Staples rebate woes!?

[MJB]

(If this is not the appropriate topic, please let me know where is...)

Does anyone remember the deal the $150 rebate that Staples offered on Peachtree Accounting software back in August? At one point, the software was priced at $119.95, and after $25 coupon and $150 rebate, obviously there was a net gain. Who could refuse, right?!

Yeah, well I submitted my rebate forms all nice and quick-like, only to receive one of those annoying postcards the other day which says

"Your request could not be filled for the following reasons: Invalid PEACHTREE SOFTWARE.Serial & Invalid PEACHTREE SOFTWARE.SKU or UPC"

After referring back to the rebate form, it does not specify anything about a specific SKU or UPC. It just says "Rebate applies to Peachtree Software....".

Has anyone else received this rebate, or a similar rejection?

---

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[directcom]

So you are out $100 for a piece of junk? Oh my god!

 

[err]

This is why I always scan my rebate form and UPC before sending in my rebate.

Intel did this once to me, almost taking away my $50 rebate... but I have the UPC copy and they paid my rebate almost immediately.

eRr

 

[Zorro]

Now this is a hot deal here

 

[blueribb]

There's a phone number on that post card. As long as you didn't throw your paperwork, receipt or box out you should be OK. Give em' a call. They'll fix you up.

Glenn (TV Doc)

 

[mccall]

Staples (or their fulfillment compnay) tried to hose me out of a rebate for a Maxtor hard drive last year. My postcard said the UPC was missing, which it wasn't. I did not have a copy of the UPC but did still have my original receipt.

I called the phone number on the postcard and explained the situation And they told me what to do. I had to take the receipt back to the store with the postcard, explain the situation to the manager, and he then checked the computer (supposedly) to make sure the drive was not returned for a refund. He then typed a letter on Staples letterhead verifing that I indeed bought the drive and had not returned it for refund. It took about 20 minutes.

I then had to send the letter to a diff address than the rebate form and I received a check in about 2 weeks.

 

[Sparty]

Call them up 1-877-266-6483, good luck

 

[wjones]

I was thinking to get Peachtree Accounting 8 for $150 + Win ME for about $50. After $150 rebate and $40 off $150 coupon, the accounting software + Win ME will be $10
After the HP 930C printer w/ e-stamp deal, which I ALMOST got rejected (I resummitted the rebate), I hesitated to do it.

Now I'm glad I didn't go for it

Good luck to you though!

 

[FreeIsFun]

MJB same thing here. I keep good records of everything so they were'nt going to get away with this one. I called the phone number and was told that somehow there were two online rebate forms filled out and all they had to do is conbine the two. There was no need for me to do anything and I would receive the rebate within 4 to 6 weeks. Problem is I have several Staples rebates out and have yet to receive one!

FreeIsFun

 

[sangfroid7]

call them! check the rebate center on their website and track your rebate, that's shortest way to know there's any problem.

I got the same thing like invalid UPS/SKU/SN, blah, blah... fortunately I got it on web before the little card came and the guy answered the phone was pretty good, he found out the error of their system and fixedit for me (it turned out if you submit online and send rept&UPC by mail their system don't combine the two sources of info, so it did show my UPC info and no S/N showing, which I filled out in the online form. what a system they have!)

but honestly I like staples' rebate center on the web, let you track your rebate, know when they will come into my mailbox.

 

[RossMAN]

Whenever I send in a rebate (esp to Staples-you-aint-gettin-no-money) I make photocopies of EVERYTHING plus mail the envelope certified/return receipt/confirmation USPS mail which costs around $2.35 but it's worth it. I do the same with all the 10 or so "test drive" offers I have done. Never again can they say "uhh we never got it".

 

[50ftqueenie]

Ross took the words right out of my mouth; I do exactly the same thing. Certified mail, all the way. My old man always teases me about being suspicious, but hey, just think of that rebate paperwork as money. Would YOU mail $40, 50 or in the Peachtree case $150 CASH through the mail with just a little ole stamp covering your ass? I think not. Especially when you're dealing with Staples.

MJB, I went for the straight rebate deal on that one at the B/M Staples; when I tried one of those money-makin' stategies (my first and LAST experience doing THAT), staples.com promptly cancelled my order because they were "out of stock". Here's the pertinent info:

Purchase must be made between 9/17 and 9/23 (Sorry, I'm not familiar with the August deal, but I assume the terms were the same).

Cut out and send original UPC, copy of sales receipt, complete claim coupon.

All requests must be postmarked by Oct 7, 2000.

Call 1-877-266-6483 for additional info.

 

[CyberTiger]

Thanks for the advice. I did one and only one staples rebate and have been waiting for it for one month so far. Luckily I have everything photocopied. We will see what happens.

I bought an IOMagic CD rom drive with $20 rebate back in May and I still haven't gotten the rebate. So I emailed their rebate center and they email me back saying they never received my rebate!!! What the hell? I didn't photocopy the UPC code but still have the original receipt. I bought it at Microcenter. Does anyone have similar experience with IOMagic? What do you think I can do? If I go to Microcenter, would they let me return that piece of crap?

 

[stonerdave]

I posted in the How do I thread, but I thought I'd add it in here while on the same topic...



<< Which receipt (from online orders) do you use when mailing in a rebate to staples? The invoice in the shipping box states &quot;not an invoice&quot; and the web summary says &quot;table does not necessarily represent the final order if any changes were made...it can not be used for tax or billing purposes. >>

 

[RossMAN]

50ftqueenie - Thanks and you also took the words out of my mouth, but hey, just think of that rebate paperwork as money. Would YOU mail $40, 50 or in the Peachtree case $150 CASH through the mail with just a little ole stamp covering your ass? I think not. Especially when you're dealing with Staples.

Always make copies of EVERYTHING and mail it certified since that documents the official postmark date, delivery date and someone signs for the envelope as well.

 

[Runequest2]

The majority of people i know have had rebates rejected for upc problems. I wonder why they do this... could it be that if you did not make copies you only have one upc on the box. I bet they automatically reject upwards of 50% of all rebates with this type of lame excuse knowing that most people will just let it drop! This is how places can offer all the free items knowing they will never pay the majority of the rebates. How do you think cyberrebates.com can survive by overcharging on items then offering a rebate for the inflated price that they will not pay most people . I never buy anything with a rebate because it is not worth the hassle. Give me a coupon everyday .

Keep hammering at them for the rebate MJB they hate to be bothered if you make enough noise they will pay you to get rid of you!!

 

[CyberTiger]

yep keep hammering them about the rebates. those morons won't pay unless you do something about it.

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Rebates good.

This is true provided you get used to taking the steps mentioned by the previous posters.

1. Photocopy everything
2. Send via certified mail with delivery confirmation. It's too much proof for too little money to pass up. (I need to start using this more often)
3. Realize that they're not &quot;trying&quot; to screw you. They're trying to avoid -getting- screwed. A blanket policy works as a crude safety net that keeps many fraudulent claims from being fulfilled. Yes, this can be annoying for the consumer and puts a slightly larger burden on our shoulders. For rebates involving $10 and up, you bet your sweet bippie it's worth it. It's not all that much work.

Hoss

 

[lex]

Staples is trying to screw me too! I got a postcard that says &quot;Receipt &amp; Purchase date &amp; Postmark Date&quot; is why they are denying my staples $150 rebate on the peachtree.. thats a load.. Good thing I copied the stuff (hopefully I can find it).. I AM REALLY WEARY OF REBATES NOW.. ESPECIALLY STAPLES (who suck) anyway..

 

[nakis]

I called Staples about not receiving two rebates, in which their web site shows that they were mailed out at the beginning of last month.
The Staples rep Juan, states they had a bad batch of mail outs and that the new checks are in the mail.

I am beginning to hate these rebate games that some Companies play. The time I spent tracking my rebates can be used in a more profitable manner.

 

[rebuilder]

My bad experiences:

I've had 4 rebates that sent back a postcard &quot;upc label missing&quot;. Fortunately I took everything to the Staples B&amp;M and they promptly gave me my refund.

I was also missing a $40 rebate from about 4 months ago and finally called. Their first response &quot;I'm sorry sir but this promotion is over&quot;. Of course it's over, you idiot! He then found where I sent in the paperwork. &quot;Ok sir, we will go ahead and cut you a check&quot;.

Good golly, how many people do they screw out of money like this out of either sheer incompetence or outright fraud.

Thankfully the Staples company will honor your rebate but everyone needs to send letters &amp; emails to Corporate that their Rebate Fulfillment company is running a shoddy operation or even worse case, outright fraud!

 

[Bob61]

MJB:

The rebate did not apply to the $119 package. The rebate was for the $149.99 software.
Staples did have a link to the Peachtree rebate from the $119 package, but when you clicked over to the rebate, it clearly stated what SKU the rebate was valid for. I saw the same thing you did, but after reading the offer I purchased the package that the rebate was valid for.

 

[hychka]

This thread reminded me to look at my rebate log.

Of 17 rebates outstanding, 9 representing $240 are with Staples.

According to the Staples rebate center web site, of these nine, Staples'acknowledges web entry of the rebate for all nine. However the web site only acknowledges receipt of COMPLETED paperwork for two of these. For one of those two, check writing date plus 15 working days has passed and I haven't received the check. Of those unacknowledged, 4 have EXPIRED DEADLINE DATES for receipt of completed paperwork.

So I just called Staples Rebate Center at 1-888-856-9210 and punched in a &quot;1&quot; as soon as I heard a voice, avoiding their thrice repeated admonition to first check the web site. The CSR checked all nine rebate transaction numbers and gave me information DIFFERENT from what the web site says.

Completed paperwork has been received for all 9. However, the earliest I can expect rebate checks is in 15 to 30 WORKING days, even for those entered in July of '00, my earliest outstanding Stables rebates.

To sum all this up and quote a phrase often used by Staples customers, &quot;STAPLES IS SUCK!!&quot;

 

[50ftqueenie]

This thread is scary-- especially after hychka's post! I haven't even done my rebates for the stuff I bought at Staples, but now, after reading all of your woes, I'm taking all of this sh!t right back. Staples can kiss my overclocked heiny! What they're doing is getting interest free loans from people and, basically, practicing extortion with their mishandling of their rebate program.

 

[MJB]

Fortunately, I DID photocopy all my rebate material. And I will be calling the rebate center to attempt to remedy this.

However, Bob61 notes that the $150 rebate did not apply to the $119 package. But this is in no way specified on the rebate form, via SKU or UPC requirement. It gives no indication. It simply states &quot;Peachtree Software&quot;, and the $119 package was the only Peachtree Software offered by Staples at the time.

I have quite a few other Staples rebates pending as well. I have not received a single one yet.