Jumping Through Hoops Trying To Collect Rebates
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Oh, the promise of being rewarded for making a purchase from a manufacturer and the hassles we must sometimes go through in order to collect. Over the years I have read many articles concerning the horror stories of those trying to collect their reward, only to find out that they failed to comply properly with the rebate process. So why are there rebates in the first place? The gimmick of rebates is a benefit to manufacturers. It is estimated that over 50% of people don’t apply for the rebate. So not only does the manufacturer get to sell the product at full price, the consumer seems to feel that they got a deal on their purchase.
There are a few tips and tricks we can use to make sure we get our rebates. None are 100% perfect, but may just help some.
- Before making the purchase, read the rebate form and rules carefully. If you don’t understand what is required, ask one of the sales clerks to explain the procedure to you. If they don’t know, shop elsewhere.
- Read the super fine print very carefully. I once bought three identical items and submitted rebate forms for all three. I learned later that the rebate was for ONE purchase of the item per household.
- Make copies of what you submit. Eight weeks after the purchase none of us can remember when or where we submitted the rebate form. In the case of UPS labels you may have to take a digital photo of it and print it out. UPC codes may not print out properly on some copy machines.
- Some companies like Staples have made the rebate process somewhat easier. They actually track your rebate process for you online and send email alerts as the process progresses.
- If you haven’t received your rebate in a specified amount of time, contact the manufacturer and yell and scream.
The importance of making copies of the items you send in cannot be overstated. I find that it helps jog my memory as to when I submitted the forms and to whom I submitted them. I recall an incident several years ago in which I made a purchase of an item directly from the manufacturer which included a $20 rebate. I followed the instructions perfectly and knew I had followed the procedure carefully. Three months later and I had still not received my rebate. A call to the manufacturer got fast action and I faxed the forums I had originally had submitted. Two weeks later, my check arrived. The wheel that squeaks… you know the rest.
What have been your experience with rebates? Are they a blessing or scam?
Comments welcome as always.
[tags]rebates, procedures, copy, manufacturer[/tags]
16 Comments
marc klink
June 18th, 2007
at 12:03pm
Sometimes, when you’ve given up all hope of ever seeing any rebate, it comes. Reported in Maximum PC this month is the tale of readers who are receiving their rebates of $75 from Soyo, after 3 years of waiting. These were motherboards purchased from NewEgg with rebates by Soyo to make them free after rebate. I guess good things come to those who wait, and wait, …
Tim Hodkinson
June 18th, 2007
at 12:39pm
“Are they a blessing or scam?”
They’re a scam.
Doesn’t it make more sense for the retailer to get the “rebate” directly from their supplier than it does to make their customers apply individually? Or do the retailers not trust their suppliers to honor the rebates?
The worst part is how “rebates” are used in advertising. I’m surprised that retailers can advertise a price of $800 for a computer that you have to pay $1000 for, and then apply for a $200 “rebate”. Although I guess car dealers have been doing this for years, but then they never advertise the discounted price and the rebate is given to you as cash when you close the deal (which is usually a financing package) -a very different arrangement than with rebates for electronics.
I’ll bet if you dig deep enough you’ll find that “rebates” were another evil plan hatched in a Microsoft board meeting.
Ron Schenone
June 18th, 2007
at 1:39pm
Hi Marc,
That’s funny. 3 years is unbelievable.
Hello Tim,
I like your theory! LOL
Ron
Robert Glen Fogarty
June 18th, 2007
at 5:01pm
Friendly reminder!
“Manufacture” (verb) is the act of manufacturing.
“Manufacturer” (noun) is someone who manufactures.
That “r” at the end makes all the difference in the world!
Ron Schenone
June 18th, 2007
at 6:11pm
Thanks Bob.
d00msay3r3
June 19th, 2007
at 4:01pm
I personally got screwed several times on rebates from the manufacturer “Zonet”. All 3 times I’ve submitted rebates to them I’ve recieved an email stating that I didn’t ’sign’ the rebate form. What a joke!! I know I did, although like a fool I made no copies so I couldn’t resubmit. Now I ask, why is a signature needed anyhow? They have all my info, and their request for paperwork was met. Why not just be a descent company and send it anyhow?
So just be forwarned when dealing with “Zonet”. Honestly I have had no issues whatsoever with their products. It’s just the lousy rebate system they have!!
Ron Schenone
June 19th, 2007
at 4:18pm
Hi d00msay3r3,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Ron
terminalfrost
June 19th, 2007
at 4:53pm
I purchased a 1GB SanDisk miniSD from a company advertising a $20. rebate. When the order arrived, they had substituted another brand. Good bye $20 bucks!
Ron Schenone
June 19th, 2007
at 5:15pm
Hi terminalfrost,
Thanks for the comment.
Ron
Dan Lemke
June 19th, 2007
at 8:47pm
I have bought a lot of Dell computers and have had to on 3 occaisions fight for my rebate. The part that gets me is you can call any of their lines home, business, and tech, any dept and they will know within a few clicks of the the keyboard, every product that you bought, except the rebate dept. they will tell you they don’t have that information. I have had to resend in the information all three times and the problem there is they will not readily send you the forms to resubmit. Something you know you shouldn’t have to do anyways. I always end up sending them a threatening letter chastising them for trying to cheat me out of 100 dollars or so and finish the letter with a remark on how Dells credibility isn’t even worth 100 dollars. And after about the third try, I will get the check.
Now I will not go through that kind of trouble for 5-20 bucks, and they know that. But I will say this…….I will have to want that product pretty bad before I will buy with a rebate. I will buy it somewhere else with no rebate even though it is a bit higher, cause I know I will forget or not follow through with the naggin that needs to be done to get some of the rebates or knowing that upfront, they will just flat out refuse to send the rebate. I will pay 10 dollars more for a hard drive with no rebate before I will send them my money with the promise of a 20-30 dollar rebate. I just don’t have the time. Now when we get up to 50 bucks or more, I will fight for that money. You have to consider that your time is worth something also.
I have always wondered what happened to our govt. They no longer protect us from this type of piracy, or the FCC, will not enforce any TV rules anymore. They have just given up the fight and I’ll bet if you were to get to the bottom of it, it would have something to do with internet retail taxes. Or the lack there of.
Time to end this post, the vein in my head is glowing and pulsing like a neon bar sign. This is only the tip of the iceberg on my rant and I already had my daily allowance of Xanax.
Dan
Ron Schenone
June 20th, 2007
at 4:09am
Hi Dan,
Thanks for sharing your experience with us. It seems that fighting for a rebate is the norm sometimes.But it does make one wonder why this isn’t better controlled and explains how these companies get away with not honoring the rebate and seem to look for any excuse not to pay.
Like Chris stated, maybe it should be called a ‘rebait’ instead.
Regards, Ron
daytech
June 20th, 2007
at 4:38am
I am one of those individuals still waiting on my Soyo $75 rebate. This is the first I’ve heard there might still be hope for me to receive it. After 18 months Newegg finally compromised and gave me the $75 that Soyo wouldn’t cough up. I did copy and document everything but could get no response from Soyo to even provide the copies if requested. There was a period where they were not even answering their phone!!!
If Soyo does send the check I will spend every penny at Newegg to show my appreciation for making it right. Newegg ROCKS!!!
Ron Schenone
June 20th, 2007
at 5:12am
Hello daytech,
It sounds like Newegg has their act together. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Ron .
William Murphy
June 20th, 2007
at 11:58am
After several successful purchases from Tiger Direct with the rebate received although late, I found they had bought a wholly owned subsidiary named onRebate.com. I submitted a claim for $20 and I kept the copies and all was in order. The site showed my documents had been received and all was well except they never sent the money and marked the web page with a red X. No explanation just that was it.
I decided never again to buy from Tiger Direct and I have not.
Bill
Ron Schenone
June 20th, 2007
at 2:03pm
Hello William,
Thanks for the info. and your comments.
Ron
Ed Kane
June 23rd, 2007
at 6:06pm
Bill: very interesting that tiger direct bought onRebate.com. I bought 2 cell phones from tiger and they were going to be free after rebait (BAIT) I paid 600.00 then the phones wouldnot charge, so I sent them back new ones came worked fine, but changed my activiton date. sent in (rebaits) 6 of them for 100.00 each Recived 2, 100.00 Checks 2 mount’s later other 4 no good dates wrong all 6 sent same time, called ,fax copy’s, called many more times, My claim went to review or something. still no good, now after 2 yrs. I guess I’ll give up .that onRebate.com. has moved to 3 states in 2 yr’s
I think they are heading For Canada Tom