beware**rebates***

**grneyegrl** · 12-14-2004, 08:08 AM

i found this great article and i have not been fully paid for several rebates

http://member.compuserve.com/wrap/li...e&dist=special

i hope this link works

**pip** · 12-14-2004, 08:15 AM

You know, I hate rebates for those reasons. It makes me feel stupid if I miss the deadline to mail them in; maybe it is a little bit of comfort to realize they are set up to encourage just that sort of thing to happen! Of course they don't want to pay!!!!

**Telephus44** · 12-15-2004, 07:22 PM

I think the philosophy behind rebates is to hope that people don't send them in, but that doesn't stop me. I have been doing rebates for 3 years now. I have only been keeping track of them since July 03, and I have 52 rebates total and only one that I haven't received (should have kept copies, but I didn't, so I can't go back and fight for it). I only know of one other one (one of my first ones) that I did not receive. So for me its still a worthwhile hobby.

**pita1213** · 12-16-2004, 06:53 PM

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS make at least one copy of your completed rebate form, receipt and upc barcode for every rebate you send in.and make sure that copy is clear and easy to read. a store i used to work for was constantly getting complaints because people were not receiveing their rebates back. all we could do at the store was give them the 1-800 number or address for them to find out what was going on. most of the time they were told one of the items was missing. if they had a copy of everything, they could send that in, but if they didn't make a copy, they were just out of luck.

another thing to be forwarned about, some companies will not honor the rebate if you use a coupon to buy the item, ie if you go to store xyz and use a 20% off 1 item coupon, they may send you a rebate minus whatever the 20% ended up being or not one at all. that was another issue we ran into with the rebates when i worked at that store. i don't work there anymore thankfully and not all rebates offered by manufacturers are like that.

**PrairieRose** · 12-17-2004, 08:31 AM

I've been aware for a long time that the major companies tried to figure out a way to get out of paying out rebates. I'm always very careful to follow the rules and most of the time I have no problems. BUT I do keep copies of everything and mark on my calendar when I mailed in said rebate. I then go back and check them off as they come in. It helps track them but still sometimes one will slip by me. It is very aggravating to have to keep such a close eye on the companies that we give our money to.