I'm done with any of them, total corperate bullship trap. From this point on if something has a rebate then it can stay on the shelf.
If you want to give money off then do it at the point of sale.
I recently bought a router for my dsl at home, filled in all the info, bar code, corner of the box, receipt, sperm sample, right earlobe, my third freckle next to my left eye, and my cousins first born, only to get a card in the mail today stating I failed to postmark the envelope before offer end date.
Isn't THAT Special??????
So here I lift my all mighty middle finger high in the air for all "mail in rebates"
[ July 14, 2003, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
We jumped through all the hoops when we bought a DVD drive for my daughters computer so she could watch movies on it. They sent an email that we didn't send the proof-of-purchase and we weren't getting it. What a crock! You can see it is cut off the box..... I think we've had it with the rebates too.
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I bought a computer kit from Tiger Direct. There was a $100.00 rebate on that, so I sent all the stuff, in the timeframe specified etc. I had to call them a few times and finally told them, look, I sent everything and there should be no problem, I've contacted my lawyer and if I don't get the rebate, you will hear from him.
I got my $100.00 (I wouldn't have bothered if it were say $10.00)
Yep, just another marketing plan to get you in and screw you.
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bob, you think you're mad, well join the club. Any clown offers a rebate at Best Buy, Circuit City or whatever can kiss off.
There is always something they claim I didn't do or include. Lying aholes all of them. I am still waiting for my CDRW rebate from Cendyne, $30 from Tiger Direct for a usb thumb drive, and Windows Xp rebate from Amazon.
This is a scam that most don't seem to care about. They figure most won't even claim, or do improperly. If that doesn't work just claim that it is improperly filled out.
I once waited 3 months for a rebate on my cable router only to call and she said ok check is in the mail. Didn't even bother to check if I was right or wrong, just waiting for the follow up complaints before they send the money.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
Rebates are a marketing scheme. Yes, they are designed to keep the perceived value high as long as possible. Its a way to keep value in a product. For example:
Motorloa surf board modem 4100 = $99.00 Then an update comes out
Motorola surf board modem 4300 = 99.00
How do i close out the old model for $30 bux less with out losing value for the new model.
RABATE 30 bux.. Yes it costs money to manage the program. But it would cost more in loss of perceived value.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ditto on all the above....Office Depot is the world's worst at this scam.....If you send in all the necessary info by the qualifying date it still takes 3-6 months to get your rebate. This crap should be outlawed.
-------------------- Frisby Signs, Inc. El Dorado, Arkansas Posts: 902 | From: El Dorado, Arkansas, USA | Registered: Apr 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
i figured this rebate crap out back in 84-85. we bought a coffee pot at service merchandise. had a $20-30 dollar mail in rebate. we did all the right things as they requested, waited 2 months...got a letter...saying we didnt fill out the paperwork as prescribed. so this was my reply to them. to whoim it may concern; this is a letter that iam sending to you and letting you know that we are wise to your little game. you take a product that is worth say $50, you retail it for $70. now to fatten up your purse and you now run the REBATE SCAM. in saying that, this is how you perpetrait this crime on the inocent and ignorant of this counrty. the item is worth $50 you retail it for $70, now your making 20 dollar more per unit then you should. on top of this you offer the wonderful REBATE. most people will take you on your word of the $20 return of their money. but it shakes out this way; 30% of the people who buy your product DONT.....send in the rebate form. hooray more money you have .....40% of the people send in the rebate and you invairably find something wrong with their filling out or adhering to the directions....HOORAY more dishonest money! 30% send in the forms and have everything done right, this is good for those people. the way i see this little scam of yours is....you make a 70% profit on top of your already high profit margin. yep you sure got the public fooled into believing that you are going to give something back. yours truly ******** one who filled out the paperwork properly and still did not get his rebate. a week after i mailed this letter.....i got my rebate check and letter, i think i still have it...of them apoligizing on the improper handling of my rebate.....AND....IN THE LETTER WAS COUPONS of addition money off on their household products....heheheheheeheheheheheh.
[ July 12, 2003, 06:07 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Unfortunately I'm a member of this club too. When I bought my Olympus digital camera, filled out paperwork to get an extra ($50 value) media card. Didn't get it because of small print. Same story with computer stuff. Reading this post makes me realize that this is widespread corporate robbery and deception.
-------------------- Dawn Ellis Signs by Dawn Long Beach, CA signsbydawn@aol.com
Trust yourself. Listen to the voice within. It is always right. Posts: 456 | From: Long Beach, California | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
I like the added inconvenience of tearing up a box I may need someday or for a return down the line.
From now on I buy only if I like the price regardless of rebate. As a matter of fact, I think I will pass on all, just on principle. Circuit City told me they would honor any rebate refused....sure they will.
I did investigate Bob Rochon's claim and apparently everything was in order except an invalid sperm sample. Low count or something?
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I always end up at the register with an item I want based on sticker price, then I find out about the additional rebate, so I usually put it on the desk & happen to get to it in less then a week by accident meeting the time criteria, I always save boxes & reciepts, so that stuff is still available by accident when I discover the need for it. I invest my 37 cent stamp & practically forget about it, then lo & behold, I'd have to say with 90% confidence, I get my money every time!
I will admit once I tossed out the box, so I went to Lowes & scored another bar-code off a roto-zip in the store. (God help me)
Although I didn't plan it this way, I've ended up returning an item I had reciebed a rebate on, but with no reciept, they just gave me store credit for the full price. I hope my indiscretions are not the reason they are screwing the rest of you folks
posted
I love rebates, well just this week I've given $400 in rebates to persons who have gotten me practically more work then I've done in the past 2 years. Its worth its weight in gold as I have 50% deposits ranging from $300 to $700 jobs and I'm booked into September.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
posted
I guess i'm in the minority, I have not had any bad experiences ( but I only use a about a half a dozen rebates per year) The ones that get you are the ones that say in fine print: you also gotta buy this and this and this, then we'll give you a rebate. My uncle LOVES the whole rebate scams, to him it's like gambling. He searches out stuff, goes over the fine print backwards and forwards, then has all the paperwork and stuff sent off the same day! He ends up reselling alot of the stuff.
I have two digital telephones that cost me the price of a postage stamp, as well as CDR packages that end up costing pennies after the rebate. The latest is House paint, I decided to paint my house over 4th of July and Lowe's offered a rebate on the paint I was going to buy anyway. hopefully I won't have the same experiences that you guys have had.
I think they just play the numbers, many people will never use coupons or rebates. The one I love is the car commercials that offer $8000 OFF!!! can you say ungodly markup!!!
[ July 13, 2003, 05:22 PM: Message edited by: Michael Clanton ]
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1735 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
on a $50-60,000 dollar car....its nothing!!!!! on 50k, 8 k off is still $42k....now they add in 1/2 to 1% of the $42k...on the life of the loan, they got a sale that they would not have gotten...and they pick the $8k + from the bank...over the 5-6 years your paying it off.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't you guys get it? OP is just so damn smarter than the rest of us yo yo's. He figured this all out over 20 years ago. Man, I wish I was that smart. Boy, imagine the possibilities...
I have returned maybe 5-6 rebates my whole life. Personally, I really couldn't be bothered. Too damn lazy.
It does seem like a great scam... It reminds me of the bottle deposit laws here in New York. I am curious just how many bottles are returned for the deposit and what is done with the deposits that are never claimed. Hmmmmmmmmm....
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Bruce...Are you and Joe a tag team???hahahahaha
Ya both have WAY too much hair and there is a DEFINITE similarity to the mustaches too!
edited part...JUST KIDDIN!!!!
[ July 13, 2003, 11:47 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Theres a site that helps you make money from rebates.
IF i can find it i wlll post it. but its intresting how you have to work it. People will buy several items to get 20% off then get the rebates too. Then sell the product on Ebay.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
sorry bruce..its just that iam that much older then you......and its that "have been there done that" crap..that all us old people say....see i got my drivers license.....well you was still poopin in your diapers....and guess what....you will be in the same place iam at...in another 25 years....so if i was you....i wouldnt be so judgemental.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I guess that I'm with Michael on this one too. Since the first of the year, I've reveived about $200 in rebates. Sure, I have to place an occasional phone call to follow up on a rebate, but for the total time invested, I figure I made about $150 per hour for my stuff I was going to buy anyway.
Havin' fun, Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic