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Weekend Open Forum: Your experience with mail-in rebates
Let me preface this by saying that I understand you've probably had some positive experiences with mail-in rebates -- I have too. However, I'm inclined to believe they're nothing short of a rampant marketing gimmick that have tainted the consumer tech space. Besides relying on questionable ethics to succeed, they often spoil the entire shopping experience. For example, nearly half of Newegg's video cards are advertised with a rebate (14 out of 34 pages), and many of those "discounted" items have their price hidden.
Regardless of whether you're interested in taking advantage of the promotion, many cards have to be added to your cart before you can see their price both before and after the rebate. Naturally, this can be incredibly annoying if you're trying to spot-check a bunch of different cards. The circus continues post-purchase as you jump through half a dozen flaming hoops to save $10 on a $250 purchase. In a race against the clock, you have to obtain one or more rebate forms, snip your UPC label and mail them before time expires.
Even if you're vigilant enough to complete the process, your submission may conveniently "vanish" in the mail or somehow, they're postmarked too late to qualify. I've experienced both firsthand. Assuming the company is honest enough to accept your rebate, they'll still test your patience (and memory) by delaying your check. I've waited upwards of six months before and another TS staffer has had a rebate pending for more than nine months. Are we just extremely unlucky or have you been shafted by a rebate program too?
User Comments: 34
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A couple of years ago I submitted a rebate form and all applicable requested documentations to ASUS for a $50 rebate on a video card and never heard from them. I just received my UPS tracking number from Newegg for an XFX 6970 video card that details a mfg. rebate ordered June 30, 2011.
If I receive it, after I submit it, I will be pleased and surprised.
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Usually many products with rebates are more before the rebate than a competing product without a rebate. I will usually skip the rebate and just purchase the less expensive item before rebates. I have received alot of my rebates but by the time you get them, you forgot about which one that was for and if it was for the last one you sent in.
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I support stores that have dropped the rebate practice whenever possible. It seems there are a growing (slowly) number of retailers that are doing that. Encourage your retailers to drop rebates and join the trend.
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Musterebate
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Actually, most businesses honor their rebates. I've had trouble with "Office Depot" and "Pep Boys"
Antec and EVGA are always right there in decent time.
Years ago, when I bought my eMachines T-5026, there was a rebate on every item in the system, I received them all.
The only computer product manufacturer I've had trouble with is Cooler Master. Their customer service sucks. They refused to send me a 10 cent rubber foot for a case. There was a rebate on the case also, to get that, I had to call Newegg customer service, and have them leverage my 10 bucks out of CM.
I won't buy their product unless it's on a giveaway price sale, and then not through the mail.
Antec though, completely different story. Superb CS, and they pay up on their rebates, every time.
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I hate rebates, but, I have always received the rebate applied for.
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I boycott buying products with rebates.
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LNCPapa said:
I avoid them like the plague. If I'm not willing to pay the full price (before rebate) then I don't bother. Half the problem is my laziness - I rarely get them mailed off. If I do get it mailed off I don't trust I'll get my check (I've been burned in the past) which in turn lowers my motivation to get it mailed off in the first place. This is the reason I prefer Newegg over TigerDirect/CompUSA - the latter is laden with mail-in rebates.
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Arris said:
Waiting for one from Sony at the moment. Will wait and see if it's processed/honoured.Still waiting. Sent it recorded mail so I know they received it without problem...
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