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 16, 2005 2:53AM PDT

I DESPISE THEM, AND THE COMPANIES WHO MAKE USE OF THEM, BECAUSE THE ONLY INTENT THEREIN IS TO RIP-OFF THOSE POOR SLOBS (SUCH AS MYSELF) WHO ARE ABSENT-MINDED PROCRASTINATORS AND WILL LIKELY NOT GET THE REBATE PROCESS PROPERLY COMPLETED. ALSO, I SUSPECT THERE IS A LOT OF ROOM FOR QUESTIONABLE BEHAVIOR, IF NOT DOWNRIGHT CROOKEDNESS, IN THE HANDLING OF REBATE REQUESTS. IT'S PURELY ABOUT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE CONSUMER, AND I'LL JOIN ANY AND ALL ORGANIZED ACTIONS TO ABOLISH THEM. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY SUCH MOVEMENTS THAT I MIGHT JOIN. THANK YOU

- Collapse -
Rebates
Apr 16, 2005 7:25AM PDT

Huge waste of time, clearly intended to prevent buyers from reaping the benefit of the promise. Roughly, it is probably worth pursuing only if you have strong nerves and make less per hour than the amount of the rebate.

- Collapse -
rebates
Apr 16, 2005 8:31AM PDT

JUST SHOW ME SOMETHING WITH A REBATE---I'LL BUY IT!!

- Collapse -
What do i think about rebates?
Apr 18, 2005 7:29PM PDT

I think they should be BAN and just give us the discount up front and skip the rebait and switch and BAIT hassel!
Just need % off and a register form and we would all be good to go....

hummmm RE-bait
hey my hook already had a worm on it Gee.......

Da Whobear grins at us

- Collapse -
Expiration dates
Apr 24, 2005 2:15AM PDT

I really hate it when they give you a date that you have to mail it in. Usually it is too short of a time. Sometimes I don't even get the item opened by that date and by the time I get to use it the date has passed.
The paperwork is always so confusing. They need to make it easier to understand exactly what you need to do.
The people who process these rebates aren't much in the intellect field either. I mailed in a rebate last year for the software Tax Cut. I made sure I mailed this one right away as there was an expiration date by the end of that month. In fact, I mailed it the very next day only to have it returned to me saying it was not mailed in time. I took this reply and my envelope with the postmark down to CompUSA and they gave me my rebate right there on the spot.
I am now stuck with another piece of software which was supposed to be free once you send in the stuff. Due to so much happening and my age I didn't get to it until just a few days ago and fond out it had expired. Took the software back to CompUSA but they wouldn't take it back and it had never even been opened. These need to understand that there are senior citizens buying these products and our memories are not that sharp and to please give us more time.

- Collapse -
Latest wrinkle in rebates.......
May 1, 2005 1:19PM PDT

From the "I wish I thought of that" archives.

Rebates are quickly becoming a dollar anmount
attached to a special credit card.
You receive the card,go through all types of agony
to activate and voila all's square right?

Wrong!You can not use for simple cash from ATM,
gas stations,etc.In using them you must track the
dollar usage,be real nice to the check out clerk,
(as in many instances they are dealing with the
unknown and adding excess to another credit/debit
card is an art).

If you can purchase using the card for the exact amount of rebate you win (no option to cash remember?)If not all that rebate money unspent in change,dollars etc. expires and the rebate dough gets "returned to
sender".

- Collapse -
Rebate not real?
Oct 5, 2005 12:40AM PDT

I did not know the retail store (nameless) was calculating in two $30 rebates(one from manufacturer and one from retail store) when they put their sale price tickets out on the floor, with the merchandise. This was an internal hard drive purchase. I got to the checkout, and was suddenly being charged $60 more than the sale ticked showed. Fine print on the front door's ad cleared that up, they said. I am now eight weeks past that purchase, with only one $30 rebate received. I was ripped off, and never will purchase products from that mfg. and will not shop the retail store by choice. Prefer online purchases, actually, to that BS routine I went through.

- Collapse -
Rebate Rip-off Company.>>> OnRebate (aka TigerDirect)
Mar 3, 2006 4:11PM PST

Rebates, that are not paid, I have had two rebates not paid by this company. I have repeatedly tried to call, but burn up your phone waiting, Phone prompts is all you get. E-mails go unanswered. Check this site out before you buy, hoping to get your rebate.

http://www.ripoffreport.com/results.asp?q1=ALL&q4=&q6=&q3=&q2=&q7=&searchtype=0&submit2=Search%21&q5=OnRebate&Search=Search

141 complaints, Plus BBB of Florida has file on this company. I just want to pass this on. So you think your getting a good deal on a rebate. Be sure who you are dealing with.