Mad about at Macy's BF Rebate

[Shelby5514]

These things are selling from $14 to $39 on ebay. I don't think you'll have a problem getting your money back if DH doesn't like it. Just send in the dang rebate and stop stressing about it.

 

[dallastxcpa]

OP, I am sorry to hear of your dilema and I am sorry you are being attacked for stating the way you feel. I was out of work this year for 6 months and I understand how $10 can make a difference. Some stores are very good with their rebates. Staples makes it really easy as the rebate form prints out from the register and all you do is go online and use the code that printed out.

Macy's should not have offered the rebate and advertised the items as great gifts if you have to cut the UPC off. Who does that? :

 

[Planogirl]

Is this a Macy's rebate or a manufacturer's rebate?

Take the thing back. It's not worth all of this trouble.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm not mad about the fact that there was a rebate. I knew there was a rebate when I bought it. It was posted in the sales flyer, at the table and the salesperson told me about it as he put the form in the bag with the item. Many rebates require the UPC and many require the original receipt (this one does both) that doesn't bother me. It's one of the many quirks of rebates.

OK.

I'm mad about the deceptive advertising which is going to cost me money -I took a $24,000 pay cut this year and I'm trying very hard to be budget conscious in my Christmas shopping. For some people $10 may not seem like much but when you lose that much of your income even $10 is a lot of money. $10 is the new trashcan that I have to buy as mine broke on Friday.

But I'm assuming this would be the same as many rebates and you'd get it 6-8 weeks after you SUBMIT it. So, let's say for the sake of argument that you can postmark the rebate on Dec. 27. It will still be the middle of February (at least) before you get your $10. That won't help with the trashcan you need now.

I read the rebate form at the time even but it just didn't dawn on me that 30 days was the day after Christmas. Even if I had realized it was the day after Christmas (mind you I bought this at 6AM after having gotten about 1 hour of sleep ) I know I wouldn't have realized that the 26th was a Sunday.

And this is Macy's fault how?

They adverstised it as a great Christmas gift at a great price. They didn't post the details of the rebate forms/details anywhere near the item only that there was a rebate. The details were only handed out after you paid for the item. They made it difficult to figure out at the time of purchase that if you gave the item as a gift without mangling the box beforehand (which I was always taught was incredibly bad manners and I just can't get past this it's ingrained) you probably would be paying the full price.

But you didn't pay full price. The FULL price of the item was $40. The Black Friday price was $20... PLUS you could get a $10 rebate. http://bfads.net/Ad/Macys-2010/Page7. So it can still be classified as a "gift at a great price"... it's 50% off.

Don't get me wrong I could take it back (and I'm seriously thinking about doing this). I just feel betrayed and used.

I think your choice of words is what has brought your critics (me included) out. Saying Macy's betrayed you or that they used "deceptive advertising" is what rings false to me. The information was presented to you. You apparently assumed you'd have a longer time frame to submit the rebate. I don't see how you can fault Macy's or the manufacturer (who I'm guessing the rebate is actually through) for your assumption.

I also agree with the previous posters who said this is a lot of hassle of $10.

I still say if the rebate is that important, give the gift to your DH as an "early" present. I'm sure he'd understand. I'm pretty sure he'd understand if you gave him a "mangled" box. Or just accept in your head that you got the item for a good price (again, 50% off), and don't bother with the rebate.

 

[The Iron Giant]

OP - I would be just as aggravated as you are. Its not the $10 its the principle of it. They clearly set up the rebate hoping most people would fail to collect it because of the timing with Christmas.

Here in NJ they are considering a law that would force the store to collect the rebate for themselves and pass the savings on to the consumer at the time of purchase. Keeping my fingers crossed it passes.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/news/2010/12/consumer-rebates-measure-goes-nj-assembly

 

[The Iron Giant]

OK.

But I'm assuming this would be the same as many rebates and you'd get it 6-8 weeks after you SUBMIT it. So, let's say for the sake of argument that you can postmark the rebate on Dec. 27. It will still be the middle of February (at least) before you get your $10. That won't help with the trashcan you need now.

And this is Macy's fault how?

But you didn't pay full price. The FULL price of the item was $40. The Black Friday price was $20... PLUS you could get a $10 rebate. http://bfads.net/Ad/Macys-2010/Page7. So it can still be classified as a "gift at a great price"... it's 50% off.

I think your choice of words is what has brought your critics (me included) out. Saying Macy's betrayed you or that they used "deceptive advertising" is what rings false to me. The information was presented to you. You apparently assumed you'd have a longer time frame to submit the rebate. I don't see how you can fault Macy's or the manufacturer (who I'm guessing the rebate is actually through) for your assumption.

I also agree with the previous posters who said this is a lot of hassle of $10.

I still say if the rebate is that important, give the gift to your DH as an "early" present. I'm sure he'd understand. I'm pretty sure he'd understand if you gave him a "mangled" box. Or just accept in your head that you got the item for a good price (again, 50% off), and don't bother with the rebate.

Wow Merry Christmas to you too

 

[mikehn]

I dont think there's anything deceptive about rebates. The requirements are clear. You either meet the requirements or you dont. The consumer should evaluate this to determine whether the BF "deal" really is a good one or not.

 

[undertheradar]

There is a term for the OP's situation, buyer's remorse. If it is causing this much stress and you state that you understood the terms of purchase, I would return it today and bring an end to the drama. I do not see how you were misled or somehow deceived. The ad stated there was a rebate, most every rebate requires the original upc and purchase receipt. Call the store directly and ask for a manager, explain your situation and see what the manager suggests. If this $10.00 is make or break, you should return the item and then you will have $20.00 to purchase a trash can with.

 

[msjprincess]

So I got out the mini-donut maker I bought for DH on BF at Macy's tonight to wrap it. I had forgotten that it had a rebate on it. The rebate is for $10 half the out of pocket cost of $20. I only bought it because DH loves fresh donuts and the cost was advertised as $10 - just right for something that if it turned out the donuts weren't good or if it was a pain to use might only get use a few times before it ended up at a yard sale . Well, I'm reading the rebate form as I get ready to wrap the present. Doesn't it figure, the rebate requires the ORIGINAL UPC and must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the purchase date. Well, 30 days after the purchase date is the day after Christmas, which is a SUNDAY!! They had to know that most people wouldn't be able to take advantage of this rebate. The rebate was a BF special and the item had to be bought during the early bird special period on BF to get the rebate form. I cry foul!!!! If it weren't for the fact that I don't have time to run back to the mall between now and Christmas I'd take it back.

Why? I would think most people would cut the UPC code off before giving the gift. I can't imagine handing Aunt Sally a gift and then after she opens it saying "hey let me cut that UPC code off so I can get my rebate". But that's just me

 

[richmond282]

I seriously doubt the store of manufacturer (whoever is issuing the rebate) sat down and said "Oh, let's make the postmark deadline the day after Christmas because it's a Sunday." 30 days from date or purchase is a pretty standard time frame for a rebate. It just doesn't work out well for you. Sorry.

 

[maxiesmom]

My beef with Kohl's was that the rebate said I had to send in the original store receipt. Well, I bought it online, so I hope they still give me the rebate. I sent in a copy of my order. Also, what if I did buy it in the store, but needed that receipt for other rebates? I have one more rebate to claim from that same receipt, but it's not due until the end of December.

If you buy an item at Kohl's that has a rebate, a rebate receipt prints out automatically. So you would have one to send in, and one to keep. So no problem. And even if they didn't have rebate receipts, if you know the item has a rebate, you can just have it rung up seperately, you can keep your receipt for the rest of your items.

I am really shocked though by all the ire. Rebates have worked this way for years and years, it is not something new thought up to trick people. You have to cut out the upc, and you need to send a receipt back with the item to get the rebate. As the consumer it is up to you to know when the rebate needs to be mailed in by. That is really so little work to do if you want some of your money back.

I am just baffled so many people are so upset. Either the rebate makes an item a good deal, or it doesn't. It is up to you to know which it is! It is not for the store to make that decision for you. Read the whole ad. Be an informed consumer.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

For $10 even if you use it once or twice it's not bad. I'd doubt he'd return it. To me it would be worth the $10 risk. If he doesn't want it, sell it on ebay.

 

[bumbershoot]

Why? I would think most people would cut the UPC code off before giving the gift. I can't imagine handing Aunt Sally a gift and then after she opens it saying "hey let me cut that UPC code off so I can get my rebate". But that's just me

I'm not a good gift-giver at all, not in any definition of the term, but even I wouldn't give someone other than my immediate family a gift with the UPC code gone. The idea makes me cringe.

For hubby and son, however, I'd do it in an instant.

Though actually, stuff like a donut maker is a gift for the house, NOT a gift for a person (gifts that make people work, unless specifically requested AS a gift (which has happened), aren't done around here). So the donut maker would go to the house, and if the house didn't like the present, those that live in the house would just have to figure out what to do with it...actually, with something like this, I think I would go make a batch now, make the decision, and either return it or wrap it after cutting out the UPC.



I can see the annoyance, though. It's in the narrow bit where the rebate-creator came up with something FOR Black Friday, called it a great xmas gift, and made the postmark-by date on a day when you cannot get a postmark. If they'd called it a great Hannukah gift that would be one thing; it could be easily done after giving it as the gift, but not when the date of purchase is the 26th and the last date of rebate, aka day after the holiday it was advertised with, is also the 26th.

Is there a phone number on the rebate form? I wonder if they've realized their error, making it so that an item given fully as a gift cannot get the rebate (is that Sat even a postmark-able, LOL, day? is xmas a PO holiday?), and they are allowing a few more business days as a fudge-factor.

 

[IDoDis]

Seriously????

People are not getting XMAS presents...kids aren't getting stuff from Santa and you feel betrayed and used over a rebate terms. A friend who teaches told me about her student who just wanted a bed for XMAS. He sleeps on the couch. He is in 2nd grade. I wrote a letter to the radio station in town where they live....got a call on Friday this little boys is receiving a NEW BED and BEDDING. Brought tears to my eyes .....this boy just wanted a bed. No mention of toys...PS3, XBOX, Video games,etc. Just a bed!!! Family is also getting $250 for food. When friend told me about boy who has same name as my older son it hit me. I took 15 minutes and wrote a letter never expecting to get this wish granted...they receive 100's each year. This along with losing my best friend to cancer has put Christmas in to perspective for me. Be thankful you have money to buy that donught maker. Be thankful for your health and family and what you have. Don't say you feel used and betrayed by a store...that is ___________________!!!!!!!!!!:

Wow, that is awesome that you were able to help that little boy get a bed!

 

[snowy76]

They adverstised it as a great Christmas gift at a great price.

How is Macy's being deceptive about this? Like many ad claims it's entirely a matter of opinion. It IS a great Xmas gift, for some people. Or an ugly Xmas sweater is a great gift for some people. But not for others. And 50% off the regular price IS a great price for many people. But not others. I wouldn't buy a donut maker if it cost only $1, because I'd never use it.

I get that you're annoyed, but I agree with PP that if there is such a big chance of returning the gift, don't give it at all. It's not worth the BF price if it's not a "must have" gift IMO.

I don't see the false advertising here. It's not like the "Magic of Macy's" really refers to pixie dust.

 

[3boymthr]

So I've decided I'm taking it back because the whole rebate thing is really bothering me. It's the principle of the thing on top of the money.


To address the poster with the "seriously??" yes, I realize, this is not the most important thing in the world, but it made me mad and I posted in a moment of impulse. I should have just kept my fingers still. I'm just a person doing my best to make my kids and husband have a great Christmas on a budget (this is the budget board after all) and I have a right to be aggravated if I want but I guess I just need to stop posting when things aggravate me.

I know I'm lucky to have the money to buy these presents, but then again I feel lucky to have a job, it almost evaporated this year (the $24,000 pay cut- half my pay) and if that had happened there might not have been any presents and we could have been the people sleeping on someone's couch. And I realize how lucky I am to have the blessing of health. The week before Thanksgiving my 30yo cousin was just diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor - she has a 1 month old baby - her radiation starts the week after Christmas.

 

[mickaholic4077]

I already had to send in the paperwork for a BF item from Kohl's. I mailed it on Wednesday, which was the deadline. Not much time they gave to redeem the rebate!

It was not a big deal to cut out the UPC code from the box though. I cut just the top layer of cardboard, so the box is still intact. I made a copy of the UPC code before mailing it, so if I have to return the item, I have the UPC code.

My beef with Kohl's was that the rebate said I had to send in the original store receipt. Well, I bought it online, so I hope they still give me the rebate. I sent in a copy of my order. Also, what if I did buy it in the store, but needed that receipt for other rebates? I have one more rebate to claim from that same receipt, but it's not due until the end of December.

What I do if I know that I am buying more than 1 item that had a rebate is I seperate the orders and then I don't have to worry about who to send the receipt to.

 

[andymattmom]

To The OP:


It is so sad that you feel this way about a rebate. When you used the words 'betrayed and used' you made it sound like everyone was out to get you. It sounds like you have had a rough year with a job pay cut and an illness in your family. Look at the positives...you have a job when so many are out of jobs. You have your health when others don't. You were able to buy presents for your family when others were not able. You are making entirely too much of a rebate and act like everyone is out to get you and cause you issues. It is your fault you didn't pull the rebate information out as soon as you got the item home or within a few days to read the terms. It is your fault that you won't cut the UPC off and send the rebate in. As others have said you won't have this $10 NOW to replace a garbage can that broke last week. Macy's and the manufacturer were not out to get you. They didn't say lets make the rebate so it is on a Sunday the day after XMAS and that way people won't send it in. What is wrong with giving your husband a present with UPC off?

It is good you decided to return the item as it appears to cause such stress and trauma to you. I think the choice of betrayed and used are inappropriate. Christmas seems to have lost its meaning. It isn't out giving and receiving it is about family. So many kids won't have presents or toys and families won't have food and you selfishly rant about a rebate. Think of your cousin and her baby---would she rant at this point about a rebate...probably not. Think about those who lost their jobs...would they rant about a rebate....probably not. Would your husband care if UPC was gone on a box.....probably not.

Hopefully you can put this behind you and remember how lucky you are and the true meaning of Christmas. Try and remember what the season is about and that the entire Macy's company and manufacturer of a doughnut maker is NOT out to get you so you feel used and betrayed.

Sorry for the rant but this post hit me the wrong way with it poor wording and IMHO stupidity at this time of year and these economic times.......

 

[tomaszewski58]

I have learned that when it comes to rebates you HAVE to read the fine print and I immediately fill it out and send it in. If I wait, I either forget about it or end up missing the deadline completely.


And so the price always looks so good until you realize that you'vwe missed all deadlines

__________________

 

[Ava]

My beef with Kohl's was that the rebate said I had to send in the original store receipt. Well, I bought it online, so I hope they still give me the rebate. I sent in a copy of my order. Also, what if I did buy it in the store, but needed that receipt for other rebates? I have one more rebate to claim from that same receipt, but it's not due until the end of December.

I didn't read the whole thread so someone may have said this already, but if you buy rebate items at Kohl's just ask for extra copies of the receipt to send in for the rebates. I've never had a problem getting them, and this year the 2 different rebates I had were sent to different addresses, so I needed multiple receipts.

ETA: If you've missed the deadline by a day or two, try sending it in anyway. Last year I forgot about my Kohl's rebate and didn't get it sent out until a couple days after the deadline. I figured I might get lucky and still get the check, and if not I was only out a stamp. I got the check.