The Mobile Outlet

Cobra_3

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Indeed you do, Saint, and 40 pages of grief in the old thread give you ample grounds for your misgivings. The words "leopard" and "spots" come to mind.

The points you raise were much in my own mind when I expressed my concerns. And if people move house, they frequently move banks, too.

The aspect of it that worries me most, though, is the potential for error and confusion (all absolutely innocent, as I am sure my solicitor would want me to emphasise , but all, by sheer good fortune, to the benefit of TMO's cashflow and the detriment of ours) that could be caused by introducing BACS into the whole thing, instead of simply writing out a cheque and sending it to the address on the invoices that have been submitted with the claim.

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grayme-m

I sincerely hope that his is a move towards lower costs to TMO from easier admin and easier for us in that the cash goes into my account without having to wait for a cheque which I then have to bank.

It works for other phone retailers....

thesaint

... If this was their intention, they could cut their admin considerably by reducing the amounts of claims from 5 down to 2/3.
This would cut admin and make it easier than changing to BACS.

I have ran a business, and I know which I would choose if it were my intention to make my admin easier.

Cobra_3

grayme-m wrote:

I sincerely hope that his is a move towards lower costs to TMO from easier admin and easier for us in that the cash goes into my account without having to wait for a cheque which I then have to bank.

It works for other phone retailers....

The Mobile Outlet is not like "other phone retailers". Check out the forums on 'phone comparison sites: it sticks out like an elephant in a dress. On many, there are more threads of complaint about The Mobile Outlet than there are about all the "other phone retailers" put together. And it's the same story on each one; no cashback being paid.

This is a company from which even bailiffs return empty-handed when they go to enforce CCJs for unpaid cashback.

And now it wants to switch to using BACS.

The problem will come if your cashback disappears into an account that isn't yours.

(Or if they allege that it has.)

Try sorting that one out.

(And, to do it, you'll probably have to go to your bank anyway.)

Whereas, if a cheque that the company claims it has sent you does not arrive, you can ask it to send you another one by Recorded Delivery.

And, if the company goes bust and you're holding a dishonoured cheque, at least you will have something to show to the receivers in pursuit of your claim.

Lastly, of course there is the question of security. You know nothing about this company, its staff and its practices. Do you feel happy about giving it the details of your bank account as well as your address?

To pay it the £2 it wanted when entering into the contract, I deliberately used a credit card that I knew I would be closing shortly after the transaction.
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The_Mobile_Outlet

thesaint wrote:

It is possible, but I paid with my credit card, and my direct debit is set up with Virgin, not The Mobile Outlet.

How do The Mobile Outlet know that you have not changed bank account details since? This is something that can easily be remedied, but for those that are waiting for cashback now or in the next few weeks, you need to question them.

I have not been e-mailed by them to explain these new circumstances, they e-mailed me when their phone lines went down at christmas, so I know they have my address.

I may be a doubting Thomas, but I have a right to be.

Hi,

When we move to paying by BACS all customers will receive a confirmation email explaining cash back payments will be made by this method. The details used to make this payment will be those which were provided at the time of your original order. If these details have been changed you will be prompted to contact our admin department to provide your current banking information ensuring all payments are made to the correct account. This email will be sent out approximately 2 weeks before payment is due, allowing enough time for any changes to be made.

Kind Regards
Forum Query Team

GunJack

C'mon guys, at least TMO are trying to sort things out, lots of posters earlier in both threads have got issues sorted. Give 'em a break at least until you are completely out of it.

thesaint

I have a right like everyone else to voice my concerns, I got my phone in December after I followed this thread for a few months, I know the risks but choose to not let them take advantage of their customers.
I have not got an 'I'm alright Jack' attitude so this approach does not work for me.

Granted, they are sorting things out, but they are not doing us a favour, that's what our contracts state they are obligated to do.

GunJack

At least they're participating in this forum and trying to help people. I don't see any of the other retailers doing the same.....

Cobra_3

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The best way for The Mobile Outlet to help people would be for it to pay its cashbacks within the 28 days stipulated within the Terms & Conditions of its own contracts.

If it did that, there wouldn't be any need for this thread to be in the forum at all.
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oggsy

Hear Hear Cobra !