You've been scammed by e_cell (aka ElCell)? Here's your options! Most have been tried by myself and other forum posters and have been found to be, at least in some cases, effective. Please note that I have gotten my money back (more than 200 GBP), about 5 months after the e_cell thieves scammed me, using my credit card's fraud department. Still, I am pretty certain I would have gotten my money back as well through the HMCS money claim online service (MCOL) but my credit card's fraud dept did its job a few days after I had initiated the MCOL procedure so there was no point in continuing it; do note however that the e_cell arch-scammer Murat Celikkol was very quick to respond when official court documents arrived at his office (heheh!). So, here goes.
- If purchase was less than 45 calendar days ago you can launch an ebay/paypal dispute that should be escalated to a claim as soon as possible. This has been found to work practically always as the main method the scammers use is to delay you, promising refund or whatever, until the 45 days deadline elapses
- If you have used a credit card for your purchase you should contact your credit cards's fraud dept and ask if they can do something. They probably can, so push hard for that and offer this forum as evidence to the fraud you have been subjected to.
- This site contains advice on how to use the HMCS online claims service in order to get your money back - this works great as it is something that can have dire and direct legal consequences both for the company and the physical persons involved. It is cheap and fast. See my related post here: http://fotios.org/node/2196
- File a complaint the with UK's trading standards. It would be better to use the local chapter in Blackpool (http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/blackpool/index.htm) by sending them an email at tradstand@blackpool.gov.uk. Additionaly you should file a formal complaint here: http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/contact?action=complain
- Contact your country's and the UK's European Consumer Centre.
- Contact consumer affairs UK journalist Liz Barclay: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/liz_barclay_consumer_series.shtml#form
- Contact her from the page listed just above or ring BBC switchboard and ask for her if you're feeling enthusiastic!
- Also, in case you can't get a hold of her or someone else in her crew try the direct line to the program: You and Yours, 0800 044 044
- Contact BBC Watchdog: watchdog@bbc.co.uk (again you could ring BBC switchboard and ask for a journalist at the programme and then contact them directly)
Good luck!
E-cell scam
I purchased a £200 phone from e-cell .... 5 days later it had still not been sent due to the unique e-cell 'verification process'. According to an email from e-cell this verification process is "can prevent your payment from being hacked/nicked from any possible fraudulent cases done online" .... what masterful use of the English language - I felt like I was being emailed by a child.
After reading the contents on this site and looking at their negative feedback which relates mainly to high value items such as phones, I decided to email them and request a refund under my 'consumers right to cancel'. I also started a PayPal dispute process immediately.
E-cell informed me that they had requested a "refund on my behalf" (whatever that means) and that the refund would take 2 - 3 days. I asked what they meant and why the refund would not be instant. I received no reply.
Three days later I got my refund.
DO NOT USE E-CELL! THEY ARE A SCAM AND THE 'VERIFICATION' TIME JUST BUYS THEM TIME TO IMPORT YOUR PHONE TO ORDER.
Seller ignores their obligations under DSR
I fully concur with the many reports about this unethical seller. I purchased an expensive item (Apple iPad 16GB with 3G) worth almost £500. There were what I would call unreasonable delays for alleged anti-fraud measures and even then they still dispatched later than expected. I have a fully verified Paypal address and buy a lot of stuff of eBay. Even so they would not budge.
As a result of this, I informed them that the item was no longer wanted. As soon as I received it I requested a return & refund. No, eCell seem to think the law doesn't apply to them simply stating the item was as described. However under the Distance Selling Regulations customers are entitled to a 7-day cooling off period from the date they receive the goods.
I have now locked horns with ecell and have given them 30 days to refund my money. Under the DSR 2000 regulations you can even demand a refund before you return the item and this is now what I am expecting. I have contacted eBay customer support and will report back on how they handle the dispute.
I know I am on solid ground and all communications have been retained so I will take them to court if necessary.
A despicable seller who continues to attract a lot of negative and neutral feedback. I recommend using http://www.toolhaus.org/ where it is easy to filter out their neutrals & negs. This reveals many issues such as counterfeit/replica products, stalling tactics and a complete lack of regard for consumer laws.
I also recommend anybody who has had issues with them to also tip off Blackpool Trading Standards. In my experience if enough complaints are received, local Trading Standards offices will take action especially where there is suspicion of counterfeiting. There would seem to growing evidence to support this. I will be bringing their attention to this. I would advise others do the same so can hopefully finally rid ourselves of this vermin on eBay.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
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