Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

4/12/05 What do you think about rebates?

Apr 11, 2005 8:48AM PDT

What do you think about rebates?

Never, it's not worth the hassle
Only if the rebate is big enough
A pain in the butt, but I still fill them out
Love them, I fill out every rebate form
I think most rebates are scams; companies never pay up
Other (tell us what you think)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Mail-in rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:18AM PDT

These are a method of offering a discount without offering a discount. If I'm behind the 8 ball, I'll buy something with a mail in rebate. Otherwise, I will not purchase the item. I hate gimmicks and that's what mail-in rebates are.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:19AM PDT

I recently purcased Norton Systemworks and after jumping through all the hoops I received an Email advising that the original proof of purchase was also required. I know it was included in my original mailing and of course there's no way to send another. So there goes my rebate. I know there will be no more Norton stuff in my computer once my subscription runs out.

- Collapse -
Mixed Experience
Apr 12, 2005 6:20AM PDT

Some rebates seem like scams. Recently an outpost.com rebate for $30 was rejected even though all the stuff was there; apparently they also wanted the packing slip that they hadn't asked for. A large chain was recently cited by federal authorities for not honoring rebates. Staples seems to have the best program since it can all be done online and you actually get the check; of course, you have to remember to cash it within 30 days...

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:21AM PDT

I fill out every rebate for which I make a purchase. I have always received my rebates to date. I have what I call my vacation account at the bank. Every rebate check I receive goes into that account and I have done this for the past 5 years. I have taken my family to Florida once a year thanks to my rebates. The vacation crew consists of my son, his wife, 2 grand-daughters, mother in law, my brother in law and myself. This year my husband is even going to go.
I mean it makes sense if you are buying something anyway, why not take the time and send in the rebate forms. It takes all of 10 minutes to cut out the UPCS, fill out the form and address the envelope. I also make copies of everything, receipt, rebate form, UPC even the outside of the envelope with the postage on it. I wish there were more rebates out there to use.

- Collapse -
Mail in Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:21AM PDT

I dislike these incentives and question why software dealers and the like just do not offer their best price. The worse offender inmy opinion is Symantec who seems to always have a rebate offer . . . just lower your initial price
John Davis - Toronto

- Collapse -
only if worth my time & money to follow-up
Apr 12, 2005 6:22AM PDT

Just about every sale item from Office Max is a rebate.

First, I pay sales tax on the full sale amount, not the after rebate price. The value of the rebate is therefore less than advertised.

I have to create copies of everything (time & materials), and put the expected rebate date into my PDA. Somebody suggested certified mail - the rebate value is then further reduced.

It's not unusual to get a rejection or nothing happens. I then have to drive to OfficeMax with my copies - the staff at the store is helpful, but it's 25 miles round trip and I have to waste both their time - and more importantly, my time.

Eventually I get the rebate. It's to the point that not even $20 compensates me for the hassle to do a rebate.

OfficeMax doesn't sell me nearly as much anymore. Given the above, it's often cheaper to order online, pay "more", plus shipping.

- Collapse -
I hate rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:25AM PDT

That's not to say I never use them, cheaper is cheaper. I don't like the fact that you still pay taxes on them. Multiple rebates, like at Best Buy, can be tricky as to who gets the "original" receipt or bar code. When companies cheat me out of a rebate, no more business with them. The $6 PNY cheated me out of has cost them much more due to lost business and bad PR I've given them from others.

Then there's the "one per household" ones, where if you buy more than one of the item, you only get the rebate for one. Of course, you don't know that until you get the rebate slip from the clerk. Because of this NetGear has sold their last hardware item to me.

I'm sure others feel the same. Cheating customers out of their rebates only hurts them in future sales.

- Collapse -
What about rebates?
Apr 12, 2005 6:30AM PDT

Instead of the hassle of getting the UPC code off the package and/or copying it to mail in, why don't the vendors just sell the product at the rebated price? The buyer doesn't have to pay credit card interest. The vendor doesn't have to pay a 3rd party to process all the rebate forms.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:33AM PDT

Everyone should handle rebates the way Costco does. Your receipt contains a website address to go to where you enter the register number and your membership number. Your rebate information then appears. You don't have to enter any more information. Just click on Send. I recently used their site for 4 rebates. I did not have to enter information on each the 4 rebates. It was already there. It's a good reason for shopping at Costco. For this reason I now buy my software at Costco rather than COMPUSA.

- Collapse -
umm
Jan 2, 2006 12:37AM PST

just so you know

the comp usa rebates and the costco rebates are handled by the same people

- Collapse -
rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:46AM PDT

What are these rebates? We don't get them here in England.

- Collapse -
Rebate checks old before their time
Apr 12, 2005 6:50AM PDT

I've had rebates where the check has to be cashed within 90 days; the problem is, the 90 days started well before the check was mailed. Maybe they used bulk mail--that's a disaster. The net result is I may receive a check which I can't deposit; or, if I haven't paid attention, the bank returns to me because it's too old.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 6:57AM PDT

There is always some hitch so that rebates are never sent - its like frequent flier miles!

- Collapse -
Rebates?
Apr 12, 2005 7:01AM PDT

It's a lot of work to get it all right but I love to get a check in the mail, even if it's 9 months later and I don't even know what product it was for since the sender is too cryptic to say was it is.

But I hate it when you get a response saying that your submission was incomplete--like the UPC wasn't attached or some copy was missing or the rebate was invalid.

I know the original UPC was attached but now I don't have it anymore so how can I send it in again?)@$*!

It's their word against yours, anyway, and if they say they didn't get something, how can you argue? WHO can you argue with?.....

But I get suckered in, everytime....

- Collapse -
Rebates - Other
Apr 12, 2005 7:18AM PDT

I've had good luck with Fry's (Outpost.com) and Tiger Direct but WILL NOT patronize CompUSA. I've had copies of everything necessary for the rebate and still can't seem to get through to them that I'd like the rebate that they advertised.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 7:20AM PDT

Staples seems the best with the EASY button. Norton

is a pain. The rebates are confusing and they don't

always pay, espically for combo packages.

PAR

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 7:22AM PDT

I think that rebates are a way for companies to maximise their advertising reach ($50 off purchase price-$100 off -etc.) while minimising their payout. After I fill out the form, copy the receipt, I many times find that I have disposed the box with the bar code. I'm sure that I am not alone. If a company just reduced the price rather than giving rebates I'm sure they would see their sales increase.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 7:23AM PDT

I feel so strongly about the rebate process that if the product/service is marketed with such a discount system I simply will not purchase.
If I am to be encouraged to buy, by means of a discount, then I want it up front or forget it.

- Collapse -
Rebates - Other
Apr 12, 2005 7:26AM PDT

I buy nothing with a rebate, if I'm going to save any money it either happen right then and there or I will pick something that has no rebate and will save me money
right then. I use the full price of the product as a comparisson for saving.

- Collapse -
Rebates wouldn't be so bad if the companies paid.
Apr 12, 2005 7:30AM PDT

My issue with rebates is that even when you 1)Submit the rebate with all the requested info, 2)Send it on time 3)Make a copy of everything you sent - there are still issues.

I place my rebates right in front of my monitors so I don't forget to send them. Yet from time to time something goes wrong and you can't win. You are out the money owed to you even with all the proof in the world.

Another issue is long running promos... I've bought an item, then bought the same or similar item months later. Then discovered the rebate is the same promotion - naturally with "limit 1 per customer". UGH!

Then you wait and wait. Computer item rebates aren't as bad, as most stores have a 14 day return policy (one reason rebates are delayed is that the return period has to end before they pay). But those rebates that hang out there for months are frustrating.

Overall if I have a choice of buying a similar product for slighty more and not deal with a rebate - I'll pay the extra. And people wonder why eBay buyers pay so much for laptops! Simple - the seller deals with the hundreds of dollars in rebates. I sell on eBay, buy a lot of laptops with heavy rebate promos, and resell them... those bidders who pay more than the AR price aren't stupid!

- Collapse -
REBATES
Apr 12, 2005 7:31AM PDT

Mail in Rebates are an unethical way to obtain a money loan interest free and should be made illegal. That extra 20 dollars was never the REAL price of the merchandize to begin with. This extra money is placed into a bank account which draws interest and if you forget or can not get your money back---becomes free money for them---OUTRIGHT THEFT a whitecollar crime that you will have problems prosecuting. REBATES ARE SCAMS because those who owe you the money make it very difficult for you to get your money and almost never pay up. I have gotten in the habit of telling businesses that if they want my business that they will have to sell to me at the store at that moment the rebate price. I suggest that you do the same. In the United States, the number one complaint filed with the Federal Trade Commission involves rebates.

BEST BUY is one of the companies that is big on doing rebates. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THEM THAT HAS A REBATE UNLESS THEY AGREE TO GIVE YOU YOUR REBATE IN THE STORE THE MOMENT THAT YOU BUY IF THEY REFUSE--LEAVE THE MERCHANDIZE WITH THEM AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. GO TO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION COUNTER TO CHECK OUT--GET YOUR REBATE THERE.

If we all stick together and not do business with rebate folks they will get the point and give us a fair break at the store without all the hassles involved.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 7:41AM PDT

Rebates are a farce. Lower the price instead. The rebate come can cost sales, especially when money is tight. Not everyone is loaded.....

- Collapse -
Rebates : ( Baaahhh Humbug
Apr 12, 2005 7:42AM PDT

I am really tired of all these companies doing rebates now, I used to do them but it took a long time to get my money back and THEY were getting the interest not me, so I dont buy anything that comes with a rebate I dont care how big it is, that is just a fishing line to get you over, BUT were is the MONEY $$$$$$$$$$$ they still have it, anyway you can do what you want but me Im out of here.

Yours Truly
James Santoni
AAA-Advanced Computers

- Collapse -
I forget to check
Apr 12, 2005 7:54AM PDT

I send the rebates in, but forget to check off against my copies when I actually do get my rebate. So I get some rebates, but I can't remember which ones.
I hate that they won't honor rebates without the UPC code. I lost the packaging for my Zire 72, so I didn't have a UPC to turn in. Also, since I didn't have the UPC CompUSA wouldn't let me return the product.

- Collapse -
Have you noticed how the bundle multiple products
Apr 12, 2005 7:59AM PDT

I wanted TurboTAX fed and state. They were bundled with Norton Anitvirus, Quicken, It's Deductible and I think one other product. Supposedly, everything was free after you get the rebate (it was over $240.00 out of pocket), but I don't trust them to send the rebates anymore. I just purchased the TurboTAX and not the other bundled items.

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 8:12AM PDT

Obviously they are a promotional gimmick and companies would stop using them tomorrow if EVERYONE redeemed them. They reallly don't want them turned in--just buy the product. On top of that I have had companies contest a rebate and I had to re-apply to get them to come thru.

- Collapse -
RE: bates
Apr 12, 2005 8:16AM PDT

I only buy a product with rebates if I can't find it at an-as good-or-better price elsewhere without them. If I do have to fill out the rebates, I make sure I follow the instructions Implicitly and keep copies and records of EVERYTHING!

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 8:24AM PDT

Don't like them and heres why....Feel that as in Automotive rebates if they can offer rebates than the item is over priced to bgin with...

"Ev"

- Collapse -
But of course
Apr 12, 2005 8:49AM PDT

I am pretty surprised by some of the reactions that this topic has generated. Of course companies are going to give the public a method of putting their products on "sale" that benefits them. Lots of people realize that companies are counting on some, if not most, people to not send in for the rebate. But, like some people have said, it takes discipline to do this. Companies are not going to change this until some other way comes along that lets them put their products on "sale" that lets them keep more of "their money" in their pocket. Unless a large portion of the public boycott products with rebates or something along those lines, companies are going to keep on doing "sales" this way. Somehow it is up to us, the consumer, to make the companies change. They will not do it out of the goodness of their hearts or because they saw some posts that showed people are tired of this. They will not change their ways until it hurts them in their pocketbooks.

- Collapse -
Only under the following circumstance....
Apr 12, 2005 8:49AM PDT

I'm at a local well known computor retail center in Columbus Ohio, and I'm about to check out with a printer, scanner, dvd, or some such other product. The sales person then offers to apply any rebates to the purchase of product, so that at the cash register I hand over the rebate for 20%off, and the store takes care of chasing down the money. This is the only efficent use of the time and effort it takes to finally get your money by doing it the usuall way. Give me the rebate at the cash register and let the store chase down the rebate money.