What kind of rebate scam is this?

[jmcoreymv]

So I ordered a Zyxel router from Compusa and it had both a manufacturer's rebate and compusa rebate. The Compusa rebate was processed quickly, but the Zyxel rebate was processed quickly and denied (said invalid UPC). I had scanned copies of everything, so I called up the Zyxel rebate line, and immediately after I give him my name, the guy on the phone says 'Since you are such a valued customer, we will go ahead and change the status of your rebate. Have a good day'.

Talk about ethics....

 

[screw3d]

I had the same thing happen to me with Monarch/eVGA's rebate (http://www.rebatetrack.com/)). They simply said on the website's tracking that the purchase date wasn't valid, when I had all the photocopied documents to prove otherwise. I emailed them and didn't receive a reply, but the status did magically change to "Your rebate is valid and is scheduled for final processing". I know I'm not the only one because several others complained on Monarch's forums too. :roll:

I don't get how they can get away with it so easily.. I smell another class-action lawsuit coming.

 

[allisolm]

It happens a lot. The people entering the data are getting minimum wage or are in another country. Expectations that they get things right apparently aren't high. I just had a Targus rebate denied for not including the UPC (I did). Called and, after I read them the UPC #, I got the same "because you're such a good customer we'll validate it this one time." You bet your bippy they would or heads would roll!

 

[eplebnista]

A relative of mine just went through a similar experience with Lowe's and a ceiling fan gift card.

 

[Mermaidman]

Originally posted by: allisolm
It happens a lot. The people entering the data are getting minimum wage or are in another country. Expectations that they get things right apparently aren't high. . .

I have a more cynical theory: The companies deny valid rebates and count on people who don't follow-up on their submissions.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: Mermaidman

Originally posted by: allisolm
It happens a lot. The people entering the data are getting minimum wage or are in another country. Expectations that they get things right apparently aren't high. . .

I have a more cynical theory: The companies deny valid rebates and count on people who don't follow-up on their submissions.

I subscribe to your theory. It's happened with me several times, almost always OfficeMax rebates. Some of them only required one call to get the ball rolling, some required a few...but I always got them, slick bastages.

 

[Kelemvor]

That happens all the time. THey do that to random people just because most people won't bother to call in about it and they get to make more money. I'm sure it's all illegal and everything but there's no way to prove anyone did anything on purpose.

 

[duragezic]

Yep, doesn't surprise me.


Happened to me with the eVGA/Zipzoomfly rebate for a 7800GT. I did EVERYTHING as stated on the rebate form. A postcard comes back weeks later with 'Invalid UPC'. Fvck that, I attached my UPC from the box, how can it be invalid? I sent an email to the rebate place, never got a reply. Saved the email to a text file and sent the same one a total of about 6 times. Never got a reply, but my rebate did show up about a month later. Bastards. That's why in general I hate rebates, and generally don't jump on the Hot Deals involving rebates. OTOH, my $100 Alltel Razr rebate was extremely fast and with no problems. Of course, the lady at Alltel wanted me to walk out the door without getting the rebate form. Hang on there hun, I'm not that stupid.