Computer Rebate Ripp-off

[murphy1244]

Well it been 2 months since I sent in my Staples rebate and no check. Got online and found my tracking # and it says it was sent 1-12-2013. Got a phone# and a prerecorded voice telling me to get on the same website. Got ahold of staples web site and was directed to the chat line that sent me to the beginning says HP handles the rebates not staples. So, I will never darken the doorway of a staples store nor will I buy a HP again. Rant over.

 

[MasseyWV]

I never trust rebates for this very reason.

 

[Bob77064]

Some of those rebates are impossible to get.

 

[crash325]

Well it been 2 months since I sent in my Staples rebate and no check. Got online and found my tracking # and it says it was sent 1-12-2013. Got a phone# and a prerecorded voice telling me to get on the same website. Got ahold of staples web site and was directed to the chat line that sent me to the beginning says HP handles the rebates not staples. So, I will never darken the doorway of a staples store nor will I buy a HP again. Rant over.

Don't give up, keep after them, both HP & Staples. Actually went to HP Mfg and they would not let in or talk to anyone there.

Went through that several years ago. Finely got a rebate check. Soon after got another one. Put it in the bank thinking they would want it back. Pretty soon here came another check. Held the money for a few months waiting for them to want it back. They never ask, so I just kept the $$$, figured for all my trouble, time & aggravation I deserved it.

 

[rekees4300]

Mail-in rebates from most stores usually take 2-3 months so be patient.

 

[murphy1244]

Mail-in rebates from most stores usually take 2-3 months so be patient.

I'll try but I don't like the run around nor what I'm reading when I did a search on this. Seems to be standard procedure for Hp and Staples. Maybe if I hit the Easy button.

 

[RandyT]

Rural King started those online rebates a while back to. submitted a online rebate for my nephew back in December. Got a confirmation for processing in mid February, with a note that said that you will receive your rebate in 6-8 weeks. I have done Menards mail in rebates more than once, and usually have a rebate certificate in less than 3 weeks.

 

[Bird]

Yep, mail in rebates usually take 2 to 3 months, and I never count on getting one even then. Sometimes they come; sometimes they don't.

 

[hawkeye08]

Well it been 2 months since I sent in my Staples rebate and no check. Got online and found my tracking # and it says it was sent 1-12-2013. Got a phone# and a prerecorded voice telling me to get on the same website. Got ahold of staples web site and was directed to the chat line that sent me to the beginning says HP handles the rebates not staples. So, I will never darken the doorway of a staples store nor will I buy a HP again. Rant over.

You should know whether you submitted a rebate for Staples or for HP. You have copies of what you sent in so if you have to resubmit you can. One of the things folks forget is that the rebate has to be delayed until after the return period. It would be a paperwork nightmare if you submitted for rebate and then returned the product. Stay the course, I expect you will get the rebate. I hope you understand that most of the retail stores and vendors use rebates, so it is not just Staples and HP that could have issues.

8 weeks is not that long, many rebates say 8-12 weeks, etc.

 

[edlegault]

Rebate checks are usually handled by a third party. In this case a true third party (Staples, HP, rebate processor). Most of my experience with Staples rebate checks are that they can be tracked online, but take up to 3 months to actually arrive in my mail box.

BTW, I really dislike rebate checks. I do not go out of my way to buy something that has a rebate, unless it is an INSTANT rebate at the cash register (like a sale price). The ones at the register when you pay usually still ding ya for state sales tax on the original price, where applicable. So not a true super sale price.

 

[Coyote machine]

Look carefully at all incoming mail too. They often make the check out of one piece of sealed toilet tissue which ends up making one think it is some solicitation instead of a check! They're hoping you tear it up or toss it so they can keep the money.

 

[murphy1244]

Look carefully at all incoming mail too. They often make the check out of one piece of sealed toilet tissue which ends up making one think it is some solicitation instead of a check! They're hoping you tear it up or toss it so they can keep the money.

I was just thinking that so I am going thru some back channels at HP.

 

[Deere Dude]

I have no problems with rebates. Staples takes quite a while to get and Menards has a quick accurate turnaround. For me, the problem with Menards is I get so much free stuff it's hard to keep track of. I have a hard time passing by a 100% rebate on 25' tape measures or levels or squares or tools. I would have to be 200 years old to use it all up.

I would suggest to photocopy every rebate sent in. I have a folder where every rebate goes in, and when i receive it I dutifully go into the file and pull it out when completed.

 

[J F]

I never buy based on rebates, as I'm usually losing or forgetting to send it in. And if I do send one in, I'm liable to forget about it and never realize if I get hosed.

 

[The kid]

I think one of the biggest mail in rippoffs are for cell phones. Years back I sighed Verizon for another two years and the wife and I got nice phones. I got my rebate back. She didn't.. well not without a great hassel. Fortunately we had proof it was sent in. Six months later the rebate arrived. Make copies and document every call. They play the odds you will wait too late. -kid

 

[J F]

Yes...that too.

 

[CliffordK]

I will go for "at the register" rebates.
I avoid mail-in rebates with a passion.

I had a car shipped to me.
The shipping company gave me a price, then said I would get something like a 10% discount... whatever...
Anyway, then they charged me for 100% of the cost, and told me that I would get my discount after filling out a review.

Well, the pickup and delivery was about a week late, and I wasn't happy about the idea of tying the rebate to the review... so I wrote that in the review.

Needless to say, I never received the discount/rebate.

 

[sixdogs]

We keep records and get all our rebates because I don't forget--but the whole "rebate" thing is getting old with me. I'm tired of playing that game and just gimme the lower price or I'll go elsewhere where I can get the best price I can up front.

Plus, when you buy something that has a rebate attached you pay sales tax based on the original, pre-rebate price. So the rebate is somewhat less that you think. Last month I bought an electric razor at a major member club retailer for $79.99 after the $20 "rebate" was subtracted at the register. Plus there was an additional $10 mail-in rebate attached that you had to send in. So I paid sales tax on $99.99.

After I got home I thought about it and decided I've had enough and the jig is up. I returned the razor and found a better deal mail order. Let them figure it out.