More on computer rebates...
 

I wonder what impact this will have on other retailers, such as WorstBuy and Fry's

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=21807

Thom,

Unfortunately this is the case in many rebates. I work for one of the major rebate fulfulment companies and we really have hands tied by some of the companies we work with.

We process all the paperwork on the rebates and when its proven that a person qualifies the information is sent to the company. They usually then check some of the information in the batch then ok payment. Until the funds are released and sent to us, we cannot cut a check to the consumer.

One computer maker (no names and its not CompUSA) refused to pay for months and our boss kept calling them and telling them that its costing you "good will" in the marketplace but they still did not pay. Finally after several months they paid up but the word got out. These days they are better but they still push the limits.

I buy things with a rebate as well and glad that CompUSA got in hot water. Wish more would as well when they do not follow the guidelines and try to stiff the consumer on rebates.

To cover yourself in the future, everyone doing a rebate should make a photo copy (I scan it) of the rebate and receipt. This way when they say "we cannot find it" or "something is missing" I can send it right to them. Had this happen several times and got the supervisor on the line and they Ok'ed it when they heard I had copies. No, it was not the company I work for...

JoeA

I've been burned on rebates, and I won't let a rebate affect my purchasing decisions anymore.

Never been burned, not one time. Course they try to be late and I call and call and get paid in the end. Most people do not realize that the company who processes the rebate is paid for each and every time a customer calls, so it helps to bother them when they are late.

I have lost several myself by getting busy and not filling out the paperwork in time but thats my fault!

JoeA

The biggest burn I got was a $200 rebate on a 20" monitor. I got it @ Fry's, where they give you an extra receipt to use for rebates. When the time came when I should have got the rebate, I tried to call the 800 # they supplied - no good. I tried looking it up on the net - nothing. It's as if the company just up and vanished from the planet.

Thom,

You should fight Frys, I have done it before and they will work with you. If you don't get your money, bring the monitor back to them, stand their until they credit your money for the product to your credit card and when it costs them money or sales, they will step up and improve their system. Unfortunately in business, the squeakly wheel gets the grease as I have been told and seen now. I hold them accountable and you should too that is why CompUSA finally got caught is because enough people stand up and say what these people are doing is wrong.

Agree,

The guy I worked with took his parts back to Fry's and said "you advertised it with a rebate and now they have lost my paperwork. You have two choices, take it all back or get me my rebate money"...

They paid for his rebate and assume that they are going after the rebate company. If you do not make any noise they are not going to do anything to help!

JoeA