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Comments:
taken up phone insurance
with out informing me.
and charged me.I think the company has stopped tradeing at the moment.Do not trade with.
I read the posting here while trying to find Advanced Communications Group on the internet - I was looking for their website (which has gone). I looked into companies house website and Advanced Communications Limited of Unit Valley Road Bus Park (company number 04389624) has been formally dissolved. I've tried their old and new telephone numbers and they're all dead. So that's bye bye to my second £75 rebate. I got the first payemnt off them though, in November 06, which is interesting as they were dissolved in May 2006.
Same thing here, these people, the scum of the earth, omitted the information of how to get the free gift (in my case it was a PSP), so when I asked for it they said this thing about the 5th original bill and all that, a couple of days after sending this bill, they said it would take 6 weeks, then 8 weeks, then they said something about supply problems and older customers in front of me waiting to get their PSP's (that really made me feel better), 2 weeks later they just told me to "wait". So I sent a complaint to Mr Sykes asking him to commit to a date and warned them that if I didn't hear from them within a fortnight I would take further actions. Of course they didn't and of course I did, following some advise from this blagger(https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp, really easy and it only costed £30). Nearly a month later I received the money I asked for (including the legal fees!!!!) So I'm quite pleased with myself ;-), even though it took from 02/02 to 23/11 but I suppose It could have been done a lot quicker.
So, go on, make your claim.
Advanced Communications Group now operates out of Dubai. Now they are having troubles with their staff since they treat their staff so badly. Here is the link to the newsitem and you can read the article below:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on: Friday, 7th July, 2006 | Permanent Link | no responses
About 120 call-centre employees of a UK based company operating from Dubai Internet City stopped work on Wednesday evening demanding that the company return their passports and provide better incentives.
The protest - thought to be the first of its kind in Dubai by white-collared employees - was temporarily suspended after the management agreed to discuss the employees’ grievances. Among other things the employees of Skycom Communications are demanding that they be allowed to work a maximum eight-hour day.
“The company promised to provide us free accommodation and food but are now charging dhs500 for accommodation and free food is given only to those who manage to sell three connections per day,” said an Indian employee.
“If we fail to sell a single connection on any given day, our salary is cut for three days. If we fall ill for a day we lose five days’ salary. We are well educated professionals but are being treated like slaves,” he added.
Many employees who called 7DAYS said they desperately want to quit the company but are being forced to stay on because the company has their passports. Atif Rehman, manager at Skycom, blamed non-performing employees for causing the problem. “We are paying them according to what has been agreed in the contract.”
When asked why the company was holding employees’ passports Atf said it was at the company’s discretion to do so. And when asked to respond to allegations that company has been demanding dhs10,000 each from employees to return their passports back Atif said, “I have nothing to say. You can believe whatever the workers told you.”
A 7DAYS photographer was yesterday blocked entry into the building by the security guard. “We have been strictly advised not to allow any media person into the building, especially after last evening’s incident,” he said.
Oh dear. I just thought i'd do a quick google on Advanced Communications & well, I'm gutted! I've just sent away my 12th bill & am due a total of £283 for reduced line rental. It really should've clicked when I called them after sending my 6th bill away, when i was told i'd get all the money back at the end (all the info i'd been given said i'd get a cheque after the 6th bill). I notice the company is based in Liversedge. Since I'm at uni in nearby Leeds perhaps it's worth a visit? Ho hum, i'll give it a few weeks before recruiting the troops, followed by the boys with the crowbars. How can a company like this be allowed to continue trading? what an expensive mistake.
Oh dear. I just thought i'd do a quick google on Advanced Communications & well, I'm gutted! I've just sent away my 12th bill & am due a total of £283 for reduced line rental. It really should've clicked when I called them after sending my 6th bill away, when i was told i'd get all the money back at the end (all the info i'd been given said i'd get a cheque after the 6th bill). I notice the company is based in Liversedge. Since I'm at uni in nearby Leeds perhaps it's worth a visit? Ho hum, i'll give it a few weeks before going down there & shaking my fist (& possibly crowbar). How can a company like this be allowed to continue trading? Looks like it may turn out to be a very expensive mistake. bahhhh
I got my 1st £67.50 without too many problems. After reading the comment on Blagger.Com I was fully prepared & sent an email directly to Ken Sykes advising him that I had sent a recorded delivery letter. It helps to put the phrase "Before Action" at the top of the letter. Mr Sykes then had the temerity to state I needed to send the original 5th bill ( categorically states copy on contract! ). I sent this to him under protest. Within 1 week he mentioned that i would receive my chq 7 weeks later. Managed to obtain it 10 days earlier than he suggested. I need to send my next claim in 3 weeks & hope they pay it without hassle.
re up date on my payment.
well was expecting a cheque for £75.recieved a cheque for £52.50.today 28/10/2005.at least i got some money bad.
i rang advanced communications who inform me that because the network i am with (3 network)pay you the first 3 months half price line rental .that advanced communications do not have to pay that .so i will only get 2 x £52.50.
from them.this is not stated in my contract with them.as i only got the first sheet of the contract sent to me.
i give up.can not afford to go to court so beware.DO NOT DO THIS COMPANY ANY FAVOURS AND SIGN UP WITH THEM.THEY JUST CON YOU ALL THE TIME.
Yes i won my case...guess what Ken did not even bother to turn up but the judge said he agreed with me that the delivery note clearly stated that a COPY of my 3 bill should be sent in two stages which is my 5th bill and my 9th so the company have no argument. I got judgment but if the company don't pay i will get an execution order to enforce the judgment. So don't let them get away with saying you have to produce original copies of your bills check your delivery note!! Any help with small claims case...ask me. Good luck.
I've have also been having trouble with this company and have been waiting for my first cash back claim of £67.50 since May. Advanced Communications now owe me £135 after having submitted my ninth bill in September. I've constantly phoned, have complained in writing, emailed and have also been in touch with 3, the last conversation was with the press office there. 3 assured me I would hear from someone from Advanced Communications but I have had no response, just the usual excuses and stories that change each time I ring the customer services dept. There is never a Manager around to take any calls. They could not give a damn and don't bat an eyelid when threatened with legal action.
In some ways I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only one having trouble with them but also now know exactly how big the problem is going to be getting the money back.
I have reported them to the Tradings Standards Commission and have been advised through Citizen's Advice that the only route is through the Small Claims Court but then, there are no certainties that they will pay if successful.
I've sent an email to the contact in The Sun, Which and Ken at Advanced. The next will be to Tony Etherington at the Mail on Sunday. It is disgusting that we have had to resort to this just to claim back money which is due to us.
I have had the same problems with cash back that was due last november and this april. I contacted bbc three counties radio since i was getting the same response as you guys, people hanging up on me saying they want original bills. The radio named and shamed them since they too did not get a response from them. So i decided to send a county court summons and guess what, my first cheque came through! But now they have the audacity to come to court this thurs 13th. I'm not scared, i WILL be there with all of these comments from all of you! That Ken has a nerve to write back and say the agreement was given orally by the agents that original bills should be provided but i found that on the agreement that they sent me it clearly states COPY of bill not ORIGINAL. I can't believe that he has given me a witness statement from that manager who claims to be out of the office all the time saying all sorts and they firstly tried to say i am not their customer! Lets all pray that the judge on thurs sees it from my point of view. Also a good piece of advice any of you on a low income or not working may not have to pay the £30 fee, fill in a form from your local court office and see what they say....please please take them to court simply out of principle since they cannot deceive people in this way. Wish ,e luck!
Just an update on an earlier comment I left. I was promised cheque would be despatched from advanced communications on 19th September, 2005. I RECEIVED the cheque on the 9th September and it has cleared. This was about a 15 week wait from when I sent in my original phone bill. There is hope!!!!! I also contacted Melanie Hubble at The Sun.
just an up date On this company.
i have read all your comments and advice.thank you all.
I have contacted melanie hubbble from the sun advertising section as i brought my phone through the sun newspaper advert.
Melanie Hubble
Advertising Customer Services
melanie.hubble@newsint.co.uk
she has been very helpful and has contacted ken sykes who will not send out any cheques unless you send the original phone bills to him.this company then loose them.so i have sent my original bills to melanie hbble who is helping me to get my 1/2 price line rental that i am owed.it has been 3 weeks so far and i have had no communication from advanced communications.but melanie hubble is keeping me up to date by email.
i have noticed advanced communications no longer have an advert in the sun newspaper either.
they are falsly advertising and melanie hubble is very helpful.
DO NOT BUY FROM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS EVER.
Paul, you think it's bad now - Just wait until you try to claim your free line rental back off them!!!
In August I rang them to ask when they would be sending me my cheque, I was told "probably in a few weeks" so I emailed good old Ken Sykes who suprisingly enough did not reply.....But I did receive a letter from them (on plain paper - no mention of the company name/Logo at all) saying that my cheque will be sent out at the beginning of November!!!!!!
I will give it till then and if I am still waiting for it I will be back onto Consumer Direct, Trading Standards and if need be, the Courts.
These people are just rip off merchants - I don't know how this company are still in business!
As long as they don't go bust before they send our cheques out......
BE AWARE BE VERY AWARE of this company i wish i had read all of your comments before getting involved with these arseholes!I was cold called offered 2 contracts on "3" network 500 mins 175 multi media msgs 100 texts 100 vidio mins for £15 for the first 10 months then the last 2 months at £30 i thought sounds good yer i'll take them 1 phone for me 1 for my girlfreind. I got the phones through the post next day and would you beleive it my contracts are 18 month 6 months at £20 then 12 months £40 i dont get half the stuff they told me i would (multi media vidio mins)ive rung them countless times told they are going to draw up the voice recording of the cold call i received BULLs**t im still waiting now 2 months on!!!!
the people who anser the phone if and when they do are so unappologetic its shocking! just be aware of the underhand tactics of this rippoff company im going to take this to court on principle good luck to all the rest of you stitchup,ees.
p**s toff of twickenham
To those of you that have managed to get anything from them congratulations
I myself have recieved NOTHING from them
I have noticed reading your comments that they are not even consistant thet tell some of us 5 months or 3 or 6 just more BS
I have written to the Sun, 3 mobile, ASA, Consumer Complaints and just sent them a link to this page too
as is i have canceled the direct debt for my phone insurance
really wish i could just cancel the debt for 3 mobile but they are not to blame but i feel they should do something to help save there company's
name as should the others
all i can say is keep on complaining to as many people as possible
I am having the some problems with this company!!! i was ment too be getting a xbox free in march 2005 and im still waiting now!!!! i keep phoning up and they say it will be 2 weeks till they get them in stock they have said that 7 times now and i have had enough its costing me more i bet phoning them.
I have rang them about a month ago and had it out with them as they said once again they are not in stock so i said but they are selling them everywhere!!! she said they get them from argos and they have to collect them so i checked on the argos web site and low and behold!!! there in stock where they said they have to pick them up from ( Liversedge, Dewsbury ) so she then said it will be a week but i bet it still does not come!!!!.
I bought my phone from them as it was a really good deal, 7600 on 3g 500mins first 3 months 1/2 price and free xbox after the 3rd bill and only £25 a month.I have now contacted the trading standards after seeing this site posted and the huge amount of customers having the same problem as me.
I've just had a reply from the infamous Ken Sykes, director of this shoddy company, stating my first cheque will be issued "mid September"...which ironically is the time I have to claim my next cash back cheque on my other telephone line!! GOD HELP ME!
The "Customer Service department" are abysmal- I called them just know, why bother? I was cut off after holding 15 minutes AGAIN...I SHOULD KNOW BETTER...
I hope they get taken to court soon as they are upsetting 1000's with their promises and constant delays...
I am having problems like lots of other people getting cash back from this Company. My qualifying bill was sent in during May and I have had confirmation by phone that they have received this on 27th May, 2005. I have phoned on several occasions trying to ascertain when the cash back would be with me and was originally told 8 weeks. I cannot get any sense out of the Customer Services Department as to why it should take so long to write a cheque and have now been told it will be the 19th September before the cheque is issued!! I have sent e-mails to the Company, telephoned them and had the phone put down on me on two occasions. The Sun Newspaper have now got all the details and problems that I have encountered but after reading some of the comments from other people I do not hold out much hope. May be legal action is the way forward. Oh how I wish I had read these comments before I signed the agreement.
If you telephone the Sales Department they are quoting 28-45 days for cash back cheques to be issued, which is definitely not true!
AVOID THEIR CASHBACK DEALS LIKE THE PLAGUE...
I have been waiting 3 weeks for news since sending in my bill to qualify for the first of 4 cash back refunds (amounting to nearly £400 as i have two lines with AC)...their telephone staff are abysmal,rude, disinterested yet 100% competent in spouting bull****! "SOMEONE WILL CALL YOU BACK I PROMISE", "WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS", "YOUR CHEQUE IS BEING DONE, BUT I CAN'T TELL WHEN YOU'LL GET IT THOUGH" etc etc...I have called 17 times to date holding for over 45 minutes on most occasions, I have been hung up on 10 times, no one gives a hoot- this deal sounds excellent but the hassle and stress of persuing cash back claims when they sell the handsets is not worth all the tea in China!!!
Add a comment about this blagger
Visitors to the site are reminded that the details contained within user comments are uncorroborated and as such should not be read as fact but as the opinion of the person who left the comment.
Comments:
with out informing me.
and charged me.I think the company has stopped tradeing at the moment.Do not trade with.
So, go on, make your claim.
http://www.7days.ae/2006/07/07/call-centre-workers-in-strike-protest.html
Call-centre workers in strike protest
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Published on: Friday, 7th July, 2006 | Permanent Link | no responses
About 120 call-centre employees of a UK based company operating from Dubai Internet City stopped work on Wednesday evening demanding that the company return their passports and provide better incentives.
The protest - thought to be the first of its kind in Dubai by white-collared employees - was temporarily suspended after the management agreed to discuss the employees’ grievances. Among other things the employees of Skycom Communications are demanding that they be allowed to work a maximum eight-hour day.
“The company promised to provide us free accommodation and food but are now charging dhs500 for accommodation and free food is given only to those who manage to sell three connections per day,” said an Indian employee.
“If we fail to sell a single connection on any given day, our salary is cut for three days. If we fall ill for a day we lose five days’ salary. We are well educated professionals but are being treated like slaves,” he added.
Many employees who called 7DAYS said they desperately want to quit the company but are being forced to stay on because the company has their passports. Atif Rehman, manager at Skycom, blamed non-performing employees for causing the problem. “We are paying them according to what has been agreed in the contract.”
When asked why the company was holding employees’ passports Atf said it was at the company’s discretion to do so. And when asked to respond to allegations that company has been demanding dhs10,000 each from employees to return their passports back Atif said, “I have nothing to say. You can believe whatever the workers told you.”
A 7DAYS photographer was yesterday blocked entry into the building by the security guard. “We have been strictly advised not to allow any media person into the building, especially after last evening’s incident,” he said.
well was expecting a cheque for £75.recieved a cheque for £52.50.today 28/10/2005.at least i got some money bad.
i rang advanced communications who inform me that because the network i am with (3 network)pay you the first 3 months half price line rental .that advanced communications do not have to pay that .so i will only get 2 x £52.50.
from them.this is not stated in my contract with them.as i only got the first sheet of the contract sent to me.
i give up.can not afford to go to court so beware.DO NOT DO THIS COMPANY ANY FAVOURS AND SIGN UP WITH THEM.THEY JUST CON YOU ALL THE TIME.
Yes i won my case...guess what Ken did not even bother to turn up but the judge said he agreed with me that the delivery note clearly stated that a COPY of my 3 bill should be sent in two stages which is my 5th bill and my 9th so the company have no argument. I got judgment but if the company don't pay i will get an execution order to enforce the judgment. So don't let them get away with saying you have to produce original copies of your bills check your delivery note!! Any help with small claims case...ask me. Good luck.
In some ways I'm relieved to find that I'm not the only one having trouble with them but also now know exactly how big the problem is going to be getting the money back.
I have reported them to the Tradings Standards Commission and have been advised through Citizen's Advice that the only route is through the Small Claims Court but then, there are no certainties that they will pay if successful.
I've sent an email to the contact in The Sun, Which and Ken at Advanced. The next will be to Tony Etherington at the Mail on Sunday. It is disgusting that we have had to resort to this just to claim back money which is due to us.
I have had the same problems with cash back that was due last november and this april. I contacted bbc three counties radio since i was getting the same response as you guys, people hanging up on me saying they want original bills. The radio named and shamed them since they too did not get a response from them. So i decided to send a county court summons and guess what, my first cheque came through! But now they have the audacity to come to court this thurs 13th. I'm not scared, i WILL be there with all of these comments from all of you! That Ken has a nerve to write back and say the agreement was given orally by the agents that original bills should be provided but i found that on the agreement that they sent me it clearly states COPY of bill not ORIGINAL. I can't believe that he has given me a witness statement from that manager who claims to be out of the office all the time saying all sorts and they firstly tried to say i am not their customer! Lets all pray that the judge on thurs sees it from my point of view. Also a good piece of advice any of you on a low income or not working may not have to pay the £30 fee, fill in a form from your local court office and see what they say....please please take them to court simply out of principle since they cannot deceive people in this way. Wish ,e luck!
well advanced comunications are supposed to be sending me a cheque for first installment on 6 november 2005.we will see.
if you have any problems then i have had assistance from melanie hubble at the sun.
she is very helpful.
read the terms and conditions before you sign as ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS GROUP are also:
www.go3online.co.uk
do not buy from these either or you will have the same problem.they have changed there name.
i have read all your comments and advice.thank you all.
I have contacted melanie hubbble from the sun advertising section as i brought my phone through the sun newspaper advert.
Melanie Hubble
Advertising Customer Services
melanie.hubble@newsint.co.uk
she has been very helpful and has contacted ken sykes who will not send out any cheques unless you send the original phone bills to him.this company then loose them.so i have sent my original bills to melanie hbble who is helping me to get my 1/2 price line rental that i am owed.it has been 3 weeks so far and i have had no communication from advanced communications.but melanie hubble is keeping me up to date by email.
i have noticed advanced communications no longer have an advert in the sun newspaper either.
they are falsly advertising and melanie hubble is very helpful.
DO NOT BUY FROM ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS EVER.
In August I rang them to ask when they would be sending me my cheque, I was told "probably in a few weeks" so I emailed good old Ken Sykes who suprisingly enough did not reply.....But I did receive a letter from them (on plain paper - no mention of the company name/Logo at all) saying that my cheque will be sent out at the beginning of November!!!!!!
I will give it till then and if I am still waiting for it I will be back onto Consumer Direct, Trading Standards and if need be, the Courts.
These people are just rip off merchants - I don't know how this company are still in business!
As long as they don't go bust before they send our cheques out......
the people who anser the phone if and when they do are so unappologetic its shocking! just be aware of the underhand tactics of this rippoff company im going to take this to court on principle good luck to all the rest of you stitchup,ees.
p**s toff of twickenham
Advanced Mobiles
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY WARNING ALERT
To those of you that have managed to get anything from them congratulations
I myself have recieved NOTHING from them
I have noticed reading your comments that they are not even consistant thet tell some of us 5 months or 3 or 6 just more BS
I have written to the Sun, 3 mobile, ASA, Consumer Complaints and just sent them a link to this page too
as is i have canceled the direct debt for my phone insurance
really wish i could just cancel the debt for 3 mobile but they are not to blame but i feel they should do something to help save there company's
name as should the others
all i can say is keep on complaining to as many people as possible
and good luck
I am having the some problems with this company!!! i was ment too be getting a xbox free in march 2005 and im still waiting now!!!! i keep phoning up and they say it will be 2 weeks till they get them in stock they have said that 7 times now and i have had enough its costing me more i bet phoning them.
I have rang them about a month ago and had it out with them as they said once again they are not in stock so i said but they are selling them everywhere!!! she said they get them from argos and they have to collect them so i checked on the argos web site and low and behold!!! there in stock where they said they have to pick them up from ( Liversedge, Dewsbury ) so she then said it will be a week but i bet it still does not come!!!!.
I bought my phone from them as it was a really good deal, 7600 on 3g 500mins first 3 months 1/2 price and free xbox after the 3rd bill and only £25 a month.I have now contacted the trading standards after seeing this site posted and the huge amount of customers having the same problem as me.
The "Customer Service department" are abysmal- I called them just know, why bother? I was cut off after holding 15 minutes AGAIN...I SHOULD KNOW BETTER...
I hope they get taken to court soon as they are upsetting 1000's with their promises and constant delays...
If you telephone the Sales Department they are quoting 28-45 days for cash back cheques to be issued, which is definitely not true!
I have been waiting 3 weeks for news since sending in my bill to qualify for the first of 4 cash back refunds (amounting to nearly £400 as i have two lines with AC)...their telephone staff are abysmal,rude, disinterested yet 100% competent in spouting bull****! "SOMEONE WILL CALL YOU BACK I PROMISE", "WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY COMPLAINTS", "YOUR CHEQUE IS BEING DONE, BUT I CAN'T TELL WHEN YOU'LL GET IT THOUGH" etc etc...I have called 17 times to date holding for over 45 minutes on most occasions, I have been hung up on 10 times, no one gives a hoot- this deal sounds excellent but the hassle and stress of persuing cash back claims when they sell the handsets is not worth all the tea in China!!!
Add a comment about this blagger