Mobile phones cashback schemes

[harwood red]

For those of you that know me well, know how careful I am with money etc...

Well I have got my comeuppance

For my youngest son's 14th birthday in June this year he wanted a mobile phone, but the choice of phones for the price I was prepared to pay on pay as you go wasn't exactly great, so......

A friend at work had for a few years been using an online firm that you could get a phone on any network with a 12 month cash back scheme.. too good to be true you might ask.. so I decided to check it out.

After thorough checks of the company and searches online for as much info as I could get and of course the recommendation of my friend, I went for it...

All went smoothly and the claiming back seem straight forward, although very strict (make a single mistake on first claim and the whole 12mth cashback claim is made invalid) so a shiny new phone was delivered very quickly..

Few weeks later, eldest sons 2 year old phone broke so thought what the heck will get another one (treat the cashback as a kind of savings plan)

Made my first cashback claim for both phones in early November...

Received email to confirm they had received both claims and it was being processed and allow 28 days for cheque...

Goes into work this morning to be told.......

THEY'VE GONE BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So over 12 month period that is £840 down the drain

Moral of the story, no matter how careful you are, or how many checks you do...YOU CAN STILL GET STUNG

ANYONE ELSE ON A MOBILE PHONE CASHBACK CONTRACT, CHECK THE COMPANY IS STILL TRADING AS I HAVE HEARD THERE IS QUITE A FEW THAT HAVE RECENTLY GONE UNDER

[Neil]

Originally Posted by harwood red

ANYONE ELSE ON A MOBILE PHONE CASHBACK CONTRACT

Nope not me, they are a scam you know.

[mrskitty]

Never heard of such scheme but sorry to hear you have lost such a large amount of money HR Seriously annoying.

[harwood red]

Originally Posted by Neil

Nope not me, they are a scam you know.

Yeah great Neil and really helpful...thought I would share it with anyone who might have or was thinking of joining one of these schemes. This particular company had been going for a few years and all was fine, it seems that the demand outstripped their cash flow

[harwood red]

Originally Posted by misskitty

Never heard of such scheme but sorry to hear you have lost such a large amount of money HR Seriously annoying.

Thanks Misskitty

[Neil]

Originally Posted by harwood red

This particular company had been going for a few years and all was fine, it seems that the demand outstripped their cash flow

This was on the telly box a while ago. It would appear that the phone companies, Orange etc don't give the reseller anything like the cashback amounts they offer you. They then put every obstacle in your way so you fail to claim the cashback. All this you can only claim the cashback on the 1st thursday when the moon is full ballcocks is to make you fail to claim. If everyone's claim was successful the company would be unable to dish out all the dosh. That sounds like what happened to your company.

I am sorry it happened to you as well. I will but you a pint at the next meet I manage to not be working at to make you feel better

[mani]

hmm sorry to hear bout this

i've been on one for a few years - there's a few out there that are linked to even bigger chains or have great reps - i guess with the research u did u wud've uncovered anything untoward.

the way they mostly do make the money is that they rely on u to forget to submit ur cashback as neil said.

[WillowTheWhisp]

What a rotten disappointment.

[MargaretR]

Even mighty names can crash when they underestimate demand for tempting freebies -- remember Hoover and the free transatlantic flights.

I found a good cashback deal recently. Barclays contents insurance - £100 for a year - no extra charge for monthly instalments (£8.33)- paid the first instalment on October 10th- got £50 cashback cheque on Oct 29th.

It is tragic to have so much money vanish - especially at this expensive time of year. I am a fan of Martin Lewis the money saving expert and recommend him for reliable advice
Money Saving Expert: Consumer Revenge - Credit Cards, Shopping, Bank Charges, Cheap Flights and more

[harwood red]

Originally Posted by [email protected]

I am a fan of Martin Lewis the money saving expert and recommend him for reliable advice

Ironic isn't it that it was also recommended on his site before I took it up Margaret!! And yes it is a case of a big company failing!

Yes Mani, it has worked well for at least 4 years as my investigation before taking it up had found and also we all take notice of personal recommendation too. But as already has been said, more people than they could manage were applying for the cashback.

Lets hope this is the only thing I get stung by in my life

[AccyMad]

Sorry to hear about this Lesley - wasn't Dial-A-Phone by any chance was it? Name & shame 'em I say - let's hope tonights result cheers you up a bit

[cashman]

Originally Posted by harwood red

Ironic isn't it that it was also recommended on his site before I took it up Margaret!! And yes it is a case of a big company failing!


Lets hope this is the only thing I get stung by in my life

sorry to hear about this red, the best laid plans? if its any solace i got done for 15K. quite recently.

[flashy]

Lesley, i've just found this through an email, it may help

Phoneboxdirect and Coolnewmobile Help Guide: How to fight to get your money back...

[Neil]

Originally Posted by cashman

if its any solace i got done for 15K. quite recently.

I did not read about your fine in the Observer. What did they catch you doing?

[harwood red]

Originally Posted by flashytart

Lesley, i've just found this through an email, it may help

Phoneboxdirect and Coolnewmobile Help Guide: How to fight to get your money back...

I know how you feel cashy I have recently had 14k taken out of my pension fund...but that is a whole different story