Rebate Denied- Should I Get It Due to Technicality?

[cheapherk]

UPDATE: I Got It

Dear xxxx xxxxx: Tracking number: xxxxxx

Thank you for your rebate inquiry. You are a valued Belkin customer, so we are pleased to inform you that we have updated your record. Your rebate submission is now valid. The rebate check should be mailed in the next 4-6 weeks.

We appreciate your participation in this promotion. If there is anything else we can do to assist you, please contact us at rebates@parago.com. We are always happy to help.

You can also track the status of your rebate, using the Tracking number above, at http://www.RebatesHQ.com.

Nataly
Promotions Customer Service

A recent rebate I submitted as rejected because of an invalid postmark date. The envelope had to be postmarked by January 21st. January 21st was a National Holiday and all post offices were closed. Because of the holiday, the envelope was postmarked on the 22nd.

I had even pre-submitted the info for the rebate ahead of time online. All they were waiting for was the form & UPC symbol.

If they can be so technical to say I am denied the rebate because it was postmarked a day after the deadline, I have the right to be technical because the post office was closed due to a National Holiday on the last day to get it postmarked.

Please don't say, "You should have mailed it earlier." True, but I should have at least been able to have it postmarked by the deadline.

Mail-In Rebates should be illegal.

 

[BigJ]

1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

 

[BrownTown]

Originally posted by: cheapherk
Mail-In Rebates should be illegal.

So should stupid people who don't mail them in by the expiration date. Basically they just pwned the shit out of you, take it like a man.

 

[OdiN]

You should have mailed it in earlier.

 

[cheapherk]

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

It was something I was going to buy anyway. A mail-in rebate is NEVER an incentive for me to buy anything.

Originally posted by: OdiN
You should have mailed it in earlier.

I already admitted to that.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: cheapherk

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

It was something I was going to buy anyway. A mail-in rebate is NEVER an incentive for me to buy anything.

So without the mail-in rebate, the store had the cheapest price out of all retailers?

 

[BoomerD]

Well, I personally think mail-in-rebates SHOULD be illegal...want to give me a deal, make it a coupon that I can realize the savings IMMEDIATELY.

That being said, since rebates are legal, you have to abide by the conditions listed on the rebate. If it says "postmarked by Jan. 21, then Jan. 22 isn't valid...like it or not. I WOULD however try to fight it because of the holiday. "Honest, I put it in the mailbox at the US Post Office on Sunday Jan. 20th. I just didn't realize that due to the holiday, it wouldn't get postmarked until the following day."
I still think you'll lose though...but I'd still try.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

Ding ding ding.

There is no reason why mail-in rebates should be "illegal". There may be reasons for consumers to shy away from them, but an actual law is WAY over the top.

 

[cheapherk]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

Ding ding ding.

There is no reason why mail-in rebates should be "illegal". There may be reasons for consumers to shy away from them, but an actual law is WAY over the top.

It wouldn't be so bad if it only took a couple of weeks to receive them. The last one I did took exactly 3 months. They count on you not sending it in or waiting too long.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: cheapherk

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

Ding ding ding.

There is no reason why mail-in rebates should be "illegal". There may be reasons for consumers to shy away from them, but an actual law is WAY over the top.

It wouldn't be so bad if it only took a couple of weeks to receive them. The last one I did took exactly 3 months. They count on you not sending it in or waiting too long.

Of course they do. If it was easy to get a screaming deal, everyone would be doing it--and the merchants would NOT be happy. The world needs suckers.

 

[OdiN]

What if you mailed it in ealier? I think that would have helped.

 

[Soundmanred]

You guys give the worst advice!
I would have just mailed it earlier.
I don't buy anything that requires MIRs, it's a waste of time and effort most of the time.

 

[Epic Fail]

Is it the Uniden phone from CC?

 

[olds]

Don't listen to these guys. Next time, just mail it in earlier.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Don't listen to these guys. Next time, just mail it in earlier.

WTF, no need to complicate the matter, just tell him to mail it in earlier next time ya dummy!:roll:

 

[chuckywang]

Originally posted by: cheapherk

Originally posted by: BigJ
1) "You should have mailed it earlier."
2) If you have a problem with mail-in rebates, what the hell are you doing attempting to use them, and in turn supporting the practice?

It was something I was going to buy anyway. A mail-in rebate is NEVER an incentive for me to buy anything.

Then why are you sweating this?

 

[ch33zw1z]

If you adhere to the terms and conditions listed for the MIR, then you have a case.

 

[Kelemvor]

If you follow the rules, you get your rebate. It's that simple.

Sure, sometimes you have to contact the BBB and the Attorney General's office but that just adds to the fun for me. I take it as a company trying to screw me over and me showing them that they need to find another plan.

I don't think I've ever not gotten a rebate I've submitted for because I always keep copies of everything, follow all the rules on the form no matter how stupid they sound, mail it in on time, set reminders for yourself to check the status of things, etc.

AS for your case, it's your fault. National Holidays don't come out of nowhere. They are scheduled years in advance so checking a calendar should have told you to mail it the week before.

Sure you could call them and plead your case and ask nicely but that's how rebate companies make their money so don't hold your breath.

 

[allisolm]

And here I thought we had a special place just to discuss rebate problems - ~~~~ Rebate Tracking Thread ~~~~ .

Of course, had you posted there, we probably would have told you that you should have mailed it earlier.

 

[kranky]

Originally posted by: cheapherk
A recent rebate I submitted as rejected because of an invalid postmark date. The envelope had to be postmarked by January 21st. January 21st was a National Holiday and all post offices were closed. Because of the holiday, the envelope was postmarked on the 22nd.

I had even pre-submitted the info for the rebate ahead of time online. All they were waiting for was the form & UPC symbol.

If they can be so technical to say I am denied the rebate because it was postmarked a day after the deadline, I have the right to be technical because the post office was closed due to a National Holiday on the last day to get it postmarked.

Please don't say, "You should have mailed it earlier." True, but I should have at least been able to have it postmarked by the deadline.

I think you answered your own question there at the end.

Rebate companies profit by not giving out rebates that people don't qualify for. They pay the company offering the rebate a flat amount of money to handle the rebates. Less rebates = more profit for them. Bottom line, the rebate company is not going to bend.

 

[SunnyD]

Heh, don't like rebates, don't use em.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Heh, don't like rebates, don't use em.

I have never had a problem, but I mail mine early.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Heh, don't like rebates, don't use em.

I have never had a problem, but I mail mine early.

I tend to go out of my way to avoid them when possible. Unless the rebate involves a really good deal that will NEVER be seen again or matched by a sale price elsewhere, I tend to pay a few $ more for the item that is actually on SALE over the one with the rebate.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Heh, don't like rebates, don't use em.

I have never had a problem, but I mail mine early.

I have never had a problem, because i ignore all non instant rebates

 

[yhelothar]

Sure, it might've been a sly part on the rebate company to put their postmark deadline on a national holiday, but honestly, tough shit, you can't expect every little rebate company to be absolute saints, or you're seriously in for a surprise when you get into the real world.

People don't give two shits about you, they'll find any way to use you for gain. That's how it is. The sooner you accept this, the better off you'll be.