Cashback mobile phone deals could be banned
Just read this story - last time I bought a new phone I considered getting one of these cashback deals through www.e2save.com. It was super cheap but when I looked at how complicated it was to get the the cash back I couldn't be bothered. My £25 a month deal with 02 may not be the bargain of the century but at least its straightforward.
Your Replies
I had two phones on cash back... It sounded all good to beging with, then I had to send my last bill to claim the cash back and I got it back in return post saying that the addressee no longer in business.
The genuine ones (like major retailers) claim for cash back is so complex that you have to spend hours of your life to work it out and if you happen to forget or be on holiday at the time of sending your bills, you lose the claim. Not worth it !
It all sounds good from the beginning then when it comes time to get your money back it is like a serious hassle most don't won't to bother with and makes normal plans seem so much better.
Go with carphone warehouse I've 2 phones with them (started off on e2 save but they transfer to carphone when you say you are disconnecting at the end of the contract) just entering the third year was confirmed today deal to continue 12 month contract £40 per month 600 mins 500 texts all cashback claim month 4, 8 and 12 they are very honourable and helpful even if you are late (60 days)with a claim they honour it.
Always send claims recorded delivery though 2 claims got lost over 2 years but sorted very quickly with Royal mail recorded delivery number etc.
BE VERY careful with the smaller intermediaries I got stung by themobs.com who went bust a couple of years ago 3 didn't want to know!
The stature of Carphone Warehouse is a comfortable position to be in regarding cash back.
Do your homework and it pays off
Cash back deals are good - I've had one continuously for at least the last four years and so long as you choose a large reputable company (e.g.carphone warehouse), then you are virtually guaranteed to get your money back. OK, it does require a little organisation on your part - you have to be aware of the claim times and the conditions of the claim, but send it "signed for delivery" and you can check that it's been received and being processed. Easy to organise by putting dates on the calendar when the deal is set up and just check on a weekly basis to make sure you claim in time. No problem! Unfortunately, the really good deals are now not on offer - where you would get 100% cashback so long as you stayed within your free minutes limit - and you now have to make a contribution to the cost of the phone,/calls, but this still reduces the cost to approx £5/month which I consider more acceptable than £35/month!
It is true that the 12 month cashback deal is technically gone but if you are on CPW and you ring up Carphone Warehouse disconnections and ask for a DRN (Disconnection Reference Number)30 days from the end of your contract they will ask why your answer is can get another cashback deal with Mobilestoyourdoor.com or whoever is doing one at the time.
CPW does not want to lose customers it is all about retention now not getting new ones as so many have mobiles anyway. What happens is you will basically have the same deal as last time in my case 12 month O2 40 quid 600 mins 500 texts 12 month cashback (480 quid) but this time it is 11 months guaranteed cashback (450 quid) but the guy said phone up at month 10 for upgrade loyalty and we'll apply the same deal again so it effectively does carry on to give 12 plus more.
If you don't get any joy from this then get the DRN number and presto the next day CPW will phone you up trying to convince you to stay then you'll get the deal, that's what happened last year but this year they went straight in with the cashback continuation! It was near the end of June though I gather the end of the month is the time they try to hit targets so sometimes it might be better end of the month but I've no personal evidence just hearsay.
Only down side (if there is one so long as you stay in your inclusive monthly minutes all talk is free!) is you don't get a new phone each time but you could buy quite a nice one with the 400+ quid you effectively don't spend on the contract. I'm still running off my Nokia from 2003 sturdy little thing no camera etc but I'm not into gimmicks and don't want a new phone when that busts eventually I can get a new unlocked one for 15 quid from Play.com or something as the CPW guy pointed out last year when I tried to push for a new phone as well-optimistic or what:)!
As I said in a previous reply do your homework make sure you send claims in I already print the letter out (3 separate letters and envelopes months 4, 8 and 12)with the date on it phone number claim etc., in advance all I need to do is print the bill out from the internet account area put it in the envelope with the already signed and dated letter and take to the post office send by recorded delivery 2nd class keep tracking number etc., just incase you don't get the text from CPW saying they've received it after a week and a half phone them up asking what's happened they might say have no record then give them the Royal Mail tracking number they look it up on the Royal Mail site see that it has been delivered from their Hedge End depot then sorted that is enough evidence and they send an e-mail off to get it processed (the processing is done in Portugal of all places!.
Job Done!
Excellent post on fundraising circus! I really enjoyed reading it, and my site is about Easy Fund Raising Ideas so I’m not just saying is lightly. Keep up the great work!