Do mail-in rebates actually work???
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 20
I had Young America rebate offer on the cell phones try to rip me off. Had copies of eveything I'd sent in. Was sent with delivery receipt. They tried to say they never received the phones, then tried to tell me the paper work wasn't correct. Went over it line by line. Then told me the offer had to be terminated, do to an overwelming response. When I found out the offer was still being pushed, called them up and told them I'd report them to my and their State attorney's office and postal inspector in five days if I didn't have my check. They balked, got my checks, $300 worth, Fedexed in two days.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Northern PA
I've received every rebate I've sent in. Funny you should ask, I just filled out the rebate forms for a video card from circuit city.
I've gotten rebates from radio shack, staples, auto parts, etc. No problems thus far. They are a hassle sometimes to remember to fill them out and send them in, just like some other folks have said. I think that's what they count on when they offer the rebates.
If everybody filled out the rebates and sent them in 100% of the time, I bet they'd stop offering rebates. I agree, I'd much rather just see the discount up front, but it's just another sales gimmick.
I've also found that you have a much better chance if you submit the rebate request online, print out the form, and send that in. Once they know you have a rebate ID number, and you can track it online, they seem to be able to send the check more easily.
I've gotten rebates from radio shack, staples, auto parts, etc. No problems thus far. They are a hassle sometimes to remember to fill them out and send them in, just like some other folks have said. I think that's what they count on when they offer the rebates.
If everybody filled out the rebates and sent them in 100% of the time, I bet they'd stop offering rebates. I agree, I'd much rather just see the discount up front, but it's just another sales gimmick.
I've also found that you have a much better chance if you submit the rebate request online, print out the form, and send that in. Once they know you have a rebate ID number, and you can track it online, they seem to be able to send the check more easily.
Last edited by AeroPA; Nov 26, 2004 at 09:54 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Originally Posted by '961506
Its actually kinda cool when they come really late. You wonder where it is for about a month and a half, then a few weeks later, you get an unexpected check in the mail
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: N Richland Hills, TX
I have been hosed by Cingular Wireless twice! Both times they said the ESN # of the phone was incorrect. I had copies of the paperwork and re-submitted the forms...the check is still in the mail.
James
James
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 717
Likes: 0
They can't offer the discount up front, especially this late in the year. They offer the rebates because they get the up front profits for the fourth quarter of the year and take the loss during the first quarter of the following year when the market ****ysts expect low profits. I'm sure that most of the rebates have a deadline during typically hectic times during December when people are usually too busy to remember to send them. Rebates are like warrantees, if a company was losing money on them then they wouldn't offer either. Smart business really.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
So...........
What has everyone learned from this post???
Mail in Rebates don't work!
REPEAT AS NECESSARY!
What has everyone learned from this post???
Mail in Rebates don't work!
REPEAT AS NECESSARY!
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 1
From: Bixby, OK
The ones at Walgreens work, every month you can save so much money, if you send it off. Like this month alone you can get up to a $1200 rebate, but you have to send it off, and buy everything in it, but you can still save a lot on everyday stuff. I know I sound like a representative or something, but I know that the Walgreens rebates are good.
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
They are a hassle! I am waiting on two right now. I try not to buy anything with a rebate. I just bought a remington 870 shotgun with a $25 rebate. I got the gun on sale at a good price and the rebate is an extra bonus for me to buy some ammo.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
From: Mustang, Oklahoma
Originally Posted by bvoncannon
So...........
What has everyone learned from this post???
Mail in Rebates don't work!
REPEAT AS NECESSARY!
What has everyone learned from this post???
Mail in Rebates don't work!
REPEAT AS NECESSARY!
I got some rebate checks from Best Buy and Hewlitt Packard about 4 weeks after I sent the paperwork. The forms were complicated and I'm sure they'd be happier if people got frustrated and didn't bother sending them in, but they did fullfill their part of the bargain.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 441
Likes: 6
From: Madison, WI
I sent in a 40 dollar rebate from Tiger Direct for a Western Digital Hard Drive about 6 months ago, and still have not received anything. I called them a total of 12 times and they keep telling me, "We are a little behind this week, we have your check printed and scheduled to be mailed next week."
Why in the name of samhill can't they throw it in an envelope and send it to me!!!
MK
Why in the name of samhill can't they throw it in an envelope and send it to me!!!
MK
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I received my rebates on my PCS Sprint phones fairly quickly, though the $1-$3 rebates are not worth it because when they do not arrive, it is not worth even the stamp to inquire about them because you already spent a stamp sending it in the first place. I just pick the lowest price if the $1 will matter.
Still waiting on my refunds for my three Sunburst Kodak cameras because they violated Mr.Land's patent and the film was taken off the market.
Still waiting on my refunds for my three Sunburst Kodak cameras because they violated Mr.Land's patent and the film was taken off the market.