I've been lurking on their forums again, an IP ban is pretty easy to get around.
I managed to shame Fiaz into posting on the "Chip status" thread before getting banned again. It really wasn't worth it though. Here's what he wrote:
"Apologies for the delay, we are very busy with orders but very soon we will have a big update releasing fulls specs and more details".Not too busy to spend all day on the forums arguing and banning people, just too busy to answer a really important thread. Looks like more stall tactics from Alpha until they can scrape together enough money to pay the bills.
By the way I talked to the Citizens Advice Bureau again today. I updated them on the situation. They have flagged the case "criminal withholding of consumer rights" and passed it on to Trading Standards. They'll contact me in 5-10 working days if they decide the case has merit. Anyone who is NOT A BUSINESS and has or is having their refund, partially or fully withheld should contact them direct on 08454 040506 or fill out the form on their website
https://ssl.datamotion.com/form.aspx?co=3438&frm=citacomplainform&to=flare.fromformsYou need to complain. Not just post on forums. The more people who bring this to their attention the faster it will get resolved.
Some of us got together on the Cointerra forum and complained to the Better Business Bureau and they issued a warning to the press (
http://www.latimes.com/business/technology/la-fi-tn-bbb-bitcoin-warning-20140605-story.html). Cointerra were getting slammed so hard they had to shut their forums down and guys who had been waiting months are finally getting refunded.
Just to be clear. If you are not a business customer you are entitled to a 100% REFUND UNDER UK LAW.
If you are unhappy with the refund situation contact the CAB and complain. Unlike the BBB, Trading Standards has the ability to bring criminal charges. They take this sort of thing very seriously in the UK.