ukehic.com How I got a refund

GullibleProgrammer

Apart from being scammed by mobidol (see my other post) this year I was also left out of pocket by this company.

After a good couple of weeks I did get a full refund.

These are steps that I followed:

Step one:
Email them and ask for a refund, if they say no ask for the cooling off period.
If they say no to this then ask for the details for the service that you have paid for and where the value add is compared to the NSH site.

Step two:
Focus on what is the value add they claim you have paid for (this is also the same with the other ehic sites). Try to pin them down on this
The site has been redesigned since I used it but it will try to promise something to justify the ‘advisory’ fee
This one has the following on the website:
• Online EHIC Application
• Telephone Support
• Multilingual Application
• 24-hour Support
• Application Support & Verification
• EHIC Renewal & Expiry Notification

Find this on one of the pages and take a screen shot that includes the time and date.

Step three – test their claims (as least make them work for your money!)

I rang them at 2am on a Saturday - not answer
I asked for the links to the multilingual application – got no links
I asked for their phone number – did not get one

Whatever they say their value add is - ask them to prove it and try to prove them wrong .
Send chaser emails – get your answers


Step four:

If you get not reply or they still refuse a refund send a final complaint and ask for their final written asker before you contact the final ombudsman.
For example I sent the following:

Good afternoon,

I would like a final written answer on my complaint and refund request.

Complaint:

You sate the following value add for £35:
Our Service Benefits
We guarantee your EHIC application will be correct – saving you time
You can contact us 24 hours per day – so you can check progress
You’ll receive a reminder when your EHIC card expires
We’ll save you time and hassle – we handle the whole EHIC process

You also state that the NHS does not offer 24 hour support.

However I found the following:
When using your services I tried to contact you on the weekend but received no response until the Monday morning, I was also unable to contact you outside of the hours of 9-5.

When I enquired that the sate a 24 hour support facility you gave me an NHS number. See emails below.

I asked why you state on your website you state that they offer 24 hours support and the NHS does not. You gave me no answer.

I also asked about the following statements:

We guarantee your EHIC application will be correct – saving you time
The NHS already does this - Can you please explain your value add?

We’ll save you time and hassle – we handle the whole EHIC process
The NHS's website also does this and does not have the card details entering part - it is less hassle -- Can you please explain your value add?

I also could not find any multi lingual applications.

My complaint is that you do not offer the benefits you claim you do on your website and you also state that NHS does not offer 24 hour support when it does.

Because of this I was mis sold your services and want a full refund.

Please provide me your final written answer to my complaint questions above and my refund request.


Step five
After I chased on this – they sent me my refund.
However if they don’t this go to the financial-ombudsman and raise a complaint point and let the regulators take it from there.

Westin

Apart from being scammed by mobidol (see my other post) this year I was also left out of pocket by this company.

Step Six

Stay off the Internet, or find someone who knows what they are doing to help you in the future.

'Scammed' twice? You need to do better research on who you give your credit and debit card information to in future.

pogofish

There are several dedicated threads for ehic scams and the like - this should be in one of those as its not a holiday.

leylandsunaddict

You being left out of pocket was down to your own laziness and just handing money over without a moment's thought. You chose to pay for one. No one forced you to.

I'm surprised there are still people that don't know ehic cards are free, and always have been. If you're unsure about things, Google is a great invention.

Bogalot

Step five
After I chased on this – they sent me my refund.
However if they don’t this go to the financial-ombudsman and raise a complaint point and let the regulators take it from there.

The FOS do not regulate these services, a complaint to them would be pointless.

They gave you a refund because you wouldn't let it go. Unless you place a very low value on your time you'll have spent more chasing it than it cost you in the first place.

meer53

This was a case of misbuying not misselling.

zagfles

"shyster" sites know they haven't got a leg to stand on now - see https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5185879