|
Post by marjacklu on May 23, 2013 16:52:07 GMT
Thanks for the reply randomcode.
I haven't received a response to my last three emails to Mongoose, but if I don't receive a reply soon with some details about when I will be repaid, I will need to contact Trading Standards to see if they can exert some pressure on this company.
A while ago I was informed by Matt Sprange that Mongoose had already refunded "about 40" of the Megadeal customers, out of "a little under 300".
However, you are the only person who has confirmed receiving a refund from Mongoose, which makes me a little sceptical about these figures.
Given the number of false promises customers were given with regard to the publishing of Lone Wolf books, I must admit that my faith in this company's willingness to comply with their obligations has been severely tested.
I will let the forum know of any developments.
Thanks again marjacklu
|
|
|
Post by keththewizard on May 24, 2013 15:58:51 GMT
I have not received mine but, to be honest, I was fully expecting it to take at least until GenCon (August) before I would see any money. 40 out of 300, if accurate, would be a blisteringly fast pace for Mongoose. With currency conversion from dollars to pounds, I paid exactly £299.00 for my Megadeal (looking back at my PayPal history) which was about $600.
|
|
TYA
Kai Lord
Posts: 48
|
Post by TYA on May 26, 2013 23:51:16 GMT
The only thing I will add regarding the refund debacle is that I'm concerned that if people do really push the issue through legal claims, it could well push Mongoose over the edge into bankruptcy. The only people to get a slice from the Receivers would be the Banks, low level creditors like we poor band of buggered would likely see nothing.
I can't believe I'm actually saying this after all the stick I've given Mongoose over the last few years... BUT patience may well be the prudent route if everyone is to receive their dues.
A quick number crunch gives us:- £150-ish quid per person on the Megadeal refund pending. If they're managing 10 refunds per month that's £1500 per month they've got to find. I couldn't find that. Not and still eat anyway.
On the very much brighter side, MANTIKORE should have a new LW book out next month. I might even get to feed my Lonewolf habit after a 17 month break.
|
|
|
Post by beowuuf on May 27, 2013 9:17:35 GMT
I've double checked and aside from the Stornlands refund, nothing in Paypal and nothing in my main bank account/credit card yet.
Mongoose's last published financials that I could find (and this is a brief net search, so take it with as much salt as needed) were in June 2011. They declared around £3000 cash in bank, so serving 10 - 20 a month would appear to be correct regarding the limit of readily serving refunds.
If e-mails aren't working, and you can easily phone a UK land line during the day (I can't usually, though I'm going to try soon this week as work allows) their number is 01793 434 488.
|
|
|
Post by Black Cat on May 27, 2013 15:48:03 GMT
A quick number crunch gives us:- £150-ish quid per person on the Megadeal refund pending. If they're managing 10 refunds per month that's £1500 per month they've got to find. Even worst: because of the exchange rate, refunding a customer who paid in $US costs ~200£ instead of 150£ for the regular UK customers...
|
|
|
Post by marjacklu on May 27, 2013 20:35:05 GMT
The only thing I will add regarding the refund debacle is that I'm concerned that if people do really push the issue through legal claims, it could well push Mongoose over the edge into bankruptcy. The only people to get a slice from the Receivers would be the Banks, low level creditors like we poor band of buggered would likely see nothing. I hear what you're saying TYA. However, the money I/we paid to Mongoose was for Lone Wolf books. If Mongoose decided to use that money for other purposes, that is their choice. However, it was perhaps irresponsible to do so. marjacklu
|
|
TYA
Kai Lord
Posts: 48
|
Post by TYA on May 28, 2013 10:18:17 GMT
Black Cat - Yeah... I'd not considered that. Assuming (step away from the Benny Hill jokes) a 50/50 split that pushes refunds to £1750 PPM. Ouch.
Marjacklu - Oh I absolutely agree, I'm "extremely annoyed" (to keep it "family friendly" for the sake of the forum) with Mongoose. The situation is completely inexcusable regarding what we were promised and what we got, the whole affair was an unmitigated disaster from start to sorry finish. The errors, (my personal favourite; "Maters of Darkness - the cult of elderly nannies intent on the destruction of Sommerlund..." being but one of too many to list) the release schedule, the lack of solid information and outright stony silence, right through to the current situation.
However, that said, we are where we are. I'm by no means defending what Mongoose did, merely saying we're now stuck in a bad situation which has potential to be a lot worse...
I understand Matthew Sprange not revealing the entire financial dealings of his company and saying point blank "We can't afford to pay you all back at the same time." but the truth is pretty evident that they can't. Clearly reading between the lines of the last "State of the Mongoose" they only just kept their heads above water. However, they do now seem to be turning things around through the PDF sales route at DriveThru RPG.
Knowing there are still two hundred and sixty refunds to find at an average of £175 each leaves me very nervous that people throwing legal proceedings around could well and truly stitch up *everyone*. (That's not a dig at you RandomCode. Please don't take it as such, I perfectly understand *why* you felt the need to act as you did, I'm just saying that for the greater good, it may be better that if as a larger group we don't pursue that avenue.)
PS. Marjacklu - I'd say your choice of "irresponsible" is the kindest thing I've heard said about Mongoose in a long time. ;-D
|
|
|
Post by elizzar on May 28, 2013 11:35:55 GMT
TYA - whilst agreeing with the majority of your post(s) on this thread, i also feel mongoose are taking the wee-wee a bit. the only times i've heard anything from them is after i email matthew directly, and then it's basically 'you'll get it when you get it'. they have the details of everyone who ordered a megadeal on file (if they don't then that's pretty shocking in itself). granted some of these are out-of-date - i've moved twice myself since i paid for it. lots of people on the mongoose and these forums have said they have supplied their details after matthew asked for them when the collapse of the megadeal was first announced. is it that difficult for mongoose to AT THE VERY LEAST email once every couple of weeks with a situation update and likely refund point? even if i was told 6 months, at least it'd be something. for better or worse, they have had my £300 for what nearly 6 years now. and 300 people paid this? thats £90k ... and there's interest that can be made on that, theoretically. i know obviously money has been spent on the books we have got etc, and it can't have been cheap. but it still isn't small change that we effectively gave mongoose to do with as they chose. now, because i'm british and reserved and all that, i'm going to tut and umm and ahh and moan (quietly, and via letter pages) and then wait patiently. but i'm still very very miffed.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 28, 2013 17:49:53 GMT
... leaves me very nervous that people throwing legal proceedings around could well and truly stitch up *everyone*. (That's not a dig at you RandomCode. Please don't take it as such, I perfectly understand *why* you felt the need to act as you did, I'm just saying that for the greater good, it may be better that if as a larger group we don't pursue that avenue.) Hard not to take that any way other than a criticism to be honest, 'thanks'. :-| ... But feel free to not pursue this company that has taken your money, spent it on other stuff, and is now pissing around not refunding anyone except those that threaten them. I simply don't believe what they say about working through so many refunds per month. I'm betting they haven't even started - perhaps they're saving up though. My advice is, they need to go get a bank loan to cover the cost of repaying the customers they owe money to, not mess around drip feeding refunds (assuming that is happening - I've seen no evidence). Personally, I don't think some of you will get your refunds. Can't say why, I just think you're going to be disappointed.
|
|
|
Post by marjacklu on May 28, 2013 21:33:14 GMT
I just wanted to let people know that I received my refund from Mongoose today.
It's been a difficult few years for Mongoose's Lone Wolf customers and personally I'm relieved that this saga is finally over.
Good luck to the rest of you and I hope you manage to receive your money sooner rather than later.
marjacklu
|
|
|
Post by hawkytom on May 28, 2013 21:48:01 GMT
I just wanted to let people know that I received my refund from Mongoose today. It's been a difficult few years for Mongoose's Lone Wolf customers and personally I'm relieved that this saga is finally over. Good luck to the rest of you and I hope you manage to receive your money sooner rather than later. marjacklu Good to hear! Hopefully I get mine sooner rather than later! Can you provide more details about the refund? Did you pay in USD or Euros or Pounds or something else? and what was the amount, etc... Thank you!
|
|
|
Post by marjacklu on May 29, 2013 6:40:54 GMT
Hi hawkytom
I paid in £s and was refunded in the same currency. The amount I received was £149.50, which is 50% of the initial cost of the megadeal.
marjacklu
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 29, 2013 20:03:40 GMT
Really happy for you markacklu, nice one.
So, that's two down - how many to go? Let's hope it signals the start of refunds being made to people in earnest.
|
|
|
Post by marjacklu on May 29, 2013 21:07:16 GMT
Thanks randomcode.
At least it gives me some money to put towards the new releases by Mantikore.
I hope others start to see their money soon too.
marjacklu
|
|
koreth
Kai Lord
The Cener Druids rule all. Accept it.
Posts: 110
|
Post by koreth on May 30, 2013 3:55:20 GMT
Another refund. Very good. Hope.
|
|