Cheap,
Dept 02-49609 was the manufacturer's rebate for the 40gb 7200 maxtor drive purchased at staples. It was a PDF file, hosted on maxtor's page.
Dept 02-49443 or whatever it was, was the staples rebate.
You needed to have mailed in the original UPC to 02-49609, and the copy to the staples rebate. Then what happened for others I know, is parago rejected the second submission, since the original UPC wasn't included, even though a note explaining the original was used for a manufacturer rebate was stapled with the paperwork.
Anyway, a simple call to staplesrebate center explaining this, and I got "what I am going to do is validate your submission sir" and 2 minutes later, sure enough, checked status at rebateshq.com and it was validated.
I can mail you the pdf file, but if you don't have the original upc, yer SOL. Even without it, $35 is still a good price and since you bought it before 10/1/2002, you still have an actual 3yr warranty on it.
Anyway
Staples rebate for sandisk usb smart media/compact flasher reader - $30 = Validated
Staples rebate for 100pk spindle maxel 650 meg 40x max cdrs, received and validated 7 days from the date I mailed it!
Maxtor 40gb 7200 rpm drive, both rebates validated
Verbatim 40x12x48 $40 rebate, and the pdf file can be found at:
http://www.staples.com/products/rebates/09_30_02_10708ver.pdf
Not sure yet, only just mailed it in a week ago since I bought drive on 9/.24. I spoke to a staplesrebate center manager, couple csrs, one who spoke to supervisor who was supposed to call me back, this offer # isn't in their computers or parago's. So suspect it will be rejected by parago, then I'll have to call up staplesrebate center, get them to use a webpage and go to the link on their own page to prove offer, since they are hosting it, to get validated. CSR wouldn't commit, but, basically said staples rebate center is very flexible, and was trying to intimate that if it is rejected, they will likely validate it if I call, he just wasn't gonna come straight out and say that exactly.
Logitech clicksmart 310 - Valid purchase dates listed as being 04/01/2002 through 12/31/2002 = Bought in august along with linksys router from amazon.com, rebate was rejected. I later found out that this specific promotion was supposed to have ended on 7/31/2002, at least according to a pdf file I dug up on dell.com's webpage. However, as others in various forums like broadbandreports can attest, rebate form from parago said 4/1/2002 - 12/31/2002. After much complaining, I got it validated since I am pretty certain august comes in between april and december. Link and offer number now no longer work at rebateshq.com, so guess it was a mistake and now they yanked it.
Of all places, staples is best, any problems and they usually will validate it if you call and state your case.
Compusa I kinda hate, sent in a rebate once for an online only promotion, rebate processing place rejected it because no B&M store receipt was included. No duh, it was an online deal, invoice and purchase receipt was included.
Hi-Val I avoid like the plague, last time I had a rebate with them, they lost the first submission, they lost it on their desk after I faxed it again, and tried to claim they lost it on their desk a 2nd time, took intervention by the BBB to get rebate. This was before iomagic bought them.
Had good success with bestbuy so far, knock on wood.
Recently bought microsoft wheel mouse optical and AOE II with the intention of submitting rebates. Kinda wish I had read this thread first and realized TCA would be handling the submission. Anyway, hope I get a clerk with an IQ above lab monkey who approves the rebate submissions and I don't have to argue.
Them's my experiences, anyway, except for verbatim maybe snafu, had nothing but great success with staples every single time when it comes to rebates, usually around 4-6 weeks instead of 8-12 like so many other places..