One more complaint about Scoopon. Cheating again.

Lryu on 18/02/2013 - 21:32

Didn't see all of the complaints about scoopon until I had my share of being scammed.

Bought a voucher from scoopon for a massage in Anthony Bloomfield Sports Massage, which states it'll be valid before 10th, Mar. The only way to make a booking according to the voucher is to get on the dealer's website and book from there. But its website says bookings are full before 15th, Mar. Called the mobile phone no pickup, left a message, no reply. Kept on calling for a few times, the phone was turned off. 5 days are gone, still nothing.

Requested the bank to cancel that transaction since it's still pending, CBA told me they can't cancel it, what I can do is after the transaction going through， lodge a dispute about deal. before that? Wait.

As other users have said. Scoopon has no phone number, no online chat, no nothing to take the complaint. After sending a email to [email protected], as the rep here once suggested, a email came to my inbox immediately saying the email address is no longer not linked to their customer center, and you need go to online FAQ for help or submit a request there. But on their website, nowhere can you find a link or button which allow you to submit a request. Oh, CBA did try to tell me I need to try to contact Scoopon to settle this, after being told I couldn't find anyone to speak to, that guy tried to find a number for me in their database, then told me "Oh, they only have online help, you can contact them there."

Apparently, I was scammed intentionally by both scoopon and Anthony Bloomfield Sports Massage. After a bit of researching, I am not the only. Now I just want to let everyone know that scoopon is as dodgy as everyone there is saying, run away from them asap.

Based on my experience with fairtrading, they won't help in any way. You need to go to tribunal to seek justice. For 100 bucks? I guess most of us wouldn't bother, and just give up and put it down to experience. That's why a rouge company like scoopon still operates and robs people off after so many complaints.

Also, I'll try to lodge a dispute with CBA, see where that would go.

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  • neil on 18/02/2013 - 21:45
    +3

    As above, you've missed the cruicial first step:

    Contact Scoopon. - It's clearly marked on their webpage.
    No resolution?
    Proceed to ADMA Complaints Process which has just been revamped.
    No resolution?

    Then…

    You go down the chargeback/Consumer Affairs route. You've skipped a few important steps. ;)

  • c64 on 18/02/2013 - 23:13

    .

  • voteoften on 19/02/2013 - 01:12

    Scoopon is actually one of the better ones nowadays. Follow the steps suggested and let us know if you have problems.

  • artxty on 19/02/2013 - 08:06
    +2

    If everything fails, go to ACA - A Current Affairs on Ch.9
    Let the media help us all with this dodgy site. Let everyone be informed.

  • TheAviator on 19/02/2013 - 08:45

    Can I just say my experiences with all group buys including Scoopon have been reasonable. I put it down to the fact that I always choose reputable, well-known deal providers such as popular restaurants etc.

    I think a lot of the smaller services providers do group deals only when times are tough (ie, bankruptcy imminent) and the group deal companies are of course happy to take their money but don't really care about the after sales bit, they just hope the customer won't come back and ask for a refund. Probably best to stay away from businesses you don't know of or are worried may not honour your deal

  • deal88 on 19/02/2013 - 09:29

    Go to the sport massage place and try to resolve it personally. Also ensure you are getting evidence of trying to book - like screen grabs showing booked out until 15th of March and examples of issues with phone and email. You may need the evidence later, make sure you get it today.

    They will try to allege you tried to book on the 8th of March or some rubbish. So make sure you have evidence of trying to book now.

    Best pption is to try and sort it out face to face with the service provider. I would assume you have an address for the massage place. Go there personally to book a session. If you go to the massage place personally get it in writing that they are willing to extend your voucher and make a booking then. This some time works and is usually the best solution. They surely can fit you in, just not before March 10. If the can not meet demand this is their problem not yours especially if booking a month in advance. If they refuse, get out your phone and tell them you are going to video their refusal to use it later when you go to claim they failed to prove the service so you can get your money back,

    Or else fails go Michael Douglas in the movie Falling Down on their arse! http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falling_Down

  • Gaz1 on 19/02/2013 - 17:10
    +1

    I hope you are successful. Its amazing ho much money scoopon must be making from people who give up & put it down to a bad experience.

  • ryu on 20/02/2013 - 11:51

    Thanks to all who are here to help.

    I didn't know where robbyjones found the link, but thanks. Amazingly though, I noticed after posting here that my request is already on their website under "My Requests" section, it seems like it was from the email I sent to [email protected]. On the right side, there is a list of the key information about my complaint. Assumingly, someone picked them out of my email manually. Just the status is still "Being processed" after 6 days.

    Don't know "ADMA Complaints Process" before, I'll try that and report back the result. Thanks neil.

    "Fully booked out" info is right on the traders' website. I kept a screen capture of that. I simply believe "Anthony Bloomfield Sports Massage" is doing this with intention. Otherwise, they'll answer my call, telling me they can't book me in. Thanks deal88 anyway.

    Don't agree that Scoopon is one of the better ones though, have dealt with both livingsocial and groupon a few times. Can't say the deals turned out as good as they looked, but never have felt so helpless as with Scoopon. I don't know how many of the traders on groupbuy websites are known by you guys, but for me, nearly none.

    Tried to file a dispute with CBA, was told I need to hand in the receipt of this deal to any of their branches. I guess I need to take 2 hours off to do so. Also, they said they'll try their best, but it's up to scoopon to refund me or not. They can't force them. So, seemingly going nowhere. They suggested me take it to ACCC. But for 100 bucks?

    As for ACA, thought about that, just not sure my case is strong or interesting enough for them to follow up. Still a option though.

    Actually has anyone noticed there is a "Scams & Alerts" section on FairTrading's website? Read those stories. I am shocked to know that there are companies who are ruled illegal to do their businesses, ordered to pay their consumers as fines by local court, not doing either of that. As a result, what the government can do is nothing but issuing a warning to the public. Is this country really ruled by law? or by evils?

  • AmericanDad on 23/02/2013 - 09:48

    Hi Ryu

    As you noticed and as robbyjones posted Scoopon has completely changed the way to make a complaint… possible to make it harder for us to complaint really lol. I did the same thing as you and noticed that the email I sent to their email address actually does appear in the 'my request' section, so I do believe that they are linked.

    My request for refund was based on almost the same grounds - merchant not responding, no way to make a booking etc. In your case I think you have a really strong case to argue for a refund so I won't worry too much.

    The last time I requested for a refund it took more than 7 days - but things turn out well anyway. I suspect that they are in the transition period to the new system hence the slower service.

    Anyway, good luck!

    • ryu on 25/02/2013 - 11:33

      Thank you AmericanData, for my case, 11 days have been gone since I filed the refund application to Scoopon through the email. But haven't got any response yet. Nothing I can do but waiting for now, I suppose. I am curious, why that Scoopon guy on this website is not responding, got fired? or just they gave up on media PR?

      • neil on 25/02/2013 - 11:44

        Scoopon hasn't been posting here for a couple of years. They've reduced their social media presence greatly.

        From their help

        Scoopon will respond within 2 business days. If they don't then make sure it's not flagged as SPAM. You say you can still see the ticket untouched in the help centre so looks like they have dropped the ball.

        As stated before, the next step is to fill out the ADMA complains process. You should do that now.

  • ryu on 26/02/2013 - 15:34

    It got all solved, I just got booked in. Thank you all for your help. I still don't understand the way Scoopon seemingly has cut off all the channels their customers can speak to them. But,they are still doing their business all right. Thanks for that.

    • AssociatedScoopon @ Scoopon on 19/06/2013 - 15:34

      Hey ryu,

      Sorry to hear that you had difficulty booking your massage with our Deal Provider.

      For future reference, please note that at Scoopon, all of our Customer Service communication is conducted via email through our Help Centre. This is to ensure that we can keep track, and a record, of everything that is said in our correspondence to customers. As we don't have a Call Centre, we also don't have a phone number that you can contact us on!

      Our Help Centre can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

      https://helpcentre.scoopon.com.au/home

      I'm glad to hear you managed to book-in with the Deal Provider and hope your massage was relaxing!

      Thanks

      Mitchell - Team Scoopon

  • eatwell365 on 09/03/2013 - 04:57
    +1

    Personally i unsubscribed from Scoopon Cudo COTD and alike. Since, life goes on and does not feel missing a need to shop. Save $$$ and headache which don't need. Just visit OZbargain is good enough for me.

  • AssociatedScoopon @ Scoopon on 19/06/2013 - 13:56

    Hey Guys,

    My name is Mitchell and I'm the new Online & Social Media rep for Scoopon.

    If you have any inquiries regarding Scoopon deals, vouchers or orders just let me know and I'll be more than happy to look into it for you.

    Alternatively, you can submit a help request directly through our Help Centre by clicking on the following link:

    https://helpcentre.scoopon.com.au/home

    Thanks

    Mitchell - Team Scoopon

    • berger on 20/06/2013 - 12:27

      .

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