Speak Your Voice! Rebate Programs - Legitimate or Deceptive?

I recently changed to AT&T for my cell phone and online services. I
attempted to do this online and was just not comfortable doing so.
I went to our local AT&T store and I have to admit I was totally
floored by all the rebates I received. I ordered family plan with two
extra lines, new phones and online service for my home computer.
We received a total of $345 in rebate both instant and mail in. This
was done without any effort by the sales rep and I never once signed
for anything I did not want.

I just received my final mail in rebate which was for $50 for the
computer module. Its in the form of an AT&T debit card and I have
already used $30 of it with no problems whatsoever.

So I have to say I have had nothing but good exeperinces with my
rebate processes.

I was another victim of Canon rebates. I submitted EVERYTHING to them
for various purchases equating to roughly $2K this year; however, I
got the same postcard denials (i.e. receipt not received, upc not
received, etc).

Is there a class action suit about this?

Any Massachustts residents with rebate issues, please go to
www.rebateclassaction.com and you would be able to contact a consumer
protection attorney for free.

There's a class action against CompUSA and its rebate scam - we'd like
to hear from people who've been scammed by them and who want to share
their experience or participate.

If interested, email compusaclassaction@yahoo.com and take it from
there

When purchasing a ViewSonic computer monitor on the COMPUSA web site,
it said that I qualified for a free Canon IP1800 photo printer after
rebate of $50. I was charged for the printer. After it arrived, I
sent in all of the reequired information. Canon refused to send a
rebate listing the wrong Model number (IP1700) The reasons listed,
1)The printer must be purchased,(it was charged to my Visa) 2)The UPC
symbol was not valid. 3)The reciept was dated prior to the qualifing
period. COMPUSA dated the rebate form later than the purchase which I
did not notice. I was told at the time of the purchaase, it qualified
for a rebate. It is impossible to contace COMPUSA by phone. I am
convienced that no one responds to the calls. I have waited for
periods of 30,45,70 minutes on hold with no response.

It looks like Young America saved (made) themselves and Canon another
$140 by burning me out of a rebate. All the proper rebate material
was properly filled out and included in the envelope (definitely).
They say warranty card copies and original UPCs for the two lenses
were not there. They were. "There is nothing they can do"
(conveniently for them.) Losing this paperwork adds another $140 to
the $43+ million they made on "unclaimed" rebates.

17 phone calls and my rebate check arrives!!

I purchased qualifying camera equipment totaling $330 worth of rebates
on October 17th. I had all the paperwork filled out, took pictures of
everything, scanned all original material into a PDF file, and
pre-registered all my camera gear on the canon site and sent my rebate
information in certified mail.

A few days later I verified that the post office delivered the mail
(they did) and the fun began. I checked in every few days to see on
the web-site if anything was processed by the rebate center. I figured
since I was one of the firsts one in, it should be one of the first
ones out. After 3 weeks I called thinking that was enough time I was
told that they did receive my rebate information and would be
processed soon.

Few weeks go by and still nothing is updated on Canon USA Rebate
Inquiry web-site. So I called again only to be told they have no
record of it give it a few weeks. I called every week until mid
December where almost 9 weeks had passed and was given the Canon lost
rebate center phone number They have me fax everything in to a
different office than where I am calling and ask me to call back in a
week. Again, verify that everything is easy to read and fax away. I
call back December 27th and was told two of the pages were not legible
I bring up the 6 page pdf file that I had faxed from my computer and
was baffled at how they could not read the rebate amount. Not only is
the amount in nice big numbers (I asked my 5 year old if she could
read it and she could) but the amount is on the cover sheet of the
fax, the mail in rebate claim form, Cash in with Canon form, and has
been pre-qualified on the web-site. The other page that could not be
read was the receipt - nice and clear in my pdf! The person apologized
for the inconvenience and takes my information over the phone.

January 9th, 2007 the rebate check arrived and it was in the correct
amount (I was actually surprised at that part). If my Canon 30D camera
worked like the Canon Rebate center, it would have fallen apart before
it was out of the box but thankfully it is a good piece of equipment.


If you are having problems with your Canon Fall 2006 rebate, here is
some helpful information:

Canon Lost Rebate Center:
877-862-6870

Fax Number: 1-800-532-1087

Include a cover page with your name, address, phone number, total
number of pages in the fax, and rebate amount following pages need to
include the
Canon to Cash form
Mail in Rebate form
Receipts
Canon Limited Warranty form(s) with UPC code next to it

If you don't have a fax, here is the address:

Canon USA - Customer Service
Attention Resubmit Department
P.O. Box 7001
Young America, MN 55558-7001

I never consider the rebate when looking at the price. I look at the
full price, before rebate, and determine if I'm willing to pay that.
If the rebate comes through, extra bonus! But sometimes the company
just doesn't give it to you anyway.

A lot of the time, I avoid a product that advertises rebates anyway.
It actually makes me mad right away, without even seeing whether they
honor it or not, because I just never know if I can trust it or not.
I feel like the company is already jerking me around and I haven't
even purchased yet, so I often avoid getting myself into the situation
in the first place.

I try to avoid rebates, including those that go toward gasoline
purchases.

I feel they are orchestrated to trick the purchaser into "filing" for
a lower price, instead of the company "offering" the price reduction.


I also find they are arbitrarily administered, although there are some
companies (OfficeMax comes to mind) where it's just a part of doing
business, and I have had no bad experiences.

Rebate program's are the best example of "Deceptive Business Practice"
The FTC will not enforce the law.

I made a purchase from Office Depot for $800.00 with a $200.00 rebate.
That was 3 months ago and no rebates yet.

I placed this order on my credit card and have now I have paid 3
months of intrest on the $200.00 rebate. This is a plus for the Credit
Card Company.

For 3 months Office depot has had my money to invest an make more
money. This is a double plus to Office Depot. They made money of the
front and back end of this sale.

Rebates are a license to steal from the public.
Ask your government to help and see their answer!

Its clear the produt rebate programs are intended to entice the
customer into puying a product, and then to intrduce as many
impediments as possible to discourage the consumer from collecting the
rebate.
Of 5 rebates I have had problems with 3 ( Center lost rebate request
after confirming reciept of two different rebates, the other was
denied because I omitted my telephone number on the original rebate
request (Sprint).
If the rebate was given at point of sale, the administrative costs
of processing the rebate would be eliminated. The only justification
can be that the numer of renbates not honored more than pay for these
administrative costs

I sent in two rebates in December 2005. In April 2006 I decided to
check on them. There was no record on file. So I had to resubmit
them. I received one of them. I called the other day and there was
no record of the other one. I was told I would have to resubmit it
again. I explained I had already done that once. I decided to
contact the company of the product, so doing a little research and
creative email names, I sent emails to everyone I could find in the
company, including the CEO and many others. I told them "I am getting
aggravated and feel
that you need to know what is happening regarding your rebates. I
know the rebate centers hope people will not follow up on rebates and
profit
from that scenario. Rebates and rebate centers have a very tarnished
image lately due to these types of situations. Could you please
assist me with this problem. It has been nearly six months."

I got a phone call the next day from a company rep and was told not to
worry with it...that they would handle it and I should receive my
rebate in about 10 days.

5 out of 6 I turned in were "never received" (and all were correct
once they were either found or resubmitted). I disagree in that it is
a shame you have to go to extra time, trouble and expense to defend
yourself when you have done everything correctly and are either being
played or taken advantage of. Rebates should be so easily done
correctly that a problem should be a rare problem. From what I have
seen, the majority of the problems with rebates are probably not due
to the customer. If you look hard enough you can find something wrong

with just about anything...and I think that is what the rebate
companies often do.

The rebates were all handled by the rebate house(s) and they were
correct...no error on my part. If there had been an error, then when
I sent a copy
to resubmit they would have contacted me and told me there was an
error and I would have never received my money without making a
correction. Right? I had to make no corrections. And they were sent
to the exact
address given on the rebate form.

Here is really a good idea. Revamp the rebate system so the customer
turns in the rebate at the register like a coupon. Then let the store
redeem it with the company and so the waiting. I bet that would speed
things up tremendously and make rebates much simpler.

I applied for a Canon rebate. Before I sent the rebate request I
double checked each requirement. As you might have guessed, they
"received" the rebate request for the lens ($10), but not for the
camera ($100). This is a complete scam. Do you really want a camera
from a company that uses these business practices? Buy something
else.

Some business I no longer do business with, simply because of the
rebate. Tiger Direct (amoung many)is one of them. I have been denied
rebates from them because of technalities,not because the information
was not sent to them. (such as sending two rebate requests in one
envelope). The rebates take so long it is difficult to keep track of
them. I would much rather see a discount in price that go through the
rebate process.

I've yet to meet anyone who has ever received a rebate! The various
companies always say it takes 8 weeks to process, hoping that the
buyer will forget all about it.

I personally have a rebate due me that is now on day 81...worth $50 -
AARRGH! Incidentally, it's due me from eMachines/Gateway.

I actually work for a company and we process the rebates. Alot of the
things consumers do not understand is is that a human can only type so
fast. If there is a huge response to a rebate it is going to take
longer to process. Some people get so overwelmed by a $3 rebate is
makes me sick. Why buy something for a rebate? Buy the product because
you like it not because you want your money back.

I work in a store that offers rebates on many of our products, and we
actually fill out about half of the form for the customer. Then we go
over in detail what needs to be sent in with the form, and where it
needs to go. I have had very few people encounter a problem
collecting a rebate, and on the few occassions that happened, I would
later find out that the form was submitted incorrectly or late. I
know there are some shady rebate programs out there, but some of them
are great!

I apply for rebates all the time. I always keep copies of everything.
The only problem I have ever had is with CompUSA's rebate for a
Netgear product. The amount I was sent was $10.00 less than what was
advertised. In addition, the Netgear product didn't work correctly.
I tried to contact Netgear about the rebate and they gave me another
number to call. It was no longer in service. I tried to discuss this
with CompUSA locally.... no luck. I tried posting a complaint
here.... also no luck.

Im not sure if this is in regards to rebating in general or a specific
store rebate, however, I have been rebating for approximately 5 months
now. Every single rebate form that I have sent out (with the
requirements to the rebate), I have recieved. So right now, my
personal experience is 100% of what Ive sent out, ive actually
recieved.

I also talked to other rebaters before hand and got some great advice.
Alot of us make copies of EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING. I make a
copy of the completed rebate form, the upc(s), the CRT, even down to
my stamped and addressed envie. That way if there is EVER a
discrepency, I have my 'proof' of everything I sent.

I also belong to a wonderful coupon/rebate message board, we share
stories, where to find good deals, etc, and we offer everyone advice,
etc. So look around and if ya find one you like join it.

Also, alot of rebate forms have a toll-free phone number on it. If you
havent recieved your rebate by the time it says you should call the
number, and if you have any questions regarding the rebate, thats what
the numbers there for. If it doesnt have a phone number, there are lot
of clearinghouse phone numbers and address available for you to
contact regarding your rebates.

continued from prior post: Rebates at Costo can be submitted
online,which is wonderful as it really speeds up the process.I've done
several rebates this way and had no problems receiving the checks that
I was due.

It would be wonderful if more companies offered the ability to submit
your rebates online.

They are legitimate....usually.I've gotten 95% of rebates that I have
submitted in the past years.I make sure to photocopy EVERYTHING that I
send-the form,the receipt,UPC,etc.and I write the date that I mailed
the rebate on the form.

Rebates have to be postmarked before a certain date,but it is YOUR
responsibility to to that.You are also given a time frame in which you
should receive the rebate.If you don't receive it in that time frame,
it's up to you to contact the clearinghouse to find out if the rebate
has been mailed.

Sometimes (Amazon.com is good for this) you'll be given a bs reason
for the rebate being denied.I've had rebates denied because they claim
the item was purchased after the date on the form, which is incorrect,
as my receipt shows.I contact them,send them whatever they ask for and
get the money that I am due.

Rebates are wonderful, but it's up to you to keep on track of whether
they've been received by you or not.

I work in retail and when we have rebate forms print out at the
register I take a moment to point it out to the customer, explain what
they need to send in and when it has to be postmarked by.

In our ads and on our signs, it will clearly state that the price is
after mail in rebate, but you would not believe the number of people
who will return an item immediately after coming thru the checkout
line because "we didn't know we had to send in a (expletive deleted)
rebate!" Or they will ask "Can't you just give us the money?" The
answer to that is "no", because if we do that we don't get the money
back from the manufacturer for the rebates.

I have been sending in for rebates for years, and have only had one or
two not be fulfilled. I always make copies of everything I send in
and make a note of when it was mailed, the address I sent it to and
when I should receive it.

Most rebate programs are administered by a thrid party vendor, and it
is in their best interests to keep the expense associated with
offering the rebate low. The company knows most people would forget
about the rebate, or make an error, and many of the rest will be
blocked by the vendor in ways cited in other letters posted here. This
way they can put the lower price on their advertising, thus driving
customer through the door, without losing the revenue associated with
an out right "sale".

If rebates are supposed to work in the consumer's favor, why not
provide the dicount at the point-of-sale? Easy - they don't do that
because rebates are NOT supposed to work in the favor of consumers.
They benefit only the company. If you can't afford full price - don't
buy the product.

Obviously rebates are legitimate or the companies wouldn't use them.
It has something to do with high priced legal beagles running amuck in
the translation room.

It's the manner in which they are used which is deceptive. Why bother
having them at all?

It's another way which major corporations benefit off consumer
ignorance. For this reason, they will continue to be offered. As long
as people don't complain loudly about it, the practice will remain.

I've used many rebates, for cell phones, computers, even a TVIO, and
each time, it only took a few minutes of reading to understand exactly
what I need to do to receive my rebate. I've never once had a
problem.

As long as the consumer takes the time to read and follow
instructions, they shouldn't have a problem from legitmate companies.
From reading letters here, most of the complaints, I suspect, are
people who didn't follow instructions such as including the correct
proof or purchase or sending for the rebate in the correct amount of
time.

Its easy to blame the company or someone else, its harder to realize
that you caused the problem yourself.

If you lost $50 in a phone rebate because you didn't include the
receipt, consider it a $50 learning experience. Don't try to blame
someone else.

I've never had a problem with a rebate. I've found that, as long as
the proper information is submitted during the time period in which
the rebate is valid, most consumers will not have a problem.

As for hoping that the consumer will forget to send the rebate form,
that may be true but it does not constitute deception. Most
businesses hope you will forget ads, coupons and other promotions that
will result in your paying less for the item. Fast food restaurants
hope you will buy that dirt-cheap sandwich and make up for the sale by
purchasing french fries and a drink. They're in the business to make
as much money as possible. That doesn't make what they hope will
happen an example of misleading advertisement.

I understand the potential benefit to the companies that issue these
rebates. As someone else already said, they hope the customer will
just forget about them, saving them however much money they would have
had to pay.

However, when it comes to companies using deceptive tactics to not
honor their rebates, that's where I get angry. Yeah, if the customer
makes a mistake and doesn't send it in on time, that's one thing...
but when companies actually get all the required info, with the proper
dates and items marked, the rebate should be issued.

I've just had my first experience of a company (Kingston/Toshiba)
using a false claim to disallow my rebate. They claimed that I
purched the item on an invalid date, and therefore my rebate was
denied. Anyone that shops at OfficeMax knows that any rebates valid
on an item you purchase will have the forms printed out right there at
the register. There is no question that it was purchased on a valid
date.

Anyway, I've already submitted my letters to them on this subject...
and I encourage anyone else who gets "screwed" in this manner to do
the same thing.

My opinion on rebates is that they are used in hopes that consumers
will forget to file for them. I've talked with employees at store
where they agree with me on that opinion. Are the legitimate? Yes I
feel they are. Are they deceptive? Quite often, very much so. Are they
playing on the consumers chances of forgetting - definitely.

Personally I file rebates totalling in the thousands of dollars each
year. Why? Simple really.. I don't mind doing the work, and then
reselling the item/items on eBay to those who'd rather not deal with
all the paperwork. Clearly many consumers would rather pay a bit more
(my profit) just to avoid rebates. It's nothing for me to have
$2-3,000 in rebates due to me at a given time.

My payback rate has been very good. I file them, I copy them, and I
follow up on them. But I have seen a common trick on rebates where
even a seasoned rebate veteran can't predict - long term promotions.
This is nearly a scam in my opinion. Here is what happens... A product
has a rebate (normally limit one). Months later, the item goes on sale
again with a rebate promotion. Turns out it's the SAME rebate
promotion months later. Mind you, it might ven be from a different
store.

If consumers refused to deal with rebate promotions, that might send a
message back to the retailers. One of the big players in this past
years's "Black Friday" had a very poor day as their items were based
around HUGE rebates where their rivals had none or lower amounts on
the same items. It takes time for this to ring home to the corporate
level, but they do eventually get it. One clear example was the office
supply company Staples. They have turned their system around to easy
on-line submissions with excellent turnaround time. They have also
removed rebates from items where their competition still uses rebates.
They have gained my business back, after loosing it due to rebate
issues.

Lastly, the manufacturer's rebates seem to be the worst. Plan on
waiting months. I avoid them.

I haven't had that many problems with rebates, and I do a lot of them.
I find that when rebates don't come on time, often the sponsor (the
store or manufacturer) hasn't paid the rebate processor (the place you
send the rebate). The solution is to find the corporate phone number
for the sponsor and talk to the person there responsible for rebates.
Usually, they are totally unaware of any problems, and your call will
help push the payments through.

I agree with Minute that many businesses lure you in with a rebate
then put you off hoping you'll forget, otherwise they would just give
you the discount at the time of purchase. The handling of paperwork
costs money so why not just eliminate it with an instant rebate at the
register. I never let the promise of a rebate influence my purchasing
decisions.

Canon Rebates: If you experience is like mine, they will first claim
to lose part of your rebate and ask for copies of receipts. This will
be "all that is needed" to process the rebate. Then you supply that,
confirm they received it, wait a couple of months before contacting
them, and they say that copies of the front pages of the manuals is
"all that is needed" to process the rebate. Then you supply that,
confirm they received it, wait a couple more months before contacting
them, and they say that serial numbers of the product(s) is "all that
is needed" to process the rebate. Then you supply that, confirm they
received it, wait a couple more months before contacting them, and
they say that your full name, address, and serial numbers of the
product(s) is "all that is needed" to process the rebate. Then you
supply that, confirm they received it, wait over a month, attempt to
contact them but get no response, and now find that your online rebate
status has disappeared! Thanks Canon.

I would have to agree that the rebate programs that stores and
manufacturers offer have become ridiculous and downright close to
fraudulent. I believe many of these businesses delay sending out
these rebates in the hope that the consumer forgets. I know that I'm
struggling in my own hellish fight with Lowe's regarding my $40 rebate
card. I'm at 4 months and counting and still nothing that looks like
it will be coming soon. And the responses each time I call or email
is a pathetic "give it another 3-4 weeks. It's still processing" even
though their own paperwork says you'll receive it within 6-8 weeks
(I'm at 16 weeks). If companies wish to keep consumer confidence,
some sort of reform needs to happen. Either do away with rebates and
give the discount at the register or make the business accountable
when they break the contract.

Speaking from my own personal experience, I agree with the story that
no less than 40% of rebate offers get unfulfilled. Both my wife and I
find ourselves getting hooked to the lure of "rebates," but the sheer
bureaucracy involved in seeking a simple redemption is painfully
impenetrable and difficult. 80% of the time, it seems, we never
follow through. If Coke and Pepsi can make it so easy to just punch
in a UPC number from a soda bottle on a website (and receive a
credit), why can't all the manufacturers do likewise? I'm not sure
anyone gains when consumers reach a boiling point of frustration. --
Pete