I hate rebates (a rant)

[NightWatcher]

If you want to sell me something for $50, sell it for $50, not $100 and make me work for the difference. I have heard of some companies that sit on rebates in hopes that the customers will forget to follow up on the rebate. I bought a scanner years ago that had a rebate. I never saw the rebate and forgot about it after a while. A year ago, I got a letter and a small check because a class action suit had been filed.

When I see a rebate offer, I want to shoplift. If they want me to work for the rebate, I want them to work for the money. If I can get it out the door without being caught, they didnt work hard enough. That's the same as if I did not work hard enough to get the rebate, they keep the full price.

[latebloomer]

1. Agreed!

It's just a way of making themselves look good, while counting on the fact that probably at least half the customers won't get it together to send the stupid things in.

But I ALWAYS send in my rebates!!

[skygazer]

2. 9 times out of 10, they figure out how to screw you out of them, too

I sent one in recently and got a notice back that I hadn't sent some required item - well, I had. I always photocopy everything regarding them and the thing they asked for was not one of the required items.

You end up spending more in postage and aggravation trying to get them than you receive in the end. :grr:

[Roon]

3. I have been burned on rebates so many times

Flight Simulator,monitor, etc. It really pisses me off.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. I don't play the rebate game, especially with electronics

I do tell the sales staff that since rebates are so onerous that I view the shelf price as the final price and the item costs too much. Sometimes that gets a deal. Sometimes it doesn't, but the store doesn't sell the product to me either.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

5. That always drove me nuts about Office Max.

There was always a hitch like they advertise the item just before the rebate expires-- you get a day or two to make sure the thing worked and you didn't have to return it before you had to do all the paperwork for the rebate.

[YankeyMCC]

6. It is fraking annyoing isn't it nt