Rebates

**Wasted** · 07-02-2008, 07:02 AM

Are rebates a con? You know those rebates that companies offer when you buy a phone or computer. The ones you have to post in to get cash back. I bought a phone from Verizon a few months ago with a $100 mail in rebate. I was told to mail in my receipt with a signature and I would get the $100 back. Anyway, I didn't get it back and when I phoned them they told me I was to suppose to sending the box with the receipt. I told them I didn't have the box anymore and they said sorry but it was in the small print and I will now lose my $100 rebate. It just seems like a contrived com to me!

altitude · 07-02-2008, 08:09 AM

agree!!!!!!! this is just a big con. these unscrupulous companies make customers jump through so many hoops in the hope they will give up on getting their rebate. it's basically legal-robbery!

whyDreamSmall · 07-02-2008, 08:26 AM

I think they are cons, Wasted.
I never understood why I would spend $300 dollars on an item advertised for $150 only to be told: Mail in for the rebate.

Usually, these companies really don't want to give you any rebates, I believe the rebates should be given right when one gets the purchase. Waste of paper, sending stuff back and forth, and heaven forbid you forget to send the box or barcode, you don't get the rebate!!!

I wonder why cellphone companies/electronic stores and the likes don't use the clothing industries system of using online coupons where the rebates/discounts happen at once.

But thats the way stuff works, Ahhhhhhhhh.
I lump them all into the same class as the big oil companies: Dingbats!

pinoni · 07-02-2008, 08:29 AM

the exact same thing happened to me. it took me ages and endless phone calls to get my $50 rebate. i thought i was the only one to have the problem.

harrypothead · 07-04-2008, 12:46 AM

these rebates are one big con perpetrated by corporate criminals

CD · 07-04-2008, 11:03 PM

Yeh a big con as it's too much trouble - they don't want to pay out!
Big probs in the UK with mobile phone companies offering half price deals and £££s off bills, free playstations & other electronic goods. You have to send items every say 3 months for a year or something and not many companies seem to pay out. It's being investigated by authorities I think.
Bad luck man!

volley · 07-05-2008, 02:42 AM

it needs to be fully investigated and i hope the authorities will retroactively fine all the criminals.