Complaint Review: DE Phones GmbH

I recently came across a site in a Google search for a phone I was wanting to purchase, the Samsung SGH-D500.
This site was the above, www.de-phones.com, on appreance it looks very proffesional, and my were the prices cheap, with my phone working out at 153.98!! - Compared to the 300+ on eBay!!

Well I proceeded through the order process, but there was no method of payment to select, although on the site there was TWO web banners advertising various payment methods.

I contacted them via email as requested for payment methods, advised them I wanted to pay via Visa Credit card. The sent me an email back informing me that the only way to pay was via Western Union. **Alarm Bells** I understood that Western Union was used in a lot of rip-off claims because once the money is sent and collected they hold no liability for the goods paid for.

I contacted them again, asking if there was any other method of payment since I wasnt familiar with using Western Union, after the same response again, "No you can only pay via Western Union", I got to checking the site background, I found the site was only set up on 20th November 2004, although the same address was linked to the site as that on the site under contact information. When I questioned them on this I got the reply.. "We are a big company but only done business online since 20th November".

Last resort I asked them for the payment information I would need to send to Western Union, this being some person based in Ilford, UK, not Germany or anywhere near where they say they are.

I finally gave up, not wanting to waste my 153.98 and get nothing. So I guess this company could be a great bargain, if legitimate, but I didnt want to take the risk.

Jordan
Bradford
United Kingdom