Rebate tips

[JohnT]

From the Fox News web site:

Get What's Yours: Take Advantage of Rebates

Wednesday, February 21, 2007
By Marshall Loeb

NEW YORK —
When Ed Mierzwinski, the consumer program director of the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, bought a new laptop computer, he was promised $210 in rebates and a "free" (after rebates) printer. After dealing with the hassles of mailing in five separate claims, he did eventually get the $210. On the PIRG blog, Mierzwinski wrote, "Turns out that I did receive them all [the checks] — but what a pain."

Mierzwinski's experience is a common one for consumers attracted to buy a product with the lure of substantial rebate. And, according to Consumer Reports, four out of 10 people eligible for rebates never actually collect. It's easy to miss the filing deadline, not send the proper documentation or just forget about the rebate altogether.

If you do buy a product with the hope of getting a rebate, there are some steps you can take to make sure the check actually comes in the mail:

Read the rebate terms before you buy. Make sure you understand the rebate requirements and deadlines before you hand over your money.

Keep copies of all your rebate materials. Never mail in a claim without keeping a copy of it and all supporting materials for yourself. Consumer Reports recommends making a note of the latest date you should expect the rebate.

Don't wait until the deadline to send your claim. If the company needs information that is missing, you should have enough time to send it in.

Use the Web. If the company allows you to track your rebate status online, take advantage of it.

Pay special attention to your mail. Many rebate checks may resemble junk mail, so make sure you don't inadvertently throw them out. If the check doesn't arrive in time, contact the company.

You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Trade Commission.


Copyright (c) 2006 MarketWatch, Inc.

[Torrey]

I just sent off 2 rebates for new cell phones this morning. They tell you in the Cingular store "$50 rebate", but what they mean is you get a $50 Cingular reward card. You find this out after you've paid. According to Cingular, it's supposed to be a same-as-cash visa that can be used anywhere except ATM's and gas pumps. From what I've read though, quite a few places have not been accepting them. I guess we'll see. I think Cingular will make more money this way than with rebate checks because when the cards get down to a low balance, I don't think users will bother using the last bit on them since you have to know how much is on the card (call a number on back to find out) if you're going to exceed the balance. Even a dollar or so left on them could add up quick for Cingular. Not to mention on the rebate form it says "while supplies last". I would throw a rod on that one if I didn't get it.

[futurshox]

I got a Cingular card and it worked fine in Fry's. We used it as part payment on a higher value item so didn't have to worry about odd dollars lying around on the card.

[johnastovall]

I never understand people having problems with rebates. I've collected hundreds of dollars of rebates from Canon, Epson, etc and never had a problem. Just read the requirements and followed them to the letter and keep copies of every thing. I'm very happy with Canon's allowing you to get pre-approval for the them.

[Torrey]

Originally Posted by futurshox

I got a Cingular card and it worked fine in Fry's. We used it as part payment on a higher value item so didn't have to worry about odd dollars lying around on the card.

Glad to hear...I'm a fan of Fry's.

[phiblue29]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

I never understand people having problems with rebates. I've collected hundreds of dollars of rebates from Canon, Epson, etc and never had a problem. Just read the requirements and followed them to the letter and keep copies of every thing. I'm very happy with Canon's allowing you to get pre-approval for the them.

I can vouch for Canon also-- I have had to call them to the carpet on a few issues though... but they were resolved (due to my back-up copies and a nice, calm voice)

From personal experience, cell phone companies have shady rebate policies (my family have -almost- fallen victim to them once or twice). Copy everything and stay diligent.

[Hogleg 44]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

I never understand people having problems with rebates. I've collected hundreds of dollars of rebates from Canon, Epson, etc and never had a problem. Just read the requirements and followed them to the letter and keep copies of every thing. I'm very happy with Canon's allowing you to get pre-approval for the them.

I had Canon Problems!!!
The rebate company claimed I hadn't included some items, which were there, and I had copies of it all.
I finally had to go directly to the officer in charge of rebates within the Canon Company. After showing him my copies of the included items that were supposed to be missing, I had my rebates in hand post-haste!
I have had similar problems with other rebates too, mostly saying I hadn't included bar codes...which I had included. Which they must have lost?????
Make Copies and photograph all submissions for rebates!!!

[Cope]

I staple all items together before mailing. I had a hassle a few years ago where the rebate processor told me I missed the close date of the rebate, but I sent them a screen shot from the vendor's rebate page and they paid up. I also had to wait nearly a year for a Microsoft rebate through Sam's. Sam's claimed that MS had not paid for the rebates, and I eventually got my $20. I heard horror stories abouit Fry's and HP's rebate programs, but I have received every Fry's or HP rebate within 2 weeks of submission.

[Gambit]

I did the Cingular rebate thing, bought 2 phones. One rebate was no problem, but I went around with them about the second for a while.

I don't normally have a problem with rebates. In addition to everything said here, I also write my zip code on the back of the UPC cutout, to help prevent them "losing" it. Keep in mind it's a little piece of paper or cardboard and is actually easy to lose/misplace, or even fall out of the envelope if it's not sealed well. (or you can use the staple/tape/paperclip method, though they really prefer you don't staple)

My worst rebate story is actually from Symantec's Norton System Works that I bought from Fry's. You know how they have one mail-in rebate plus an upgrade mail-in rebate that supposedly gets you the thing for free after it's all added up? I used to do that every year. One year they tried to not fulfill one of the requests because it didn't include an original UPC (DUH! 2 offers both requiring an original UPC?) I straightened that one out. The next year they did the same thing. I decided that was enough and I've been using AVG Anti-virus (http://www.grisoft.com) ever since. It's free and nowhere near as invasive as Symantec's stuff.

[Hogleg 44]

Dan. That zipcode thing is a great idea!!!

[Ahh!]

According to some sales people at Best Buy, they are trying to weed out suppliers with mail-in rebates in favor of instant rebates. Why? They are listening to the customer. <Duh> It pays to get on the manufacturer's and retailer's websites and tell them so. They do listen to consumers.

[Torrey]

I think they should just do away with rebates altogether and simply lower the price. I believe they're just a marketing gimmick that reels you in with the promise of big savings and then hopes you'll screw it up somehow.

[steveb]

Canon USA has had problems with the subcontractors who handle their rebate program.

I had a six month hassle with one of their contractors over a rebate, but in the end, Canon stepped in, appologized and sent me the rebate check.

[Gambit]

Marketing people love mail-in rebates. On average, only about 40% of rebates are received and processed (per the above article), which means that they were legally able to advertise a lower price than what you actually paid. Even for those that DO turn it in, they have your money for the two months, interest-free, before they send you a check. Processing the rebates is a tax-deductible business expense. It's only a drawback for the consumer who isn't prepared to deal with the rebate (including the bother of paperwork and time to get it back) but buys the product anyway.