A Message To All Customers Of Currys/Dixons plc
On the 30th of October, I noticed an entry on my credit card statement labelled PRODUCT SUPPORT AG, with a reference of 0844 800 6080. I thought at first, it was some sort of charge, I’d encountered on my trips into Europe for something like wi-fi access. But I was still curious, so on searching the Internet, I found this page on a web site called Odd Box. Here’s the first paragraph.
If you have previously purchased a product from PC World or Currys, you may have signed up toPC WORLD/Currys, WHATEVER HAPPENS. The transaction under your credit or debit card as PRODUCT SUPPORT AG. It’s also marketed as Knowhow from Dixons Retail plc, the parent company of PC World, Currys and Dixons. This is an extended warranty offered for TVs, Laptop, PCs, electronics in general or any other item they sale. The warranty usually goes beyond the standard manufacture warranty to fix or replace items that develop a fault.
Now I never purchase extended warranties on anything, as these days electronics goods are either very reliable or die in the first few days. If it’s the latter, I’m of course protected under my normal retail rights.
I always strongly say I don’t want the extended warranty, so I started to suspect there had been a mistake somewhere.
But on what product and how much had I been charged in error. So to find out these answers, I sent a message to my bank, which is Nationwide.
On my credit card statement, there is an entry that puzzles me. It says Product Support AG and has a reference of 0844 800 6080. On checking the Internet I find it is for something I bought in Dixon/Currys.
I have no idea what it was, as I don’t keep statements. I also always say that I don’t want the insurance or service, so I suspect someone at their end has filled in the computer incorrectly. I never need support for anything in this area, as I once sold a computer company for a nine figure sum, and I was the technical guy behind it. So not only is insurance something I stand myself on anything computing or electrical, but if I don’t know the problem, one of my friends does. So for this reason, I never take the extra insurance. It’s their version of PPI, which I managed to avoid, except in one small case.
So please could you send me details of the transaction, what it was for and how much their practices have cost me? I suspect, it was an error at their end, as I am usually very definite in refusing the support. I shall be posting all of this on my blog and writing to Watchdog and my MP, so your co-operation in this matter is appreciated.
I hoped that this would give an answer to my questions, so I could take the matter further with Dixons.
I didn’t get an answer, I got decisive action.Today, just a couple of working days after my original message to Nationwide, four payments had been refunded to my credit card and it is now obvious from the dates that the product was my Samsung Tab 2. Something, I no longer use, as everything I did on it, I now do on my Samsung Galaxy Mini phone, which you’ll admit is a little bit smaller to take on my travels.
It’s certainly pats on the back all round for Nationwide.
The money refunded incidentally, pays for a good meal for two. Do I have any takers? You can have the Samsung Tab 2, if you want it. It’s got a case too!
One point here, is that I would have spotted this mistake earlier, if the information on credit card statements was more detailed.
Does keeping the statement information deliberately vague, mean it is more likely, that customers, will not spot to what they’ve signed up? Next time, I buy something from Currys/PC World, I’ll use several of those credit cards with the Queen’s head on them.
I also notice that with my new television, which was bought from John Lewis, that they threw in an extra warranty for free!
Do I Need A Smart Phone?
I’ve recently bought a Samsung Tab 2 7. This is the seven inch screen or the small one.
I can keep it in my pocket and use it to send e-mails and surf the Internet. I checked my Zopa and bank details on Saturday and even entered a small post to this blog.
I’ve only a wi-fi version, which proved excellent on the train on Saturday. But then we are seeing more and more free wi-fi hotspots in pubs and cafes everywhere.
So quite frankly, I’ll stick to my Nokia 6310i for phone calls and text messages.
Who needs a smart phone?
The Anonymous Widower 