Amaysim / Buymobile / Fromchinawithlove - not delivering items at sale price? bait and switch?

systema on 22/01/2018 - 16:47
Last edited 23/01/2018 - 11:27

Ordered the HTC U Ultra from Amaysim Tuesday morning last week, but was notified by them that they have run out of stock for the selected phone on Friday and the order will be cancelled unless I would like to change to order products. Noticed that the Paypal transaction details was "eBay - amaysim Operations Pty Ltd (amaysim) https://fromchinawithlove.com.au/". I thought that was just a fluke and decided to cancel the order.

This morning, I placed another to fromchinawithlove for a Le Max 2 using the same code (PCTECH) - the item still was listed as having 9 units available at the time this is posted (4:40pm 22/1/18 AEST). I received a message a 1:20 pm that they need to cancel my order for a refund due to a stock/listing issue with this device, unless I switch to another available product. I noticed that the seller information in the Paypal transaction was "eBay - amaysim Operations Pty Ltd (fromchinawithlove) http://buymobile.com.au".

Anyways, it seems like Amaysim is just using a bait and switch tactic considering how close these two incidents happened and both sellers are part of amaysim's operation.

Anyone had similar experience?

TLDR: Ordered a HTC U Ultra from Amaysim, order was cancelled and was asked to switch to other products. Cancelled order and got the refund. Purchased another phone (Le Max 2) from another eBay front of Amaysim (fromchinawithlove), also got cancelled and was asked to switch to other products. Bait and switch much?

Update (23/1/18):

It seems like they have increased the price of the listing of the Le Max 2 today from $319.95 to $499.95 while the U Ultra has been listed as out of stock.

So the cancellation of the Le Max 2 order was definitely not a stock issue then.

Bought something else from another supplier even though it's a bit more expensive, decided not to be bothered with this group of companies anymore. Considering reporting to ACCC though as I am sure that I am not the only person who had a similar experience.

Mobile

Related Stores

BuyMobile
BuyMobile

Comments

  • whooah1979 on 22/01/2018 - 16:58

    Bait and switch much?

    Which item did they ask you to purchase as the "switch "?

    • systema on 22/01/2018 - 16:59

      "Apologies, our team has advised a stock/listing issue with this device.
      We would need to cancel your order for a refund. Please advise if you wish to switch to other available devices."

      This is the message I got from those guys, and I am still waiting for them to send me the refund for the HTC (order placed on Tuesday last week), lol.

      • whooah1979 on 22/01/2018 - 17:02
        +3

        So the retailer didn't specifically recommend an item other than say switch to other available devices?

        It doesn't sound like they want your business. Take the refund and purchase from a retailer that wants your money.

        • systema on 22/01/2018 - 17:04

          Nope, no recommendations for alternative product. That definitely sounded like the case that they don't want the order, I suspect that they might only have a few items available on those deals to drive traffic to their eBay store.

          Also, it appeared that all of these stores (amaysim, buymobile, fromchinawithlove) are operated by amaysim and use the same tactic.

  • chumlee on 22/01/2018 - 17:54
    +2

    Same trick as car dealers. They advertise a car demo car at an attractive price. You enter your details and they call you to say that car is no longer available but they have other cars so come in and have a look.

    Couple of years ago when I was buying a car the bait car was advertised for at least 2 months after I enquired about it and was told it was sold

    • systema on 22/01/2018 - 18:00

      The thing is, they still have both listing listed as having 9 units (Le Max 2) and more than 10 units (HTC U Ultra in blue) available as we speak. Just messaged them a "please explain".

  • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2018 - 18:19
    -1

    TLDR: Ordered a HTC U Ultra from Amaysim, order was cancelled and was asked to switch to other products. Cancelled order and got the refund. Purchased another phone (Le Max 2) from another eBay front of Amaysim (fromchinawithlove), also got cancelled and was asked to switch to other products. Bait and switch much?

    such sadness, maybe its time to buy a decent phone.

    • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2018 - 18:30
      -1

      Like a Sheeple iPhone X after selling a kidney or two?

      • [Deactivated] on 22/01/2018 - 18:34

        nah like a decent android phone

        • systema on 22/01/2018 - 23:22

          Well, just looking for something with a large screen on a budget for my old man's birthday. I think these options are decent enough, except for the seller.

  • bobbified on 22/01/2018 - 18:45

    It's not really "bait and switch" if they're saying that they're out of stock and then asking if you want to cancel completely for a refund or choose something else.

    Their inventory system could just be absolute shit.

    • djkelly69 on 22/01/2018 - 21:26

      Bait'n'choose??

      • bobbified on 22/01/2018 - 21:28

        I choo-choo-choose you!

  • systema on 23/01/2018 - 11:23

    Update (23/1/18):

    It seems like they have increased the price of the listing of the Le Max 2 today from $319.95 to $499.95 while the U Ultra has been listed as out of stock.

    So the cancellation of the Le Max 2 order was definitely not a stock issue then.

    Bought something else from another supplier even though it's a bit more expensive, decided not to be bothered with this group of companies anymore. Considering reporting to ACCC though as I am sure that I am not the only person who had a similar experience.

  • Candour on 24/02/2018 - 12:23

    Just responded to a valentine day's special with buymobile. They offered 50% on valentine's day and then claimed delay in restocking when I did not receive the item in a week. Then asked me to switch to a lesser spec item saying;-

    there has been a delay with getting stocks for Huawei P10 Lite (WAS-TL10 64GB 4G LTE) - Gold.

    We do however have other model available such as Huawei P10 Lite (WAS-LX1A) 32GB - Black $369.95

    I believe all who have been stung from comments on this thread should report them to ACCC and VCAT [in VIc] and the TIO.

    The more people who report them the more ACCC and VCAT will investigate.

    Also write to the Amaysym overseers who get interviewed on lifehacker and others about their great broadband etc. The same company cannot accept poor customer service or worse for their subsidiaries.

    • Candour on 05/03/2018 - 18:35

      TIO cannot handle these buys if they are not on a plan.
      I got the phone in the end after complaining to them.

  • scbrother on 05/03/2018 - 11:06

    Hey guys,

    I also got stung by Buymobile who tried to switch my product for something inferior and had many delays… Anyway karma got to them but they somehow sent me the wrong phone which was actually an upgrade

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join