Rebate Deals @ Tiger Direct - New Rebate Guarantee Policy

[tcsenter]

I continue to have good luck with Tiger Direct rebates, and as long as I do, I will continue to patron Tiger Direct. But for those who are bound to tell their horror stories, Tiger Direct has a promising new rebate guarantee policy:

We guarantee that every rebate we offer on our site or in our catalogs is honored. We guarantee you'll be paid the rebate amount -- even if we have to pay it ourselves. Just refer to the simple guidelines below and we'll guarantee the payment of your rebate...even in the rare event the manufacturer does not.

I found these rebate deals:

[DEAD] Ultra 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory - $19.99 AR


Viking 512MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory - $27.99 AR


AMD Sempron 3000+ 512K 333MHz FSB Socket A - $59.99 AR


ECS N2U400-A NForce2 Ultra 400 Socket A Motherboard + AMD Sempron 3000+ Processor - $89.99 AR
(uses Sempron Rebate Deal, can't redeem more than 1 offer)


AMD Duron 1.8GHz, 192K Cache, 266MHz FSB, Socket A - $29.99 AR


Kensingston 33063 WiFi Finder for 802.11b/802.11g Networks - $FREE AR

 

[pxc]

It's a mostly worthless guarantee. Most rebate processors won't accept certified mail which you need for the USPS return receipt (certified with return receipt costs $4.05 + $0.37 for the first class stamp).

4. You must supply us with proof of on-time submission (i.e.: USPS Return Receipt).

 

[frank84]

TigerDirect won't get any better unless they take out the whole Rebate system out and give us cheap price up front

 

[tcsenter]

It's a mostly worthless guarantee. Most rebate processors won't accept certified mail which you need for the USPS return receipt (certified with return receipt costs $4.05 + $0.37 for the first class stamp).

The criteria stipulates "proof of on-time submission", not proof of delivery. The on-time submission referenced is a postmark deadline, not a receipt of submission deadline. IOW, they do not require that your rebate submission be received by a certain date, rather that is postmarked by a certain date.

For proof of this, a Certificate of Mailing is all that is required:

When you need to verify that you?ve sent a letter or package - purchase a Certificate of Mailing. A Certificate of Mailing is a receipt that provides evidence of the date that your mail was presented to the Postal Service? for mailing.

Certificate of Mailing needn't be purchased with any other services such as Certified Mail.

Certificate of Mailing costs 90 cents, I began using it about 12 rebates ago. Just don't lose the CoM slip they give you. Its the only record of it.

TigerDirect won't get any better unless they take out the whole Rebate system out and give us cheap price up front

There can be no such beast as giving the cheap price up front. Rebate deals depend on the stupid or lazy to offset the successful rebate submissions. Without rebate deals, the promotions or savings would not be a fraction as good.

 

[1reeves]

I like this final statement on the Guarantee!

"Note: Maximum of 5 Rebate Guarantee claims per household per year."


If they are going to honest it should be unlimited if you have all the needed documentation.

 

[tcsenter]

If they are going to honest it should be unlimited if you have all the needed documentation.

Since their guarantee is to pay-out all rebates including those which are offered by parties other than TD, it makes sense to limit their liability.

 

[purplehippo]

They just put up 512MB PC3200 memory for 19.99 today. The rebate submission ends on the 8th. How could you possibly be able to submit that rebate in time to get it. It is impossible. I wonder how many people jumped in on that deal and will never get the rebate. I think that kind of marketing should be illegal.

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: purplehippo
They just put up 512MB PC3200 memory for 19.99 today. The rebate submission ends on the 8th. How could you possibly be able to submit that rebate in time to get it. It is impossible. I wonder how many people jumped in on that deal and will never get the rebate. I think that kind of marketing should be illegal.

Your purchase must be made on or before the 8th. Your rebate submission materials must be postmarked within 30 days of purchase:

Must be postmarked within 30 days of purchase.

Both rebates must be registered online through Onrebate.com. Then you print the rebate submission form from Onrebate.com and mail the materials in.

BTW, this deal has been up since yesterday.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

If they are going to honest it should be unlimited if you have all the needed documentation.

Since their guarantee is to pay-out all rebates including those which are offered by parties other than TD, it makes sense to limit their liability.

You seem all to eager to "speak" for TD and come to their defense. What's up with that? Do you have an affiliation you are not mentioning?
As the saying goes, "Methinks thou doth protest too much." Posting a list of current rebate deals, along with publishing their "new rebate guarantee" (one of the bigger complaints about TD) is just such a "happy coincidence" I guess.

 

[soflawill]

Well, I don't have an affiliation with TD, but have two of their outlet stores within 20 miles of here. I use the stores, not the catalog. Have never failed to receive a rebate, and the onrebate.com system is FAST. Received a 30.00 ram refund last month only three weeks after submission

 

[vegeto456]

Originally posted by: Buz2b

Originally posted by: tcsenter

If they are going to honest it should be unlimited if you have all the needed documentation.

Since their guarantee is to pay-out all rebates including those which are offered by parties other than TD, it makes sense to limit their liability.

You seem all to eager to "speak" for TD and come to their defense. What's up with that? Do you have an affiliation you are not mentioning?
As the saying goes, "Methinks thou doth protest too much." Posting a list of current rebate deals, along with publishing their "new rebate guarantee" (one of the bigger complaints about TD) is just such a "happy coincidence" I guess.

I kinda doubt a 4 year old diamond member with 10,000 posts would be a TD mole. Thanks for the post tscenter. I usually shy away from Tiger Direct rebate deals because of the tiger direct haters (see above posts) so your post has perked my interest. THANKS OP!

 

[emeraldsky]

Originally posted by: pxc
It's a mostly worthless guarantee. Most rebate processors won't accept certified mail which you need for the USPS return receipt (certified with return receipt costs $4.05 + $0.37 for the first class stamp).

4. You must supply us with proof of on-time submission (i.e.: USPS Return Receipt).

I send all of my large rebates via certified mail. So your assertion that "most rebate processors won't accept certified mail" is false because I've never had a problem.

You don't have to pay for a return receipt up front. You can get it when you need it. Since they have signed for your letter, they aren't likely to claim they didn't receive it. At least it hasn't happened to me. But if it does, I can get the proof of delivery from USPS.

Since Tiger Direct takes such a beating in the forums over rebates, they are smart to offer a guarantee. Keep in mind that the majority of rebates come from the manufacturers. Presumably this is to stimulate turnover at the retailers so that the retailer continues to provide shelf space and marketing for the manufacturer's products.

If Tiger Direct is unable to take advantage of manufacturer rebates they won't be able to turn over a lot of stock and they will lose their preferential treatment by the manufacturers.

 

[tcsenter]

You seem all to eager to "speak" for TD and come to their defense. What's up with that? Do you have an affiliation you are not mentioning?

I've been dealing with Tiger Direct since 1996 or 1997, some two dozen or more orders placed totalling at least 10 thousand dollars with numerous rebates redeemed, and I have one complaint: Tiger's online catalog advertised the wrong specs on the 400W PSU I purchased from them several weeks ago. In response, they refunded my money PLUS my cost for return shipping and didn't even ask for proof of what I paid to ship it back.

And you need to consult a dictionary for the difference between 'promote' and 'protest'. Thou may protest too much, but then that would by definition be the anti-TD crowd.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: vegeto456

I kinda doubt a 4 year old diamond member with 10,000 posts would be a TD mole.

Yeah, I did a double take on that too but "most" people don't take the time or go this far in defense of a retailer such as TD. That's why I mentioned the coincidence. Besides, a high post count doesn't guarantee a thing except that they've posted a lot. Gee, just like me!

 

[shoRunner]

$10 shipping is pretty high for memory...

 

[tcsenter]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
$10 shipping is pretty high for memory...

That's why you buy something else. I purchased:

Ultra 512MB PC3200
ECS N2U400-A + AMD Sempron 3000 Combo
AMD Duron 1.8GHz
Kensingston WiFi Finder

Total shipping came to $16.31.

 

[Sentinel]

i bought some equip there+ free AR and they ended up paying me back double what they owed because I bitched and moaned about them not giving my money back.

 

[TekDemon]

Well from what I can tell Tiger *MIGHT* have actually cleaned up their act...so....even I'm tempted.

The only thing that's making this cold now then, is their marked up shipping, which brings this up to almost the same price as just buying the rosewill at newegg for the RAM.

 

[Thump553]

I'll let someone else be the guinea pig to see if TD has become honest. They have been the way they are for far too long for me to trust them.

 

[allisolm]

The criteria stipulates "proof of on-time submission", not proof of delivery. The on-time submission referenced is a postmark deadline, not a receipt of submission deadline. IOW, they do not require that your rebate submission be received by a certain date, rather that is postmarked by a certain date.

The form you have to fill out for TD if you don't get your rebate has two lines on it:
1. Date of postmark
2. Date rebate was submitted

If all you need is a postmark date, what goes on the second line? Things that make me go hmmm...

I have never tried to get a rebate from them. Have seen both pro and con stories. Their site also says "TigerDirect.com assumes no liability or guaranty of payment of third party rebates."

edit
Just saw this:
"To qualify for the TigerDirect Rebate Guarantee you must comply with the following:

Complete the attached rebate form and follow all the instructions that apply.
Submit the rebate via Postal Service: "Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested" by the required postmark date to the address on the rebate form.
Please make copies of all materials submitted:
Rebate Form
UPC, Barcode or Serial Number
Invoice or Receipt
Postal Tracking Information
For more information on the TigerDirect Rebate Guarantee Click Here.
Please Note: Maximum of 5 Rebate Guarantee claims per household per year"

That takes away $3.60-$4.05 of your rebate, right there.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

If they are going to honest it should be unlimited if you have all the needed documentation.

Since their guarantee is to pay-out all rebates including those which are offered by parties other than TD, it makes sense to limit their liability.

Doesn't make it sound like much of a "guarantee" to me. Kind of like BestBuy's PM "guarantee" - well, sort of, only if they really feel like it, but otherwise, good luck. Which is essentially the same sort of deal that TD rebates seem to end up being.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: tcsenter
I've been dealing with Tiger Direct since 1996 or 1997, some two dozen or more orders placed totalling at least 10 thousand dollars with numerous rebates redeemed, and I have one complaint: Tiger's online catalog advertised the wrong specs on the 400W PSU I purchased from them several weeks ago. In response, they refunded my money PLUS my cost for return shipping and didn't even ask for proof of what I paid to ship it back.

Wow, that's actually better service than NewEgg, considering that their T&Cs state that you the customer will still be forced to pay for the shipping costs in that situation. I wonder how much of TD's treatment of you, was affected by pulling up your prior order history though, and whether any of us would ever have that sort of "luck" with them. My only dealings with TD left me with mixed feelings. I got in on the $30 full-tower ATX Chieftec deal, which was indeed a great deal, but by the same token, the product that I and other recieved, was not the same exact one as that pictured on TD's site. The differences weren't major, but the fact that there were differences was annoying.

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

You seem all to eager to "speak" for TD and come to their defense. What's up with that? Do you have an affiliation you are not mentioning?

I've been dealing with Tiger Direct since 1996 or 1997, some two dozen or more orders placed totalling at least 10 thousand dollars with numerous rebates redeemed, and I have one complaint: Tiger's online catalog advertised the wrong specs on the 400W PSU I purchased from them several weeks ago. In response, they refunded my money PLUS my cost for return shipping and didn't even ask for proof of what I paid to ship it back.

And you need to consult a dictionary for the difference between 'promote' and 'protest'. Thou may protest too much, but then that would by definition be the anti-TD crowd.

Two points. First, each and every post of yours in this thread has been a blatent promo for TD. Second, you obviously don't understand or have any idea of what that saying, "Methinks thou doth protest too much" means. I'll give you a clue. When someone goes out of their way to overly defend/protest/speak about,etc, a subject or accusation, they usually do so because of either a guilty concience or hidden agenda. Read some literature. (BTW, it's not the exact quote from the Shakespeare play either but it is the one that has been "adapted" to the modern era). The further you go in this thread, the more you seem to fit this.
Hey, if you want to post a Hot Deal in this forum from TD, go for it. People do it all the time. But to go out of your way to not only post their "new rebate policy", a convenient list of those current rebate offerings AND to come running to their defense at every turn, just seems a bit much and is generally frowned or questioned here. You should know that as a Diamond member but as I said earlier, being a Diamond member just means you've posted a lot.
I've said my part on this. To continue a discussion between you and I is pointless and does not belong here. Enjoy your promo...errr Hot Deal thread.

 

[tcsenter]

The form you have to fill out for TD if you don't get your rebate has two lines on it:
The form you have to fill out for TD if you don't get your rebate has two lines on it:
1. Date of postmark
2. Date rebate was submitted

I read that to mean #1 = postmark deadline stipulated by the rebate terms #2 = date that you mailed the rebate or received a postmark

Wow, that's actually better service than NewEgg, considering that their T&Cs state that you the customer will still be forced to pay for the shipping costs in that situation.

Few companies will make you pay the initial shipping and return shipping costs when it was their error that resulted in the exchange or return and it was reasonably preventable. You might have to pester them a bit or threaten to file complaints, but I've yet to be stuck with shipping costs on items that were returned/exchanged due to an error on the part of the merchant.

I wonder how much of TD's treatment of you, was affected by pulling up your prior order history though, and whether any of us would ever have that sort of "luck" with them

I went well over one year without making a purchase from Tiger Direct, somewhere around 2001 ~ 2002. They had purged all my account information and I had to create a new account.

 

[tcsenter]

NM, I found it. The Rebate Guarantee terms say nothing of Certified Mail and neither does the rebate guarantee claim form. I'm not going to worry about Certified Mail when Certificate of Mailing provides the "proof of mailing" they are requesting.