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Rebate Delays Irk Bargain Hunters
from the it's-all-a-scam dept
In the past year, I've bought two products that offered a "rebate". After waiting about five months to get back the first one, I called the company up and they told me (surprise, surprise) that my rebate had just gone out that day. At the time I didn't think too much of it. Now, I'm about 3 months in on the second product I bought with a rebate, and I get the feeling I may have to go through the same process to actually get the money. What a coincidence it will be when I call and they've just sent out the check. The Mercury News is reprinting a NY Times article talking about how all the various rebate programs work by trying to decrease redemption rates. It's basically a big scam by manufacturers. They get people to buy in at the low prices. Then, many people never send in the rebate forms (I've been guilty of this too), or find it nearly impossible to comply with the weird rebate rules. The companies that process the rebates can reject the claims for just about any reason - and often do without telling you at all. In the end, this process is angering customers. I know that I'm becoming increasingly skeptical on rebates after these latest experiences. One thing the article suggests, is that if you see a rebate offer from one retailer, go to a different retailer and see if they'll match the after-rebate price on the spot. Many will do so. It's a good way to get the same price without the hassle.
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Reader Comments (rss)
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Sony is good
I submitted the forms and UPC code, receipt, etc, and within two weeks I received an e-mail indicating that they had received everything, it was all that they needed, and a link where I could track the status of my rebate progress.
If everybody ran a rebate system like that, the world would be a better place.
If they would just do away the concept of mail in rebates and offer only instant rebates, the world be an even better place.
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Sharp is lagging
So far, I have not heard back from them.
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logitech rebate scam...
You know... it's too bad there isn't a way to scam the scammers. You know, grab a hand full of forms at the store, make fake reciepts, reproduce the product bar codes (a la the reprice thing that just got Walmart in a huf) and renting a 100 mailboxes at "Mailboxs-R-Us". Heck, I'd be happy if all the auction scammers move to this particular avenue of "employment". Maybe then companies would get their S^!# in order.
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logitech new egg rebate scam
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SANdisk
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Newegg
Never had any problems with any of my Sandisk rebates. The rebates for them are VERY specific to what models qualify.
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NewEgg + myrebates411 Scam
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Logitech Rebates...Yeah right
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Logitech rebates... total scam
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Eagle-Tech Rip Off Rebate
I was warned from friends that Eagle-Tech has a reputation for not honoring their rebates, and will flat out lie about someone not providing enough information when sending in the rebate form so they would not have to honor it.
On 7/14/2007 I sent in all of the required information (within the specified 14 day period), *exactly* as the rebate form indicated, with my newegg receipt, mail-in rebate form, and original UPC. I also made triplicate copies of everything I sent, *and* sent the letter certified.
True to form, as you can see below, they stated that I'm missing my sales invoice, in hopes that I will simply give up, and wait another 12 weeks for them to not honor the rebate.
> From: [email protected]
> To:
> Subject: RE: Status of rebate
> Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:51:57 -0800
>
> Dear Customer:
>
> We have received your rebate mail on 07/16/07.
>
> Rebate: Received
>
> Status: Declined
>
> Reason: Missing Sales Invoice
>
> (The mail-in letter is only the "processing page")
>
> If you would, I could do you a one time favor by re-submit your rebate to
> our rebate process center again.
>
> In order to do that, I need your INVOICE PAGE first. And please understand
> by re-submit your rebate; the process time takes 12 weeks.
>
> Here are the instructions of how to get the invoice # from Newegg:
>
> 7. You have to login to your account, by entering your email address
> and password.
> 8. After login, click "Go To My Account."
> 9. Then you click the second option, "Order History/Print History."
> 10. Then you select the invoice number.
> 11. Then click on Printer.
> 12. After following the steps that will take you into the invoice.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Rebate Dept.
Do not do business with this shady company.
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Re: Eagle-Tech Rip Off Rebate
Did you yet your rebate Jason ? since they let you re-submit. What did you tell them to let you re-submit your rebate?
thanks.
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Rebates
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Re: Eagle-Tech Rip Off Rebate
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