I hate when I buy something with a rebate and don't get rebate...

[revree]

anyone else not get rebate checks for products, despite having followed all the rules? I even made copies of my paperwork and resent it to Fry's who ripped me off, and they still claim they never got any paperwork. My hubby says he heard a friend say same thing happened. I smell a class action lawsuit!!!

I buy products I need, and often they come with rebates, and usually I get my checks with no problems, but I suspect some companies don't send out checks, and figure nobody wants to go through the hassle to complain. Except me. I'm a pain in the ass.

[mstrsplinter326]

1. If you purchased your stuff from a fairly decent business

and take in the copies, they should help you out in one way or another.

Specifically BestBuy handels any rebates that have to be resent if you can provide a copy of everything.

[Fear]

2. yep, after 20 phone calls, you MIGHT be able to get the money

from the rebate, it's a freaking pain, but being persistant forces them to send the money. I always save everything with copies of it and have them hanging on the board with the date the rebate should be getting in.......I start calling on that day.

[Jokerman]

3. That's the strategy in offering rebates.

They know a certain number of people will never make the claim, fail to follow all the rules or never follow up on a claim.

Otherwise they'd just lower the price.

I personally fall into the first category. I hardly ever remember to send in the claim.

[Kadie]

4. PG&E is running out of money for their rebate program

http://www.thekcrachannel.com/call3/3447856/detail.html

CALL 3: Money Runs Out For Popular PG&E Program

POSTED: 1:20 pm PDT June 22, 2004
UPDATED: 5:13 pm PDT June 22, 2004

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Some Pacific Gas & Electric customers could get some bad news in the mail soon.

PG&E's energy efficiency rebate program has been hugely popular and helps bring down energy costs for everyone. But because the program is so popular, some of the rebate money has already run out, and thousands of people who applied for the rebates may not get their money.

***
I hate rebate programs. I forget about them and then am surprised when a check comes in the mail. I am sure there have been several that never paid. I guess I should keep better track of those kinds of things.

[2Design]

5. you have to follow up on many of them

I save everything....and then go back after six months....and find out if I got them all and start making phone callss.....

[Spinzonner]

6. I buy lots of stuff at Fry's

and most with rebates.

However, I'm not familiar with Fry's itself actually providing the rebate. They are done by manufacturers and either handled by the manufacturer itself or through one of the clearinghouses - which you learn to recognize the addresses of if you do enough of those things.

If you sent it to Fry's, I assume that you're actually working with their rebate department who troubleshoots problems with rebates. I've had to work through them a few times and they are exceedingly slow. They first work through the local store and then, if that doesnt work, it is sent to their headquarters department where they sit on it some more time. However, it has been my experience that they eventually will follow through on it and fulfill the rebate themselves if they become convinced they cant resolve it any other way. But they take a long time to come to that conclusdion because they are very a-r about costs.

It helps to keep on top of the problem by talking to the local rebate manager periodically. I have a store close by so I drop in the department when I'm shopping just to ask in a friendly manner. Squeaky wheel and all that ...

I have never been completely stiffed working through them but it can take a while - quite a while.

Send me a message if you want further advice/clarification.

[Not Me]

7. I got burned TWICE by the same company

I bought an IRiver mp3 player for a friend that came with a $25 rebate. I sent it in, and a couple days later, I bought one for myself--with the same $25 rebate offer.

After about ten weeks of hearing nothing from them, I called their 'service' number which I think forwarded to India or Pakistan, and the person there said I hadn't returned the upc labels. I KNOW that I DID.

I voiced an objection with BestBuy, but they did nothing.

Consequently, I don't do business with either of them anymore.

[Zinfandel]

8. I just ignore rebate offers, they are made to deceive and keep ones money.

Not sending it, (then whom does one complain?) If it does come, it's always month's later and marked most times to look like junk mail, they hope one just tosses it.

I only buy items with instant rebates, (at the checkout) like at Costco.