Rebates !
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,628
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Canada
I've never had a problem with getting rebates. One wouldn't think there'd be any more problems, with the class action suits that have come up and been won by the plaintiffs.
It's much easier for a shady retailer to fake a sale of a product than it is for a consumer... receipt, coupon from retailer, etc, so rebates direct to the retailer will not likely happen in the near future.
Oh, rebates are used because large volumes of products are bought by wholesale co-ops to get lower prices but when the value of the product is too low to get their money back (and profit) from a sale, they don't move product... manufacturer gets mad because he has a backlog of product that is valued at less than what the wholesalers already have on their shelves so they send out rebates to move product. They're also used to move discontinued product out of warehouses and off of store shelves.
It's much easier for a shady retailer to fake a sale of a product than it is for a consumer... receipt, coupon from retailer, etc, so rebates direct to the retailer will not likely happen in the near future.
Oh, rebates are used because large volumes of products are bought by wholesale co-ops to get lower prices but when the value of the product is too low to get their money back (and profit) from a sale, they don't move product... manufacturer gets mad because he has a backlog of product that is valued at less than what the wholesalers already have on their shelves so they send out rebates to move product. They're also used to move discontinued product out of warehouses and off of store shelves.
Last edited by furball69; Dec 30, 2005 at 04:19 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
Very few people are mentioning *getting the store to cover the rebate and representing the customer by doing this*.
Is this considered a bad idea ?
Is this considered a bad idea ?
That would be the way to make rebates a more honest option than they are at present. The store where you purchased the item sure as heck knows you purchased it, and you would then hold the store acccountable. Not some anonymous middle man.
It would be the ideal system, but I doubt it will come about until a widespread portion of the population demand it, or turn their back on rebates.
Right now the manufacturer sells lots of that item, the store does also - and the customer endures the hassle, and gets the messing over in a majority of cases.
Same thing as the gift cards that have major penalties if not used within a limited time period, and any portion of the card not spent in that store - is what? Gravy for the store that sold it. Same principal as rebates.
Last edited by TigerDan; Dec 30, 2005 at 06:53 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Originally Posted by chris12
yah rebates tend to be a pain. but what can you really do.
If not, walk.
They just lost a sale.
That's what I do.
Last edited by TigerDan; Dec 30, 2005 at 06:54 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 29,941
Likes: 46
From: Drummonds, TN USA
Ya never know. But my gut instinct is "Gimme the price cut on the front end, and staple your mailing list and survey to the wall of your corporate bathroom against the day you run out of toilet paper"
In other words "take your info-getting strategy and stuff it".
I went to the store to buy a product - not to participate in your marketting strategy. DO YOUR OWN JOB
Same goes for "REGISTERING" products.
I bought it at a register. GO STUFF YOURSELF!
I have enough less than fun stuff to do without being polled as to what you can sell me next for more than I want to pay for it.
I hope that was incisive enough. If not, I can always elaborate later.
In other words "take your info-getting strategy and stuff it".
I went to the store to buy a product - not to participate in your marketting strategy. DO YOUR OWN JOB
Same goes for "REGISTERING" products.
I bought it at a register. GO STUFF YOURSELF!
I have enough less than fun stuff to do without being polled as to what you can sell me next for more than I want to pay for it.
I hope that was incisive enough. If not, I can always elaborate later.
Last edited by Greywolf; Dec 30, 2005 at 05:36 PM.
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Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
If it's a rebate for a small amount, like a couple of bucks, I don't bother. But when I bought my Dell I fer sure filled out those forms just the way they wanted...and they ponied up the bucks!
Right now I'm waiting on two rebates on my new LCD monitor, totalling a hundred bucks. One's from TigerDirect and the other is through OnRebate. We'll see...
Right now I'm waiting on two rebates on my new LCD monitor, totalling a hundred bucks. One's from TigerDirect and the other is through OnRebate. We'll see...
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: AZ.
I bought a phone at Circuit City and when I checked out I ask the cashier if there was a rebate. She apoligised and said there wasn't. When I answered, great I hate those things, she looked at me like I was from another planet. Another problem with a rebate is that the buyer is charged tax on the price before the rebate. Some auto rebates are in the thousands of dollars that we are taxed on..... Not fair in my book....
(BONUS!!!)
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
I don't know what the big deal is about rebates. We have always got them without any problems. I do agree with SierraBen that if it is for a significant amount then send it by registered mail.
I have found Circuit City to be the most helpful with receipts and info required to get the rebates. They will always give you enough copies of your receipt if there are multiple rebates on one purchase.
Tom.
I have found Circuit City to be the most helpful with receipts and info required to get the rebates. They will always give you enough copies of your receipt if there are multiple rebates on one purchase.
Tom.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 0
From: WA
The only time I didn't get a rebate back ,was one that I sent in too late. But the place I bought it from had expired rebates sitting out (home depot). Once i got the notice back that the rebate had expired, I went to the store, they still had the forms out. They ponied up and gave me the money.
The 2nd thing I do after making sure the item works, is get the rebate in the mail. I buy alot from buy.com and they do lots of rebates. I get some great deals and have never been burnt by them, yet.
Just opened a fifty bucker from Best Buy for a monitor I bought 3 weeks ago..that was fast!
The 2nd thing I do after making sure the item works, is get the rebate in the mail. I buy alot from buy.com and they do lots of rebates. I get some great deals and have never been burnt by them, yet.
Just opened a fifty bucker from Best Buy for a monitor I bought 3 weeks ago..that was fast!
Last edited by beeboy; Jan 3, 2006 at 09:49 PM.