between you making the claim and the bill being in her name?

2. Have you changed either the number or any other details - moved house etc - since taking out the contract? I am assuming that you didn't downgrade the contract during its lifespan.

3. Did you send in the correct bills within the 30 (not 60) day timeframe?

4. What reason are they giving for not paying the last bill that you sent in? Exactly what date did you send it in and are you still within that 30-day timeframe?Just read the thread again and it appears not

5. Have you made any more contact with the on-line rep yet? For what it is worth, he is senior to the general CS guys and may be able to answer why they refused to pay.

Do have a look at their current t&c and think if there is anything at all that could have caused the t&c to appear to have been broken.

Any more ideas from regulars that could have put a spoke in the wheel, other than mobiles.co.uk's track record?

mobilejunkie

If you do go down the legal route the judge will have to decide whether the proof of sending and your word that they were received beats the possibility that they went astray. Given (as someone else points out) that it would be virtually unique for all five claims to disappear into the void without you doing anything the judge might not be inclined to give you the benefit of the doubt. When the t&c are examined it will show quite clearly that payments should have been made at intervals after each claim - again, the judge might ponder why you took no action until after the event. It wouldn't inspire confidence in them that you knew what you were doing and (therefore) did it properly.

It is possible Mobiles would cave beforehand (they usually do) - but you have now given them all the details and views on here so they will have even more ammunition on their side. Whether it's worth the risk of losing the court costs for the principle and potential gain of the cashback is somthing only you can answer.

mobilejunkie

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Any more ideas from regulars that could have put a spoke in the wheel, other than mobiles.co.uk's track record?

I can think of a few - though cpw like to invent new ones as well. However, all the speculation in the world a) won't change the situation and b) would not help the OP should they decide on legal action - since it would merely provide more potential ammunition for the opposition.

Daddy

Hi Guys Dad,

In response to your q's:


1. No, no mismatching. All emails came from her.
2. No, no details have changed at all.
3. Yes, all bills were sent within 30 days (and can be proved by the email headers)
4. They haven't given any reason.
5. No contact from the online rep yet, I assume he is getting involved at the CS end?

Silk

Daddy wrote: »

Silk, the phone was ordered 27th aug 2009.

Hi Daddy,
Ok that means it's pre changes so the email you rec'd regarding 30 days etc etc stands.

I will try and reply a bit more later ....meanwhile do you use "Outllook Express" for your emails ???

Daddy

Yes I use Outlook Express.

It's odd because they are replying to my emails I'm sending them at [EMAIL="cashback@mobiles.co.uk"]cashback@mobiles.co.uk[/EMAIL] but they claim to not have received any of my previous emails! lol

grumbler

Daddy wrote: »

...all bills were sent within 30 days (and can be proved by the email headers)

I don't think that headers can prove anything because they can be edited.

However, the location of the e-mail in your 'sent' folder does prove the date, especially if it is at the provider, not in your computer.

Unfortunately, this proves that the e-mail was sent, not that it was received.

Silk

Daddy wrote: »

Yes I use Outlook Express.

It's odd because they are replying to my emails I'm sending them at [EMAIL="cashback@mobiles.co.uk"]cashback@mobiles.co.uk[/EMAIL] but they claim to not have received any of my previous emails! lol

Hi Daddy,
Thats good news then because if push comes to shove you have a good chance of recovering deleted emails certainly the more recent ones ...although for the time being I wouldn't bother unless it was needed.
At the moment all you need to do is prove they were sent as required ...which you can quite easily

I'm busy at the mo but will reply better in a few hours