Is there a catch atlas editions

penny-pincher

I was quite taken with the blurb for the Human Body cards, as my daughter was quite interested.
Seemed too good to be true (as usual) - GIANT fact sheets, 3D images ,etc, etc. So I read every word, the T&C's (as you should...), did my online application in Feb 2010...and then waited...and waited...and waited.

In May, I got an invoice for the first set of cards (99p to keep them), with offers of more free gifts should I place an order for more sets @ £4.50 a set, per month.

As I hadn't actually received anything, I decided I no longer wanted to be involved with Atlas Editions, and rang them (0800 678 5826) to cancel, and a very helpful lady assured me that was ok, and to just ignore further invoices.

I asked her just how long it took to get the complete set (you ready?): 4 long years (making 5 binders)!!!
And just how big are these GIANT posters? A3 perhaps? A2 even? Nope - plain old A4.
Aaah. Now I see, I said - and do many people actually complete the set? Er... no, not once they discover the length of time and cost it takes (I reckon well over £200 - and that buys an awful lot of good quality books & DVD's on the same topic, and straight away!).

In short, these trifling, but very important details are not spelt out ANYWHERE in the documentation (either printed or online).
Now I'm no mug when it comes to these sort of offers, but I thought as there was no money up front, and with better legislation introduced since I last tried a part work (many, many years ago), I thought I'd give them another chance.

So, no money lost or stress involved this time, but that's the last one I'll apply for.

William2nd

Atlas Editions
How I stopped their constant deliveries.
I once ordered a particular train (collectibles) from Atlas Editions as a present
for a friend. The payment was sent as they requested, immediately after receipt.
I notified them that I wanted no further products or contact until I initiated it.
They continued to send me mail shots with some ‘free’ items along with similar products on offer. The first two sets I returned and phoned them to tell them.
Still the ‘free’ items arrived with the costly products. Frustrated, I set down to compose a missive. My letter informed them that any further goods delivered to my address would be retained for a full three months, held available for them to collect.
If after three months they had not collected their goods, I would then treat them as unsolicited gifts and retain or dispose of them as I saw fit. The deliveries stopped.

The downside….
December 2nd 2009, I responded to one of their flyers, offering items that I would like so I ordered them online. I received a computer generated reply confirming my order.
After a month I phoned them asking about my order. There was no order?
I mentioned the email confirmation.” It has somehow slipped the computer”, “ I’ll have to re-enter the details”
To cut this saga short, I copied them every email they sent me and still after a full year’s waiting, I have not received the goods I ordered.
December 2010 I once again ordered these same models and am still waiting for delivery. Since the 28 days has passed, I have re-ordered the goods online and received a second confirmation of my order.
I must be an optimist!

Robofw9

I've sampled a lot of their model/collectables ranges & they're generally fine. The detail & finish on diecast models is good: apparently these are usually made by Corgi for Atlas. Customer service is now UK based (big improvement as used to be a French call centre) & always helpful even if I've forgotten to pay for a few months.

Atlas will encourage you to fill out a continuous credit mandate for your credit card - DON'T! Also the free watches are invariably rubbish so just pass them to a jumble sale or similar.

To avoid paying for their 0845 number just use 0800 3213339 instead.

mikeryuko

Do you trust the nice people in this Swiss based company with your name, address, postcode, bank account number and sort code, and your signature on the cheque?

fewkeste

mikeryuko wrote: »

Do you trust the nice people in this Swiss based company with your name, address, postcode, bank account number and sort code, and your signature on the cheque?

This is a very fair point. I've sent an email asking if they accept Postal Orders (no reply yet)

I will post when/if they get back to me.

fewkeste

Has anyone replied to the Atlas Editions 'Robby the Robot' offer? If so, have you had a reply or a Robby model yet? I sent a reply coupon a while ago but have heard nothing. It was an insert in a TV listings magazine I think. I wonder what the other items in the collection that they will try and sell me will be? (if they ever get back to me)

Dumbarse

Wouldnt touch these people with a barge pole.
Cheap 'MADE IN CHINA' rubbish at sky high prices!
If you send items back they deny receiving them and you end up paying! You also have to pay the return postage!
I would not recommend this nasty company to anyone!
Please be warned!
I fell for it-stupid me!
Dont be next!:(

Squeekyclean

I am just about to phone Atlas Editions to complain strongly about the treatment my 78 year old father received over the phone yesterday.

He was collecting the watches and after buying over 30 of them decided to cancel, which he did by letter.
The following month another watch arrived and he called them to inform them that these had been cancelled and he would post it back.

The next month another watch was delivered so he called them again.
I told him not to post it back but to call them and tell them to come and get it or send a pre-paid envelope or box as it cost him nearly £3 to post the last watch back.

Today he received a bill for £35.96 and called them again to say he had cancelled these watches and if they wanted them to come and get them or send a pre-paid box and he would post them back.

He was informed that they were not coming to get the watches, they would not send a pre-paid box and if he didn't pay the bill he would be taken to court.

As pensioners my mother and father don't have a lot of spare money and this was his only pleasure for over a year as they can't get out much due to my mum being partially sighted and my dad being quite unsteady on his feet, which you can understand at their age.

I think the way he was treated on the phone totally despicable as he has done everything he can to stop these watches arriving according to their policy on the website.

As I said I am just about to phone them and complain but thought I would warn others about dealing with a company who threaten pensioners like this.

I can assure you that my parents will not be paying to post back items they have already cancelled by letter and over the phone and if they are serious about taking them to court I look forward to being their with them when the court awards damages to them for the mental torture they have been put through over the past few months.

Regards
Squeekyclean

fewkeste

Squeekyclean wrote: »

I am just about to phone Atlas Editions to complain strongly about the treatment my 78 year old father received over the phone yesterday.


I think the way he was treated on the phone totally despicable as he has done everything he can to stop these watches arriving according to their policy on the website.


Regards
Squeekyclean

Please let us know how you get on - give them some stick - this is appaling behaviour by AE. By the way - do some research on unsolicited gifts (I recommend you read all this thread as well if you haven't yet.)

fewkeste

fewkeste wrote: »

This is a very fair point. I've sent an email asking if they accept Postal Orders (no reply yet)

I will post when/if they get back to me.

They got back to me to confirm they will acccept Postal Orders