A pox on rebates!

[CheetahMk2]

I dunno.. I'm getting to the point where I would even turn down FAR stuff. I recently ran across a MIR for something that was like 5 bucks, 2 in rebate. That was a kick. And another instance where E-Cost had some bitchy terms that basically said 'We don't have to pay you'.

I wonder how something that is supposed to be a contract like that can be reduced to a 'we'll pay you if we feel like it'. People don't go to the store to buy something, give money, and hope 'the store gives it if they feel like it'. In-house rebates REALLY tick me off... why don't they just give you the discount at the time of purchase? I don't exactly feel like playing russian roulette with my money.

I think I got my fill of $20 hard drives and supposedly 'free' crap. Still waiting on a Hyundai $100 for my monitor..., and esp this last bit, take it however you will...

Hello XXXXXX XXXXXX,

We are happy to inform you that your submission for a $100 XXXX XXX rebate has been received and is currently being processed. Please allow 10 weeks from the postmark date of your submission for processing your rebate.

...

I don't know about anyone else, but a fifth of a year to send money that is supposed to be mine... that's ridiculous. Think we're going to see a massive consumer backlash sometime soon? Or is this practice here to stay?

</soapboxff>

 

[phonemonkey]

I think that as long as a large number of people keep submitting rebates, companies will keep offering rebates.

I try to stay away from them myself, mainly for the reasons that you provided.

 

[CheetahMk2]

heh... I think you meant that last part to be:

"I think that as long as a large number of people keep not submitting rebates, companies will keep offering rebates."

 

[Joker81]

rebates have been around for a long time having 8-12 week wait periods. there hasn't been backlash yet.

 

[arcas]

I would like nothing more than for the FTC to crack down on rebates and for Congress to lay out clear consumer protection guidelines that must be met for rebate offers.

The typical argument used by electronics/computer manufacturers is that mail-in rebates are better than simply lowering prices because stores won't pass the lower prices on to the consumer. You and I both know that's a bullshiat excuse. This sector of the marketplace is cutthroat and any store that chooses to increase margins by keeping retail prices the same in the face of lower wholesale prices does so at its own peril. The only way it would work is if the store is located somewhere where it has no competition to undercut its prices.