Is Anyone Else Sick Of These Rebates?

[SanFranciscan]

I think that I shall now make it a policy to not buy anything that involves a rebate. First of all I have to pay a sum over the value of whatever I am buying. Then the "rebate" is not even the money that I paid. It is a "gift card," which is certainly no gift. Not only did I pay for it upfront, but it is subject to terms favorable to the company which tacked it onto my bill. Is anyone else sick of how that little game gets played? I fell for it with Verizon, but I won't be fooled by any company trying that little stunt again.

 

[pyrxtc]

I hate rebates ! There are some states where they are not allowed to do rebates, they have to take the money off your bill right then and there.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I have started limiting myself, I won't do a rebate unless it is over $10 and I won't buy something JUST because of the rebate since there's no guarantee it's going to come. I don't like the GC rebates much either, but if I'm buying anyway I'll send the form in.

I do really like beer rebates for groceries. I'm going to buy the food anyway and I'm in a "no beer purchase required" state so it's free money.

 

[Swimalie]

I do rebates quite often and none of mine recently have been in the form of gift cards. I get checks. Just got one for $108 for buying a new Macbook. I make sure I fill in all that they need and then I scan all the paperwork before I send it in. I check my paper work frequently and if the check isn't back to me on time, I start to call and check on the status. I haven't missed one yet

 

[MEK]

OP:

I have to agree that the Verizon rebates in the form of a credit card are very annoying. I find many things with Verizon annoying. For example, now there is an automatic $9.99 a month charge (minimum charge) for any multimedia phone purchased - $29.99 monthly for a blackberry There are about 3 other alternatives available for purchase with a texting keyboard that don't carry the multimedia charge.

Just wait until all the families with teenagers start getting this additional $9.99 a month charge. In addition, this charge was not disclosed to me when I just upgrade my son's phone. Nowhere in the conversation did the sales person tell me about this charge. When I called Verizon to inquire, I was told it was listed below the phone cost. And I verified that. Yes, it's there - in a font about this size.

Thanks for letting me rant because I am so sick of Verizon and I can't wait to get out of all my contracts with them.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I hate hate hate the rebate gift cards- they never seen to work at registers. I had a wonderful manager at Walmart one day who called the issuing company from the service desk and tried to get talked through the process to key it in-nope! They finally got it to work at Target, though it only rang in for $15. Was supposed to be $25.

I used to be all over rebates, but I won't even look at them anymore. (Except Rite Aid, online and you get a check. When that changes.... I'm done!)

 

[pamjb]

I have always just used the Verizon Rebate Gift Cards and had the money deposited into my ingdirect account. That way I don't have to think about how to use the card at the cash register.
If you don't like rebates, don't do them. Personally, I don't mind, but I have been a rebater since I was a little girl.

 

[eyor44]

I love rebates. While I will admit some can be frustrating. Like all purchases must be made from your home state. (I live on a state line and quite frequently shop in the next state) I only do rebates for regular purchases and I finally figured out how to do the GCs so I don't mind those either.

So if anyone doesn't want their rebate GCs, you can just send them to me.......

 

[SanFranciscan]

I have always just used the Verizon Rebate Gift Cards and had the money deposited into my ingdirect account. That way I don't have to think about how to use the card at the cash register.
If you don't like rebates, don't do them. Personally, I don't mind, but I have been a rebater since I was a little girl.

As a matter of fact my husband did deposit our gift cards in his checking account. It took about a half hour to do all of the paperwork. The next time I hear a salesman say "rebate" I will say "No sale" until stores get the message.