The Mobile Outlet

DEJO75_2

just looked at this on the BBC watchdog site

17 October 2007

Cashback is the secret weapon of the mobile phone industry. Offers of up to £1,000 cashback are used to lure customers into signing mobile phone contracts. But you know what they say about deals that sound too good to be true...
Viewers have complained that they haven't received their cash and have been left tied into high-cost contracts with the networks.
In August this year, retailer Mobile Connections/Dial a Mobile went out of business owing 60,000 customers an estimated £12m in cashback deals.
We've had complaints about other companies, too. Wayne Shepherd took out a 12-month mobile phone contract with Chatterbox.com in October 2006. The offer included cashback of £321 in three instalments. His contract has now expired, but he still hasn't received a single penny.
So why is the cash not coming back? Kevin Patel, CEO of Chatterbox.com, blames the networks. He claims 3 Mobile in particular has worked on the basis that only 40 per cent of customers bother to claim their cashback. He says the actual figure is more like 80 per cent - and that he can't afford to pay all those customers.
In August this year, the major networks agreed to a voluntary code of practice set out by Ofcom. They promised to protect consumers from the mis-selling of mobile phone contracts. Ofcom plans a review this week and will impose mandatory regulations if it's found the networks aren't protecting their customers.
3 says: "3 has never encouraged dealers to follow a 40 per cent redemption model. Cashback is an arrangement between retailers and the customers - the networks are not liable for any arrangements between the retailer and the customer. However, 3 is concerned by the cashback-related complaints it continues to receive and has an established process through which all cashback complaints are dealt with."
Orange says: "Orange does have a responsibility to ensure that its customers are supported appropriately. Any Orange customer who is unhappy with the way they have been treated by Dial a Mobile, and feels they have been signed up to a contract that does not suit their needs, should call Orange to change their package." The cheapest Orange monthly package is £20 per month.

FROM OCT 07 HIGHLIGHTED THE BIT I FOUND INTERESTING .
T MOBILE TAKE NOTE !!!!

DEJO

DEJO75_2

I Then Contacted T-mobile And Recieved The Same Patter As Others Cant Do Anything Until They Declare Themselves Bankrupt , And Only Then Can They Reduce The Contract By £5 Per Month.
I Quoted The Agreement Above Only For The Person To Quote Me Some Written Statement About T-mobile Not Entering Into A Contrct With Me For The Cashback , Just To Provide The Line.
I Asked How This Was Protecting Me As Per The Agreement Above , She Couldnt Tell Me .
Bent !!!!ers

pt01

KeithP wrote: »

Pt01, with respect I think that emails are too easy for them to ignore. I think you need to actually write a real letter... remember them... real paper and a stamp. :beer:

I mentioned to them when I was calling their customer services that I was going to complain by writing. But I was told that it was the same as emails. Anyway, I will write to them (real paper)

sec79

Has anyone else been able to get through customer services? Everytime I try the line is down. I just wonder if it is still worth sending in the bills required for cashback?
Cheers

laticsforlife

sec79 wrote: »

Has anyone else been able to get through customer services? Everytime I try the line is down. I just wonder if it is still worth sending in the bills required for cashback?
Cheers

Hard one to call this - If they succesfully re-emerge and 'want' to pay cashback:rotfl:(sorry must stop laughing whilst I type this), then if you don't send your bills, you invalidate your claim.

But if they are gone (as we suspect) then why waste your postage costs.

taz63

anyone spoken to the bailiff recently??

boots_babe

This might be a stupid question....but I noticed someone posted the contact details for their bailiff on here a few posts back.

Will everyone that has instructed bailiffs via an MCOL claim have the same bailiff? Just wondering whether I would use the same contact details. I have heard anything since instructing them a while ago and I'd like to just give them a call - even though I realise will prob be no news.

taz63

I think so, when i called I was told the bailiff responsible for Mobile Matters (UK) Ltd is Mrs Mekin, her number is 01274 843 555. The last time i spoke to her was last Tuesday, when she confirmed their office at Valley Parade was closed until further notice.

Piff

I have just tried to apply for "Judgement by Default" as the 14 days for TMO to respond expired on Saturday.
The MCOL web site response:-

You cannot request a Judgment by Default at this time.
The Defendant is allowed 14 days from the date they were served with the claim to defend or admit your claim before you can request a Judgment by Default.
If the Defendant files an Acknowledgement of Service within 14 days of receiving the claim form, they will be entitled to 28 days from the date they were served with the claim form to file a defence or admission of your claim. If the Defendent does not file a defence or admission within the 28 days you can request a Judgment by Default.
If you have not requested judgment, the defendant may still file a defence to your claim after the 14 days or 28 days have elapsed. The claim will then be transferred to your local court for a hearing to be arranged.


Seems like TMO are still trying to delay claims against them by defending.

taz63

I had the same issue, but was told that because the 14 days fell on a non-working day I had to wait until midnight Monday. Try again in 6 hours or so.