Mad about at Macy's BF Rebate

[Green Tea]

OP, I purchased one of the items in that promotion as well. I cut the UPC off with an exacto knife, mailed the papers in and have gotten an email confirmation of its acceptance I think.

I would not have thought twice about taking off the label for a rebate on a gift. I am so surprised you (and others)found that distasteful. I guess I learn something new everyday.

In your case, it was kind of a wash, right? You either lose $10 on the rebate or $10 if he hated it and you were stuck with a UPCless gift?

I took one off a big gift I bought for a Christmas exchange thing within the extended family. By submitting a rebate on a large item, I stayed within the family requirement on what to spend. I never really thought about that being awful....but I am not a gift returner unless I have a receipt anyway so maybe that is why I never much considered that.

 

[sam_gordon]

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 don't think anyone is saying you shouldn't be aggravated or post about your aggravation, but the TARGET of your aggravation. Your posts make it sound like there's some vast conspiracy out to keep 3boymthr from getting $10. I'm guessing if you simply said you were mad because the rebate terms required submission within 30 days (instead of 45 or 60), fewer people would have a problem with it. It's when you accused Macy's of "betrayal" and "deceptive advertising" that made me (and others apparently) take notice.

I also understand your wish to give your kids and DH a "great" Christmas. Guess what, it can still be a great Christmas even without a $10 (or even a $20) donut maker. Personally, I get more joy out of watching my kids' reaction to THEIR gifts than getting my own. If I was your DH and money was that tight, I'd suggest spending only on the kids... let them have a little extra.

 

[dodukes]

OP, I purchased one of the items in that promotion as well. I cut the UPC off with an exacto knife, mailed the papers in and have gotten an email confirmation of its acceptance I think.

I would not have thought twice about taking off the label for a rebate on a gift. I am so surprised you (and others)found that distasteful. I guess I learn something new everyday.

In your case, it was kind of a wash, right? You either lose $10 on the rebate or $10 if he hated it and you were stuck with a UPCless gift?

I took one off a big gift I bought for a Christmas exchange thing within the extended family. By submitting a rebate on a large item, I stayed within the family requirement on what to spend. I never really thought about that being awful....but I am not a gift returner unless I have a receipt anyway so maybe that is why I never much considered that.

I too have no qualms about cutting a upc and giving the gift. i prob wouldnt do this to s strangers present but to family and close friends , heck they know im cheap!!..lol...but yeah i dont see the big deal if you do it right, mos people wont even notice!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I bought one of the mini cupcake makers on BF from Macy's as well. It, along with the receipt, is in my mom's guest room where I left it, waiting for me to return and wrap it. I did not read the terms on the rebate form, either, so until I read this thread I didn't realize I had very little time left. I'm not hurt or betrayed. Goodness. I will cut off the code on the night of the 23rd when I arrive then mail it in on the 24th. Big whoop. My DD couldn't care less if I sent the UPC code in for a rebate. She knows the saved money will probably get spent on her anyway!!!

 

[sam_gordon]

I bought one of the mini cupcake makers on BF from Macy's as well. It, along with the receipt, is in my mom's guest room where I left it, waiting for me to return and wrap it. I did not read the terms on the rebate form, either, so until I read this thread I didn't realize I had very little time left. I'm not hurt or betrayed. Goodness. I will cut off the code on the night of the 23rd when I arrive then mail it in on the 24th. Big whoop. My DD couldn't care less if I sent the UPC code in for a rebate. She knows the saved money will probably get spent on her anyway!!!

Is the post office open on the 24th? Thinking maybe not. Just a thought.

 

[Disney845]

I hate rebate forms. As I was looking through the ads, I just glanced over any that mentioned anything about a rebate. Totally turned me away from wanting it.

I hate them too. I have had the rebate form (and the copies of the receipt and exam) sitting in my office at work to send in for contacts I bought back in September (I have until the 31st to postmark it) and I keep forgetting to cut the stupid UPCs off of the boxes.

 

[Shelby5514]

Is the post office open on the 24th? Thinking maybe not. Just a thought.

Mine is! I just came from the post office and there was a sign on the door saying that they were open from 8 to noon on the 24th. Of course, you would want to check with your local post office for their hours.

 

[yoopermom]

I was standing in line behind a lady at Kohls yesterday who was buying a mixmaster and had this exact same question. The saleswoman called her manager who said to make a copy of the UPC code for the giftee to keep just in case she has trouble returning it, and to exacto off the original to send in for the rebate. I bought TONS of those cheapie appliances there last year and mom and I spent hours hacking off those little UPCs! Not one gift receiver thought I was gauche (or at least didn't say so to my face).

Terri

 

[Kathi OD]

This is a lot of fuss for $10!

On the budget board saving $10 on a single item is almost as good was winning the lottery!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

While it is important for us to remember the less fortunate, I don't consider the OP to be off the mark in disappointment.

If we are keeping score, one Christmas I helped a less fortunate family get a mall shopping spree and a car and I dont find the OP wrong for her disappointment. How lacking of the Christmas spirit must people have to feel that they must put someone in their place? We don't walk in her shoes or know her circumstance and it shouldnt matter. It is just mean how some folks react sometimes. Calling OP's feeling idiotic was uncalled for and I cannot believe it is being praised.

OP, the rebate sales werent deceptive, though they may lean towards misleading. I just cannot stand small print and extra work for a deal. I do it with couponing, but it did t float my black Friday boat.

That being said, businesses will take UPC-less returns if it is faulty. I wouldn't let your disappointment keep you from giving your husbNd something you think he might enjoy.

As for the trashcan....if it isnt an outside garbage can, I would improvise.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Christmas eve is not a federal holiday. The post office will be making deliveries on the 25th in some cases, as well.

Is the post office open on the 24th? Thinking maybe not. Just a thought.

 

[MomToOne]

You can make a few precision cuts with an Exacto knife to extract the UPC code without mangling the box in any awful way.

Many boxes you can even pull the UPC off by just lifting the printed layer off of a cardboard box in the spot you need it. Cut shallowly into the box around the UPC, then try and pull off just the top layer of cardboard that has the label, leaving the lower layers behind.

I've even managed to get the UPC off of those dang blasted hard plastic product encasements manufacturers are so thrilled with, that you have to take a hack-saw to to get the product out.

Just go at it carefully and slowly, keep your cuts to the area immediately around the UPC, be careful not to cut to deeply and you'll get it off without doing anything to ruin the fun or presentation of the donut maker!

Good luck

 

[mikehn]

Christmas eve is not a federal holiday. The post office will be making deliveries on the 25th in some cases, as well.

Actually, xmas eve is an official federal holiday, for this year. Although the US post office may still be working to get everyone's packages delivered

 

[sam_gordon]

Christmas eve is not a federal holiday. The post office will be making deliveries on the 25th in some cases, as well.

Normally you are correct. But the 25th is on Saturday, making the 'official' Federal holiday on the 24th.
http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/2010.asp
That's sort of standard for most businesses (if a holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday 'becomes' the holiday).

However, according to the post office website, (http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/calendar/federalholidays.htm) the 25th is their actual 'off' day.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

That's standard for businesses and agencies which are open monday through friday and the holiday falls on a day which it is normally closed. The post office is open on Saturdays.

Normally you are correct. But the 25th is on Saturday, making the 'official' Federal holiday on the 24th.
http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/2010.asp
That's sort of standard for most businesses (if a holiday falls on a Saturday, Friday 'becomes' the holiday).

However, according to the post office website, (http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/calendar/federalholidays.htm) the 25th is their actual 'off' day.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Though the Christmas holiday is observed on the 24th this year, Christmas Eve is never a federal holiday. And the post office will be delivering certain packages on Christmas day.

Actually, xmas eve is an official federal holiday, for this year. Although the US post office may still be working to get everyone's packages delivered

 

[Kies99]

I cry "FOUL" on Macy's also!!!

We also bought something on Black Friday that had a $10 rebate (I think it was the warming tray).

We cut out the UPC and sent everything in right away.

We got a card in the mail yesterday from Macy's saying they could not honor the rebate. The reason? They said "Invalid Purchase Date"!! We bought it on Black Friday...During the Special...Got the rebate from from an associate...Mailed it in right away...yet somehow we have purchased it on an invalid date????

We bought it ON BLACK FRIDAY...DURING THE SPECIAL...we did it exactly as the ad said so I'm guessing someone misread the date or put it in the system wrong. There's a reference number on it as well as a phone number (877-829-8584) so we will call and find out the problem.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I know OP already returned her item, but we have had something similar happen twice. Last year I got my DH a Keurig. The rebate was like $40 or $50-a lot! But I wasn't sure he'd like it, (BOY was I WRONG!!!! HE LOVED IT!!!) Anyway, the rebate had to be postmarked the day after Christmas. I got it all rady and put the stamped envelope with the forms inside before I wrapped it. He opened it, he loved it, we cut off the UPC and mailed it in.

The year before that I got him a turntable that made records into MP3s. The rebate was to be postmarked 2 weeks after BF. I cut off the UPC (just the top layer of the box) and mailed it in. It was broken so I had to take it back. There was no problem. Granted, it was broken, but I had no issue.

 

[sam_gordon]

Though the Christmas holiday is observed on the 24th this year, Christmas Eve is never a federal holiday.

Christmas Eve IS a Federal Holiday this year. Look at the first link I posted.

And the post office will be delivering certain packages on Christmas day.

Source?

 

[Debbie7452]

There is no way most stores will take back items that have the UPC removed. Now Kohl's has a VERY lenient return policy, so I don't include them in that proclimation. Also, I'm guessing broken items might be treated differently or exchanged for a like item. Think of all the rebate fraud they would open themselves up to if they did.

I got stuck with some dishes from Penney's last year that my Mom removed the UPC for the rebate. They were not the design I asked for and were not very good quality, but I am stuck with them. I keep hoping to break a few, but so far they are unbreakable! Try getting Penney's to accept a return without the UPC....mine won't and they also gave me clearance price credit for a sweater that I needed to exchange, even though I had the original receipt from the gift giver. I try not to buy Christmas gifts at Penney's they are awful.

Kohl's on the other hand is great! Love to buy things at Kohl's for that reason.