Mobile Cashback Petition

Katie-Kat-Kins

mobilejunkie wrote: »

Pity there's not one for people who disagree.

On what basis do you disagree mobile junkie? Are you morally opposed to consumer protection?

Katie-Kat-Kins

I think the main issue is that these dodgy retaillers are holding themselves out as network approved, which consumers assume gives some sort of protection or back up or at least provides a good reputation. Then when everything goes wrong they have no protection and are tied into the original deal. I think the ideal solution would be that if the cashback contract was broken by the cashback company the entire mobile phone contract would become voidable by the consumer. This would discourage the networks from using less reliable agents and enable consumers to get out of expensive contracts. Alternatively changes to the way the referral fees are paid might encourage more responsibility and discourage flyby night companies from the cashback contracts. I have no objection to the agreements per se but it is impossible to know whether you have got a good deal or have been taken in by a dodgy dealer, I thought I'd checked everything!

mobilejunkie

I disagree because regulation leads to restrictions which hurt those unaffected more than those who are. Anyone foolish enough to enter into a totally free deal without checking it all out can never be protected by big brother. All big brother does is stop those who do check things out being able to chose.

I think it is possible to identify the "dodgy" dealers and there is no such thing as a free lunch - only a calculated risk-reward exercise anyone CAN conduct in order to decide IF they bother. Despite losing on the Mobile Affiliates collapse I have done very nicely from these deals for a long time and would never have risked more than I realised. I don't disagree with the suggestion of making the contracts void if a dealer goes under (for example) but the heavy-handed fist of reactionaries or disgruntled victims blaming everyone instead of themselves is, in fact, destructive and not constructive. I have no wish for these deals to be banned or made impossible. I live in a free society and would like the choice that affords. Either you take away freedom of choice and have a cartel or you allow it and people have to take SOME personal responsibility.

Cviji

If you shift the risk in the direction of the networks then surely they just wont deal with these "dodgey" retailers, and the cheap deals will go. Who benefits then?

NewbieMoneySaver**

I have signed it and think that everyone on here should.

After all its false advertising and its there to catch people out.

There are so many companies out there that offer these cashback deal and they look great, I have thought about going for them but now i'm very worried and so should you all be.

Go for it.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/MobilesCashback

diamonds

there are far too many outdated stickys in the mobile section of the forums, most people dont look at them.... maybe a clean up will help people see this very valuable thread which myself has missed for 2 weeks, 606 views in two weeks ? thats very low for MSE'ers for a very important post

also why not sticky in all the telephones boards ? it a telecom issue and converged Orange mobile/broadband and o2 BB customers may miss it in the Mobile section, as well as Vodafone linerental/broadband & mobile customers

Katie-Kat-Kins

Mobile Junkie, what checks would you suggest I made?

I went through all the documents with a fine tooth comb and was satisfied that I could comply with the terms and conditions. I wanted a contract mobile anyway and can afford the payments, but would rather not be locked into a less than ideal 18 month contract without receiving any of the cashback. The company dealing with my cash back claim seem to have gone under before making my first cashback payment.

I don't think the deals should be banned and I appreciate the legal position but I think these companies are taking advantage Orange will make a lot of money out of my contract, I may not have taken a deal with them if it hadn't been for the offer of cashback, that offer hasn't been honoured so why should they continue to benefit?

A little more control would not stop these deals altogether just stop the unsustainable offers, which are fine if you are in early while the company can afford to pay out but not later when they collapse. It is just like a Pyramid scheme really and they are illegal for a good reason!

mobilejunkie

I've had about 30 cashback deals and lost a little on just three when the dealer went bust recently. I chose that particular dealer with great care, weighing up and accepting the risks. They made out they were very large but it was VERY plain beforehand that they were definitely not to anyone reading their blurb with the minimum of care. I'd never go for an 18 month contract. I'd never risk too much with any dealer who may go bust. Every single dealer that has gone under recently was clearly at risk of so doing - reading their websites and asking questions beforehand established that without too much difficulty. Many people have still gone with the three worst companies and still come on these threads with problems with those dealers. Again, I wouldn't have touched them - the risks and their practices were clear to anyone who cared to read these threads first AND had been so for at least 2-3 years. I wouldn't have even one contract if it wasn't free. The fact that I have so many (and have helped several friends and relatives get them successfuly too) is because I took the trouble to research and think about the risks first - as anyone can if they so wish. If you studied the documents you must have already ordered. Studying the t&c on the relevant website, searching on here and google to read all feedback about a given dealer, emailing questions you're not sure about before you take the plunge can all be done. I'd NEVER go into one of these contracts without being confident I WILL get my money - the only real risk being the dealer going bust. Hence the vast majority of my/our contracts have been with larger, much safer dealers in that respect. Too many people read information and are blinded by the deals. That's called marketing and every company in the country does it - whatever the product. Surely people can't expect to get something (worth so much) for free and not question everything carefully first? Sorry, but anyone going with a very small company offering deals must realise there's a risk they could go bust. Anyone dealing with a safer company must also be fully aware of all the other risks - and far too many going with those companies STILL make VERY basic errors from the start. I took the time and trouble to write a guide to help people, but it seems a sticky advocating a crusade to take away my rights is more important than making people aware of the pitfalls. NO, everyone on here should NOT sign it. I certainly won't be!

jon_r_2

Well said !
I wont be signing either, luckily i have done my research,
stuck to the T & C, to date i have not lost out as i keep all paperwork seperate and post it special delivery asap.

mobilejunkie

Thanks. Nice to know I'm not the only one who is firmly against such a crusade!