Staples Rebate Problesm (vent)

[LindaG4458]

Just to show that Best Buy isn't he only store with rebate problems:

I recently purchsed a 2.0 Gb Sony MicroVault Pro to carry files back and forth from NH to FL. The advertised price was $129.95 with a mail-in rebate of $30, net price $99.95. I bought the item, received all the paperwork for the Staples Easy Rebate, and happily went home. That afternoon I filed online for my rebate and received a note back giving me the tracking number of the claim. I checked the number and found that my claim was rejected because my Staples Easy Rebate ID (the serial number on the sales receipt) was invalid (probably not updated in real time and not done yet). Rather than fool around with refiling online, etc., I decided the easier thing to do would be to use the mail-in option, and did so that afternoon.

Today I received an email that my claim had been received, was in process, and the tracking number for it. When I checked that number it was rejected because of a DUPLICATE Staples Easy Rebate ID. I've written to them to ask WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? Online is invalid, mailed-in is duplicate!

Somehow I get the feeling that these stores are doing anything that they can to keep from paying out the money. I recently received a card in the mail for something I bought in FL last fall saying that the rebate was rejected because it was incomplete. It's only $10, but I know I did everything required to get the money.

This rebate stuff is harder than a regular job.

 

[minmate]

Email them back and say, "What happened to my Easy Button?" You know, the commercials?

 

[Disney Ella]

Isn't it frustrating trying to get those rebates? We had a lot of trouble with the Staples rebates. We bought a digital camera and printer around Thanksgiving and DH entered all the information in the Easy Rebate thing in the computer. It was rejected, but it didn't say why it was rejected. No one answered his e-mail and he couldn't find a phone number that would lead him to a real person.

I decided to mail in the forms. A few weeks later, I got a postcard saying that I did not enclose the proper forms when I knew very well I did. I got the postcard on a Friday and the deadline to get the proper information back to them was that MONDAY! At that point, DH and I decided to give up and just not shop at Staples anymore.

Guess what came last week? A check for $100 from Staples. Apparently one of the forms we submitted was accepted, even though we were told it was rejected. Maybe the same thing will happen with your rebate.

I hate rebates. The stores know very well that a significant number of people won't go through the hassle of doing all the paperwork, which means more profit for them. I wish one of the stores would do away with rebates and just put things on sale. I would certainly shop there.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This rebate stuff is harder than a regular job.

Amen and God Bless my husband for that. We do the "Black Friday" sales (day after Thanksgiving) with ALL those rebates. It is hard but worth it.

 

[cherylp3]

http://www.fatwallet.com/t/24/314746/

Read item #2 for help

 

[Lizzydoll73]

I used to be a customer service manager at CompUSA. We used to get people in all the time who had problems with their rebates. When ever I send in a rebate I make photocopies of everything I am sending them and write down the day it was sent. This came in handy when we had a $100 rebate for Directv and they said they never recieved it. I faxed everything and they were able to send out the rebate.

 

[piratesmate]

Just to show that Best Buy isn't he only store with rebate problems:

I recently purchsed a 2.0 Gb Sony MicroVault Pro to carry files back and forth ......

We bought two of the smaller ones before T'giving - $15 rebate each - but I forgot to file until sometime during the day Black Friday. The paper work said we could get rebates for up to 10. I filed online, but they only let me enter for one. It said they'd update to show the proper number in a couple days.

Well, I don't know if you remember or not but there was so much activity that the consumers took down Staples' site for 5 days after Black Friday. I don't know if that was the problem or not, but it was never updated. I contacted them & they said to "give it a few more days."

I shouldn't have waited, because by the time they said to mail the 2nd one in there wasn't enough time to get it there. I know it was partially my fault, but it annoyed me all the same.

 

[Kermit]

I've had problems with rebates from a lot of places. I'd gladly take something on sale for a little more than something with a rebate. Those people will do anything to keep you from getting your money back. I once sent in the original receipt for a rebate because I didn't need it and I was too lazy to get it copied. I got a letter back saying I couldn't have my rebate because the instructions clearly asked for a copy of the receipt.

 

[LindaG4458]

cherylp3 - Thanks for the site with the action plans. I am waiting to see if Staples writes back within 24 hours. If they don't come through with the rebate I will report them to some of these agencies.

Kermit - talk about getting out of paying ona technicality!

Best of luck to everyone on getting the money due to them