UPDATE: Sony Digital Mavica Camera for $269 after PM, MIR - orig $699

[858diver]

Haven't seen this posted anywhere - is this thing worth it:

model FD85
1.3 Mega Pixels
1280 x 960 dpi
3x optical plus 6x digital zoom
MPEG movie mode
2.5" color LCD panel
Floppy disk and memory stick compatible

CompUSA has it listed in today's flyer for $399 (#275127) - pretty much everyone else has it for $499, with $50 or $100 MIR.

Staples has "limited quantities" for $499 with a $100 MIR (SKU 430681). PM with CompUSA, and add a $30 or $100 printable coupon (for B & M) or find a $40 off $200 online to make it $259 - and then add the "free" attache found in many other Staples threads.

UPDATE:Deal gets EVEN BETTER! Staples is giving away a free scanner (Microtek Scanmaker X6 - 36-bit 600 x 1200 dpi USB) this week whe you buy any digital camera priced over $199. Even though the camera was purchased online, we were able to take the receipt to our local B & M and get the scanner no questions asked!

 

[Willith]

Sounds like a good deal to me, on-line prices are around $415 or more. I need to win the lottery, so I can afford to get in on all these good deals. Anyone know the numbers for next weeks drawing, I guess I should post this on the I WANNA thread.

 

[858diver]

Read the C-Net reviews - ALL positive - couldn't resist!

Placed the order online, with the attache (sku 440988). Included a $40 off $200 coupon, and the code for the free attache, which came out to $459.98.

Called 1-800-3STAPLES for the PM. Had to fax them a copy of the ad (CompUSA.com was down - GOOD THING - no shipping cost hassles!), and they called a local CompUSA store to verify availability - AND THAT WAS IT!

$386.99 (Taxes took their share), with a $100 MIR nets out to $286.99!!!

Camera and attache are scheduled for delivery on Tuesday - can't wait!

 

[KameLeon]

This is a GREAT deal, since this camera sells for no less than $400 online anywhere, even on fleabay it's going for $450.

 

[tmartini]

Just called and got the usual BS. "We give you the $100 saving in the rebate, so we can't do the price match." Sounds like I'm too late for this deal.

 

[XL]

858diver

I sent you an email.I'm having a problem trying to buy this since I didn't get the ad in the sunday paper.I hope you can help.

 

[858diver]

I have uploaded the page from the ad showing the camera.

This may be a regional thing in Southern California (San Diego).

Good luck!

Sony FD85 Ad in this week's CompUSA flyer

 

[Owenslee]

858 Diver,

You should have read the fine print on the rebate form.
The $100 off rebate is specifically limited to Staples stores ONLY. Staples.com and Staples Direct are NOT included as they are on most rebates. A rebate submitted for a purchase made on the net will be rejected.
Your final price of $386 is still a good one.

 

[drac747]

Are you sure about that? Why would they link to the rebate online if it wasn't valid. I read the fine print but don't ALL the rebates say that and don't they always come through in the end?

 

[drac747]

Nevermind, you are correct. The rebate only applies to the B&M store. I checked some other rebates which include Stapes Direct and Staples.com.

Damn so now I gotta drive down to my local staples.

 

[MeAGAIN]

tmartini ...
Rather presumtious (read as "ballsy&quot of Staples to "assume" your going to send in your rebate, isn't it?
The CSR would of looked more professional if they'd kicked it with the "Offer not valid with any other rebates, offers or promotions." part...

 

[drac747]

Dang CompUSA website doesn't have it and my local stores are out of stock.

Bummer. I will try again later on in the week.

 

[858diver]

Owenslee and Drac:

Check Staples.com, sku 430681. It CLEARLY states that there is a $100 rebate for online purchases, and I was led to the rebate section of the website to fill in the rebate request form, and was e-mail a confirmation of the rebate application and my order confirmation.

I wouldn't have posted it if it didn't work.

 

[XL]

858diver Knows what he's saying. He apparently read the page when he purchased the camera.


From the rebate form:


<< Rebate applies to the purchase of Sony Mavica Digital Camera Model #MVCFD85 (sku 430681) at Staples stores only. Purchase must be made between January 18, 2001 and January 27, 2001. >>


It doesn't say anything about buying at your local Staples store. Just &quot;Staples stores only&quot;; and Staples.com is a store.


This clearly shows the rebate offer right below the camera

Owenslee


<< You should have read the fine print on the rebate form. >>


Did you read the rebate form? I mean come on you can process your rebate online or print it and mail it in.Hell They even let you print your own envelope.

also a reply from staples online rebate.

We are happy to inform you that your rebate submission for
$100 MIR on Sony Mavica Digital Camera has been received.

You can review the status of your rebate any time at
THE REBATE CENTER ON STAPLES.COM. (http://www.staples.com). For better customer service support, your rebate
tracking number is *******.

Thank you from,
STAPLES

 

[drac747]

Yes yes, I know it says &quot;staples stores.&quot; To verify this I looked at two other rebates and those stated &quot;staples stores, staples direct &amp; staples.com&quot; This one only states &quot;staples stores.&quot;

Thats why I agreed with Owenslee. I've sent in many rebates to staples and I just checked all my xerox copies and all also included &quot;staples.com&quot;

 

[Owenslee]

858Diver,

If you do, in fact receive your $100 rebate...my hat is off to you sir. You have beaten the system twice by:

- submitting a rebate for an online purchase where only purchases from a Staples &quot;store&quot; qualifies.

- achieving a pricematch when the terms of Staples price match policy specifically states that they will not pricematch a competitor's discounted price if Staples offers a rebate ( which they do) that provides a net price, less than the competition's sale price.(which it would be)

If you are successful... You Da Man!

However, I have had too many rebates rejected for exactly the difference in wording illustrated on the rebate form.

By the way XL...your comment that Staples.com is a store...is an assumption on your part. Staples could easily contend that Staples.com is only a web site. They further could re-inforce that contention by illustrating that on all other rebate offers they specifically list Staples stores, Staples.com and Staples Direct. They in effect, imply by ommission that only Staples stores qualify for this specific rebate.

It is this parsing of words or &quot;splitting of hairs&quot; that gives an excuse not to pay. In my estimation it was a $100 gamble where the odds are not in your favor.

Too often the rebate centers that issue rebate checks look for any number of minor infractions where the submitter failed to follow directions to the letter. In this case, there is too great an opportunity for rejection, IMHO.

But hey, it's just my opinion...some may enjoy gambling $100.

 

[maxcom]

This could be a John Grisham novel.

 

[Kwad Guy]

Even if you manage to trick the system, after much work and
nail biting, the bottom line is that this camera really isn't
even worth $269. This is just too much yesterday's news. The output
it provides is adequate, but not even CLOSE to the quality you'll
get from an Olympus C2000/C2020/C3030 or Nikon Coolpix 950/800.
Yeah, those cameras are about $200 more, at least, on a good
sale. But if you're not willing to splurge to that level, don't
waste your time with the Mavica. It's just not good enough to
merit a price of $269. Buy something cheaper and wait...

IMHO.

Kwad

 

[drac747]

Actually, anyone can submit for a rebate online. Even if you go to the physical store, buy a product which has a rebate, you can login to staples.com and do the rebate. The rebate center does not check if you actually purchased it; they just use it as a handy way to assign a tracking number and save time and effort in the long run. They still need to wait for your supporting documentation (invoice, UPC)

So just because it accepted your submission does not validate the fact that you will receive the $100.

 

[858diver]

This is the last time I will try to make the point:

Check out the staples.com web page for sku 430681. It CLEARLY states that this product comes with a $100 rebate. How could they advertise it ON THE WEBSITE if they will not honor the rebate?

If they try to back out, I will simply show them a copy of the web page I have printed out for my files, dispute the purchase with my credit card company, and take it to my local staples store - who will either credit me on the spot, or get it taken care of.

 

[Tarkus]

858Diver is right. I just got off the phone with a Staples CSR, and asked specifically about the language in the rebate. She said, &quot;Staples store just means that you must purchase the camera through Staples, which includes Staples.com.&quot;

 

[cmatthes1]

Well listen to this... Most of the time when I order something from staples (barring staples and paper clips) they ship it from the store anyway. And I get a store receipt, since I have a store in my City. so

 

[Willith]

How about a PM with Circuit City B&amp;M? The offer 110% price difference guarantee, plus they have a $50 mail in rebate on that camera. I know Good Guys offers 200% price difference guarantee, but I didn't see it listed on their web site, so I'm not sure if they cary that camera or just pulled it from their site so they wouldn't loose too much $$ on this deal. So, if you do a PM with CC $499-110%-$50=$339, still higher than Staples, but not too bad of a deal.

Here's Good Guys policy:

Double the difference back.
If you see a lower advertised price (including delivery cost) from a verifiable Manufacturer-Authorized Internet Dealer after you buy from goodguys.com, you'll get a goodguys.com gift check for double the difference. To redeem that check on your next purchase, simply call 1.888.937.7004.

Here's Circuit City's policy:

For every product we sell, we'll beat any advertised price from a local store stocking the same new item, available for sale with a manufacturer's warranty and in a factory-sealed box. Even after your purchase, if you find a lower advertised price within 30 days, including our own sale prices, we'll refund 110% of the difference.

Our Low Price Guarantee does not apply against a competitor's tagged price that is not in an advertisement or when the competitor's price includes bonus or free offers, special financing, installation or rebate, or to one-of-a-kind or other limited offers. For cellular phones and pagers, our Low Price Guarantee applies to hardware only, provided that the competitor's service provider, service plans, terms and conditions are the same.


What U think?

 

[drac747]

Wouldn't it be better to go through staples? They have $100 off + $40 off via coupon. Can't beat that since CC and GG wont pricematch.

 

[Willith]

The reason I said anything about Circuit City or The Good Guys is because of all the debate about the Staples rebate, at least with CC or GG you'll get some sort of rebate. If you can find it at GG you'll get 200% of the difference, which is probably around $200, which is a lot better than Staples anyway.