Regarding "Hot Deals" type of stuff.

[ghouldini]

I know if I post this there I will get flamed for being off-topic. Since there is no general comments forum, I am here.
I got in on the Buy Windows ME and get free stuff with Staples rebates. I was wondering if anyone else has been getting screwed over on their rebates. They are telling me that I didn't send in the correct Logitech Internet Keyboard upc/sku. When I found out about this deal, Tuesday the 19th, there was still several days left on this weekly deal. I called the 800# off the newspaper ad and the guy gave me the phone #'s for the nearest few stores. He also checked his computer to see if any items were left in these stores. He found one that had both the keyboard and the mouse I wanted. I called them to make sure they had it still. I was told yes, drove 30+ ,iles to the store, and found out they were wrong and idn't have either. Then I had the jerks call other Staples stores nearby to that area and found 2 stores that each had one of the items. I had them hold them for me. I got first the keyboard, and then went and got the mouse. Sent in my rebates and found out they made the keyboard one invalid. The keyboard I was given had Internet Keyboard on the box and the price was exactly the same as it was supposed to be. After checking the Logitech web site I found that there is 3 different code #'s with 2 being the same model#. I got one of those. I gather they want the other. The ity bity picture in the ad showed a blue box while I was given the green box. I look at the Staples web site and the only Internet Keyboard there is the one I got for the same price. Sounds like they brought out the old sku from 1999 version and only have 2000 version available. People buy them and get screwed on the rebate.
I was wondering if anyone else is having this problem. The damn box had the same name and price as quoted, and that's what the store gave me. They were also the same store I got the rebate coupon from.:|

 

[Biel]

Either get staples to honor it, or get them to take the product back..

 

[uglywolf]

I've had a couple of rebates during this promotion that are invalid. I checked online at www.Rebateshq.com and for the two that are invalid (there were 3 that said they didn't receive the UPC) I just faxed in copies of the UPCs. One of them they've changed the status to valid. One I just faxed. Another one I'm not going to bother with. You should always makes copies of your submission. The only thing I can think I did wrong was to not attach the UPC and receipt to the place on the rebate form. It could be that some human rebate processors are looking for this while others aren't. The other rebates were accepted as valid.

 

[rebuilder]

Yes, staple the upc all together before putting in envelope. I also make an extra copy with receipt, upc, and rebate form and put that in the envelope also. After getting back 4 postcards that say upc missing I try to duplicate as much as possible.
I honestly believe there is some kind of scam going on and staples probably doesn't even know it. I finally got a return email from some high up corporate lady that was very disturbed and was investigating the rebate fulfillment company.
Also, I recently began using the online rebate forms that you fill out and submit immediately then print it out and send along with your upc. You at least get email acknowledgement that you are registered to receive one once they receive the form and upc.

All that said, they seem to be getting better than they were.

 

[Gustavus]

At the same time Staples was running the ME promotion they had a separate special in the same flyer for the Peachtree accounting software for $150 with a $149.95 rebate. I bought it, sent in the rebate materials by certified mail with return receipt requested. My letter was delivered on 5 October at the Coppell Texas address. When I hadn't received an e-mail notification of the rebate being in process after a week, I called the number on the Staples rebate form and was told they had no rebate under my name in their computer. When I told them I had the receipt showing they had received the rebate I mailed by certified mail, they simply said they had no record of it. I will now try reaching someone in the Staples management -- as opposed to people in their customer service (?) department. Sounds like a scam to me.

 

[ebaker]

Try talking to a store manager. Take your paperwork when you go in. I've found them generally accomodating.

 

[rebuilder]

gustavus,
much to my surprise they did send an email that they received the Peachtree rebate.

And yes, ebaker is right, the staples stores have always honored the rebate if you take all the stuff to them (at least on 4 out of 4 ocassions when I received a rejected postcard.)

 

[Gustavus]

rebuilder and ebaker
Thanks for the replys. I did talk to the store manager where I bought the Peachtree software -- even before I posted my comment this morning -- and she said she would FAX all of my rebate submission material, including the Certified mail receipt, to the Staples resubmission center. I will do that first of the week. I am encouraged by your comments that you were successful in getting rebates. For $150 I will stick with it you can be sure.

 

[ghouldini]

I made copies of all my stuff. Problem with the Keyboard is that they were looking for a different UPC code from the box. The store didn't have any other versions of "Internet Keyboard" from Logitech and that is what they held for me. I still have the original sales slips. Actually they had my Webcam rebate invalid also stating I didn't buy all the required items. I called the dude on the phone and he said that they wanted the UPC off the ME box. I said no way as I had a copy of the rebate form. He said then that he couldn't understand why they invalidated it and over rode the decision putting it at valid. Well I know why. If no one complains when they pull this, they don't fix it and don't pay back the $. But if you complain they fix it. The guy also told me to fax a copy of my stuff on the Keyboard issue. But nothing has changed for that.
How do they fix things if you take all your stuff to the B&M? Do they give you the $ back right there? The store that gave me the keyboard I got is 40 miles away but there is a closer store about 20 miles. This deal was my first with Staples. I am going to try the phone method again to see if I can get it changed. It seems like some scamming going on to me. I was also in the Staples nearer to me yesterday and they have no other Internet Keyboards other than the one I got from the other store.

 

[ghouldini]

^

 

[ghouldini]

Called them up again and was told that they couldn't do anything at the web site directly, so I should go to a local B&M and they would handle it. I did. They did. I was told by the web guys that the store could call in to override it. The store didn't call they gave me my rebate in cash. They even gave me the tax on it back!

 

[joecool222111]

my butt is hot oohhhhh what a deal!!!

Joecool has left the building.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[ghouldini]

Since I am still new here, I didn't want to flame on anyone BUT, this is my thread. Joecool are you a retard or something? I have seen 3 posts by you in different threads and all of them lead one to think you are nothing more than a stupid a--hole. Both of the other threads had someone tell you to get lost, so everyone must know about your stupidity here. Especially since not one person defended you. If you want to post chat room antics, go to Yahoo you twit.

You other guys, thanks for the replies.