Are 'cashback' offers safe?

uk_messer

I've been with E2save for 2 years now on O2.
Now looking to upgrade my handset and had settled on the T-Mobile Vario II.

Called up E2save for my PAC code and was told I couldn't have my PAC code without a letter giving 30 days notice! If this is true then I'm not very impressed. Three handed the PAC code over with a phone call when I originally moved.

Rebecca, can you advise?

Thanks!

uk_messer

Regards the cashback business, my cashback with The Link on a Three contract was fine - got my money and only needed to send a bill once.

With e2save it was over 2 instalments - months 6 and 12. Got my month 6 money back but suddenly half way through CW decided to use single digit invoice numbers. However, this confused things as Invoice 9 was actually my 10th invoice and so on. So I relied on this new dodgy numbering system and lost out. Just seemed like an underhand tactic to me.

Poppy9

uk_messer wrote: »

Regards the cashback business, my cashback with Phones4U on a Three contract was fine - got my money and only needed to send a bill once.

With e2save it was over 2 instalments - months 6 and 12. Got my month 6 money back but suddenly half way through CW decided to use single digit invoice numbers. However, this confused things as Invoice 9 was actually my 10th invoice and so on. So I relied on this new dodgy numbering system and lost out. Just seemed like an underhand tactic to me.

Best not to rely on noticing invoice number for cashback. When you first get your cash back either mark the months ahead on your calender which bills need to be sent in or set a reminder on your mobile phone scheduler. I also write in large number on each bill as it arrives and I file it BILL 1, BILL 2 etc.

uk_messer

Problem was, Poppy, I relied on their numbering thinking if I sent in invoice 11 they would reject it. I take the blame ultimately, but having read other threads on here about misleading e2save information on cashback months, it seems there are some dirty tactics being employed here.

Poppy9

uk_messer wrote: »

Problem was, Poppy, I relied on their numbering thinking if I sent in invoice 11 they would reject it. I take the blame ultimately, but having read other threads on here about misleading e2save information on cashback months, it seems there are some dirty tactics being employed here.

You have nothing to lose by writing a polite letter highlighting your mistake, why it ocurred etc and asking them to reconsider.

Charles Dunstone
Chief Executive Officer
The Carphone Warehouse
1 Portal Way
London
W3 6RS

HugoSP

gingababe wrote: »

thanks for that HugoSP, we have been looking & are set on phone & contract very competitive, but can I take my number with me??

Thanks in advance
Ginga

What Mobile Mole says is basically correct.

However, if you want to close down one contract and open a new contract with the same operator, there is a way to port the number away then port it back, using a PAYG sim card.

Vodafone are willing to do this. In fact they'll even send you a free PAYG sim card that will have the number ported onto it!

I don't think that Dalaphone create problems with porting numbers. I always port the numbers between th networks myself and do not involve Dialaphone. though you do need to tell Dialaphone that you have done so, so that they can update their records with the correct (ported) phone number. This makes it possible to pay your cashback when you send the claims in. The number they have on file needs to tie up with that on your bills that you send in.

In the time I've been using Dialaphone I have managed to port from 3 to Orange, back to 3 and then to T Mobile. I am currently porting to Vodafone PAYG, then will port back to T Mobile. The old T Mobile Relax contracts that Dialaphone have on record now have no remaining cashbacks to claim but the new Flext ones I've just taken out have three to claim. To be able to claim successfully I will need to inform Dialaphone of the ported phone numbers so they can reflect the correct phone numbers on their files. These will then match my bill when I send it in to claim the redemption.

Ginga, if it sounds complicated, phone me and I'll explain. I've PMed you my mobile

Ube_Astard

I received a mobile from e2save in January but returned it as soon as I received it as I had changed my mind and I bought into a different offer with buymobilephones.net. When I received my 4th bill from Orange I returned the correct documents requested by cashback to the e2save address by mistake as I had absent mindedly checked the address on the wrong email. I received an text a few days later saying my cashback documents had been received and I will hear in 30 days. After about 3 weeks I sent an email asking if everything was OK as the time scale for redemption was only days away (I at the time beleived I had 28 days as I believed that was how it was sold to me). I was told nothing had been received, but I protested that it was sent recorded delivery and after checking the address I realized my error. I asked if I got copies and sent them if I could still claim my cashback, then to my horror it was revealed that it was only a 14 day window and no, they will not honor it. Then to more horror I later read the terms and it dawns that if you fail with the 1st one then none of the others will be honoured.
Thanks to e2save for their part with sending me that text. I am considering a small claims legal action as I do not think these terms are fair as it doesnt give you enough time to check make sure your documents are received and it isnt fair that all other claims will be rejected because the first one has failed.

Need_More_Money_2

Does anyone have a copy of the cashback claim form for phoneboxdirect that they could email to me (or post a link to)? Please PM me if you have.
I ordered a phone from them and they say it was in the email order confirmation, but I definitely didn't receive a confirmation email. They are going to post one to me, but I'd rather get one by email if possible, so if anyone has one that would be most useful

Thanks in advance

uk_messer

Ube_Astard wrote: »

I received a mobile from e2save in January but returned it as soon as I received it as I had changed my mind and I bought into a different offer with buymobilephones.net. When I received my 4th bill from Orange I returned the correct documents requested by cashback to the e2save address by mistake as I had absent mindedly checked the address on the wrong email. I received an text a few days later saying my cashback documents had been received and I will hear in 30 days. After about 3 weeks I sent an email asking if everything was OK as the time scale for redemption was only days away (I at the time beleived I had 28 days as I believed that was how it was sold to me). I was told nothing had been received, but I protested that it was sent recorded delivery and after checking the address I realized my error. I asked if I got copies and sent them if I could still claim my cashback, then to my horror it was revealed that it was only a 14 day window and no, they will not honor it. Then to more horror I later read the terms and it dawns that if you fail with the 1st one then none of the othere will be honoured.

I'm totally confused here. You sent the e2save phone back and went with another company but still tried to claim cashback from e2save? Or am I reading this wrong.

neddog

I am currently on a 12 month free Orange contract with buymobilephones.net. I have had my first £120 back but nearly missed out because their T & C are so strict as Ube_Astard has found out. I just realised in time that I only had 14 days to get my first 4 bills in! I just presumed it would be the same T & C as E 2 Save which are much fairer and which I have used previously. Don’t think I will risk using them again just to much room for error which is obviously the idea so you mess as Ube_Astard has unfortunately done.