InPhonic Inc.

A lawsuit has been filed and is seeking class action status against one of the largest Internet sellers of wireless devices for allegedly failing to follow through on promised rebates. Disgruntled cell phone users filed the lawsuit in US District Court in Birmingham, claiming InPhonic routinely refuses to send promised rebates after customers buy phones or services. As many as 500,000 people might have never gotten their rebates.

Posted by
Oregon
on November 23, 2008

I purchased two phones through Wirefly.com in August of 2008. I had to wait three months before I could claim the rebate, so I could prove that I still had t-mobile service after that time. Once I sent them in, they were returned to me by mail, and I found out that they had filed bankruptcy. I was supposed to hear back from them, but have heard nothing, and have received no money, more than a year later. Furthermore, they are apparently continuing to do business, even though they supposedly cannot pay me back due to bankruptcy?!

Posted by
New York
on June 20, 2007

I purchased a cell phone and cingular cell phone service 9/16/07 as a birthday present for my son. The cell phone had a $35 rebate for which we had to wait until we had a wireless bill dated 150 days or more after activation. The rebate submission must be postmaked no later than 210 days after the activation date. We were able to follow these extensive rebate rules and submitted the rebate on March 18, 2007. We were to wait 60 days for the check. I did not hear anything so I checked the website on May 31, 2007. The search results stated that the claim was approved with payment pending, please allow 4-5 weeks for payment processing. I called the rebate number, 866-607-9877, and asked the representative what the date of the claim approval was. I was told they did not have that information but that a check should be in the mail around 6/15/07. I checked the rebate website today, 6/20/07, and there was no update. I called the rebate number and was told they had no idea when a check would be processed. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told there was no one. I then called the company I purchased the phone from and tried to file a complaint regarding the rebate. They gave me another number to call which had a rolling recording to leave your name and number or hold for a representative. No representative ever answered and when I pushed 0 I was told to leave my name and number. I am aware that on April 27, 2007, the Federal Trade Commission settled charges against InPhonic alleging deceptive claims and unfair practices regarding rebate offers. The company is further prohibited from misrepresenting the time in which it will mail any rebate, as well as from failing to provide any rebate within the time specified, or if no time is specified, within 30 days. You would think they would have changed their practices but it appears they have not. At this point I do not see the company processing my $35 rebate unless they are forced to.