Cendyne Rebate. A scam?

[nsxtypet]

I just received e-mail from rebateshq that my rebate is invalid because of purchase date.

Bull crap!!!

According to officemax, cendyne rebate is valid on purchases made from 2-3-02 thru 3-2-02.
I bought mine on 2-10-02.
They also have my rebate amount wrong. It's for $30 and they say it's $20.

Now either these guys are dumb asses or doing it on purpose to screw us out of the rebates.
Any way, I've resubmitted my rebate forms with a piece of letter telling them where they can put their you know what.
Let's see what happens.

 

[krustytheclown]

I got a postcard from PNY last week on a $15 memory rebate that stated that I had submitted an incorrect UPC. I called the provided number and eventually got a CSR. I told them that I had sent the only UPC on the package. They then asked me if I had a copy of the UPC, which I replied that I didn't, but I could send them a scan of the rest of the package, which has a nice gaping hole where the UPC was. They replied that they would need to verify the UPC code, because 'most likely whoever was entering the data from my submission entered a number wrong.' I then argued with the guy, asking 'why it was my job to provide further documentation to clear up a data entry error on their part, and why they couldn't just look at the materials I had originally submitted.' After several minutes on hold, I was told that they would go ahead and send the rebate.

I'm guessing that the place where you send the rebates enters information into a database, which gets forwarded to the company issuing the rebate. That may explain why they couldn't just look at my original submission. However, even if it was a data entry issue, wouldn't only 1 or 2 numbers be off? I realize it involves making an 'executive decision', but maybe they could just 'assume' that if the other 10 or 11 numbers matched, then maybe I did actually submit the correct UPC.

At any rate, I think a lot of companies do these sorts of things to minimize rebate payments. I know only a few people ever bother with sending in rebates versus the number of people who buy the product, so they save money that way. Then, I'm sure they can catch a certain number of submissions with technicalities, and they'll deny those as well. However, when you do everything right and still get denied, it makes you wonder what's going on. It's almost as though they are applying the 'guilty until innocent' approach.

I've had other rebates before that had similar issues. Warner Bros. free DVD mail-in offers come to mind. They use a company called Gage Marketing, who is notorious for denying offers for stupid reasons.

 

[Maverick319]

Hello nsxtypet,

There is a Rebate Tracking thread that the Mods sponsor which would be more appropriate to post your questions about your rebate.

Here is the thread. I hope you get statisfaction from the rebate company, as I know how frustrating it is to wait that long then have them deny it for some stupid reason.

Are your rebates coming? Are there problems or delays getting them?

Post the latest information about various rebates, here. If you want your posts to be helpful, keep them factual. If you believe there is a problem with a specific rebate, do your homework and learn the facts before you post. DO NOT speculate about what may or may not be happening.

The most helpful posts include:

1. Verified contact information (mailing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, names etc.) for rebate sources. Active links always help.

2. Accurate details of the kinds of proof of purchase and other documentation required (UPC codes, receipts, etc.).

3. Significant updates and changes in any of the above info.

This thread is for sharing helpful informatation with your fellow members. Please DO NOT just brag about the rebate you got, or moan about the one that got away, without contributing to the discussion. We have a thread for that.

 

[longhorn]

I think you're mistaking stupidity for malicious intent. These rebate centers are staffed by low-wage
simians. There was a good story a while back about a guy who worked at one of these places.

There is no bonus for denying rebates nor is there much incentive not to screw up.

On that PNY rebate, I got that postcard, but could never get a CSR through the
phonemail maze. I sent them a nasty fax, and my rebate showed up about 5 days later.