After doing some research on the Net, I realize that I'm not the first victim to fall to this company's rebate scam. It's obvious by all the different urls these guys go by:
Www.Cellularchoices.net
www.inphonic. Rebatestatus.com
www.rebate-zone.com/Wireless
In June I saw their advertisement for a new Cingular 2 year contract and a new Nokia 6682 for $200. The offer claimed a $200 rebate. The first rebate for $70 was at the 60 day mark and the second rebate for $130 was at the 180 day mark.
Obviously they were quick to charge my credit card but I soon learned that they were more than willing to break their word and do whatever they can to profit off consumers.
When it came to the 65 day mark I mailed in their rebate form and provided photocopies of all my billing statements. 3 months go by and no notification via mail or email. I called their contact number and for 3 days straight the automated message was "We're experiencing high call volumes, call back later". And then the phone disconnects. On the fourth day I finally get hold of a rep. The rep was rude, did not know anything, and did not care about my concerns. He had the same answers to all of my questions.
Me: Why didn't I get my rebate check yet?
Rep: I don't know.
Me: Do you know why my claim isn't getting processed?
Rep: I don't know.
Me: Should I just resubmit everything to you guys?
Rep: I don't know.
Me: What happens if I do resubmit? Will you send me an update and process my claim?
Rep: I don't know.
Me: How long does it normally take for you guys to process a claim once the paperwork has been received?
Rep: I don't know.
The following day I check the website and guess what? There's a new message indicating that they received my rebate form but I did not provide the billing statements. Rather odd don't you think? The rebate form and billing statements were in the same envelope!!! Do they just pull out the rebate form and discard the rest? Who knows.
The following day I again made photocopies, placed everything in a nice large envelope, and mailed it out via certified mail. That was about a month ago. I've checked the website but the same message still appears. I've called them and the rep still says they don't have my billing statements.
To anyone who works for this shady company, why do you do this to consumers? We willingly pay you based on your advertised promises of rebates and good service. Don't you understand that consumers have the power in any market to bring down a company? Your reputation and level of sales is tide into the consumer satisfaction. The growth of unsatisfied consumers is exponential. I've told a number of friends and even strangers my story. They're going to tell someone and those individuals will certainly pass the word along.
As mentioned earlier, I'm not the first victim. Here's another post by a fellow victim:
Http://usacomplaints.com/reports/ripoff181988.htm
As a matter of fact, a Google search will yield multiple results for fraud:
Http://www.google.com/search? Hl=en&lr=&q=Cellularchoices.net Inphonic.com rebate scam
Like the Rip-off poster from above, I will also be filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (http://www.ftc. Gov/). I will also be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. (www.bbb.org).
In addition to the filing, I will also reach out the Inphonic employee, Jennifer B., listed on the Rip-off poster's posting.
I can't believe consumers have to jump through so many hoops for something that was advertisement. To make matters worse, I need to go through the same pains in order to claim my $130 rebate at the 180 day mark (December).
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I just wanted to express my experience with www.Cellularchoices.net, www.inphonic. Rebatestatus.com, www.rebate-zone.com/Wireless. Hopefully this will save my fellow consumers the agony and disappointment I am experiencing.
Hong
Union City, California
U.S.A.
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