Cool New Mobile
A bunch of scumbags by anyone's standards, see what their customers think of them also see here.
They have now gone bust, see www.coolnewmobile.com
Why did the network operators, such as 3, add the veneer of respectability to this company?
Why did the network operators allow their names to be associated with this company?
How much money have the network operators made out of sales made on the basis of false promises by Cool New Mobile?
At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
The following email was sent to 3:
"I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?
regards
Ken Frost"
Update
16 November 2007 19:57
Call received from 3 regarding the above email.
3 stated that their records show that my phone came from Mobile Affiliates, not CNM.
I noted that they were the same company, and had gone bust as well.
3 stated that their records show that Mobile Affiliates are still an active account.
A brief exchange, repeating each other's stand point, then took place; 3 seemed to have difficulty understanding/accepting what I was telling them.
I directed them to the announcement on the CNM website.
3 stated that at they did not have net access at that time, and would need to look into it.
They will contact me again.
Update 17 November 2007
Sent to the Mazars LLP (the administrators of CNM etc)
"re the administration of Cool New Mobile, and related companies.
I am a customer of CNM, and am owed money by them. I would like to ask you the following questions:
-At what stage did the directors of CNM become aware that their business model had failed?
-Were the directors still trading after they became aware of the fact that the company was insolvent?
FYI, I run a network of websites under www.kenfrost.com and am covering this story on this site:
http://kenfrostwtw.blogspot.com/2007/11/cool-new-mobile-bunch-of-scumbags-by.html
Thank you for your help.
Kind regards
Ken Frost MA FCA FIPFM
www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"
Update 19 November 2007
3 called me again today, they advised me that they were pursuing the cash back issue with the distributor. I asked who that was, 3 advised me that the details were not to hand.
They asked how much money was involved with my cash back arrangement with Cool New Mobile, and how much was left to be reimbursed.
I was advised that 3 will get back to me within 4 weeks.
Update 21 November 2007
Mazars flipped me off today:
"Dear Mr Frost,
The Joint Administrators are unable to answer individual questions. All updates in respect of the administrations of Mobile Media Systems Limited t/a Phoneboxdirect and Mobile Affiliates Limited t/a Coolnewmobile and Phones2yourdoor will be posted direct to the websites www.phoneboxdirect.com and www.coolnewmobile.co.uk. Please refer to them for information.
Thank you"
Update 20 December 2007
3 rang me this evening to advise me that they are still trying to get my money back for me.
Quite how they intend to do that is not at all clear.
They also have offered me a significantly reduced network rate for the coming year, plus the first 4 months free.
In addition to the reduced rate they are sending me a new Nokia handset.
I had to agree to accept this on the phone, they were not prepared to send me the details in writing first. However, I have 14 days to cancel.
They assure me that it in no way affects my rights to claim the money still owed by CNM, and that 3 are still trying to get my money back for me.
We shall see how this goes.
Update 16 January 2008
The following was sent to 3 today:
"Allan McLuckie
Director of Customer Services 3
Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd
PO Box 333
Glasgow
G2 9AG
16 January 2008
Dear Mr McLuckie,
I sent the following message to 3 on 16 November 2007:
'I bought into your service via Cool New Mobile, who have gone into administration leaving thousands of people (myself included) out of pocket wrt the cash back deals.
It has been clear for months that CNM were nothing more than a scam operation, see
Worse Than Worthless
Why did you allow yourselves to be associated with a company set up to defraud the public?
Why did you add the veneer of respectability to this company by associating your name with theirs?
What will you do for the thousands of customers with 3 contracts sold by CNM?'
I was told that 3 was contacting the retailer, and promised an answer within 4 weeks.
Some eight weeks on I have yet to receive one. Please provide me with a written answer by return.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Ken Frost"