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WTF is the point of Mail-in Rebates ?

3

302efi

Golden Member
Most of the time I see a computer item advertised "on-sale", 9 times outta 10 its has the mail in rebate bullsh!t...Why can't you just get the sale price at the register ? Why do companys / stores do this ?

Whats the point ?
 
They're counting on the fact that a lot of people won't bother to send them in, so they get to keep more of your money (and that's exactly what ends up happening, for the most part).

I personally just don't bother with any mail-in rebate BS...I just buy the item elsewhere, probably for cheaper anyway. 😛
 
I think its a brilliant idea. People rush to buy it due to low after rebate price and I am sure alot of them forget to send the rebate forms. I know I have done it a couple of times. Moreover there are a lot of people who are just too lazy to move their butt and fill/send out a rebate form for like 5 bucks.
 
It's like $3 household cleaning products that offer a money back guarentee. If you don't like their product, mail a copy of your reciept, the UPC, and a SASE to their headquarters and they'll be happy to cut you a cheque for $2.79. Expect reimbursment in eight to ten weeks.
 
they get to advertise at the AR price, people think its cheap, then pay full price and dont send the rebate.

also, they get to hold onto the money for longer, which is always good. you are giving them a nice short term loan
 
Originally posted by: quakefiend420
the point is for lazy people to not send in the rebate
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Which is priced in so that those of us who do send in the rebate get a better deal than if they gave the rebate to everyone at the register. It's genius.
 
Then there's the companies that just don't send the rebate.

Bought an Averatec laptop in December - still waiting for my $100 rebate.

 
Originally posted by: HardcoreRobot
.... you are giving them a nice short term loan
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Damn..I never thought of that 😉

I guess its pretty sh!tty deal for the customer, but a great idea for stores to advertise a low price.
 
i never buy anything with a rebate- no way ill remember if they dont send me a check 2 months later.
 
Originally posted by: LtPage1
i never buy anything with a rebate- no way ill remember if they dont send me a check 2 months later.
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That can also make it seem like a suprise gift. "Hey look, I just got this check for $$ amount for no reason. Life is good."

Rebates aren't so bad, and they're great for companies. They can set aside however amount of money they think they'll have to give back to customers. Put it in a high interest bank account, and make back some of the money.
 
Originally posted by: CaesaR
I think its a brilliant idea. People rush to buy it due to low after rebate price and I am sure alot of them forget to send the rebate forms. I know I have done it a couple of times. Moreover there are a lot of people who are just too lazy to move their butt and fill/send out a rebate form for like 5 bucks.
Click to expand...

Yawp. This is true.

Also, think of how much they're saving in interest by not giving you the rebate right off
 
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