mobile cash back deals scam or no

right being forced to get a mobile
seen a deal for a samsung galaxy ace with 250mins 5000 text and 500mb data for £7.50 on 24 month deal

so looked thru the net and seen the same but with 6 monthly cash back meaning it would infact be pennies

so i ask whats the scam, im of the impression if it seems to good to be true it inevitably is a scam, so knowledgeable people of the org

whats the angle

I've had cashback phones for the last 3 years and had every penny back that's due to me. Both contracts were 18 months with the first payment at 6 months then every 3 months after and all I've had to do is psst copies of my bills every 3 months, which i send recorded. It can take about 4-5 weeks to get payments through but i don't mind that. I've never had a problem with it, but the emphasis is on you to make sure they have the right paperwork at the right time otherwise they won't cough up, so it really depends how organised you are!!

[mattSV]

We have done cashback deals with Carphone Whorehouse and Phones 4U several times. Both rely on you actually making a 'claim' for the cashback at the right time, otherwise your claim is dis-allowed. Phones 4U made it very clear what you had to do, and by when in order to get the cashback (you just needed to send a specific phonebill within a 6 week window) - the cheques always turned up within a week.

I guess they rely on a % of people not bothering to claim, or claiming outside the timescale - stick a reminder on your phone and/or calender/diary etc and you should be ok.

Galaxy Ace is the same as my phone - only problem I have is the internal memory is crap, so if whack a load of apps on it you will have to start deleting a few.

[Sir Trev]

Originally Posted by mattSV

I guess they rely on a % of people not bothering to claim, or claiming outside the timescale - stick a reminder on your phone and/or calender/diary etc and you should be ok.

Galaxy Ace is the same as my phone - only problem I have is the internal memory is crap, so if whack a load of apps on it you will have to start deleting a few.

Had a mate in the trade a few years ago and indeed it's the company banking on punters forgetting.

DP - I assume this is the TalkMobile deal from CPW? I just took out three of those deals (wife, daughter, me) so we all have shiny matching Ace's. Very good value but if you can get the same from a reputable source with a cashback then go for it.

Matt - the Ace comes with a 2GB memory card. Unless you download a lot of apps or store a lot of music it's not bad. And you can always get a bigger card.

[mattSV]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

Matt - the Ace comes with a 2GB memory card. Unless you download a lot of apps or store a lot of music it's not bad. And you can always get a bigger card.

I have got an 8gb card in mine which is plenty for music & pics etc, but for some apps you cannot store them on the card (they have to be stored on the phone) which sucks up the internal phone memory.

[dyzio]

Originally Posted by mattSV

I have got an 8gb card in mine which is plenty for music & pics etc, but for some apps you cannot store them on the card (they have to be stored on the phone) which sucks up the internal phone memory.

Unfortunately, it's the case with a few htc phones. My Desire was the same, until rooted and flashed with a new rom.

Where did you find the deal Dave?

http://www.mobiles.co.uk/samsung-gal...tt=&td=&tp=&sb=

and the original offer was from carphone warehouse so its the effective price one vs the straight 7.50 one

that site also says its backed by carphone itself

Their legit dave, I've had PS3, Wifes Laptop, and a Telly, Abi doesnt want a smart phone so we get her one from their and take one of the free gifts every time. Brilliant!

[yorkie_chris]

Dave a smartphone will be bounced off a wall in 4 minutes with you

Get a sonim X1 or one of those JCB phones!

I've done these every year for the last ten years. Only once have I lost out (phones2udirect.co.uk refused to pay, I took them to court and won, but they went into administration before I could get the money!) so overall my phone bills are pennies.

I've just got the same phone on the same network - however it is cheaper on e2save (which is the same company as carphonewarehouse). The phone is a refurb, however I bought 4 and they are all clearly brand new and only £1.50 per month! I had a phone with them for the last 2 years awith e2save nd they were very fast and easy about cashbacks! If you go for it via them i'd be grateful if you clicked though http://www.e2save.com/?money4me14753980 as it makes me £20!