Inphonics T-Mobile two year subscription with two free Motorola photo/flip phones after two $100 rebates from Inphonics and two $50 rebates from T-Mobile ripoff White Bear Lake Minnesota
Inponics (through their LowerMyBills.com web site) offered two free Motorola camera flip phones after rebates with a shared two person 1000 minutes per month two year subscription to T-Mobile; two rebates of $100 each from Inphonics, and two rebates of $50 each from T-Mobile. However, if the subcription were cancelled prior to the two year period there would be a $200 cancellation fee per phone ($400).
First, the two phones did not arrive on the same day. Second, since my wife's arrived first and she was relying on me to process the rebates, she disgarded the box it came in (with the UPC code). Third, when mine arrived and I read the rebate instructions I discovered the need for the UPC code, which I now only had for one phone. Fourth, another rebate rule was that three months worth of billings were required to prove the subscription and that the rebate must be submitted within 120 days of receipt of the phones. Check this chronology:
Receive phones: 2 Aug 04
Receive first T-Mobile statement: 30 days later
Receive second T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 60 days
Receive third T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 90 days
Note: Wife informs me my cell phone number is long distance from our home phone, I call T-Mobile, inform them of the problem, and get a new number after I had mailed the rebate forms.
Receive fourth T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 120 days
I sent the rebates, with the first three statements to Inphonics and T-Mobile as soon as I received the third statement, with a letter indicating one of the rebate packages did not include the UPC from the box and requesting they waive that requirement.
Inphonics sent a letter denying the rebate for both phones based on the lack of UPC codes (even though I had sent the UPC for my phone)and the billing statement did not show the third bill as being paid.
Per their instructions, I sent the next billing statement which by then was the fifth statement, with a letter explaining the time table for the rebates could not possibly be met if I had waited for a fourth billing statement. I also called and discussed this with their rebate representative and was informed they would get back with me within eight weeks.
I was then sent a letter informing me the Inphonics rebate was denied because my phone number on the billing statement did not match the one submitted on the rebate form. I sent another letter explaining the problem with the original number. They then sent me a letter denying my rebates based on the fact they were not submitted in the specified time frame. I again called and discussed this with their representative, who did not speak good English, with no positive result.
I have five major problems with this whole process. First, if they should have to specify the complete rebate process in their marketing advertisement (that would have prevented my wife from discarding the box). Second,(based on my discussion with the T-Mobile rep)the UPC code is only used to prevent people from submitting phony rebates; the other documents submitted already preclude this from happening. Third, the rebate issue should be related to the fact that I did receive the phones and whether I, in fact, have a two year contract with T-Mobile; not their list of what needs to be in the rebate package. Fourth, based on receipt of the actual billing statement it is impossible to meet their rebate submission time table. The time frame to submit rebates should be rational; not a trick so they can deny the rebate submissions. Last, consumers need to be warned about Inphonics' rebate scams.
Note: I had similar issues with T-Mobile but, working through their customer relations was able to badger them into sending one of the rebates. Then, based on the fact they did not send the second rebate, I called to cancel the subscription and inform them I would return their check. At which time they said I would be billed a $400 cancellation fee and if I refused to pay it, it would be turned over to a collection agency. However, they did say if I would keep the subscription they would credit my next billing statement with $50 to complete the rebate process.
I asked that they force Inphonics to also remit my rebates and they disavowed any responsibility for Inphonics, even though Inphonics is part of their marketing process.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Charles
North Ogden, Utah
U.S.A.
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1 Updates & Rebuttals
Richie
Na,Illinois,
U.S.A.
GET EDUCATED about INDIRECT DEALERS
#2Consumer Suggestion
Thu, March 03, 2005
Well Charles, it sounds as though somebody at this Inphonic Company really had their way with you. To begin with, it is not T-Mobile's fault. Chasing what seemed like a great deal, you decided to go through an indirect dealer. I do not blame you, we all want to have great deals.
The problem, however, with indirect dealers is that they could care less what happens to you once they 've gotten you to sign. See, Indirect dealers are all about selling. If you notice, Inphonic IS NOT T-Mobile. They are a dealer that sells T-Mobile, Sprint, Nextel, Cingular and other service providers. Indirect dealers get a commision from the big companies for signing people to contracts. So Inphonic might have screwed up many people's contract, but guess who has to deal with it??? Nope, not Inphonic, it's now stuck with the customer and the service provider. That's very unfair, it's also very unprofessional.
It's always better to go directly to the actaul. Dealer. You might pay a little more. But it will be well worth it for the sake of saving questions, time, headaches, and even money because Indirect Dealers have a tendency to place people on bigger rate plans in order to maximize their own commision (the bigger the rate plan, the bigger the commision an indirect dealer gets).
And I mean look, T-Mobile honored their part. They gave you the $50 rebate, which is the only rebate they were obliged to. Inphonic had their own rebate, which sounds very fishy and here's why. In order for rebates to be processed, T-Mobile requires that the original UPC panel from the box be sent to T-Mobile with the rebate forms. Therefore, Inphonic CANNOT be expecting the UPC panel if it is already going to T-Mobile. So basically Charles, you had to chose one or the other. T-Mobile did their part, Inphonic screwed you over.
And by the way. T-MOBILE DOES NOT HAVE A 2 YEAR AGREEMENT. T-MOBILE IS THE ONLY COMPANY WHERE 2 YEAR AGREEMENTS DO NOT EXIST. My guess is that in Inphonic made you sign a seperate agreement stating that you would not cancel for two years in order to avoid chargebacks. So Charles, you can breath a little easier about that. You can call and verify yourself with T-Mobile about the length of your contract, it should be only one year. However, I would also suggest looking at your paperwork with Inphonic, as the 2 year thing has nothing to do with T-Mobile. The 2 year thing is probably something along the lines of having to pay Inphonic a seperate fee if you cancel your contract (because if you cancel, Inphonic then loses the commision they had originally made).
My suggestion to all people is this, go straight to the big company. Indirect Dealers such as Inphonic, A1 wireless, PCS Division, Mobile Solution, PageComm, are always causing problems because they train their employees to sell sell sell and it's pretty much all they care about. Indirect Dealers spend little or no time on customer service training or how to ensure that contracts have been set up correctly, they could care less if you didn't get your rebates, as long as you sign and they get their commision.