EU Mattress Scrappage Subsidy Programme

nagero · 29-10-2008 01:41PM #1

This is odd.

This arrived in the door yesterday. I don't think it was delivered by the postman as it was a blank envelope. Usually mailshots come with some form of address.

I'd be suspicious of the intent behind this as there is no mention of this 'programme' on Google and it falls into the "too good to be true" category.

If it is a scam, what would they hope to gain from it?

Paulw · 29-10-2008 01:57PM

nagero wrote: »

I'd be suspicious of the intent behind this as there is no mention of this 'programme' on Google and it falls into the "too good to be true" category.

If it is a scam, what would they hope to gain from it?

Sounds very weird.

As to what they would gain - knowledge of where older people live - easier to target for break-ins. Also easier for scams, especially with name, address and phone number.

brettmirl · 29-10-2008 02:05PM

I googled the postal address and it seems that this is the business there: <Edit> URL removed - the company has nothing to do with the "scheme". </edit>

MOH · 29-10-2008 04:39PM

Seems a bit dodgy.

There certainly doesn't seem to be any such scheme.

There's a number of businesses at that address, if you look for Abbeygate Street Upper

As Paulw said, probably looking for details on older people to help scam them, although 50 is an odd age to choose.

dudara · 29-10-2008 04:47PM

There would be information available on the web and and a website if this was genuine.

I'd suggest that this *scam* is targeting the over-50s as they are deemed more susceptible to scamming/con-artistry than younger people.

Can you report something like this to the Gardaí?

foggy_lad · 29-10-2008 07:52PM

would it be some bed company like the ones in the uk that were bullying old people into spending thousands on electric adjustable beds that they didn't need or want? and the address is most likely just a mailing address in some office there.

Paulw · 29-10-2008 09:13PM

Yeah, I'd certainly report it to the local Gardai. Just in case.

EKRIUQ · 29-10-2008 10:04PM

It's a scam, I was talking to one of the biggest mattress manufacturers in Ireland today and they never heard of such a thing

Musha · 29-10-2008 10:37PM

Sounds suspect :mad: you possibly have to buy their mattress at €3000 @ 40% =€1800 over priced and a second one for €300

3 times as much you would pay in a retail store.
Scammers :mad:

Oryx · 30-10-2008 11:08AM

Im a cynic when it comes to this stuff. They are trying to get your name for a mailing list to sell you overpriced mattresses or god knows what else. They are targetting the same demographic who buy fur lined slippers and dodgy ceramics from the back of the sunday papers as perhaps they imagine they are easier to part from their money, and they have more disposable income.

mickos · 30-10-2008 11:14AM

I got this in the post a couple of weeks ago as well. As it happened we had just been talking about getting my dad a new matress the week before. After a bit of thought it sounded very suspect so I didn't reply. I can't understand what is gained if it is a scam. Its all very strange.

ejmaztec · 30-10-2008 11:28AM

Aren't some of these people assuming that when they chat to some doddering old fool, that doddering old fool will probably have forgotten that his/her life savings are in the mattress?

cgarvey · 30-10-2008 12:18PM

mickos wrote: »

I can't understand what is gained if it is a scam.

Well similar scams years ago operated on the basis that when you rang up, you found that your discount only applied to certain/authorised/special retailers (of course they were one, conveniently). If you researched further you also found that those retailers were x% more expensive than the average high street price (where x is a number greater than the percentage of discount being offered).

Windows/conservatories/loft insulation/gutters used be regular targets of this kind of tactic.

That said, I've no idea if this case is a scam or not, but it certainly looks dodgy to me.

nagero · 31-10-2008 12:33AM

Thanks all for your input. I sent it on to the news desk in our local radio.
They contacted the backcare website who knew nothing of this scheme so they did a piece warning people about it.

This thread is now the no 1 result for "mattress subsidy" on google

kevin

Paddock54 · 31-10-2008 10:38AM

I recieved this post card also, I told some friends about it and they didnt even entertain it as being for real! I got a friend in the post office who is checking if it was delivered by the post man... sounds like a good idea but im a bit off 50 yet!

Hope ithis scam is put to bed soon!

Paulw · 31-10-2008 12:45PM

Actually, a good idea would be to photocopy it 500 times, fill in bogus information (or the same information 500 times) and then put them in the postbox.

Since it's freepost, the company that sent these out is liable to pay the fee.

The more that are sent back like that, the better. It might teach them a lesson.

darc · 01-11-2008 01:40PM

mick_irl wrote: »

I googled the postal address and it seems that this is the business there: <Edit> URL removed - the company has nothing to do with the "scheme". </edit>

The address is Century buildings, which is a large building with numerous offcie for rent for small companies and professionals such as design, solicitors, accountants etc.

It also just happens to be an address of a company that sells make-up door to door and also the same company that sells water filtration systems. hmmm... I wonder if they are related????

They were also advertising heavily in job sites for sales people.

mumhaabu · 01-11-2008 04:52PM

I'd be concerned it is an attempt to get passport copies since it mentions passports and seems to be targeting over 50's (although they are ignoratnt to these scams as say people in their 60's, 70's and 80's.

Was there scrappage deals before for cars to try and get ol' bangers of the roads circa 2000 IIRC or was it a makey uppy by the mains dealers and the mafia *cough* I mean SIMI.

Joe O'Beirne · 03-11-2008 08:28PM

Actually this mattress scrappage programme is genuine and is being sponsored by [snip] a well established UK company trading for the past 10 years .

The cards were delivered by An Post too early and before we opened our new premises in Kilkenny, so apologies for any misunderstandings this may have caused .
Our new warehouse is scheduled to open in Kilkenny on the Carlow Rd in early November and in the meantime, contact ... [snip]

Joe O’Beirne
[snip]

calex71 · 03-11-2008 08:39PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Actually this mattress scrappage programme is genuine and is being sponsored by [snip] a well established UK company trading for the past 10 years .

The cards were delivered by An Post too early and before we opened our new premises in Kilkenny, so apologies for any misunderstandings this may have caused .
Our new warehouse is scheduled to open in Kilkenny on the Carlow Rd in early November and in the meantime, if you want more information please go to [snip]

Joe O’Beirne

Post reported, if for no other reason advertising is not allowed.

Also if this is in fact not a scam please provide a link to information on the scheme in question and not a link to your business as there is no medion of any such scam scheme on your site. Thanks

Hitchhiker's Guide to... · 03-11-2008 08:55PM

took out the contact details - advertising etc

don't think its a scam per se - just a poor attempt at deceiving advertising.

Nowhere does it say that there is actually a law passed called the mattress scrappage scheme. This is just a term that the company has used in an attempt to make people believe that there is something official about this.

They are just selling mattresses for a 'discount' off the presumably highly inflated original price.

Warn your grannies etc, and i wouldn't touch them with a bargepole, but nothing illegal about it afaik - distasteful maybe, but not illegal.

Oryx · 04-11-2008 10:45AM

Joe, well meaning as you may be, posting of sites for the purpose of advertising and the posting of phone numbers is frowned on here. Post reported.*

*and the second post has since been removed completely.

Joe O'Beirne · 04-11-2008 12:05PM

Dear " oryx"

We cannot reply to these comments from positions of anonymity as "captain obvious" can. We have to deal in reality, ie real names , addresses, etc to respond. The main theme of these comments seems to be that we as a company are invisible and hiding something so how can we respond if every time we post , some censor comes in and either deletes our message or alters it .

People are making bias comments here based on their own personnel prejudice's and we must be able to respond from a corporate viewpoint and substantiate any statement and that means saying who we are !!!!

Rgds
Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

Oryx · 04-11-2008 12:09PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Dear " oryx"

We cannot reply to these comments from positions of anonymity as "captain obvious" can. We have to deal in reality, ie real names , addresses, etc to respond. The main theme of these comments seems to be that we as a company are invisible and hiding something so how can we respond if every time we post , some censor comes in and either deletes our message or alters it .

People are making bias comments here based on their own personnel prejudice's and we must be able to respond from a corporate viewpoint and substantiate any statement and that means saying who we are !!!!

Rgds
Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

Boards has a way of doing things. Rules and codes of practice. As a new poster youre not familiar with these, but any posts with phone numbers or links are usually removed. You can state who you are without them. If people want to check your bonafides they can pm you for details.

dudara · 04-11-2008 12:55PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

We cannot reply to these comments from positions of anonymity as "captain obvious" can. We have to deal in reality, ie real names , addresses, etc to respond. The main theme of these comments seems to be that we as a company are invisible and hiding something so how can we respond if every time we post , some censor comes in and either deletes our message or alters it .

People are making bias comments here based on their own personnel prejudice's and we must be able to respond from a corporate viewpoint and substantiate any statement and that means saying who we are !!!!

Rgds
Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

Captain Obvious is a moderator on this forum, as am I.

We do not refute you your right to defend yourself on Boards. However, we do ask that you respect the rules for posting in this forum. Firstly, I would suggest reading the charter with regard to posting in the Consumer Issues forum.

We respectfully ask all people claiming to represent commercial activities to contact the site admins or moderators prior to posting in order to ascertain their validity. A decision will then be made. If you do not follow this path, you face the possiblity of a site-ban and will not be able to post further.

As a point for future consideration, you may find that less use of super-sized red text will enhance your commercial credentials.

dudara

MOH · 04-11-2008 01:19PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Dear " oryx"

We cannot reply to these comments from positions of anonymity as "captain obvious" can. We have to deal in reality, ie real names , addresses, etc to respond. The main theme of these comments seems to be that we as a company are invisible and hiding something so how can we respond if every time we post , some censor comes in and either deletes our message or alters it .

People are making bias comments here based on their own personnel prejudice's and we must be able to respond from a corporate viewpoint and substantiate any statement and that means saying who we are !!!!

Rgds
Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

People are making comments based on the fact the flyer looks like a scam?
You've got an EU style logo at the top of the flyer referring to an EU mattress scrappage subsidy program which seems to have nothing to do with the EU, and a URL to a UK charity website which seems to have nothing to do any scrappage subsidy. You've also got no company name on the return address.

You're saying the confusion is due to An Post delivering before your Kilkenny premises opened, despite the fact that the return address is Galway?

calex71 · 04-11-2008 03:14PM

I ask again Joe, can you please provide information on this scheme which proves its existence and validity.

dudara · 04-11-2008 03:45PM

calex71

Please leave it to the moderators of this forum to determine this poster's validity to represent who he claims he represents

dudara

CEO BackCare · 11-11-2008 11:58AM

Dear All,

BackCare is a registered charity in the UK. We have nothing to do with this campaign, they are using our name without permission and we do not endorse products. We are attempting to stop the use of our name and website. This is not a legitimate offer through BackCare noe is the EU mattress Scrappage Subsidy Program

CEO BackCare , the charity for healthier backs

Cabaal · 11-11-2008 07:54PM

got one of these bloodfy things in the door yesterday...delivered with all the normal post so I'm annoyed with An Post for that, went straight in the bin with all other junk mail

tSubh Dearg · 11-11-2008 08:42PM

Did anyone hear the discussion of it on Joe Duffy today? They mentioned this thread.

brettmirl · 11-11-2008 10:05PM

Cabaal wrote: »

got one of these bloodfy things in the door yesterday...delivered with all the normal post so I'm annoyed with An Post for that, went straight in the bin with all other junk mail

It's a service An Post offer I'm afraid...so not much point being angry with them:

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Business+Customers/DirectMail/Our+Products+and+Services/Publicity+Post.htm

Am sure once you pay them, they'll deliver whatever leaflet/flyer you want!

Cabaal · 12-11-2008 09:59AM

mick_irl wrote: »

It's a service An Post offer I'm afraid...so not much point being angry with them:

http://www.anpost.ie/AnPost/MainContent/Business+Customers/DirectMail/Our+Products+and+Services/Publicity+Post.htm

Am sure once you pay them, they'll deliver whatever leaflet/flyer you want!

strange an post don't allow there concerned customers to not to receive this ****e

brettmirl · 12-11-2008 11:26AM

Well you could try sticking a "no Junk Mail" sign on or above your letterbox...but i'd doubt many of the postmen or junk mail delivery people would take any notice.

Cabaal · 12-11-2008 11:36AM

surely in this day and age if a consumer doesn't want to receive junk mail that they now have to pay to get receyled they should be allowed not to receive this crap, surely An Post should have an opt out of all this.

Paulw · 12-11-2008 11:55AM

Interesting bit on Joe Duffy alright, in the fact that no one knows anything about this company or scheme.

Sounds certainly like a scam. Like I said, fill in loads of these response forms, with bogus information, and use the freepost option.

Joe O'Beirne · 15-11-2008 05:26PM

Your idea of posting back 500 - can we invoice you for the costs involved !!!!

Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

tallaghtoutlaws · 15-11-2008 05:31PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Your idea of posting back 500 - can we invoice you for the costs involved !!!!

Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

Cost of what? Do you honestly think with the bad press you have convinced many people to really send back the form. You should realise, now you have been mentioned on Joe Duffy the amount of real interests sent back are going to be very low so already you have wasted your money printing the originals. do you honestly think anyone is going to take you serious now or fall for this?

Oryx · 15-11-2008 05:34PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Your idea of posting back 500 - can we invoice you for the costs involved !!!!

Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

This is your only response to the points raised here?

Joe O'Beirne · 15-11-2008 05:37PM

To : moderator

In order to quell all the conspiracy theories, how do we list our website address and still keep inside the blog rules.

Rgds
Joe O'B
IBC Group

Biggins · 15-11-2008 06:11PM

Scam or not - it comes across as a very suspect way to do business!
I'd be VERY weary of answering such an item.

Definitely smells of just a sales gimmick.
If it is a genuine item, why not go through every association that deals with the elderly.
They would have the contacts, names and addresses of all those that would make better use of such a promotion if its genuine!
...or is someone afraid to do that for being spotted and seen, exposing the leaflet and possible sales gimmick for what it actually might be really instead???

I for one will be warning my older parents about this. I suspect others will be doing the same.
I'm not persuaded its genuine and not just a sales scam.
Where's the company registry number by the way? No names, no phone numbers, no web email or address on it - and this is supposed to be something organised in conjunction with the EU!
So NOT professional it comes across!

Oryx · 15-11-2008 06:17PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

To : moderator

In order to quell all the conspiracy theories, how do we list our website address and still keep inside the blog rules.

Rgds
Joe O'B
IBC Group

Can you give a potted version here of what you are trying to do? Without links? Tell us what your scheme entails, who is involved, and whether it is an imaginative (and slightly odd) sales pitch, or not. I think what has most people dissatisfied here is that your mailshot was packaged as an official EU initiative which it appears not to be.

Musha · 15-11-2008 07:33PM

To Joe O'Beirne

I can go to a major high street retail chain and buy a King Size mattress from
€180 up to €950 the more expensive one being a full memory foam.
Could also go to an independent stockist and get a better deal

What would make me want to purchase a mattress from you? What price are you retailing your stock for? Would I have to listen to a pressurised sales pitch for 2 hours from a slick saleman? Why are you targeting the over 50's as we have gathered from the previous post there is no such thing as the EU mattress scrappage? Can I go into your showroom and look at the mattress I wish to buy or is it a 40' container shipped over from China one size fits all.
Personally I like to see what I am buying first hand in a showroom and never buy anything of the doorstep( at least the travellers have the stuff in the back of the van so you can see it)
I beleive its another pressurised sale ploy similar to the H2o brigade selling goods at over inflated prices.
Thank God most people are wise to this now,
This one even got on Joe Duffy before it even started

Cabaal · 15-11-2008 10:01PM

Joe O'Beirne you'll be glad to that this "scam" has been raised with An Post by a person I know, in addition to this you'll also be happy to know that many of your spam leaflets have been dumped although I do like the ideal of bogus info being posted back to you....after all how do you invoice somebody for it when you don't know who sent them?

Paulw · 16-11-2008 04:29PM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Your idea of posting back 500 - can we invoice you for the costs involved !!!!

Joe O'Beirne
IBC Group

You can invoice me at -

Freepost
7 Upper Abbeygate Street
Galway
Co. Galway

Then again, you can probably find a lot more real information about me than anyone on here can find out about you and your company and scheme.

I'm still not sure what you'd be invoicing me for, I haven't sent anything to you.

cgarvey · 17-11-2008 11:32AM

Joe O'Beirne wrote: »

Your idea of posting back 500 - can we invoice you for the costs involved !!!!

I don't believe so, no. However, you might be better seeking a professional's advice from your solicitor; in the same way that you might be better seeking advice before posting here, as you're not doing yourself any favours. Over 50s use Google too.

EU Mattress Scrappage Subsidy Programme

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