...on Prepaymania service
Order timeline: as follows...
02.03.09
Place online order with Prepaymania for generic Siemens "mobile phone battery" - shown as "in stock" - pay by debit card (free delivery).
02.03.09
Order No. issued and e-mail received showing order details.
04.03.09
Check of bank account shows that cost of battery (£3.99) was debited on 03.03.09.
04.03.09
E-mail received confirming order has been dispatched.
05.03.09
Package received by post - package contains "Cigar lighter socket adapter/splitter" and invoice for phone battery!
05.03.09
Send message (via website) about wrong goods supplied and ask for instructions.
05.03.09
Auto e-mail acknowledgement (contact link does not work).
05.03.09
E-mail received with instructions to return goods to Prepaymania (Wembley address), enclosing a note.
06.03.09
Wrap and return wrong goods by post (first class recorded/signed for) enclosing a letter, at cost of £2.17.
06.03.09
Send message (via website) confirming return of goods and asking if they can supply the phone battery which I ordered.
06.03.09
Auto e-mail acknowledgement (contact link does not work).
06.03.09
Search Internet for info on Prepaymania - one report says phone No. is just an answerphone.
Nothing...
11.03.09
Check Prepaymania website and find it now shows required product (phone battery) is "out of stock!"
11.03.09
Attempt to FAX letter to main Trentham office confirming goods have been returned but "FAX No. does not work".
11.03.06
Send a letter by post to main Trentham office at cost of £1.08 (first class recorded/signed for) stating that goods have been returned.
13.03.09
Check of bank account shows refund of £3.99 on 12.02.09 by Prepaymania.
13.03.09
No refund of postage for returning the incorrect goods, no e-mail, phone call or note of apology or explanation, no information about the ordered goods (phone battery)!
Nothing...
17.03.09
Buy generic phone battery at local market - cost £6.00!
Conclusion: How can you protect yourself against online sellers giving incorrect stock information or sending wrong goods (substitute goods scam)?
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