Free Binoculars after CYBER Rebate

[HotDealFinder.com]

I was browsing through the free after (Cyber) rebate stuff, and I found these two interesting looking binoculars. Perhaps this is a good deal.

High Tech Super Lightweight Binoculars (normally $119) (edit: apparently these are currently out of stock)

Camouflaged ones (normally $109)

Both of their descriptions tell me they're perfect for my next nature walk, so now I'm torn between the two. Any 'nocular pros out there?

 

[DeadheadZZ]

I bought some 8x21 binoc's like this from CVS for $ 9.00. They were Bushnell.
Does anyone know if CyberRebate stuff is real? I'm just a beginner poster so don't bite my head off, OK?

 

[littleman]

yup its real i order so much stuff and ive gotten all my rebatse

 

[Valkore]

Just curious.. How much zoom does a 10x25 binoculars give you? Also, I think the $119 ones are out of stock, because it's not coming up in the link, and it's not showing up in any searches. I guess the camo ones will have to do.

 

[Bandito]

The thing that we like about Cyberrebates is that you can get a gift voucher for the rebate and can keep the box intact. This way you can give it as a present...or whatever.

They have a nice selection of Homedics products but you have to check every day as certain items sell out quickly once listed. It does take a long time to get those rebates though.

 

[j00]

valkore, the first number is the zoom, and the second is the objective lens. 10x25 is 10x zoom with 25mm objective lenses. i personally prefer 3~9x variable zoom and at LEAST a 40mm lens, anything below that and it is hard on the eyes. then again it's free so it's hard to be choosey, nothing like acog units but hey =)

 

[HotDealFinder.com]

Interesting. I just found a pair of binoculars that are listed on CyberRebate for $90 but free after rebate, and this same pair happens to be on Buy.com for like $25.

Binoculars - Free @ CyberRebate, $25 @ Buy.com

Makes you wonder what in the world CyberRebate has going on with their entire finance structure and business model.

 

[Bob61]

HotDealFinder.com: I don't think it's any secret that Cyberrebate charges above retail on their items. They are looking for the less informed buyer who fails to submit or follow the procedures for getting their rebate.

Since you get your money back in 12-14 weeks, seems like a pretty good deal on the binoc's then. Even if you discount the time value of money, $99 out of pocket for 12-14 weeks is only like $2. Use Ebates and you'll then end up with a $7 rebate from Ebates, so you end up making $5 net on this! I can do even better as I put this on one of my reward credit cards, get 5% from GM on this, that's then $10 I make on the deal!

$100 Cash Price
2 Lost interest on your money (very liberal factor)
-7 Ebates 7% rebate
-5 GM Card Reward 5% of purchase
-100 Cyberrebate Rebate
----
10 Net profit
====

Looks like a HOT deal to me!

Since Ebates and the reward points on my credit cards are based on total purchase price, I say heck, charge me a grand for the suckers as I'll get my purchase price back and end up with a tidy profit for my time. The rewards will more than cover any lost interest of my money for this period of time

I've bought thousands of dollars worth of items (yes, inflated pricing) from Cyberrebates. Never a problem or hassle with the rebates. Always paid on time and this last month was actually more than a week earlier than expected!

 

[HotDealFinder.com]

Bob61,

I think you've solved the mystery: They are looking for the less informed buyer who fails to submit or follow the procedures for getting their rebate.

I've decided that CyberRebate is like those banks that offer no interest on a loan for 1 year, but are just waiting for the forgetful buyer to not pay on time or not be able to pay on time. Or you could compare CyberRebate to these free checking banks. They're real nice to the customers that keep everything in order, but once they find somebody who makes a mistake -- possibly writing a bad check or perhaps dropping below some minimum -- then they scr#w that person with inflated fees until it hurts. Who knows.

 

[K-squared]

HotDealFinder - it's hard to say how good (quality-wise) those binoculars are, but I'd venture to say your money would be better spent at Kmart or WalMart. It's most likely they're the same binoculars, with one simply being a "camo" color versus the standard black/gray. The lower price simply reflects that the "camo" binoculars are less appealling to the average person.

The "standard" size for binoculars is 7x35. As j00 correctly points out, the first value represents the magnification "power" (ie. magnifies the image "x" times), and the latter the size (diameter in mm) of the objective glass. While higher power serves to make the image you're viewing larger, it also has several major draw-backs. One, magnifying the image *also* magnifies any "shake" in your hands (often referred to as 'camera shake') - so if you have a very steady hand this is not (as much) of a factor. Two, magnifying the image reduces the clarity of the image as the binoculars are essentially spreading the image over a larger area of the retina. This can only be countered by using larger objective glass to "collect" more light, which in turn adds to the weight of the binoculars. And when you're out hiking over several hours, having even 50 ounces (~2 pounds) hanging around your neck becomes extremely uncomfortable for some.

I would avoid other "improvements" such as variable zoom binoculars. Why would you look at an object at 3x magnification when you can view it at 9x magnification? Variable zoom is just a "marketing gimick" - they add nothing of value to the binoculars and only serve to reduce the overall quality of the image and increase the weight of the binoculars in general. It also increases the likelihood of repair as there are more internal moving parts.

My recommendation - if you're simply looking for the cheapest deal you can get, by the Cyberrebate binoculars (in the absence of knowing who the binoculars are manufactured by). Otherwise, go to Kmart or WalMart and compare what they have by looking at distant objects in the store. You'll also have the added protection of being able to return or exchange the binoculars if they prove to not be very good in low light, or too heavy in the field.

 

[Bob61]

HotDealFinder.com:

It's no mystery, just common business sense. Let's face it, every business (not just banks) is counting that their buyers are not all highly knowledgable and educated when it comes to buying the products. Look at all the bargains posted on this site, do you think that these all these businesses would stay in business if all their buyers used the deals? Heck no! Do you think that an auto dealership stays in business with all their buyers getting the "best" price, nope!

Every one of these businesses have deals for the "smart" buyers and soak the "less informed" buyer

I'm sure there is more to the business model for Cyberrebates. They probably get some advertising revenue, revenue from marketing research, etc. They also get to invest the funds for some period of time before they pay out the rebates. They also have items that are not 100% free so they pull revennue there too. I don't know how profitable they are (if at all) so no idea how well their plan is working. I'm just enjoying the deals, one of the more "informed" buyers

 

[Healey]

I've ordered thousands of dollars worth of stuff from Cyberrebates.

It's been my experience that they do not make their money from those who make mistakes in the rebate process. Three times I've screwed up some detail in the procedure. Each time they took the trouble and expense to send me snailmail detailing the problem and giving me an opportunity to rectify the situation and ultimately receive the rebate.

I wish all rebate processors were so thoughtful.

I still don't understand how they make their money. I doubt much of it comes from the interest they earn from holding onto the rebates for so long. Unless they have some secret financial knowledge they probably don't see much more than an 8% annual yield. My guess it's partially from selling the items that aren't 100% rebated, and primarily from those who don't bother to apply for the rebates at all. Although it's difficult to believe that that many folks would leave so much money lying on the table.

 

[Ranger X]

I believe they make their money from the interest off of your money before they return it after months as well as off of people who aren't closely following their rebate status. I could see myself forgetting it after awhile since it takes about 3 months or so to get the rebate.

 

[bigbigsavings]

From my conversations with Cyberrebate, I have been told that they get PAID for those surveys that you fill out with every rebate. Certainly, there is a certain percentage of people that will not mail in their rebates or do it incorrectly too. Also, CR is likely making short-term investments that generate gains for them, but that business model is very risky. I think that the market research they conduct on the behalf of the manufacturer is the reason why they can offer 100% rebates on products, and still come out being profitable. (or so I hope?)

Alex

 

[Healey]

What usefull information could those surveys possibly provide? Also you're not required to return them. And I don't.