Where's the catch?

[ganesh]

Hello, i've been scouting around for cheap mobiles for a friend and have come acrosss this - http://www.mobiles4everyone.com/display.asp?hs=k310i. I refer to the first phone, which seems to be entirely free after all the refunds, there are a few other deals like this for older phones.
Surely there must be some catch in the small print? It seems too good to be true.

Perhaps it's because phone companies want to get rid of old stock?

 

[Dolph]

The catch is that it'll be cashback via redemption, and therefore you still have to pay the bill, they try and claim the line rental back from the company who sold you the phone.

This works ok with reputable providers (One stop phone shop and E2save are generally not too bad) but many dealers will have restrictive conditions that make it difficult to claim, and if anything happens to the company (ala mobiles4free, who went bankrupt), then you're well and truely stuffed, as you're still liable in full for the contract with the service provider.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Cashback claims are a nightmare, i had one with e2save who are supposed to be one of the best companies.

They make it difficult to claim back and if the post gets delayed and they receive the claim one day late, or say they havent received it at all, even though its sent via recorded delivery bang goes your cashback.

I received the first £20 cashback
got refused the next two £30
and have just been told my final one at £35 has been successful.

but ive still lost out on £60

Just finished my 3 contract and decided to go direct to the provider, gone with t-mobile.

e2save etc are very cheap, its if you think its worth the risk, you may get lucky and get all your money back but theres always the chance you wont.

 

[wez130]

my gf got 2 moniles from E2save and has had no problems with cashback