How to handle denied rebate?

[montrose]

I bought an appliance that came with a $120 installation rebate. The instructions said "Mail, within 30 days of your purchase..." I mailed at the 29/30 day mark.

It was denied because of the postmark date. I don't know what date it was postmarked, but as far as I'm concerned, I complied with the original instructions to mail within 30 days.

Has anyone gotten a reversal on something like this? There is no customer rep to talk to, only either an automated phone message, a fax number or a PO mailbox.

[mizbear]

I would definitely check into it.

[hsclassic]

Go directly to the company offering the rebate - not the service company processing the rebate. The servicing company will have no authority to make an exception.

And I have to echo lonewolf - why wait so long to mail? Especially for $120? Definitely not pocket change. (I would have that rebate in the mail within 2 business days.)

[montrose]

Why did you wait so long?

Coz I'm not too smart ? I didn't read the rebate paperwork right away so I didn't realize they put a 30 day cutoff, and had to scramble to get it done.

[montrose]

Yay! I went directly to the store and they refunded my card! My faith in humanity is restored.

[mizbear]

montrose- for future reference- anytime you get a rebate-
Try to send it off ASAP- and better yet- by e-mail if it can be sent by computer. That way you have all of the original everything.
Many of Staples and other companies rebates can be done via e-mail now. Or at least have computer tracking.

[blackcard]

Rebates are a huge scam. They are outsourced to another company that handles the rebates. The less the number of rebates they pay, the more money the outsourced company gets. Which is why only 4 in 10 of all rebates submitted are actually paid back to the consumer.

After a few hours of battle with these rebate cheats (some I won and some I lost) I ignore rebates entirely now. I only compare the rebated price, if the rebate is immediate and applied at time of purchase.

[dancinmama]

Nov 25, 2011 20:12:12 GMT -5 blackcard said:

Rebates are a huge scam. They are outsourced to another company that handles the rebates. The less the number of rebates they pay, the more money the outsourced company gets. Which is why only 4 in 10 of all rebates submitted are actually paid back to the consumer.

After a few hours of battle with these rebate cheats (some I won and some I lost) I ignore rebates entirely now. I only compare the rebated price, if the rebate is immediate and applied at time of purchase.

blackcard: I totally understand your frustration. There is nothing worse that believing that you're getting a good deal because there is a rebate offered and not getting the rebate.

I made over $2000 by rebating in 2010 (most were rebates for things that I got for free after sale and coupons), but one was a rebate on an dishwasher.

I don't know where you get your stats that only 4 in 10 rebates are actually paid out, cuz that seems quite low to me. Part of the problem might be that people fail to comply with the requirements of the rebate. They have to:

Buy the right product in the right size.
Buy within the window of time specified on the rebate form.
Hang on to your receipt.
Submit within the window of time specified on the rebate form.
Fill out the form completely and clearly.
Circle the item and purchase price on the receipt (if required).
Include the UPC code from the product (if required).

If people do not READ carefully, they can EASILY make a mistake when submitting/mailing for a rebate and those mistakes can void the rebate.

I always make a copy of EVERYTHING before I submit any rebate just in case something happens and mark on the copy the date that I put it in the mail (usually within a couple of days of buying the product). I rarely have had to use the copies. My success rate is probably about 99%. Almost the worst thing that has happened to me is that I have had to call after not receiving the rebate by the time that I should have only to find out that "the check's in the mail".

[blackcard]

"I dont know ehere you get your stats that only 4 in 10 rebates are actually paid ou, cuz that seems quite low to me."

From the internet

couponing.about.com/od/bargainshoppingtips/a/hub_rebate.htm


Some rebate companies have had state and federal lawsuits for not honoring rebates. The worst was Young America based in Minnesota who between 42.9 to 129 million in rebates meant for the consumers. An audit has been ordered by the court and Young America is appealing.

Other rebate companies sued fro not issuing or denying rebates are Tiger Direct, Onrebate and Systemax.

Buyer beware.


#angry2#

[blackcard]

Beware of something else. Some stores refuse a refund for any reason if the original UPC code is missing from the box. It will be missing if the original UPC code is needed for the rebate.

[bean29]

Our local harware store Menards offers lots of rebates and you don't have to cut the UPC from the box. You just fill out the form, attach the Menards rebate slip that prints at the bottom of your receipt and send it in. Rebate comes back in the form of a Poscard "Credit" for a purcahse at the store. I am fine with this, there is always something we need from the hardware store. I am not concious of any time I send in a rebate and did not get it back. I do know that I have failed to send a few in...especially if it was DH who purchased something. I usually find the rebate slips after the submission date is past.

[mizbear]

I am one of these villainous people who actually has all of their rebates in a nice neat place with approx. dates when I should receive them.

MWAHAHAHA!

[973beachbum]

I don't do a lot of rebates but there are a few stores that I will do them at. My favorite is Staples easy rebates. It really is very easy. I do all of mine on line. I never have to cut any UPCs or mail anything. And I don't ever remember anything being denied for any reason. ;D

Because of the GC thread I did do maybe 2 others in the past couple of months. One is the Olay $10 rebate and the other was on a hang tag for a bottle of vodka I was buying anyway. They actually sent me an email saying when it was received so I know they won't say it is late. But that one if I didn't get it wouldn't have made me lose any sleep but I do think it will be no problem.

So if I start doing rebates also along with using coupons does that mean I have gone over to the dark side?

[mizbear]

beach- I also love Staples easy rebates. Verizon new phone rebates are the ones that really stick in my mind with cutting the UPC from the box.

Come to the Dark Side- We Have Cookies
(I can't remember who on the GC started that LOL)