Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
Another one I filled out today required the *original* receipt to be submitted; that has to work really well when you may happen to buy together a couple of unrelated products both of whose rebates may have such a provision. Regardless, after you give them that, how are you supposed to return an item, get a price adjustment, or do recordkeeping? If anyone had one shred of concern for the customer in this whole sordid mess there would never be such things.
I don't want to get into an argument with you about the quality of Fry's customer service, but here are a few suggestions and observations.
First of all, I don't believe what anyone tells me; I read the rebate form myself.
I usually throw away the "rebate receipt" unless it is on the same sheet of thermal paper as the rebate form. It's worthless, and it's a waste of time to write your name, address, and phone number a second time like it asks you to do, so I don't do it if I don't have to.
If you can find an original rebate form, then you can use it instead of using the rebate form (and the attached "rebate receipt") that is printed at the cash register. Fry's usually has them on file at the store, and you can sometimes find them on Outpost.com. I think Fry's is trying to conserve paper and ink by printing the rebate form with your cash register receipt instead of handing out a bunch of photocopied rebate forms. That way, they print the rebate form only when a customer needs one, instead of printing a bunch in advance that might never get used.
When I buy items that have rebates, I have them rung up separately on separate receipts. The checkout clerks don't seem to see the point and they look like they would rather put everything on one receipt because it's easier, but none of them has ever complained when I asked them to ring up items separately. It just takes a little longer.
If you intend to keep your receipt for a fairly long time time (several months or longer), you should make a photocopy of it, because the printing on the thermal paper fades and becomes invisible eventually. When I submit rebates, I always send them the original receipt and keep the photocopy for my own records.
I always keep a copy of everything when I submit a rebate. I've had very little trouble with rebates, but the photocopies give me peace of mind, and they're available if I ever need to contact the rebate company (which has happened to me only a couple of times).
You don't need a receipt to make a return or get an adjustment at Fry's if you used a credit card to make your purchase or if you happen to know the invoice number. They can look up your transaction in their system even if you made the purchase at one of their other stores. If you have a photocopy of the receipt, it's just as good as the original receipt. Fry's does not insist on seeing your original receipt; their own record of the transaction is what they need to see.
I don't mean to sound insulting or critical, but you can't expect the people at Fry's to solve your recordkeeping problems. You have to take control of it yourself if you want things done right. I'm pretty strict with them myself because I want things done my way, but they really don't seem to mind. Sometimes I even wonder why they put up with me.
I don't mean this in a bad way, but if you don't like Fry's, then you shouldn't shop at Fry's. If I felt the same way you do, I wouldn't do any business with them at all.
Same with rebates. They can cause a lot of headaches, and the paperwork can be exhausting. If you find them too difficult to deal with, or if you think they are a scam, then don't bother with them. Life is too precious to let things like that get you down. Just some friendly advice.
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