I recently bought a Dell pc with a rebate available. I sent in the paper quick quickly, and expected to receive word quickly. Unfortunately, I never did. I checked the status - and the company denied ever receiving my rebate information, but asked me to send in the paperwork again and they'd fix the situation. I just moved apartments, so I only had about 1/2 of the paperwork - and they told me to just send in what I did have. When I called again, they told me it wasn't sufficient, even though it was certainly enough to verify the purchase and for them to check to make sure they hadn't already paid the claim. So, I think I'm getting screwed. I know I should have saved the papers, but I threw out a lot of crap during the move (always do... get so sick of moving). I seem to remember hearing generally bad things about mail-in rebates before, but you'd expect that a business that Dell outsources to be better than that. Anyone have any experiences?
Mail-in rebates do tend to be hit-or-miss. I usually avoid them, so I've not had that much experience with them. And since it takes so long to get them, I may well have sent off for some that I never got and just forgot all about it, though I know there is one that's been outstanding for quite some time that I have yet to receive. It's only for $10, but it's from AOL Time Warner, another company you'd think could hire a decent company to handle their rebates. A friend of mine has run into the problem of putting a PO Box address (when the rebate form had nothing in the rules that said a PO Box would not be accepted) only to have the company refuse the rebate because he put a PO Box as his address. And even after calling or writing with a new address, they still refused to give him the rebate. Personally, I think that if there are rules to the rebate, you ought to put those rules somewhere on the form. I think the rebate companies look for excuses to deny the "claims". I do know that rebates are big with retailers because, while in the store, people take the discount a rebate would provide into account, yet they, for some reason, largely fail to send in the rebate stuff when they get home. So, it works to lower the advertised price without really lowering the price (since most people will never send in for the rebate, and those that do can be screwed with, obviously).
I know one thing. Orderring off the net can be a real pain in the you know what. But, I guess life isn't easy.
I had the reverse happen to me. I bought a phone on Amazon that had a rebate that esentially made it free. I mailed off the materials and a few weeks later go tthe check. Well it was the same time as my birthday so I got endorsed it and gaver it to my wofe to deposit. I compltely forgot I received it. A couple months later (since I forgot that I got it) I started to wonder if I was ever gonna get the rebate. I called them and they said that a check was cahsed and that they would send me a copy of the front and back to verify that it was my signature. Got the letter with the copy of the check and indeed it was my signature. Serious brain fart...) Anyway I send them an email as they requested saying something to the effect of: "Yep, I cashed it. I'm an idiot, disregard my insane ramblings." Two days later a SECOND rebate check comes in the mail. I emailed them again saying that this was a mistake, I already got my rebate check. They sent an email reply saying: "Thank you for your inquiry regarding your rebate. Our files do show that you have a valid rebate on file. We will send a check promptly. Sorry for the inconvenience of the delay." A THIRD rebate check came in the mail. I started to think they were trying to bait me into mail fraud.
The reason companies use rebates is because: 1) Many people do not claim them so they get to keep the revenue. 2) They get your money for a couple of months...its kind of like a big ole' interest free loan for 2 months that they can take the interest on. 3) They can make very strict rules in the fine print for getting your rebate back, and if you miss one, they can deny your rebate. When I've done rebates, I've always been especially careful, kept copies of everything, and sometimes I send in a little more stuff then they ask for just to make sure (shipping notices, ect.). They will use just about any excuse to NOT give you your rebate, so you have to cover your butt.
I don't see any "fraud" with mail in rebates. If they don't send you the rebate, then you're only out a stamp. I'm just too lazy to send in the rebates.
Well, I disagree with A-Train. If I don't send in the $100 rebate for this new 200 gig hard drive I just bought, I'd be out $100 I could have had. To me that's a loss because I wouldn't have bought the drive if it hadn't been for the rebate. Or better yet, you keep buying the products, just send the rebate forms and receipts to me. Rebates are definitely a crapshoot, but you can make a killing off of them especially at places like Dell. I always ask the post office to have someone sign off for rebates when they get them at the destination. I also keep copies of the rebate. IT costs a buck or two, but that's nothing compared to the value of the rebate. I've probably gotten screwed on a rebate about 10% of the time. I recently had a CompUSA rebate for $100 that was supposed to get to me in 6-8 weeks (I think) take over 5 months. I kept calling them and harrassing the hell out of them until they gave in. The worst part is that the company you bought from is rarely the company that processes the rebates. In CompUSA's case a lot of theirs are processed by Parago. Parago happens to be in the Dallas area and I told them I'd be more than happy to visit their offices and make a scene if they wanted.
I bought the DVD Resident Evil the week it came out, and there was a coupon in it where I could get a free DVD. I ordered Black Hawk Down and waited..... I got it 2 weeks ago. I had completely forgotten that I had even sent in the rebate.
Sounds like an episode of 'All in the Family"...episode #68, when Edith sends in a box top to get a quarter rebate, only a computer error starts sending her hundreds of quarters.
Best Buy SUCKS...they hosed me on a $150 rebate...THOSE BAST@RDS! but yet I still shot there. I'm really "showing them" how displeased I am each time I drop 200 bones.
I'm not sure about Best Buy, but many places don't process their own rebates. Companies such as Young America and Parago process rebates for companies such as CompUSA and I think, Circuit City.
I am still waiting for my $50 rebate for a desk I bought. I'm suppose to get it in 6-8 weeks, but it's been 9 weeks already!
holy crap, that was a long time. i usually don't get stuff just because there's a rebate. mostly that's because i'm poor and i won't get my money back right away, if ever.
A year ago I bought a dell and sent in my rebate information asap. A good time later I recieved my check. Thanks for not screwing me dell.
They will definately try to screw you over. You have to do three things: 1) Follow it do the detail 2) Cover your ass (includes getting a mail receipt upon reception) 3) Keep harassing them You should have your rebate check in no time
I think they are a fraud. I bought a TV-in card for my PC with a $30 rebate, filled the form, mailed it in...8 months ago. I had the same experience with my Norton internet security package...6 months ago. I have yet to receive a penny from either.
