Smart box scam
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potys Posted messages 2 Status Member -
potys Posted messages 2 Status Member -
We were given a gourmet getaway box at the castle worth 269.90 euros, a box from 2009. After several calls to book in different places, there was never any availability or there was a supplement of 50 euros or more. In short, we called customer service saying that the date was approaching and that we had no reservation. They offered us a credit note, which we accepted, except that its validity is 3 months and, as luck would have it, there are no available spots. So we decided to opt for an exchange and pay for it with the credit note, but that doesn’t work on the site, knowing that shipping is free for everyone except when using a credit note, in which case we have to pay another 7 euros. We called customer service, which speaks in very broken French and tells me that this is normal and I need to try again in 24 hours!!! In short, SMART BOX IS A HUGE SCAM AND A POISONED GIFT; THEY ARE THIEVES.
QQ has anyone managed to get a refund in cash instead of a credit note?
QQ has anyone managed to get a refund in cash instead of a credit note?
5 answers
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Absolutely agree, Smartbox is a big scam, you book and then they throw you out because there are never any available spots. I've been trying to book for a year with no results. Guesthouses and cottages should also be penalized, they are all crooks. Maybe I should file a complaint with the District Court, I will try.
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And me too!!! Two years ago, friends gave my husband an adventure box for his retirement!! He is passionate about Formula 1 and well!! No way to book?? The site near Toulouse no longer exists and the one in Nogaro is of course not open on the dates he wants to go!!! In short, they exchanged the box for me once after a certain amount of time spent on the phone with a premium number of course, and my new box expires in June 2011 and still no reservation..... it's a scam!! The worst part is that we were AGAIN given a Gourmet Escapes box!!! which also ends at the end of June..
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I completely agree. I was unable to successfully carry out either the Table and guesthouse (strangely, it’s always booked, even in thick winter fog), or the Culinary Workshop. And now it’s too late. It’s a group of scammers; we should do something. Perhaps we should inform the Fraud Department and Que Choisir?
- Joss
My daughter gave me a gift box for Christmas 2011. I wanted to use it, so I called them, and they confirmed that this box was never purchased for me, even though I provided them with the reservation numbers and the secret code inside. They are thieves and rude too. As a piece of advice, don't buy SMART BOX anymore.
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It should be noted that Smartbox never reimburses, except in truly extreme cases, and even then (the death of your mother, for example, does not qualify for reimbursement unless it's on the very same day).
Customer service is generally not authorized to do more than issue a simple credit note, and often they go beyond their rights because they provide credits that exceed the originally planned amount, and sometimes even give a credit when they technically shouldn't be able to.
The new boxes are now valid for 18 months from their purchase date, of course, if the activation has worked. In doubt, keep the receipt or ask the person who gifted you the box. And NEVER buy on leboncoin or eBay, the boxes are not meant to be resold at all, and very often they are stolen boxes.
Concerning the slots in establishments or the menus in restaurants, it should be known that Smartbox takes a commission on each ticket, the base price of which is often already lower than the actual price of a night or a meal.
That’s why some restaurants have "Smartbox special" meals which allow them to avoid selling at a loss. Regarding the rooms, it gets complicated when it comes to small establishments, for example, guest houses are quickly full and the owners prefer to prioritize non-Smartbox customers, logically, it brings them more profit.
As a general rule, it is strictly pointless to file a complaint, given that all the details are indicated on the site and in the Smartbox catalogs, there is little chance you will win your case, and even in that case, I think the process will cost you more in time and money.
Don't blame (too much) the phone services either, if you fall into the Moroccan section of customer service, their accent and the speed at which they are asked to handle the calls can sometimes make them seem unfriendly or rushed, the same goes for the French section, minus the accent. If you get angry, clarify that it's not against them, otherwise you can say goodbye to any form of help or compensation.
Having already had quite a few problems with Smartbox, Wonderbox, and others, I recommend sending a few emails before calling, it’s free and following up will be easier later on, and above all, A LOT of patience, the most complicated cases can take several months to be resolved.
I will post this message everywhere.
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I received a smartbox gift set for Christmas 2010. I tried to use it at the end of May 2010, on a Wednesday during the week. Despite the free calendar, I was told it was fully booked. I asked the following day and got the same response.
This year, I requested a reservation for Saturday 18/6/11, free calendar, and the response was "fully booked."
I made a second request, and the response was "fully booked." After a phone communication with the person at the lodge, I was told there was availability before or after. So, I asked for before, but then they suggested I take two days.
I called SMARTBOX. And there, oh surprise, they told me that you shouldn't book for the weekend!!!! Where is that mentioned????
I think I’m going to throw it in the trash
I agree, it’s really a SCAM
My daughter had her reservation canceled by phone three days before leaving, no heating!!!!-
The SCAM continues. I made a third and final attempt, but the result was the same: "full." I think I'm going to try to resell it online for half price; I won't have lost everything. I'm a bit fed up with wasting my time on my computer and on the phone, and I will alert the CONSUMERS' UNION, since I've seen that some people have even filed complaints, so that this SCAM comes to an end.
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Hello,
we are the owners of guest rooms and are featured in gift boxes, newly with Smartbox.
Last year (2010), we sold 300 gift boxes; the guest rooms generally have a maximum of 5 rooms, and we do not allocate all the rooms to the gift boxes, we keep 3 to receive direct bookings as well;
Some people book 6 to 8 months in advance to be sure they can use it, you add those who book directly, who come back because they liked us, or for local festivities, spa treatments, or other reasons, that's how we can quickly be fully booked.
We refuse gift boxes, but not because we don't want them, but because we can't accommodate a high demand at the same time, often on weekends, with only 52 Saturdays for so few rooms.
Sometimes we struggle with being insulted for a refusal when we know that for the requested weekend we already have many gift boxes booked!
I understand your frustration, but you need to plan ahead and try to find a time with the provider; that's what we always try to do as much as possible.
Although I am aware that sometimes some have fewer scruples.
I wish you to find a pleasant and honest place and to believe that not all owners are crooks! -
I personally received a smartbox in September, valid until the end of February. This Smartbox sold in Switzerland only offers a few local services (sensations). The weather has forced the providers to postpone their schedules. As a result, in mid-February, a smartbox close to expiration and a restart of possible activities in 2 months. Smartbox agrees to exchange for an exorbitant price. It is impossible to react on Swiss soil, as they are not commercially registered.
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I have something even better... my voucher is set to expire in a few days and they refuse to exchange it. I came across someone who understood very little French. I wanted to exchange my voucher even by paying as stated in the terms and conditions, but according to this person, that's out of the question!!! Anyway, a bunch of INcompetents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Forced to cancel a hotel night from a getaway package for two due to my mother's death (proof provided), I am therefore requesting the cancellation of the package from Smartbox.
They respond that cancellation is no longer possible 10 days before the reservation date.
Since the hotel night falls on the same day as the burial, we all know that a death is predictable at least 10 days in advance...
Smartbox lacks humanity in a significant way!
I would be curious to know the number of Smartbox packages lost for any reason, but I imagine this is how this company becomes wealthy.