Inside a rebate company - what really happens

[godsgift]

an inside look,good post

 

[OutlawWolf]

Thx, always good to know.

 

[hpdw]

To share my experience with everyone here. I bought a Quantum hard drive which offers $30 rebate in June 2000. I made a photo copy of the rebate material I submit and mailed out the rebate. In July 23, I received a postcard from Quantum Corporation saying they have received my rebate material and I should expect my rebate check in 6-8 weeks. Until Jan 2001, I still didn't receive the rebate. I try to call the 800 number printed on the postcard and it's an automated answering system. So I file a complain with BBB (Better Bussiness Bureau). Guess what? I received a phone call from Quantum Corporation's sales department and asking whether I receive the rebate check. So I said no. Then he apologized for the delay and say I will receive my rebate check in a week. Within a week, I received a check from Quantum for my hard drive. Receive late is better than not receive at all.

I will suggest everyone make a copy of the rebate material you send. then keep tracking it. If you didn't receive the rebate after 3 months, try to file a complain with BBB to keep the manufaturer honoring the rebate they offer. If your rebate is rejected by the manufacturer but you are eligible for the rebate, you can also file a complain with BBB.

 

[shaady1]

I agree with whomever said to make photocopies of all your rebates. Including UPC, receipts, completed rebate forms, etc. Keep a folder of all your rebates and date them, date sent, and expected date. This makes the whole process a lot easier to keep up with.

They are banking on you forgetting or giving up on the rebates. I read somewhere that for ever $100 rebate a company offers, their actual expense is $20. :Q

 

[larrymoencurly]

I've had much better luck than 50/50, more like 1 in every 20-30 didn't go through, but I've always been able to get my money by remailing copies of everything or by talking to the store.

I always worry about UPCs and proofs of purchase getting lost, so I try to write my name, address, and the rebate offer number and address on the back (Bubbasimms - does that help?) and lightly glue everything to the rebate form (Uhu stick glue so it peels off easily).

 

[Carnivore99]

Bubba, do you think it's worth sending submissions by certified mail? I usually certify mine, at least the ones worth a lot of money, so they don't end up getting "lost" in the mail. I was wondering if the rebate companies are any more careful with envelopes bearing certified stickers. I'm also curious if it makes it any easier to make a claim for a rebate never received if you have proof the submission was delivered. And of course, there's the obvious question of how unscrupulous these rebate companies might be...do they ever "lose" uncertified mail to reduce the amount of money they have to send out, or are they honest?

 

[desibaba]

MOD...WE HAVE A CANDIDATE FOR LOCK HERE !!!
THIS OUGHT TO BE IN BRAG AND MOAN

 

[dcdomain]

I too am wondering about the same thing Carnivore spoke about...

I heard sometimes they 'take out the trash'... in essence, grab a couple of bags of mail and just toss it in the trash. Any truth in this???

 

[Vermiculite]

I'm also curious about rebate practices. Are rebates validated by the credit card name printed on a receipt? Like say.. I sent a rebate in using the name "Bubba Joe" on the rebate form, but my friend actually paid for it (for me) and his name from the credit card is printed on the receipt as "John Smith"? I've always been worried that if I have a friend buy something for me using their credit card, the rebate will be denied because my name on the form doesn't match the name on the receipt. Does this make sense? I've always made sure the receipt credit card name matches the name I put on the rebate form or pay for the product in cash, so no credit card name on receipt. Anyone know?

 

[Carnivore99]

It's NOT a candidate to get buried in Brag & Moan. A huge percentage of the bargains that show up on this board involve rebates, and I can't think of a much better deal than getting some inside information about how to maximize your chances of getting your money back! You don't have to read it if it bores you, but this thread answers some things I've wondered about for a long time.