Redten halts 'free PC' offer

 

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 9 Feb 2007 at 11:39

The company that offered customers a 'free PC' when they signed up for three years of broadband has suddenly pulled the offer - two days after its parent company was subject to a mysterious takeover.

Redten Internet has posted a message on its website claiming: 'Unfortunately, Redten Internet has run out of free PCs. In the interests of our customers, and to limit waiting times, the broadband with free PC offer has therefore been temporarily suspended.'

'We are currently working hard to fulfil all existing orders and hope to be in a position to reinstate the offer soon. In the meantime, we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.'

The announcement comes two days after Redten's parent company, Watford Electronics, was bought out by Globally Ltd - a company established earlier this week, that operates from the same premises as Redten. However, according to a Globally Ltd spokesman, Redten wasn't part of the Watford buy-out and the company is now a separate legal entity.

Speaking to PC Pro this morning, a spokesman for Redten said: 'Obviously, we can't take PCs from Watford now. We are in the process of sourcing new stock. The [new PCs] probably will come from the new parent company,' he said.

The spokesman claimed that Redten's existing customers would be unaffected. 'The service is still continuing as normal,' he said.

Earlier this week, the Redten spokesman claimed 'Redten Internet isn't going out of business.' Yet when PC Pro asked last October what would happen to customers in the event of Redten ceasing to trade, the same spokesman told us: 'The Redten Internet broadband and PC offer has been underwritten by Watford Electronics Ltd. In the event that Redten Communications Ltd ceases to trade, the provision of broadband will revert to Watford Electronics Ltd. In the event that Watford Electronics Ltd also ceases to trade within the duration of the three-year broadband contract, the customer can cancel their direct debit agreement and either return the PC, or pay the residual value of the PC.'

It now appears the Watford safety net has been removed.