I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
rebateshq.com.

Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
still never send a check.

My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.

Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
AG offices.

Dave

***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***

Report this post to a moderator

I'd complain for sure. If you can prove you sent this stuff in and it is
**exactly** what they asked for, it almost smells like a scam. I just do
know that when it comes to rebates, they are really picky about what and
when you send it in. I'd try not to buy anything based on rebates.

"Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
> I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> rebateshq.com.
>
> Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
> receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
> sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
> submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
> Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
> back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
> bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
> still never send a check.
>
> My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>
> Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> AG offices.
>
> Dave
>
> ***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***

Report this post to a moderator

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:19:21 +0000, Yummy wrote:

> I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> rebateshq.com.
>
> Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the receipt
> or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make sure I do
> everything properly and I make copies of all rebate submissions. They
> have kicked back everything I have purchased from Fry's. Even a rebate
> from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked back, saying I didn't
> include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's bul**hit, because I know
> I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they still never send a check.
>
> My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>
> Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> AG offices.
>
> Dave

It probably is not your fault that you are not getting your rebates, but
just to be sure let me ask you about common mistakes.

Are you sure the bar code you sent was the UPC? Most retail box products
have several bar codes and only one is the UPC.

You also mention that you are sending multiple rebates for customers. Are
you having them all sent to your address? Be aware that you are limited to
one rebate per address on almost all rebates.

Also, did you submit the rebate on time? Most rebates these days have the
rather ridiculous condition that the rebate be sent in within a few weeks
of purchase even though the rebate promotion may run for months.

That said, when the rebate does not show up on time, the worst thing you
can do is to do nothing. As soon as the rebate is past due, or as soon as
you get a rejection notice, contact them. Preferably by phone, because my
experience with rebates is that emails are usually ignored.

Be polite, but make sure they understand that the error is theirs and you
have copies of everything. I scan and save as jpegs the filled out rebate
form, all the required clippings (like the UPC, or other proof of
purchase), the cash register receipt, and the addressed envelope with the
proper postage affixed. By doing this, I have never ever lost a rebate,
although I have had to make plenty of follow up calls.

When you call, ask when to expect the rebate. They will often tell you
they don't know. In that case, ask when to call back. Make note of the
date and time of every call, whom you spoke to and what was said /
promised.

If you get no satisfaction from the fulfillment service the next step up
the food chain is the store you bought the product from. There are no Frys
in my area (Doh!) so I have no experience with them, but I can tell you
that calling Best Buy and Office Depot has lit a fire under more than one
slow to respond rebate fulfillment service. Best Buy, for instance, will
even get you in a three way phone conversation with the Best Buy customer
service rep, you, and the errant rebate fulfillment service.

In short, if you document everything and are tenacious, you will get a
check.

> ***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***

No it wasn't. You may have multiposted, but this post is not cross-posted.

--
Tony Sivori

Report this post to a moderator

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:19:21 GMT, Yummy
< dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote:

>I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
>during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
>rebateshq.com.
>
>Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
>kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
>receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
>sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
>submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
>Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
>back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
>bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
>still never send a check.
>
>My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>
>Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
>considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
>AG offices.
>
>Dave
>
>***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***


I've not had any problem with them, with the drives purchased through
Staples or CompUSA.

Could the problem be too many refund claims coming from you? they
usually have a limit on how many they'll pay to one "household." Of
course, this doesn't account for the problems your customers have had,
but it's a thought.

Lee

Report this post to a moderator

Try dealing directly with maxtor. I have returned hard drives to them
directly and they have been very professional and timely. I wouldn't go
throught another company unless it was necessary.

--
crazymiclo
A+, Network+, MCP

"Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
> I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> rebateshq.com.
>
> Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
> receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
> sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
> submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
> Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
> back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
> bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
> still never send a check.
>
> My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>
> Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> AG offices.
>
> Dave
>
> ***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***

Report this post to a moderator

On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:15:52 -0400, Tony Sivori <TonySivori@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 13:19:21 +0000, Yummy wrote:
>
>> I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
>> during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
>> rebateshq.com.
>>
>> Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
>> kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the receipt
>> or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make sure I do
>> everything properly and I make copies of all rebate submissions. They
>> have kicked back everything I have purchased from Fry's. Even a rebate
>> from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked back, saying I didn't
>> include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's bul**hit, because I know
>> I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they still never send a check.
>>
>> My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>>
>> Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
>> considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
>> AG offices.
>>
>> Dave
>
>It probably is not your fault that you are not getting your rebates, but
>just to be sure let me ask you about common mistakes.

Most of the time they say that it was purchased past the time limit,
which is crap because the receipt shows the correct purchase date.
>
>Are you sure the bar code you sent was the UPC? Most retail box products
>have several bar codes and only one is the UPC.

I always double-check.
>
>You also mention that you are sending multiple rebates for customers. Are
>you having them all sent to your address? Be aware that you are limited to
>one rebate per address on almost all rebates.

I use multiple addresses, my business address, my home address,
customer addresses, etc. Never a problem there.
>
>Also, did you submit the rebate on time? Most rebates these days have the
>rather ridiculous condition that the rebate be sent in within a few weeks
>of purchase even though the rebate promotion may run for months.

I send the forms in almost immediately.
>
>That said, when the rebate does not show up on time, the worst thing you
>can do is to do nothing. As soon as the rebate is past due, or as soon as
>you get a rejection notice, contact them. Preferably by phone, because my
>experience with rebates is that emails are usually ignored.
>
>Be polite, but make sure they understand that the error is theirs and you
>have copies of everything. I scan and save as jpegs the filled out rebate
>form, all the required clippings (like the UPC, or other proof of
>purchase), the cash register receipt, and the addressed envelope with the
>proper postage affixed. By doing this, I have never ever lost a rebate,
>although I have had to make plenty of follow up calls.
>
>When you call, ask when to expect the rebate. They will often tell you
>they don't know. In that case, ask when to call back. Make note of the
>date and time of every call, whom you spoke to and what was said /
>promised.
>
>If you get no satisfaction from the fulfillment service the next step up
>the food chain is the store you bought the product from. There are no Frys
>in my area (Doh!) so I have no experience with them, but I can tell you
>that calling Best Buy and Office Depot has lit a fire under more than one
>slow to respond rebate fulfillment service. Best Buy, for instance, will
>even get you in a three way phone conversation with the Best Buy customer
>service rep, you, and the errant rebate fulfillment service.
>
>In short, if you document everything and are tenacious, you will get a
>check.
>
>> ***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***
>
>No it wasn't. You may have multiposted, but this post is not cross-posted.

Report this post to a moderator

Sometimes I wonder if the rebates are worth the trouble you take: scanning,
mailing, documenting, following-up, etc.
But this of course is the whole idea behind the rebate system: to entice you
with an attractive price and then make it difficult to claim the discount,
so you will forget it or the discount expire...
I always try to avoid rebates, too stressful.

"Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
> I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> rebateshq.com.
>
> Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
> receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
> sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
> submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
> Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
> back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
> bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
> still never send a check.
>
> My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>
> Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> AG offices.
>
> Dave
>
> ***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***

Report this post to a moderator

The rebate fulfillment houses, which are separate from the manufacturers
or retailers who make/sell the product, actually publish tables showing
the percentage of rebates actually claimed -- with item price across one
axis and rebate amount across the other axis. And what's interesting is
that at least some of the rebate fulfillment houses GUARANTEE that the
rebate claim rates shown in their table will not be exceeded.


Pikoro wrote:
> Sometimes I wonder if the rebates are worth the trouble you take: scanning,
> mailing, documenting, following-up, etc.
> But this of course is the whole idea behind the rebate system: to entice you
> with an attractive price and then make it difficult to claim the discount,
> so you will forget it or the discount expire...
> I always try to avoid rebates, too stressful.
>
> "Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
> news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
>
>>I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
>>during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
>>rebateshq.com.
>>
>>Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
>>kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
>>receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
>>sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
>>submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
>>Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
>>back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
>>bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
>>still never send a check.
>>
>>My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
>>
>>Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
>>considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
>>AG offices.
>>
>>Dave
>>
>>***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***
>
>
>

Report this post to a moderator

In other words, they guarantee that they will make it so frustrating and
complicated that people will get fed up with all the fuss of the rebate and
resign the claim.


"Barry Watzman" <Watzman@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3F3BA10B.8080801@neo.rr.com...
> The rebate fulfillment houses, which are separate from the manufacturers
> or retailers who make/sell the product, actually publish tables showing
> the percentage of rebates actually claimed -- with item price across one
> axis and rebate amount across the other axis. And what's interesting is
> that at least some of the rebate fulfillment houses GUARANTEE that the
> rebate claim rates shown in their table will not be exceeded.
>
>
> Pikoro wrote:
> > Sometimes I wonder if the rebates are worth the trouble you take:
scanning,
> > mailing, documenting, following-up, etc.
> > But this of course is the whole idea behind the rebate system: to entice
you
> > with an attractive price and then make it difficult to claim the
discount,
> > so you will forget it or the discount expire...
> > I always try to avoid rebates, too stressful.
> >
> > "Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
> > news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
> >
> >>I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> >>during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> >>rebateshq.com.
> >>
> >>Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> >>kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
> >>receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
> >>sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
> >>submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
> >>Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
> >>back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
> >>bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
> >>still never send a check.
> >>
> >>My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
> >>
> >>Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> >>considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> >>AG offices.
> >>
> >>Dave
> >>
> >>***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***
> >
> >
> >
>

Report this post to a moderator

I always claim mail in rebates. I got norton internet security for free
after rebates from amazon.com and norton. Free with a few photocopies and
60 cents of postage is better than paying the $70.

--
crazymiclo
A+, Network+, MCP

"Barry Watzman" <Watzman@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3F3BA10B.8080801@neo.rr.com...
> The rebate fulfillment houses, which are separate from the manufacturers
> or retailers who make/sell the product, actually publish tables showing
> the percentage of rebates actually claimed -- with item price across one
> axis and rebate amount across the other axis. And what's interesting is
> that at least some of the rebate fulfillment houses GUARANTEE that the
> rebate claim rates shown in their table will not be exceeded.
>
>
> Pikoro wrote:
> > Sometimes I wonder if the rebates are worth the trouble you take:
scanning,
> > mailing, documenting, following-up, etc.
> > But this of course is the whole idea behind the rebate system: to entice
you
> > with an attractive price and then make it difficult to claim the
discount,
> > so you will forget it or the discount expire...
> > I always try to avoid rebates, too stressful.
> >
> > "Yummy" < dn5150nospamola@nospamsbcgloba
l.net> wrote in message
> > news:7kphjv4tsi2uiu9flrgmihbb9
u29hukttj@4ax.com...
> >
> >>I have been filing rebates for myself and clients on Maxtor products
> >>during the past year, going through a fulfilment company called
> >>rebateshq.com.
> >>
> >>Everytime I send in the "package" (form, UPC, rebate receipt), it gets
> >>kicked back. They always say I didn't include something like the
> >>receipt or it was purchased past the cut-off date, etc. I ALWAYS make
> >>sure I do everything properly and I make copies of all rebate
> >>submissions. They have kicked back everything I have purchased from
> >>Fry's. Even a rebate from APC for a Office Depot purchase was kicked
> >>back, saying I didn't include the UPC (barcode) from the box. That's
> >>bul**hit, because I know I did. If I resubmit the rebate(s), they
> >>still never send a check.
> >>
> >>My customers and I have lost about $300.00 in rebates because of this.
> >>
> >>Anyway, If anyone has had a similar experience, please post. I am
> >>considering filing a complaint with the California, Texas, and Florida
> >>AG offices.
> >>
> >>Dave
> >>
> >>***cross-posted to N+, MCSE, and other NG's***
> >
> >
> >
>

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