ABC Mascots - Not receiving responses to emails in relation to a costume hire

chebface

Have just searched for reviews about this company following a problem and found this forum.

I ordered a costume in June for our preschool fete (which arrived and was sent back) and still don't have my deposit back. I too didn't realise about the delivery charge and deposit from the website - until I spoke to them to order.

Months on I am still trying to get hold of them. Spoke to them a couple of weeks after to see about getting it back and they said they needed my bank details - which I gave. Emailed and tried to call many times since - no answer just rings...

halibut2209

If it walks like a duck...

imoneyop

Multiple bad reviews and then along comes a one post wonder who just happens to find this thread to post her positive review :cool:.

I wonder if ABC Mascots are aware that posting false testimonials is against the law?

dacouch

mumoftwolittleones wrote: »

i read these reviews and was really sceptical of using them. I called the company and spoke with Gemma who was really helpful and reassuring.

I hired a costume, it was delivered when it was meant to be, in great condition and collected as agreed.

My deposit was returned within a week.

Yes it is expensive if you take the courier option but it is convenient and most other companies are similarly priced.

i would use abc mascots again. I know the sceptics out there will think i am related to them or know the company, but i can assure you i am not. The reason i am writing this review is to help other mums out there who are in the same boat as me - looking for a mascot hire and not being sure whether to trust abc.

Thanks for the review Gemma

clivoclivo

Be very careful with this company. They still trade and I hired a costume before I read all these reviews!
You pay the hire fees online by credit card and then get prompted shortly before your hire date that a deposit wasn't paid and that you got to do this urgently via paypal - "send money to a friend". Of course by then it's too late to source another costume and because it's after the 10days of making the booking; you can't longer get a refund if you decide not to go ahead.
Paid the money over Paypal and received the costume a few days later. All fine. Then I got worried reading all the bad reviews.
The courier service collected the costumes and I waited a few days. Calling them didn't get me anywhere because they screen their calls. Emails were ignored.
Eventually my husband called with his mobile and they answered of course. By then we had waited over a month to get our deposit back.
Gemma tried to claim something of the costume was missing, which was incorrect. We had a enough photos taken of costumes on delivery and just before they went in the box. Even photos with the courier service man showing the contents of the box before he helped me closing them with security tags. I told him I didn't trust the company and he was happy to help.
On the phone my husband threatened with legal action, which we believed we would had to follow through, but to our surprise they returned the deposit whilst waiting on the phone.
They obviously just tried it on.

I wouldn't use them again.

DCFC79

{Text removed by MSE Forum Team}

I believe we get the message to not deal with them.

dacouch

This really does sound like a Mickey Mouse outfit

NicSmith

I have also just been had by this very unprofessional and disorganised company. After all the same stuff as mentioned above (being misled into thinking the cost was £25 being told after the hire that I needed to pay extra delivery charges and deposit) he is now refusing to give me back the deposit as the costume was returned late. He states that he sent a courier to my home but he did not let me know that this was happening. When I contacted him to find out what was happening with collection he said he would arrange a courier who never turned up the first time and I then had to wait in for a further 2nd day.
At no point did he tell me I would be losing my deposit and it was only when I contacted him a month later to find out why deposit hasn't been returned that he informed me I wouldn't get to back due to later return.
I am considering a small claim against him for the deposit and loss of earnings for waiting in for 2 whole days. I am aware it's only a small amount of money but I feel aggrieved that he continues to do this people and wrongfully take people's money. I am not protected by PayPal as it was not a payment for goods. Any advice?

SkyChrissy

Hi
I've not received my deposit back and it's been 3 weeks - I can't believe this can still go on, they've had bad reviews regarding money since 2013!!

zoemdickinson21

I been trying to get touch with him since day after 24.08.17 costume was booked 23.08.17 and retuned day after.
Not answering any emails i sending.
Does anyone know how i start a small claims for my despot