I am so disgusted with rebate scams. When making purchasing decisions, the ONLY price I'm willing to consider is the out-the-door price.
I would never make a purchasing decision on the rebate. However ever rebate I have ever applied for, I have received, eventually. As far as I can remember.
So am I. I'm still waiting for a couple of rebates from Best Buy. It's been a couple of months now, and I think it's not going to happen. Maybe they lost the paperwork or something. I think from now on, I'm going to avoid the "sales" that include rebates. I've had it. There is no reason why they cannot give the rebate at the register right away. I think they know that many people won't even bother with the rebates.
It's a major hassle.
I end up sending the stuff back certified mail since they often say they didn't recieve the documents. And I have to photocopy EVERYTHING ... and date it. And remember where I put it.
Then when the rebate check comes it looks like junk mail.
They should be ashamed.
Also, note to all: do not buy things with rebates from CompUSA. Their rebate system is AWFUL.
I turn around and go somewhere else to buy a product, I refuse to put up with rebates.
http://www.bestbuysux.org/
You got that right. When I bought this computer I went to the trouble to find which one had the least rebate and bought it.
If a rebate is offered the price is too high to begin with.
I go out of my way to avoid rebates.
The only reason rebates came about in the early '70's is because of government intervention in the market.
When Nixon put prices freezes into effect, the rebate was retailers way around it to keep free enterprise going.
Chalk another one up for government intervention in the market...
After they became popular retailers found that most didn't follow through with cashing in on rebates so they continued the use of them even though price freezes are long gone to make money off of those rebates not followed through on by customers.
I have never bought ANYTHING based on REBATES... publish the sales price that I pay at the register walking out the door, or I'm not interested.... If the "rebate" isn't INSTANT, its not worth my time.
I'm not signing up for AOL to get a rebate, jumping through hoops and reams of paperwork to get a rebate... if you computer isn't $299 or $399 or whatever AT THE REGISTER, NO SALE... Not going to pay $599 at the register in hopes of one day getting $200 or $300 back by mail.... someday.... maybe...
Frankly I think the laws need to be changed to where the price advertised must be the price paid at the register.
What gets my goat the most are car ads where they advertise a price or payment, but that price or payment includes you paying them thousands of dollars first.... Insane.
Computer equipment is probably the second worst for these.