Canon and my rebates: the fight is on!

[Moses on the Street]

Man, I really don't understand the whole concept of why companies offer rebates and then try to hose you.

In the past 12 months, I have purchased two Canon DLSR's, three Canon "L" lenses, one Canon "non L" lens, a Canon Speedlight 430 etc... roughly 5,000 dollars worth.

Now, I know that Canon really doesn't care about any of that when it comes to rebates. I'm just trying to establish that I am a good and loyal customer and that Canon should NOT be treating its base clientele like this.

So I bought the 30D and the 100-400mm L IS lens under the rebate program. I should be getting $280.00 back. I was very careful to follow all of the rebate instructions to the "T." I even went so far as to photograph myself cutting out the UPC codes from the boxes, putting them in the envelope (along with everything else), addressing the envelope etc... In addition, I made copies of the UPC codes before I sent them in. I even took pictures of myself at the post office, sending the registered envelope. In short, I have a complete digital and paper trail.

So I check my order status online today and I get the message saying that I submitted an invalid UPC code. Mind you, I am sitting here looking at the two boxes with the UPC codes cut out. I called 1-800-OKCanon and got through to their rebate department. After calmly explaining my predicament and what I had done to secure the rebate, I was informed that I will receive a call from a representative in the rebate department by Friday.

So now I wait, and stew .....

By the way, the woman on the other end of the phone could not find me in the system. I said "Hmmmm ... well I am looking online and I can see into your system and its telling me that I don't have a valid UPC code." So we go back over my information. Not only had she entered my name wrong (misspelled), she got my address wrong. Somehow, 6102 became 6101. So no wonder she couldn't find me in their system! When we finally got that straightened out, she found me and said "hmmm .. yes, it says you have an invalid UPC code." No duh. I swear, drunken lab rats could do a better job. And I am not one who is unsympathetic to those working in call centers, having spent years working in them myself.

Here is my point: Canon needs to stop this crap NOW! It is basically crapping on its loyal customer base over a few measley dollars. What a crappy way to do business and a crappy business model.

End of rant. I look forward to reading any stories from you guys about how you successfully slew this dragon.

This aggression will not stand, man!

[BCPhoto]

You may need to redouble and look at the box again. Very often, these have two codes on them that look similar. One is the true UPC code. The other is not. It might very well be plausible that you cut the wrong one off. I say this in all humbleness. I did it myself once.

[Lghtning4u]

Are you actually buying direct fron Canon or through a distributor?

[Moses on the Street]

I bought both from B&H.

BCPhoto ... thanks for the tip. Fortunately, the ones I cut are the only UPC codes on either box.

Besides, if Canon were to try to use the "improper UPC" code thing with me to try to weasle out of paying me, it would simply be another example of what I am talking about: do everything you can to make the sale and then do everything you can to hose your loyal customer on the back end.

My girlfriend said "Don't let "the man" oppress you! Emancipate yourself from UPC slavery, brother!"

I had to laugh.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

When the rep calls ask them if they have an email address that you can send some pics too showing them clearly that the UPC code that you cut out came off of the box that had X product that was supposed to have Y rebate-maybe they printed the UPC code wrong on some items or they PUT IN THE WRONG UPC CODES INTO THEIR SYSTEM that tie into the rebate? Hope you clearly have a shot of the UPC code on the box showing also the product description.

I tend not to shop items for "after rebate" costs since so many rebates tend to not get paid.

Maybe call one of the local TV networks and kvetch with them and see what they find out if this is a running scam being put out by Canon? Should not be a scam by them but simpley a corporate SNAFU.

[darktiger]

Well they try to earn interest from your purchase so that is more money for them. So they give you your rebate, but they keep the interest earned in that 6-8 weeks(not including process time). Also they are hoping that you forget to send in your rebate that equals additional profit for them. A lot of times they are pretty strict just because a lot of people try and have abused the system. Nothing wrong with a company trying to protect themselves (within reason of course).

Sorry for your rebate problems. It is them trying to higher the cheapest and not the brightest people to do their data entry...

[JohnT]

In all fairness to Canon, keep in mind that they contract with a rebate company to handle this stuff. I would definitely double check to make sure I cut out the correct codes and such.

[darktiger]

Yeah and also make copies of everything. Heck I even make PDF copies of everything sent, just in case. I learned long long ago, with bad experiences with crappy TigerDirect...

[lhdvies]

Sorry to hear about your problem-hope you get it worked out. I emailed and mailed my rebate in on 3/16/07 and they mailed my check($380.00 ) on 3/28/07). I've been doing canon rebates for over 2 1/2 yrs and never had a problem. Although they have never been this fast before(they usually take the full 8 wks) Good luck, I'd just keep calling until I got some satisfaction if it were me. I would not wait until Friday. When I say I emailed one in I am talking about the internet submission where you enter all the upc codes for each item and you get back a confirming email approving the submission and the link to follow up on. Again , sorry for the problem, John.

[Lghtning4u]

That figures about B&H. I had problems the last tme I bought from them. I won't buy from B&H anymore.

[JohnT]

Originally Posted by Lghtning4u

That figures about B&H. I had problems the last time I bought from them. I won't buy from B&H anymore.

What does B&H have to do with the mfg.'s rebate?

[Todd Brewer]

Last year I had some rebates coming to me and got the similar run around with the rebate people. Stick with it and document every call you make, get the name and rep # of the person(s) you speak with. They're banking on you giving up the fight over a little (or a lot of) hassle. In the end they will usually send your money. Try to be patient. It is frustrating though, especially if you've spent a lot of money with Canon to get this kind of BS.

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by JohnT

In all fairness to Canon, keep in mind that they contract with a rebate company to handle this stuff. I would definitely double check to make sure I cut out the correct codes and such.

John is right and that is where the problem lies. They will almost automatically send these notices out hoping someone doesn't follow through or didn't copy the UPC code. It always amuses me how they didn't get the UPC code that had two staples in it and would require a staple remover to remove it.

Any rebate going to Young America can expect this kind of treatment. They have been extensively investigated by the Attorney Generals office but they still do it. I have not had any problems with Canon rebates until this year and they are using Young America.

[boomerd35]

Just got my rebate in the mail yesterday. Did take them a long time, though. I thought I was screwed because the original rebate period had ended before I submitted. But they opened a new rebate period immediately after, which also included the date of my purchase. Lesson learned for me: Don't wait to submit the rebate.

Troy T.

[NoLight]

Moses did you photo copy all your paperwork before you sent it in? If so when they call they'll just have you email it in. Keep calling them give them 48 hours and call them back another 48 and call'em back. Dont give up its your money.