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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

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Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 11:44AM PDT

Rebates are great for the manufactures but a headache for the consumer. My latest strategy is to fill out the forms making sure everything is correct. One little mistake and you just as well forget it. Then I copy everything before mailing it in. You must keep good records and a master list so you know which ones you haven't got back. If they reject your claim for any reason or you do not receive the rebate in a timely manner return the merchandise at once. If you receive any flak from the company tell them you are returning the merchandise because of fraud. As an example let's say the price was $100 and you got a $20 rebate so you expected to pay $80 for it and now it's $100 so you don't want it for that price. If they say anything at all just remind them of all the stress and bad advertising you are going to create for them. About two months ago I bought a printer at Staples ("IT'S EASY") and was sent a postcard saying I had to resubmit as I had sent them the wrong number (the number was right) so back to Staples went the printer for a full refund. Three weeks later in rolled a check for $30. I even sent the check back along with a letter telling them why ("IT WASN'T EASY"). I just went through about the same thing with Intuit (TurboTax) and their slew of rebates. Hit them hard and quick if things don't come out like you expect.

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Intuit refuses rebate for TurboTax 2008 Deluxe
Feb 28, 2009 3:59AM PST

I purchase Intuit Turbox Tax Deluxe at Sam's club, submitted a mail-in rebate for $10, and was refused rebate by Intuit. They state in the refusal notice that "the store where you purchased the product does not honor this particular rebate". Gee, I though it was Intuit who was providing the rebate, not the retailer!!! Intuit did not state anywhere on the rebate form that if you buy from certain retailers then the rebate is invalid. This is deceptive and dishonest practice. I have been using TurboTax for at least 15 years and this is the last time I will use it.

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Rebate Ripoffs
May 4, 2009 3:40PM PDT

As far back as I can remember, I have NEVER received a rebate on the first attempt. No matter how carefully I read the form, dot all the i's and cross all the t's, they find some excuse to deny your claim. I had to call in multiple times, wait on hold, yell, curse, and threaten.

They want you to give up. They want to keep your money. And from what I read on the internet, the servicing company actually gets paid on the number of claims that they do NOT pay.

Let's see, there was the Pur water-filter pitcher. They told me the rebate application was "incomplete", but didn't say what was missing. Then there was Sprint - the store gave me an expired rebate form and told me it would be processed anyway; it wasn't. Most recently, AT&T denied my rebate for new phone service claiming they couldn't verify I had high-speed internet. Funny, but I don't seem to have a problem using my high-speed internet. I fully expect them to deny my rebate on the router/modem.

It's time Congress and/or states banned this loathsome practice designed to rip off customers.

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rebates
Apr 12, 2005 11:56AM PDT

Rebates were concieved to save the
retailers.

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I buy online
Apr 12, 2005 12:10PM PDT

I think rebates are bad business so, I buy from internet sites that give me the real price and no rebate hassles. skip

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Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 12:24PM PDT

Even though I still bite when there's a good rebate offered, I hate the process and results. I've sent rebates to multiple companies over the years and always seem to have about one in four get a rejection notice. I've become very aware of deadlines and what needs to be accompanied with the rebate, but never the less, someone always comes back saying I didn't include ...... I copy all the rebate information I send, but then I have to go through the hassle of copying all again, sending another letter and hoping I don't forget the rebate has yet to come. My suspicion, is that on their hopes are that a large percent of the buyers forget and miss the deadline, and that another percent don't copy their info, and that when they get a rejection letter, they just drop it. Otherwise, why not just discount the price up front. Frankly, I'd buy an item dicounted only half the price of the rebate, just to not go through the hassle.
Rod

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want to get rid of rebates
Apr 12, 2005 12:34PM PDT

if you don't like rebates then the way to get rid of them is to turn them in. the reason they go the rebate way is because they know most people don't send them in. it costs them a lot of money to process all those rebates so if everyone were to send them in it won't be long till they go away and instead drop the price at the retailer. it's all about the bottom line.

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Sony Failed, Verbatim came through
Apr 12, 2005 12:41PM PDT

About a year ago, I ordered one of Sony's DVD writers that had a 30 or so dollar rebate. I did everything exactly as asked, including sending all the bar codes since I wasn't sure which to send. I finally received a rejection note from the rebate center telling me that the offer end date had already passed. Well, the strange thing is that I received the notice from them prior to the expiration date. Rather than fight it, I just sword never to buy Sony products again ... and I haven't. The same thing happened with Verbatim. This time I called the number. It turns out that their information on the purchase dates for the rebate were 15 days prior to the dates I had on my rebate form so she said I had made the purchase outside of the purchase window. After explaining this to the lady on the phone, she agreed to honor the rebate. I wonder if this is what happened with Sony. Maybe it happens with a lot of companies.

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Rebate prices can be misleading advertising
Apr 12, 2005 12:46PM PDT

And since they are, I believe that they should severely curtailed. I make a point of not purchasing items that have an advertised price, that turns out to be after mail-in rebate in fine print. I ignore such ads, and shop elsewhere almost every single time. I shop with ethical merchants that show the real price in large bold print, and advertising rebate available, or fill out the form at the cash register and give me the instant savings. Any merchant who emphasises the price after submitting a mail-in rebate to the manufacturer is unethical at the least in my opinion, and I often boycott merchandise from manufacturers who encourage this practice. I can more easily survive without the merchandise than I can without the money and piece of mind.

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Rebate? More like Rebait
Apr 12, 2005 1:10PM PDT

I think rebates are a waste of the paper required to get one, and are nothing more than sheep fodder - at least an insult to consumer intelligence. Why not cut the costs of the extra paperwork, postage, and time of all concerned and offer the product at the rebated price. It just like those "But wait, if you order within the ..." commercials that state they'll give you something for free, "that's a $$$.00 value". To me if they give you something at no cost, then the value is zero, nada, zip. Or how about the one where the lady says, excitedly, "For free?! It must be good!" Well, ol' Rover has something he'll let you have for free, if you get my drift. (Pun intended). All of the above are just gimmicks (hooks) to get their foot in your door. Show the consumer some respect and provide him/her with some true value and bring your prices down out of the clouds to begin with. Remember the old saying, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." (tho it beats me why anyone would want to catch flies).

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Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 1:15PM PDT

I'd rather see lower prices, it would save me the hassle of getting a rebate

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Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 1:30PM PDT

I don't believe in rebates at all. Most of the time you can shop around and find a comparable item at the same price without dealing with rebate forms. Its just a marketing ploy to get your name and address so you can be bombed with junk mail.
Why can't a company who sells a product just give you a good price without getting your personal information?
Best Buy, Circuit City, ETC. would get my business if they would just use those rebate forms in the bathroom instead of their stores.
Thank You

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Rebates are a FRAUD - Intended to decieve and cheat
Apr 12, 2005 1:37PM PDT

Companies offering rebates are not held accountable for paying the rebates. Compusa was recently fined by the Fed Trade Comm. for offering rebates from companies that Compusa knew were going broke or were not paying the rebates.

Proper accounting standards should require companies to set aside the money for the rebates and force the remaing rebate money at the of the rebate period to be given to schools or charities.

The rebate scam on consumers is parallel to the Enron scam.

I will not buy anything predicated upon a rebated price.

Do I look stupid - the rebate scam is a way cheat the consumer.

None of the 'Big' players need to try to cheat their customers, good products sell themselves without the FRAUD of rebates.

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4/12/05 What do you think about rebates?
Apr 12, 2005 1:41PM PDT

I hate rebates... I think they are an underhanded way for a business to market their wares. I particularly dislike CompUSA's rebates and advertizing practices. They are always soooo proud that XYZ product is priced at some ultra-low amount (after the three different rebates) which take forever to receive if you ever do receive them. In my opinion, it show's a company's total lack of respect for their customer's. If you want to give me a break on the price to get me to buy a product at your store, then just price the item reasonably and I will.
After all, it does seem to work for Walmart...

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Rebates Stinks
Apr 12, 2005 2:06PM PDT

I personally think that rebates are a pain in the butt. But you will get your money , when who knows when they feel like it.. I never had a problem with rebates i always got my money from it only when i don't forget to send it in. Its a hassle the wait for it and i went through a incident where i bought a wireless router and had a $50 rebate when i first got it i filled out the forms and sent it in but the only problem was that i was having problems with the router and wanted to return it but i couldn't because i cut out the UPC off the box. So i would advise not buying a prouduct that you would like to try out first before keeping or don't send in the rebate until you have the product up and running for atleast a week and so if the prouduct is goodand then send in the rebate...

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Rebate robbery
Apr 12, 2005 6:29PM PDT

I think that if a company can give rebate then the original price was obviously too high, which could certainly be classed as robbery.

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Rebates and what I think of them
Apr 12, 2005 8:08PM PDT

I think they are a rip off but I keep falling for them. I dont see why the comnpany just dont reduce the price of their producct. If they can offer you a rebate, that mean the item is already over priced. Just charge what the item cost and forget it. If they are going to give rebates, when you need more than one of the items, say memory for your computer, allow more than one per household. It is also a shame that after you buy it, you find out later, a day or two later, that they offer one better than the one you just received. It is definbitely a rip off but I am addicted.

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Rebates
Apr 12, 2005 11:32PM PDT

It's about marketing...it's always about marketing.
Rebates are just one of the cost of marketing.
So are the little cards you scan at the grocery store,
and your credit card, and your Sam's card, etc. Anywhere you're asked anything, someone is going through the trouble of gathering that information in order to sell you more, or more of that product.

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Rebates
Apr 13, 2005 2:23AM PDT

Rebates suck.

Considering the additional 8 to 10 percent sales tax collected on the rebate portion. Stamps, envelopes etc. Time and effort collecting rebates.

My solution, I don't buy products with rebates if at all possible.

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REBATES
Apr 13, 2005 7:07AM PDT

I quit buying any product if it had a mail-in rebate to get the advertized price. Usually find the product somewhere else for a very similar price without mail-in requirements

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A pain in the butt, but I still fill them out
Apr 13, 2005 9:44AM PDT

Overall, I've had good success with filing for rebates.
Most of the companies honor their rebates, if submitted according to their specifications.
A couple of exceptions are Lexmark and Soyo.
I applied for a $50 rebate on a Lexmark printer. Within two weeks, it was posted on their rebate site that the check was in the mail. That's been about 1 year ago and still no check. I emailed numerous times about the issue with no response from them. After about six months they finally responded that they couldn't honor the rebate since it had now expired. Some lame excuse.
I'll never again buy a product with their name associated with it.
Soyo on the other hand simply denies that you ever filed for a rebate. I have filed for two different rebates with them and they deny receiving either of the requests. They even shut down their rebate website.
I've since read where many have been treated in this same manner by Soyo. It seems an investigation by the FTC should be in order for the way Soyo is so blatantly screwing people over.
Beware, bewarned, if you're considering buying from Soyo or Lexmark.

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What do you think about rebates....
Apr 13, 2005 12:16PM PDT

While I find rebates to be a real pain, I still buy products and apply for rebates.because you can get some incredible deals that way( can you say FREE). I have had to fight for my rebates on several occasions,but so far have been 100% successful. When I have to threaten a company to get my money,so be it. If they weren't going to pay, they shouldn't have advertised it in the first place.I figure I have saved many hundreds of dollars thru rebates,just on computer products.

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Rebates ,you loose!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr 13, 2005 1:17PM PDT

Do you think your making out with those rebates?Think again,Those companies have already added in the price for them good ole rebates,if you send it in they only make there original dollars,if you dont,they make even more on you.There are NO savings when it comes to today market,there all just screwing everyone over to make that almighty" greenback " !!!! Nothing new there,think about it,it happens every day to you! The people need to start standing up and start saying to all these companies,NO,YOUR NOT GOING TO DO THIS ANYMORE!Well,I think you all see my point.

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Rebates/Pain
Apr 13, 2005 1:44PM PDT

Rebates are a pain and try not to use them. I try and wait for a sale. I will use a rebate for AntiVirus as it is over priced to begin with. Otherwise don't like them. I did use a rebate for PC-Cillin Internet Security 2005 because I wanted to try it anyway. My Norton expires 12/05 and I have been using them for about 5 years and thought I would try something new. Mainly because I don't like the worm protection on Norton.

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Rebates Stiffles Commerce - I hate rebates !
Apr 14, 2005 1:15AM PDT

Bought a couple of items. Delayed sending in rebates too long because I was confused if I need to cut up the box to take the bar code off. I figure I need the box intact for warranty purposes.

* I * H A T E * R E B A T E S *

I'm now so pissed off about rebates, that I've been completely avoiding buying any products with rebates on them. Here in Canada we have Future Shop, Best Buy, and Factory Direct to name a few. You can't buy one of those stupid memory usb thingies without that darn rebate.

I've even seen displayed on the actual "Best Buy" flyers that are inserted with our local paper: "One rebate per household".

Ok, so that means that the "Price after rebate" dollar amounts are really bogus.

I just totally hate this horsing around screwing with customers. All they do is get me upset, and I now generally feel taken and had and I don't like shopping any more for tech items anymore.
I used to walk into Best Buy just to look around for stuff, stare at those cool large tv's for a bit, watch some hdtv demos, and continue shopping. I now walk past that store, knowing I'd just get pissed off.

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REBATE SCAM ARTIST
Apr 15, 2005 4:54AM PDT

I Am tired of these REBATE SCAMS. I have since 4-5 months quit purchasing items with Mail-in Rebates. Its a Rip Off. If Everyone would stop it , so would they. The Good deals used to be in Store, but the companys have figured out a way to screw the consumer again. The last two or three times, They refused to refund my Rebates because I have a Post Office Box (This is where I get my Mail). Why do WE as AMERICAN's allow companys to manipulate us like this. No More!!! ( 3 Rebates refused because of a P O Box??? ). or sorry you forgot one of the forty copies required, To Late now, Rebate time expired??? BULL IF EVERYONE PULLS TOGETHER, THE COMPANYS WILL REBATE THE RETAIL STORE INSTEAD OF YOU, LET THE RETAILERS DO THE PAPERWORK AGAIN!!! L J

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I'm with you
Apr 15, 2005 6:41AM PDT

I don't buy with rebates. I think it's a ripoff also,
but what can we do?

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Pinnacle Systems Rebate Rip-off
Nov 17, 2005 3:34AM PST

Beware of Pinnacle Systems rebate rip-offs. I submitted a $200.00 rebate for a video editing system upgrade that I purchased direct from Pinnacle. I sent all of the required materials in and met the submission deadline by two weeks.

Over two months passed and I did not receive my rebate. I e-mailed the Pinnacle Systems rebate center 3 times with scanned copies of all of my rebate submission information and received nothing in reply. I finally called Pinnacle direct and was told not only did they not have a record of my original submission, but they also had no record of any of my e-mailed requests. (Funny, I still do.)

They continued to tell me that it says right on the rebate that they are not responsible for any undeliverable or misdirected mail. (I am looking at my copy of the rebate, and there is no such mention of this stipulation anywhere on the form.)

I was subsequently told that it was now too late to resubmit the information for the rebate, and that basically I had no recourse. I told them this was a very convenience way to screw their customers out of their promised rebates. They simply replied "sorry".

Not only do I never intend to buy another product from these lying thieves, but I intend to blog this situation all over the internet. Ultimately, I can guarantee I will cost Pinnacle Systems a lot more than the $200 they stole from me.

Are you listening Pinnacle Systems?

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What do you think about rebates?
Apr 15, 2005 6:48AM PDT

Rebates are a pain! What we as consumers should do is, and only buy those items that are instant rebates, and get rid of the mail in rebate concept cpmpletely. It's not worth the hassle of triple communications with companies to get it back. We should take a page from the auto industry, and discount the rebate from the price and let the business get the rebates directly. That way the companies will surely cough up the rebate to the store.

SO I'M FOR BOYCOTtING THE MAIL IN REBATE ITEMS AND ONLY BUY THOSE ITEMS WITH INSTANT REBATES, OR REBATES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM THE PRICE, AND THE STORE GOES AFTER THE REBATE !!! * LIKE IT USE TO BE *

Besides it creates additional unnecessary destruction of trees for paper with the number of mailed rebates. This will cut back the wasted usage 10 fold.

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Rebates
Apr 15, 2005 8:35AM PDT

...are great; BUT, if you forget to fill them out, you lose. Don't buy the item if you're not willing to pay the price without the rebate. Sometimes the rebate is even expired before you buy! I'd rather get the discount at the register - lower the prices and stop the hype!