~~~~ Rebate Tracking Thread ~~~~

[Lanyap]

Here's my list of denied rebates since November:

> Staples $50 PD CDRW rebate on 11/23. Denied cause they said I did not purchase on the promotion date. Only rebate date was 11/23 and that's when I bought it. Called Parago and they removed denial and placed rebate in processing status. Rebate has not been sent yet.

> Staples $5 cell phone emergency battery. Denied cause they said I didn't send correct UPC. I sent the only UPC on package and the UPC number matched number on receipt and the number I entered when I registered it online. Called Parago and they removed denial and placed rebate in processing status.

> CompUSA $20 RAM free after rebate Thanksgiving week. They had two separate ad promotions 11/18-11/21 & 11/23-11/25. Both had the free after rebate RAM. Bought CompUSA branded memory on 11/18 and sent rebate on 11/22. Bought PNY branded memory on 11/23 and sent 11/30. They denied cause they said second one was duplicate. Ad did not say you could not get both but after looking at rebate it said can only have one between 11/17-11/25. Made copies of everything, including ads, and brought to CompUSA B&M today. Left with rebate person to investigate. Will find out in a couple of days if they will honor.

> Bestbuy $5 D-Link rebate for end of November sale. Had same rebate# as D-Link router which I also bought the same week. Received $20 router rebate but they denied $5 saying I can only get one or the other. Somebody and Bestbuy or their rebate center screwed this one up and even thought it's only $5 I will fight to the death to get my rebate. One of those principal things! Bestbuy rebate center is investigating.


Got to fight for every dollar! Bunch of @ssholes! :|

 

[BillRubin]

<< Update:
Apparently I was rejected for my rebate submission for the AVB Mouse from amazon.com because I used an amazon promotional gift certificate for $15 off a $100 purchase. Is this fair? I did not know this was a breach in the conditions of the rebate at all and did not know that this would be a problem because the promotion was from amazon, rather than the manufacturer who is giving out the rebate. Here is the reply I got:

Happy holidays!! Thank you for participating in AVB-Amazon Vmouse Rebate Program. We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation, and apologize for the tremendous delay in delivering the rebate check to you. Now we have already processed all rebate claims, and are here to inform you with the result of your rebate status. Unfortunately, we are sorry that you are not qualified to get the rebate check due to the following reason:
As stated in our rebate form, This offer cannot be combined with other offer. Therefore, it is not qualified to pay partial or full of your VMouse by promotional certificate.
Thank you for your understanding, and we are looking forward to your future support of AVB products.

Is there anything I can do?
:| >>


That is totally bogus. First of all, tell them you paid for their stupid mouse with cash, and the $15 came off something else that you bought. But I am sure that won't work since clearly they are grasping to find anything to avoid paying the rebate. Send your note to feedback@amazon.com, I sent a note about Elibrium and their bounced rebates and got a decent response from there. If you just send it to the normal customer service id, they will tell you that they are not responsible for rebates, it is between you and the manufacturer.

Does anyone know Jeff Bezos' id? Someone needs to get involved at a higher level because Amazon is now having problems with 3 of the manufacturers who were featured in that September promotion (AVB, Elibrium, KB Gear).

Bill

 

[BillRubin]

I finally called Staples rebates (aka Parago) about the rejection card I got for the Lexmark Z42 rebate. Not a particularly fruitful discussion. It went something like

Me: "I got this card for a rejected rebate".
P: "Yes, it is because you did not send in the correct UPC"
Me: "No, I never submitted that rebate, can you get a copy of the form to see it maybe it was mis-entered"
P: "No, that is in another department. You need to look at the form you submitted and send the correct UPC. Sometimes the stores give different forms when they run out, maybe you sent that in"
Me: "But I never submitted a rebate for that product"
P: "Then you need to find the form you submitted"

I wasn't getting anywhere so I just hung up. I don't really know what to do. I don't keep as complete records as I should but I guess I will have to go through rebate submissions and figure out if there is any rebate I am missing. Does anyone know when the Lexmark Z42 promotion was? I am assuming it was around Thanksgiving. The only Staples form I have sent in that I had not submitted online was the greeting card software and PNY memory from Black Friday, and both are showing up in their system, so I am rather confused. I guess it's possible they just somehow entered another rebate and my rejection was someone else's? I sure would like to see the submission form.

Update: Maybe I should just go to Staples and get a photocopy of the UPC for the Z42 and submit it, and take the rebate they claim I submitted? That way if they did in fact enter it in instead of some other form I submited, at least I won't be out any money. Bizarre that they aren't complaining about a receipt. Conversely, if anyone has a Z42 UPC scan that they can email me, please send it to billrubin@prodigy.net.

Thanks...
Bill

 

[cheetah]

Got my Philips Monitor Rebate $100 today, bought from officedepot.com, model 109s20.

 

[Justincase]

Finally, finally got the damn Philips CDRW rebate. $40.00, endless phone calls and frustration, 161 days. No other rebate of mine has ever taken over 12 weeks, and I do a ton of them. Philips truly sucks and I will never buy their products again.

 

[overclock]

<< finally got my CompUSA rebate for a 50-pack of cdr's from early september.
15 bucks from TCA in NewRo , NY >>



I finally got my $15 today! Still waiting on the QPS rebates from September.

And get this...Parago LOST all my rebates from the Staples WinXP promo. I sent in 10 rebates, 7 to Parago, the week of Thanksgiving. After a month status did not change. Faxed everything in and am finally making progress.

Received my $50 OfficeMax WinXP rebate on December 24, 2001.

Now I only have $725 in outstanding rebates, half of it waiting from Staples. or We'll see.

 

[Hankysmoo]

BillRubin: Thanks for that address...i'll shoot out an email to feedback@amazon.com and see what happens. I just got my reply from their regular email account:
Thank you for contacting us at Amazon.com with your concern.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any assistance with this situation,
as the manufacturer's rebate coupon are processed by the manufacturer of
the product. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Therefore, you will need to contact the manufacturer for further
assistance with this situation.

Thank you for your understanding. We hope to see you again soon
at Amazon.com.

I have a feeling I'm never gonna see this check as well...
:disgust:

 

[Omagh]

For those struggling with the Amazon denied rebate I would introduce
the argument of "fraudulent inducement".
Even if the rebate is from another manufacturer but Amazon promoted it then indeed Amazon has liablilty. They cannot abrograte their
responsibility by telling you that the manufacturer has to take honor it. You must first try with the manufacturer and if you have fulfilled all terms of the rebate form (read it carefully) and they still deny it then I would take it up with Amazon. They are the ones who induced you into buying the product it the first place so they have ultimate responsibility to perform.

Failing that I would file a complaint with the BBB (that usually gets action from large companies) and with the FTC and your States Attorney General.

Keep up the fight you will win in the end. Also keep all documentation.

 

[Lanyap]

<< Apparently I was rejected for my rebate submission for the AVB Mouse from amazon.com because I used an amazon promotional gift certificate for $15 off a $100 purchase. >>


Unfortunately almost all of the rebate forms these days specify that the rebate is not valid with any other offer. What makes it worse is that they do not define "any other offer". So it leaves a loophole for them to get out of the rebate like the AVB Mouse. We have been so used to ignoring it because few if any rebate sponsors have actually used this clause with coupons.

Another argument you might make with AVB is that the coupon you used was between you and Amazon and was applied to the other part of your order and does not have anything to do with your mouse purchase. Tell them that that they are just trying to get out of paying rebates and that you will file a complaint with the FTC.


EDIT: See this thread at big bulge on the backside.

 

[buybye]

Elibrium My CD Labeler
Purchased at Amazon Sept. 2001
$22.99 received today

 

[lsman]

No way, my Elibrium My CD Labeler come again. But wait, it come a few weeks ago. May be its their way to say sorry for keeping my rebate for so long -> double my rebate!

 

[Justincase]

lsman: same thing happened to me with the Staples $200.00 Windows XP Experience rebate...they sent me two $200.00 checks instead of one. Of course, the right thing to do would be to send one back

 

[BillRubin]

<< Elibrium My CD Labeler
Purchased at Amazon Nov. 2001
$22.99 received today >>


Purchased in November? I thought that promotion was back in September. And where did the check come from -- Elibrium or CPG in Phoenix?

This is certainly promising news.

Bill

 

[Lizardman]

Received rebates
$20 for altec speakers from staples
$50 for scanner from staples
$10 for surge protector from staples


I was wondering if anyone got there rebate from best buy for the $80 GC from best buy. This was the one for the 80GB hard drive. It was around october when I sent it in.

 

[buybye]

BillRubin - You're right, the Elibrium deal was Sept., fixed my my post, sorry.
The check was on a postcard from:
Rebate Center
P.O. Box 15800
Scottsdale, AZ
Funny thing was I had just called the 1-877-306-3395 number that morning to ask what was the problem. Guy said it had been mailed 2 days ago. Went to check the mail and there it was.

 

[L8AsUsual]

From Staples: PNY 50 disc wallet w/cdr's $15 rebate arrived about 2 weeks ago, yay. But several days after that I got a post card regarding my Epson Stylus 820 stating that "the serial number submitted is not included in the promotion." I had a mental image of a $50 bill with wings disappearing into the horizon. Then I finally got off my @ss and called them stating my case. Success! CSR "Rafael" stated that because they valued me as a continued customer (cliche cliche) he would go ahead and remove the denial. In two seconds I checked on their site and status was changed to "processing." Now lets see if they ever come through with the green (my guess is a minimum of 10 weeks or is that a bit optimistic?)

Basically, if Staples messes up your rebate and you've done everything right, they are pretty good about fixing the situation if you just talk to them. Of course, that's probably public info by now. Good luck to all!

 

[hallf]

<< Got my Philips Monitor Rebate $100 today, bought from officedepot.com, model 109s20. >>



Cheetah...do you remember when you sent the rebate in? I'm waiting on that one too.

 

[alphansx]

BB D-Link router 20 MIR & D-Link NIC 5 MIR (11/25/01 to 12/01/01)

i just got off the phone with rebate CSR & was told u will only get 1 of the 2 rebates. but it does not say that on the rebate form. i need the AT effect to get the @sshole at BB to honor our rebates. i am going to the store & talk to the manager too.

"THAT IS ALOT OF BS"


HERE IS THE PHONE # TO FLAME THEM

1-800-849-0444

 

[alphansx]

BB D-Link router 20 MIR & D-Link NIC 5 MIR (11/25/01 to 12/01/01)

i just got off the phone with rebate CSR & was told u will only get 1 of the 2 rebates. but it does not say that on the rebate form. i need the AT effect to get the @sshole at BB to honor our rebates. i am going to the store & talk to the manager too.

"THAT IS ALOT OF BS"


HERE IS THE PHONE # TO FLAME THEM

1-800-849-0444

 

[alphansx]

BB D-Link router 20 MIR & D-Link NIC 5 MIR (11/25/01 to 12/01/01)

i just got off the phone with rebate CSR & was told u will only get 1 of the 2 rebates. but it does not say that on the rebate form. i need the AT effect to get the @sshole at BB to honor our rebates. i am going to the store & talk to the manager too.

"THAT IS ALOT OF BS"


HERE IS THE PHONE # TO FLAME THEM

1-800-849-0444


SORRY FOR THE TRIPLE POST, BUT THIS PISS ME OFF!!!
I KNOW ALOT OF OTHER PPL GOT IN ON THIS DEAL TOO

 

[bsauerbr]

<<

<< Got my Philips Monitor Rebate $100 today, bought from officedepot.com, model 109s20. >>



Cheetah...do you remember when you sent the rebate in? I'm waiting on that one too. >>



Mailed mine 17 Oct 2001, recv'd check 29 Dec 2001. Almost 11 weeks!

 

[lsman]

got 6.00 from Memorex Keyboard, Store:USA, date sent:11/27/2001. Sent to Young America,MN

 

[BillRubin]

<< BillRubin - You're right, the Elibrium deal was Sept., fixed my my post, sorry. >>


Wow, I got the 5 checks they owed me today! Did you also call earlier to complain about non-receipt and ask them to expedite the check, or did it just show up? I had called to complain, I am not sure when, but the checks are dated 12/26. I am just shocked. I am very pleased to say that I have now received all the rebates I am owed for the Amazon deal back in September. Unfortunately, those of you who bought the vibrating mouse are not so fortunate. I got lucky and they were out of stock on the mice when I finally got around to ordering the free software at the end of the promotion.

I guess now I have to write to Jeff Bezos's email address and Elibrium and apologize for last week's nastygram.

Bill

 

[brianafischer]

I just got a nice postcard in the mail today stating that my CompUSA after-Thanksgiving day "FREE" RAM and CD-Rs are not going to be accepted:

$20
Promotion: 01-44216 PNY 128MB Memory at CompUSA
Submission Type: MAIL
Date Received: 12/29/2001
Status: Post Card Printed
Status Detail: We apologize for the misunderstanding, but your rebate is invalid because your rebate submission was not postmarked before the promotion deadline. A postcard acknowledging your invalid reason will be mailed to you.

$15
Promotion: 01-44556 PNY 50 Pack CDR 16X CompUSA only
Submission Type: MAIL
Date Received: 12/31/2001
Status: Post Card Printed
Status Detail: We apologize for the misunderstanding, but your rebate is invalid because your rebate submission was not postmarked before the promotion deadline. A postcard acknowledging your invalid reason will be mailed to you.

I sent these in the first week of December. This is ridiculous, are we supposed to send rebates via Priority Mail? If anyone has the exact dates that these rebates needed to be postmarked by, it would be appreciated in my research of this situation.

Thanks,
Brian

 

[GetReal]

<< I just got a nice postcard in the mail today stating that my CompUSA after-Thanksgiving day "FREE" RAM and CD-Rs are not going to be accepted:

$20
Promotion: 01-44216 PNY 128MB Memory at CompUSA
Submission Type: MAIL
Date Received: 12/29/2001
Status: Post Card Printed
Status Detail: We apologize for the misunderstanding, but your rebate is invalid because your rebate submission was not postmarked before the promotion deadline. A postcard acknowledging your invalid reason will be mailed to you.

$15
Promotion: 01-44556 PNY 50 Pack CDR 16X CompUSA only
Submission Type: MAIL
Date Received: 12/31/2001
Status: Post Card Printed
Status Detail: We apologize for the misunderstanding, but your rebate is invalid because your rebate submission was not postmarked before the promotion deadline. A postcard acknowledging your invalid reason will be mailed to you.

I sent these in the first week of December. This is ridiculous, are we supposed to send rebates via Priority Mail? If anyone has the exact dates that these rebates needed to be postmarked by, it would be appreciated in my research of this situation.

Thanks,
Brian >>



I don't have the CD-R media rebate, but the Promotion: 01-44216 PNY 128MB Memory at CompUSA - Request must be postmarked by 12/9/2001 and received by 12/16/2001.


This date requirement is totally bogus beacuse they allow only five days for delivery from the last postmark date. It generally takes New Rochelle 4 weeks after they receive your rebate to actually acknowledge your rebate and then they use their processing date as the received date.

Solution - Print out the rejections and take them to your CompUSA B&M and demand payment on the spot!