Today's Bait And Switch Letter--Circuit City Owes Me For The Hassle

I'm surprised that they would let you know (and just about offering
you to do it) about how to commit rebate fraud --- use 2 different
names, addresses, receipts. If I were at CC hdqt that's what I'd
investigate -- not your inane complaint.

Rebates are a major painpoint with consumers, and I encourage you to
contribute to the special PlanetFeedback forum we have created on
rebates. We will eventually take all the feedback and share it with
key companies.

http://www.planetfeedback.com/index.php?level2=blog_viewpost&topic_id=
280527

The tone of this letter and subsequent responses by you, Chas, proves
a couple of things:

1) You don't comprehend what is clearly printed; and
2) You don't have any friends!

The cashier appeared bewildered that you had enough 'integrity' to
refuse any purchase? No, the cashier appeared beweildered that you
didn't understand how rebates work.

Regarding #2: I've received more than one rebate on items purchased.
Simply had them rung up as two separate transactions and then had the
second rebate mailed to a friend who in turn gave it to me when
received.

Thank God I was forced to live in Peru for only 5-1/2 years (job
transfer)--I was glad to get away from people like you.

"I feel that this condition was purposely left out of the weekly
circular to entice customers to come into the store & settle for less
than what they'd wanted. This appears to be, imho, a variation of
"bait & switch"."

This is about as much a variation of "bait & switch" as I'm a
variation of a hippopatamus. Which is to say, not at all.

No, what this is really a variation of is some guy not reading the
Terms of Service carefully enough, and then turning around and blaming
the store for it. But that doesn't sound quite as dramatic as "bait &
switch," now does it?

"Your cashier appeared bewildered that I had enough integrity to
refuse any purchase;"

Not to burst your bubble, but your integrity isn't what she was
bewildered by. If anything, she was probably bewildered by your choice
to martyr yourself for such a ridiculous cause.

"I will be letting others know of this tactic from Circuit City via
internet forums."

And how's that working out for you? Judging by the reaction you've
gotten from this particular forum, I'm guessing not very well.

"1) eliminate rebates, as you surely rely on them being unfilled so
you still make princely sums
2) detail your conditions
3) provide the items to me at the advertised price
4) compensate me for the hasssle"

1) Those of us who do understand how mail-in rebates work and use them
correctly aren't going to be too pleased with them being tossed out
just because you can't quite grasp the concept.
2) As has already been pointed out to you, they did detail their
conditions. You just didn't bother to read them.
3) They were perfectly willing to provide you with the advertised
price. You're the one who bawked at the offer. I'm certain that the
offer still stands, provided you're willing to accept the terms. If
you're not, that's not exactly their problem.
4) They offered you a deal. You declined. End of story. The only
"hasssle" in this situation is the one you're raising. Circuit City is
under no obligation to reward you for your inability to grasp
reality.

"Thanks for wasting my time & ruining a part of my day."

Ditto.

The cashier appeared "bewildered" at your "integrity?"

Abolutely wonderful. That made my day. I'm still chuckling.

To repay you, I'm going to do you a favor and explain what bait and
switch is. It's good to know what we are talking about if we don't
want to be laughed at.

Bait and switch requires "bait," which is a product a store advertises
but has no plans to sell to you. It doesn't actually exist, or, if it
does, it's never going to leave the store at the advertised price.
It's not for sale, it's bait to get customers in the door. The memory
chip in the ad WAS for sale and they were willing to sell it to you,
so it wasn't bait.

Bait and switch also requires a "switch." When you walk into the store
to buy the bait, the salepeople will pressure you into buying ANOTHER
product. That didn't happen here. Nobody tried to talk you out of
buying the advertised product and talk you into buying another
product, did they? No switch.

Basically, you let your mistaken perception interfere with your own
best interests here and walked away from a good deal. That's not
integrity.

If I only had a dime for everytime I read about a customer wanting
compensation for their wasted time....

Chas, please read all of the replies to your post. Brenny was kind
enough to point out to you that you were notified before entering the
store, quoting to you the part of the ad. After his/her post, you
continue to claim the 'price' was changed at the checkout and you
didn't know anything till you got to the till.

I appreciate your frustration at your perceived ill-treatment, but
your continued chastisement of the store for something that someone
has proved to you they did not do does not reflect well upon you.

I agree with everyone else.

The only person who lost anything here is you.

You pitched a fit and instead of taking what you could get you left
without anything. Your problem...not theirs.

Then you demand compensation?! LOL! Yeah..thats going to happen. The
only thing you WERE entitled to was a rebate on ONE item IF you had
purchased it. Since you didnt, you deserve nothing.

Were you born yesterday? Honestly, if i was the company president, i
would have felt bad up until you said the word "crap". I personally
woulnd't give you ANYTHING after i read that. I understand your mad..
but USUALLY with ALL rebates, its only on one of the items unless
mentioned otherwise. I hope you know your attempt at letting them know
they lost "such an important customer" has most likely NOT affected
them whatsoever. have a GREAT day:)

Your third request frankly bewilders me: provide the items to me at
the advertised price.

Your entire letter is about the rebate, not the price. At what point
were you not being charged the advertised price?

As for this ruining part of your day, I would suggest reprioritizing
your life so that this minor misunderstanding should have no more
affect on your day than an easily-scratched itch.

"eliminate rebates..." Rebates help control greedy people from trying
to cash in on multiple items, denying others of the opportunity.
"Compensate.." = "Look at me, I'm greedy.." Bait and switch? You
apparently don't have a clue what "bait and swtch" really is.

This letter is silly. Rebate limitations are the norm in the industry,
usually 1 per person/household.

Bait and switch - not on a bet. Honestly this letter truly deserves
the round file.

Are you new to rebates?

The one per household is a standard and common condition of rebates.
It is ALSO printed in Circuit City's sales flyer. "Limitations per
household or customer may apply" I am quoting that directly from the
flyer.

You are not entitled to any compensation!

Boy, I bet you've got them sweating bullets over your letter.

What a jerk.