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Deadbeat Rebates: Who is the Worst at Paying Up?

By Ed Foster, Section The Gripelog
Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2003 at 10:08:56 AM PDT

One stream of gripes that never stops is the litany of complaints about rebate checks that never seem to arrive. Which technology vendor is the worst offender? Let’s see if we can find out.

Based on the patterns, some of the most likely nominees are to be seen in the GripeLog Hall of Shame. Symantec, Dell and Intuit frequently are cited by readers for giving various lame excuses for not paying. Data storage, memory chip and blank media manufacturers – none of whom seem to be able to sell anything with just a straight rebateless price – tend to be hard to pry rebate dollars out of too.

And then there’s the fulfillment houses. Last year I wrote about Parago/RebatesHQ.com, a fulfillment house that always seemed to be misplacing rebate applicants’ receipts. I still hear a lot about them, and I’ve also started hearing murmurs about another firm called RebateStatus.com.

So who is the king of deadbeat rebates? If you’ve had any recent rebate hassles, post a comment or write me at Foster@gripe2ed.com and we’ll see if we can tabulate some definitive answers.

< McAfee Test Probe Flunks Other Security Products | UCITA: No Reverse in Virginia >

Deadbeat Rebates: Who is the Worst at Paying Up? | 39 comments (39 topical) | Post A Comment

Deadbeat Rebates[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#1)
by byelen on Wed Jul 16, 2003 at 01:34:16 PM PDT

Which is why you need to make a copy of everything that went into the envelope. I had PNY decline a rebate, claiming that the UPC sent them was not for an eligible product. I went back to Comp USA and showed their manager copies of the rebate form (front & back), the UPC code, and register receipt. To their credit, CompUSA was able to get through to a person at the fullfillment house.

[ Reply to This ]

Rebates[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#2)
by Mason on Wed Jul 16, 2003 at 07:48:01 PM PDT

Surprisingly, I've never had a problem with mail-in rebates, though I've never had one from the three you listed. Most of mine have been for Western Dig hard drives, Soyo motherboards, and various Sony CD/DVD drives.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Rebates and common sense[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#3)
by wantobe on Thu Jul 17, 2003 at 05:47:50 AM PDT

Like Mason, who replied to another thread, I've never had a rebate not come in. Then again, I'm pretty carefull with whom I do business and though I always assume I'm going to get the rebate, I never buy an item if the price isn't reasonable without the rebate.

I've found that store rebates, like from Best Buy or Circuit City, are usually the easiest to obtain, and come in quicker. Sam's Club (a members warehouse affiliated with Walmart, for those of you who don't know) is by far the easiest: apply online, no need to send in anything, and in a couple of weeks cash the check.

The most annoying rebates are the ones where some company has "partnered" with another company (TaxCut and MS Money, for instance.) If you buy one product you get a rebate, plus you get a rebate if you buy another product, which will additionally give you a rebate if you buy yet another product. It can get confusing trying to figure out who wants what barcode and receipt for which rebate.

As Bruce said, though, it's important to keep copies. However, if a company claims it never got your documents, having copies might not help because they can always say "we only accept the originals."

Rob Miles
--
There are 10 kinds of people in the world; those who understand binary and those who don't.
[ Reply to This ]

At that point there's only one solution...[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#7)
by Anonymous User on Thu Jul 17, 2003 at 12:36:28 PM PDT

If they say "We only take originals" then at that point you go to your state's attorney general. (Don't threaten to go; just do it, and then afterwards let them know that you did. Everybody threatens, but nobody actually goes.)

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Use Certified Mail[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#10)
by Anonymous User on Mon Jul 21, 2003 at 10:19:52 AM PDT

Besides making copies of all the stuff in the envelope, I send all rebate requests worth more than $20 or $25 using Certified Mail, without a return receipt, for about $2 additional postage.

If there's ever a problem where the vendor claims they never got the rebate, you can always get a copy of the receipt from the USPS for about $5.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Rebate fine print[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#4)
by Howling on Thu Jul 17, 2003 at 09:27:03 AM PDT

I have gone thru much grief with rebates. Most of the rebate forms these days state "No PO Box addresses" and "Valid mailing address only". Given where I live and work does not have mail delivery. We are required to use a PO Box addresses to get mail.

Thus my only valid mailing address is a PO Box that the rebate house reject. I can't use my street address because the post office will return to sender it as not a valid address.

I have had a couple 'discussions' about this apparent discrimation a few time with vendors and rebate houses. Even referencing sections of the Robinson-Patman Act (part of the federal anti-trust laws) that prohibits effective price discrimation across consumers get no results.

For the most part I am SOL when it comes to rebates.

[ Reply to This ]

workaround for "no post office boxes"[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#17)
by Anonymous User on Fri Aug 01, 2003 at 11:07:23 PM PDT

places like "mailboxes etc." rent mailboxes. but they're considered "private mail boxes" not "post office boxes." they're abbreviated "PMB."

i've used a private mail box for years, and have never been refused, even by places that specify "no post office boxes."

works for me.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

POBox-only zip codes[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#18)
by Anonymous User on Thu Aug 07, 2003 at 04:01:43 PM PDT

What is your zip code? I am compiling a list of POBox-only zip codes.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

PO Box only ZIPs[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#21)
by Howling on Thu Aug 14, 2003 at 10:58:04 AM PDT

My ZIP code is not PO Box only. It is only this portion of town that does not have delivery.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

POBox-only zip codes[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#24)
by Anonymous User on Mon Oct 06, 2003 at 01:44:46 PM PDT

94929 is a P.O. Box only zip code

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Carmel[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#34)
by Anonymous User on Mon May 30, 2005 at 10:12:34 AM PDT

Carmel, CA has all P.O. Box deliveries. We have no street numbers. So our former mayor, Clint Eastwood would not qualify for a rebate. zip code is 93921

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Dell Rebates (and others)[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#5)
by Anonymous User on Thu Jul 17, 2003 at 10:38:18 AM PDT

I had an interesting situation with a Dell rebate. I bought a Dimension 2350 and their All-In-One printer. There was a $30 rebate on the printer, which I sent in promptly. Several weeks later, a check arrived from Dell for $200!!!. Their rebate status site indicated it was for the 2350, even though it was not eligible for any rebates. Now some might think I'm nuts, but I try not to keep things that don't belong to me, so I contacted them about it. They told me to destroy the check (which they put a stop-payment on), and sent me another(only 3 days later) for $50 ($20 for my trouble, I guess). Not bad! Dell did have a lot of trouble with their rebates in the paste, however. So much so, they set up a separate online user forum just for rebate problems. Judging by the comments I've read on the board, they seem to address and resolve most of the problems fairly quickly. I bought another 2350 from them soon after, with a $50 rebate, and it came in with no trouble. I've bought a TON of stuff with rebates over the years, and I'd say less than 5% didn't come in automatically. On the few that didn't, it usually only took one email or phone call to resolve it. One company, Tiger Direct(!), even wound up eating the rebate and sending me a $30 check directly, because their ad was incorrect in stating the expiration date (THAT one took about 3 phone calls to resolve). As has been stated, the key is to: a) Read everything, and follow instruction EXACTLY b) Make copies (or scans) of everything c) Follow up on those that don't come in. In following up on a rebate, I've never had a vendor refuse to accept a photocopy or scanned image as proof that I sent in the documents. In my experience, they're usually pretty good about that sort of thing.

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Problem Rebates[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#6)
by glenn354 on Thu Jul 17, 2003 at 10:55:38 AM PDT

My problem was with Intuit (any wonder?). The rebate was for $120 (no $2 rebate on CDs). I did make copies, so when I did not hear anything, I called the trouble number. It had been disconnected. So I called Intuit. They eventually got me to someone who said to fax my proof to them at a specific number. I still did not hear anything. So I faxed it again. Then I faxed a letter asking what was going on and later faxed it again. I did finally get my rebate, but there was no one who would return my fax requests for information.

[ Reply to This ]

Symantec the Worst![ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#8)
by Renaissance Man on Fri Jul 18, 2003 at 06:24:09 AM PDT

Symantec is, in my experience, by far the worst. I bought WordPerfect 10 and Norton System Works, both with $30 rebates from BOTH Amazon and the respective companies. I got both Amazon rebates promptly. The WordPerfect rebate was issued but returned because of an invalid address (the second time this happened.) But a call to the rebate number cleared that up and I got my rebate.

Symantec, on the other hand, is so PAINFULLY SLOW. They waited at least 4 months and then told me I didn't submit the proper verification. I had only a few days (!) to submit it. I mailed them the photocopies of all the required info (and even included a printout of my online registration) about two months ago and still have heard nothing. Last year, a rebate on NSW 2002 seemed to take forever, although I did get it. I will never buy anything from Symantec again based on a rebate. Or probably anything, ever.

[ Reply to This ]

Best I've Seen[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#9)
by AlanK on Fri Jul 18, 2003 at 02:14:34 PM PDT

The best rebate processing that I've seen is from the makers of ReplayTV. The forms are simple to fill out, the small print isn't too small, they make sure you can get your hands on everything, and they even provide a website and a toll-free number to call for information. They even allowed for multiple rebates. My unit was eligible for two rebates. They specified that only one of the rebates required that I send in the UPC Code. The other could suffice with a photocopy. --AlanK--

[ Reply to This ]

Another positive: Home Depot/Black & Decker[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#15)
by Fushigi on Wed Jul 30, 2003 at 12:22:04 PM PDT

Home Depot had a special where if you bought more than $100 worth of Black and Decker merchandise you'd get a $20 gift card. I mailed in the form on July 12 and got the gift card back 10 days later. Amazing. I've never had such a quick response on a rebate/gift card offer before.

The same day I sent in a Maxtor rebate for a hard drive. While I haven't gotten the rebate check yet, it only took about 5 days to get the acceptance email for the rebate. That's much better than Logitech, who took about 3 months for the email and still hasn't send a check.

My other recent rebate was on TDK CD-Rs. They were purcahsed 6/26 and I got the rebate check this past Saturday; a mere 1 month later.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Logitech & Dazzle[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#19)
by Fushigi on Tue Aug 12, 2003 at 12:39:42 PM PDT

Just an update that the Logitech rebate finally came in yesterday. So it took them something like 5 months overall.

I had also purchased a Dazzle 6-in-1 memory reader with a $20 rebate. That was submitted in June and I received the check yesterday as well.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Rebate Checks ???[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#11)
by Anonymous User on Wed Jul 23, 2003 at 11:22:25 AM PDT

The only problem I've had with rebates, is the checks they send...they literally look like junk mail. I've almost thrown a few of them out by accident. Often times, they're simply a "postcard" with a lot of splashy color.

[ Reply to This ]

Rebates are a scam[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#12)
by Anonymous User on Thu Jul 24, 2003 at 11:31:58 AM PDT

People offer rebates because they know most people won't bother sending in the paperwork. I think rebates should be illegal. If they are going to give you a discount then they should just do it up front at the time you pay.

[ Reply to This ]

CompUSA[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#13)
by patrickbores on Fri Jul 25, 2003 at 09:56:33 AM PDT

I just sent in a rebate form to CompUSA on a SONY CD-RW drive. Before heading to the store location, I pulled up their web page. The web page advertised this CD-RW drive with a $30 rebate. When I arrived at the store and brought the item up to the counter, I asked about the $30 dollar rebate. The clerk told me that the rebate was only $20. When I asked why the web page advertises a $30 rebate, he informed me that the $30 rebate was only available if you ordered online. Unbelievable. I consider this sneaky advertising to lure me into the store with a web advertisement, only to find the rebate wasn't as large as I thought it would be.

[ Reply to This ]

yes[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#40)
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[ Parent | Reply to This ]

rebates[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#14)
by vesta1953 on Sun Jul 27, 2003 at 04:48:35 PM PDT

I work at a rebate processing center, and let me tell you, some of the things we see on a daily basis make me wonder about the intelligence of some consumers. First of all, I don't know how many rebates I've had to unqualify simply because the most basic requirements weren't met. Rebate forms not filled out, UPC's not included, cash register receipts not enclosed, the list goes on and on and on. I have considered writing a booklet telling consumers how to qualify for rebates, but frankly, if they can't read the rebate form and follow the directions on that, I don't have much hope for them reading my booklet and being able to follow any directions in there. I know, you're going to say that many companies make it too difficult to qualify for a rebate. Well, I can tell you that from what I have seen, it's not all that difficult. And I have handled rebates for everything from computers to cell phones to catfood and tuna fish. And just in case you're wondering why it can take so long to get your rebate back, you should remember that your rebate is not the only one we are processing. Just one company for whom we process rebates has over 4 million rebates a year coming into our center. If you do the math, that's almost 110,000 rebates a day to be processed, and that's just one company's work. Add to that all the rebates for all the other companies for whom we process rebates, and you can see that it can take some time to process everything accurately if everything that the rebate requires is sent in the first time. If it's not sent in the first time, then there is additional time for it to be returned to the consumer and then for you, the consumer, to find and send back what is requested. So, what to about the rebate problem? All I can recommend is to read the form thoroughly, keep copies of EVERYTHING you send, call the rebate center if you have any problems, and then if and when you end up having to resubmit a rebate, send a letter along with everything stating what steps you took, and who you talked to at the rebate center and what they told you to do. Chances are, you will get your rebate.

[ Reply to This ]

Considering that in MY case there IS no UPC code..[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#26)
by Anonymous User on Sun Jun 13, 2004 at 10:12:36 AM PDT

Nice deal on a 160GB drive from Fry's. On sale, with a rebate of $60- makes the drive as a $60 drive. Problem with the whole thing is that there IS no UPC on the damn box. Nada. Nil. Zip. How in the HELL am I supposed to comply with the terms of the damn deal if there's no UPC on the frickin' box?

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Wow, can you belive it?[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#35)
by dstand on Sun Mar 05, 2006 at 12:41:02 PM PDT

Wow - 110,000 rebates a day to be processed, times 5 days a week times 52 weeks a year, = 28.6 million rebates per year @ say 30.00 average per rebate, = 858 million dollars per year. Now tie that kind of money up for a few months and look at the interest that can be made. Wow
Dave St. Andrews
[ Parent | Reply to This ]

No rebate after 2 years[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#36)
by Anonymous User on Mon May 22, 2006 at 11:56:40 AM PDT

After not getting rebates on 2 different items in a few weeks, I decided not to trust these rebates. It has been over 2 years and I still have not recieved them. This writer claims that I did something wrong. If true, it is because the rebate form is designed to make sure I do something wrong, like the "butterfly ballots" in Florida. Rebates are a ripoff. If the price without the rebate is not good, I don't buy.2 out of 2 is enough to convince me that they are usually deadbeats.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

rebateshq are thieves[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#16)
by axioms1 on Thu Jul 31, 2003 at 10:40:36 PM PDT

I have been having problems out of this company for about a year. I keep getting turned down for my rebates about 90% of the time even though everything is correctly filled out and mailed in time. In order to get my rebates I have to threaten and call the Vendor that I originally made my purchase at and complain. The last email from them I got today and was pertaining to a Logitech Speaker Rebate I was amazed at the brazen attempt to defraud me. The last day to have the submission postmarked by was 07/25/03. This was last Monday and would have to be submitted less than a week ago. They turned me down because they said it was not sent in before the deadline. By their own admission a rebate submission takes 4 -6 weeks. Now I am asked to believe this one was done in a little less than a week. 2-3 days if you count the time the submission was in the mail and I live in Alaska so it takes about 4 days to get a letter to the lower 48 states. I have had to fight them for every rebate I submit and I do keep photocopies of my submission completed and dated. I am still owed 3 rebates and have not gotten them and this is why. I bought the Cendyne DVD recorder with a $50.00 rebate and sent in everything promptly. I received an email turning me down because I did not include the UPC code which I did and appears on a sticker off the box in my photo copy. When I mailed, faxed and emailed them copies and a photocopy of the whole box, my info mysteriously disappeared from the site. This to me represents a clear pattern of fraud. I am still trying to get $180.00 worth of Cendyne and Verbatim rebates and had to call CompUSA Headquarters and file a complaint. Because they turned me down for my Maxtor rebate. They said it was not purchased on the correct day but I had a copy of the receipt and submission I even got a case number and everything from CompUSA and within an hour the rebateshq peeps emailed me back saying it was approved and then the very next day I get turned down again for this Logitech Speaker Rebate. What a load, these guys are thieves and that is what I called them in my letter. I found this site while trying to see if there is a class action lawsuit I could sign up for and have sent a complaint to the FTC. I hope I really have them by the balls this time because there is no way in hell they processed my rebate in 2 to 3 days. I just pray that a lawsuit is implemented soon. Does anyone know how to go about starting one up? RANT ends here.

[ Reply to This ]

rebateshq are thieves[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#20)
by Jimr17 on Wed Aug 13, 2003 at 07:30:49 AM PDT

I have had similar problems with rebateshq. I even got a reply from the same guy who told me he had everything in April. I corresponded with Carlos and I asked him if he had everything (actually naming each item off). He said yes. I got a postcard saying that my rebate was not sufficient because it was missing the serial number. Asked for more detail and the same Carlos said I needed to send the serial number. Did you find a class action filed against them - would be intersted - found your post by entering class action rebateshq into google :)

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

RebatesHQ = unethical business behavior[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#25)
by Anonymous User on Tue Oct 07, 2003 at 06:00:00 PM PDT

Yep, looks like RebatesHQ is screwing around with me too. I submitted my $30.00 rebate back in Feb 2003 and still haven't seen anything. Since then I've resubmitted it several times (good thing I kept copies of everything). I know they received it, because they sent me an email about it. But it appears they keep conveniently loosing it.

It is a violation of Consumer Law for them not to honor a rebate, especially if the rebate incentive motivates one to purchase the product.

I came across this news article the other day that relates to what we are all going through. The website address is: http://kutv.com/gephardt/local_story_232181741.html

If I am unable to get any results from RebatesHQ, I plan to return the product to the store and demand a full refund.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

RebatesHQ[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#29)
by dialwim on Wed Dec 01, 2004 at 01:39:52 PM PDT

I buy a lot of products, w/rebates, from Staples & OfficeMax. Of the first 20 or so, " They cannot find 70% my rebates"! I got tired of the hassle, so I sent copies of everything to OfficeMax Corporate HQ. I received a reply from them in about a week, stating that they would take care of it. They did!!! Here's the good part! I haven't had a problem, with either Staples or OfficeMax [about 25] rebates since. Almost like RebatesHQ puts you on a list after you go to Customer Service @ Corporate HQ. Worth a try.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

yes[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#41)
by maderikapapa on Fri Jun 27, 2008 at 07:35:33 PM PDT

they are gone[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#22)
by Anonymous User on Fri Aug 29, 2003 at 11:09:52 AM PDT

cyndyne is out of business...

[ Reply to This ]

cendyne/verbatim[ Parent | Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#23)
by Anonymous User on Sun Sep 14, 2003 at 10:02:36 PM PDT

they screwed me out of my $30 by their big rebate scam right before they went out of business. i'm gonna contact best buy now.

[ Parent | Reply to This ]

Rebates[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#27)
by Anonymous User on Sun Jul 25, 2004 at 03:20:02 AM PDT

First off I work at a call center, handling the gripes of people regarding rebates and here`s some hints so that you can get your money... 1) Read the rebate form completly and understand what it say`s if you can`t grasp what it`s saying ask THE STORE MANAGER. 2) Make photo copies of everything that you send(this is very important) because with out these documents if there is a problem you are sol. 3) If you can`t speak good English and you have a problem/question get someone to call for you that can, Iam sorry I only speak English and if you can`t I can`t help you. 4) If you are sumitting a rebate over the `net you need to send the hard copies too!(by mail after you have made copies ) the companies will not take `net only apps.

[ Reply to This ]

Best Buy rebate[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#28)
by Anonymous User on Sun Sep 19, 2004 at 07:39:05 AM PDT

I got some wireless network equipment in early August at Best Buy with $120 rebate. We recieved the rebate this week but I cannot believe the hassle to do the paper work. I will never buy another product from them that requires a rebate. To much trouble. Following is an email I sent their customer service department on 8/8. I never got a response. I also sent an email to Netgear, the manufacturer and they would not respond either. It seems to that there should be rules for how complicated the process is. Anyway, here is what I sent them. Hello, I am writing to comment on my complete frustration with the rebate program you have for your products purchased at Best Buy. We purchased a wireless router and a wireless card. I had a little trouble installing it and I had very positive experience with your tech support in addressing those problems. The equipment is working great. In that respect I am very pleased. Then the frustration began. We sat down to mail in for our rebate. We expected a rebate for each product but what we found were 6 rebate receipts of varying amounts that totaled the offered rebate. OK, stupid way of doing it but fine. Then I see that there are two different addresses to send these to with complicated instructions of what had to be sent with each one, what had to be original and what could be a copy. Wanting to do this correctly I went back down to Best Buy (not exactly near by) to clarify what steps I had to take. That was a good idea on my part. There I was informed that I would have to send 6 different letters because although there are two main addresses they all had different zip plus 4 numbers. I also realized I would have to do a great amount of photocopying. I believe I have it right and I am getting ready to send them. I have some questions that I would like to get answered by you folks. I am asking these questions because I want to give you and Best Buy the benefit of the doubt in assuming you are not simply trying to make your rebate programs so confusing and convoluted that you won't actually have to pay the rebates. With that in mind: 1.) I bought 2 products, each with a rebate. Why do I not have two rebate coupons with simple instructions and one address? 2.) Better yet, why are the rebates not simply applied at the time of purchase? 3.) What is up with all the different addresses? 4.) Why did the person at Best Buy tell me I had to create 6 different envelopes and mail them separately? 5.) Do I receive some kind of certificate, suitable for framing, for successfully completing the rebate obstacle course? Thank you in advance for your response. I strongly suggest you review your rebate policy. I believe it will hurt your reputation with your customers and make them think twice about buying your products when they learn the hoops they have to go through just to get a rebate. For a company that makes such great products and supplies great customer service and tech support, why would you want to run a rebate program that reminds me of what it takes to apply for a federal grant? I always thought that it was mostly the government that demanded confusing and wasteful procedures to accomplish what should be a very straightforward task. Joseph Elsener

[ Reply to This ]

TigerDirect.com[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#30)
by dialwim on Thu Dec 30, 2004 at 10:57:14 AM PDT

I purchased several items from TigerDirect.com, advertised with a total of $160.00 in rebates. A Soyo MB, a Soyo Barebones, and a FXF AGP Card. Soyo and FXF rebate centers will not answer my e-mails, so I went to TigerDirect. They answered, said their records only showed rebates of $75.00, and they had refunded $75.00 to my credit card. My credit card statement only shows a $55.00 credit. I e-mailed them again, listing all items separately, with the item #, order #, rebate amount, and date of purchase. They will not respond to that one! I filed a complaint with with the BBB. To see what the BBB has on them, go to:www.bbbsoutheastflorida.org. Click: Get A Company Report Type: TigerDirect.com. As you will see, this company has a history!

[ Reply to This ]

Don't count on the government to help[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#31)
by Anonymous User on Tue Jan 18, 2005 at 04:47:49 PM PDT

Think about the revenue states get from sales tax on the full price and in this tech age how much extra revenue is generated for the Postal Service. Rebates aren't going to go away as states and USPS will lobby in favor of rebates as will the companies.

[ Reply to This ]

Mail In Rebate[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#37)
by Anonymous User on Fri Jun 09, 2006 at 11:33:50 AM PDT

Mail in Rebate is the greatest invention since the Wheel. The company ofering rebate gets so many benefits that they will never take the program away unless the MIR itself becomes illegeal. Benefits to the company: 1) Lure people in with LOW advertised price. 2) CHARGE THE CUSTOMER FULL PRICE. 3) Customer will not mail in rebate due to laziness/forgetfulness/lack of copying machine/envelope/stamp/whatever. 4)forms will be lost in mail 5)forms will disappear at the processing center. 6) customer will not know who to call to find out where their MIR forms went--or will not have the time or patience 7) Company gets to use the money while the form is under process. 8) Finally they mail you a check looking like junk mail hoping that you will toss it away. With so many hurdles on the way--ALL of which must be crossed by the customer, Companies win every step of the way.

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ibelievedu[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#38)
by Anonymous User on Mon Jun 16, 2008 at 01:57:04 AM PDT

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kimo[ Reply to This ] (none / 0) (#39)
by Anonymous User on Sat Jun 21, 2008 at 12:43:18 AM PDT

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