Mail In Rebates: no thanks!

[oz]

Guys, I'm done with mail in rebates.

It's my general practice to avoid them, but during my last computer build a couple of the hardware items came with mail in rebates, so I went through all the usual hassle of cutting out the UPC codes, filling out the forms, circling the prices on the receipts, and so on, and so on, and then double-checking each and every detail to make sure that it was all completed and correct, then making copies for my records, then putting postage on them and running them to the local post office so that I could eagerly await the almighty rebate checks.

Well, that was over 3 months ago, and neither rebate has come in.

For all future purchases, "instant rebates" will be acceptable, but all mail in rebates are out. No more purchases of anything that comes with a mail in rebate offer. In fact, it really wouldn't bother me at all to see them totally outlaw mail in rebates because this isn't the first time this has happened.

Just wondering... do they work out better for the rest of you, or have some of you been burned on these offers, too?

[smolloy]

I find mail-in rebates to be essentially worthless. Half of the time they ignore them, and the other half of the time, they claim that there's some small thing you did that disqualifies you from the rebate.

Mail-in rebate == no rebate.

[Farmer Mike]

The electronics stores do these rebates so the low prices draw customers in.

But they're betting that most people won't send it in for one reason or the other - don't make the deadline, lost paperwork, etc. This way they can advertise low prices without actually having to give them in a lot of cases.

I avoid stores that use the rebate tactic.

[SkittleLinux18]

I'm 50-50. It's seems that half of them I get the rebate back on. The other half, I don't. So I keep trying. But if I can avoid them all together, I usually do.

[techieMoe]

I really have no opinion either way. I've never had a rebate *not* come in, but I have had some take as long as a year. By that time I forget about it and it's actually a pleasant surprise.

My wife hands me rebates. I'm anal retentive about finding every little detail we need and making sure it's sent off within the time limit. Once or twice I've had to call to correct them when they said we didn't qualify, and it's always gone in my favor.

I agree, though, that stores like Best Buy try and snag you by listing the price *after* a mail-in rebate. Instant rebates, fine, but don't misrepresent the amount of money I'm paying at the register right now. That tactic ticks me off.

[Dapper Dan]

The electronics stores do these rebates so the low prices draw customers in.

But they're betting that most people won't send it in for one reason or the other - don't make the deadline, lost paperwork, etc. This way they can advertise low prices without actually having to give them in a lot of cases.

I avoid stores that use the rebate tactic.

My sentiments exactly Farmer Mike. I see rebates as just another way to legally pick the consumer's pocket. Sure we have the choice to purchase or not to purchase, but the retailers who do this can count on a certain number of us having difficulty jumping through all the hoops necessary to get what essentially should be their regular price.

On a related rant, I also despise these damn so called "discount cards" grocery stores push. You have no choice but to register for one so you can get what otherwise would be regular price. If you don't have their card you pay more! Of course they present them as a way to get "discounts" but all they really want is to track your purchases and penalise you if you don't want them to.

[oz]

On a related rant, I also despise these damn so called "discount cards" grocery stores push. You have no choice but to register for one so you can get what otherwise would be regular price. If you don't have their card you pay more! Of course they present them as a way to get "discounts" but all they really want is to track your purchases and penalise you if you don't want them to.

Yeah, there is one of those stores near me that I refuse to go into at all because it makes me feel that they are penalizing me for not carrying one of their cards.

[questio verum]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought I was doing something wrong, as I never seem to get the so-called 'rebate' back.

On a related rant, I also despise these damn so called "discount cards" grocery stores push. You have no choice but to register for one so you can get what otherwise would be regular price. If you don't have their card you pay more! Of course they present them as a way to get "discounts" but all they really want is to track your purchases and penalise you if you don't want them to.

I've started tossing my 'customer depreciation' cards and filling out new ones using prank names and improvised contact information. At least that way I avoid the spammers and telemarketers. So far, I haven't been called on it.

qv

[Artesia]

I echo the sentiments here. I usually avoid mail-in rebates unless it's a large amount of money (my TiVo box had a $100 rebate, yay!). I think I've used them less than 5 times. I've always had them come in, but sometimes as late as 6 months after the purchase.

Recently, I went for it with an external drive from Newegg. But I didn't receive a hardcopy receipt with my order, and the rebate terms specifically stated that a packing list (which I had) was not enough, and that a printed email receipt was not acceptable. So they got me for $20, but it definitely changed my formerly sparkling opinion of Newegg.

[oz]

Recently, I went for it with an external drive from Newegg. But I didn't receive a hardcopy receipt with my order, and the rebate terms specifically stated that a packing list (which I had) was not enough, and that a printed email receipt was not acceptable. So they got me for $20, but it definitely changed my formerly sparkling opinion of Newegg.

Exactly! I'd be tickled pink in cases like this if Newegg and other stores would either cough up the rebate themselves, or if they would resort to "instant rebates" only.

At one time, Best Buy actually stopped the use of mail in rebates with their sales, but I'm not sure if they still feel that way. Haven't been in one for a while, now.