Never let the marketers win - Send in those rebate forms!
Yes the forms make you wanna vomit, but the money is YOURS - don't be tricked out of it!If you've purchased a product which guarantees you money back, fill those suckers out and stay on top of it. Those little bastards are meant to look confusing and annoy the piss outta you. But you know what? You're not gonna fall for it!
And i gotta tell you, "they" - as in the people behind these little forms - aren't gonna do it for you. In fact, i seriously think they're making it tougher and crazier as the years go by. I mean, look at that picture i added here - are they insane?!!! They want me to get a salesperson's signature in order to get my rebate?! If that's not meant to throw me, i don't know what is.
The reason i got this rebate was because i bought a set of 4 tires for the Mrs' car. And do you know WHERE i bought these bad boys? ONLINE! So, tell me, how on earth am i supposed to get a salesperson's name, signature, AND employee # (as stipulated elsewhere on the form) from a person halfway across the country? Ridiculous.
But of course, that's not the whole story. You see, that's all that it says in the "3 main steps" in order to process my rebate. 1st - buy the tires, 2nd - enter my zip code, and 3rd - mail a copy of my invoice and this rebate form signed by a salesperson (as shown above). Now, if you had only read that part and then stopped as i initially did, the odds of continuing are now slim to none.
And that's a shame. A shame because had you continued reading on the other side of the page, you would have noticed two stars (**) next to the place where this salesperson is supposed to fill out his credentials. And would you like to know what these stars mean? Well, they mean that this is only necessary IF you bought them in a store aka "in person". That's F'd up man, those stars should have been right next to those words i underlined - not across town on the lines people rarely read.
So while i was relieved i didn't have to finagle a signature out of someone i've never seen, i spent a good 2 hours this morning p-i-s-s-e-d. And that's just not right...piss-poor customer service.
But you know what? I learned something this morning - you REALLY have to read all that fine print, especially when you are asking someone to hand over money. In fact, there are a few things i'd like to share for the next time you go through this process:
- Fill out the form ASAP - Important for a number of reasons, but mainly so you don't forget and/or lose anything! All of these rebates are time sensitive, so it's good to mail 'em before it's too late. Plus, doing it sooner than later keeps all the info fresh in your head.
- READ EVERY LINE CAREFULLY - So you don't have to waste any time being frustrated - either before filling it out (like me), or after when you get a note saying it can't be processed for some retarded reason.
- Listen & fill everything out - Don't be one of those people who just fill out the parts you want to fill out. This allows the rebate folks to happily stamp a "rejected" or "pending more info" notice on it....delaying, if not terminating, your right to the money.
- Include your email - Not so you can get spammed (don't check that box), but so you can get updates as to when your form is being processed and when it's on it's way!
- Make copies and date everything - All invoices, rebate forms, UPC's, everything. Be sure to date your copies too, and scribble the date you shoud receive it by too. And if there's a 1-800 # on it, which there usually is, circle it so you know exactly who to call if it never shows up.
Labels: advice, customer service, rant
posted by J. Money at
11:15 AM
9 Comments:
I have a file folder with all of my rebates...new ones on the front with copies of everything (even the envelopes, to double check the address). I have had to call/e-mail/contact the company on several rebates. I've done a lot more for $30...so I WILL get my money! :)
I used to work at a mail in rebate company. We processed rebates for about 50 companies. I worked in customer service which was especially fun. You haven't lived until you've been called the B word because someone didn't get their $1.50.
But you gave some great advice. Read everything including what is excluded in the rebate, don't take the salesperson's word that something qualifies. Read it yourself. Make copies, and if it's a big rebate, send it signature required. That way you KNOW when it was received and can prove it later if need be. Oh, and write clearly. You would be surprised at the chicken scratch people send in.
I am really bad at follow though with rebates. I did do the computer rebates last Christmas but the rest I just seem to let ride. I need to take a little time and energy and send the rebate. Every little bit helps.
@Saving Diva - Hardcore! i love it ;)
@Ashley - For real? that is awwwwwwwwwwwwesome! oh man, i would seriously LOVE to work at a rebate company for an entire day and get the inside scoop. No joke, i'd do it in a heart beat! I worked for an airlines for a year once, and that is similarly "fun" ;)
@debtfree2009 - Yes, for sure! Esp. if that's what actually got you to buy what you bought.
Ew! I hate the trickery present in our consumer society. Way to go with the tips! :)
I am horrible at the rebates. In fact, I had a rebate for my cell phone purchase this summer and I never filled it out! Sigh.
@Ashley- that's hilarious. I also had a super-fun job working at a certain coffee house that shall remain nameless. I got hot coffee thrown at me once because the store had run out of granulated sugar. The steam from a piping hot coffee does wonders to open up your pores...
As for rebates, I heard in my marketing class in college that only 10% of consumers actually send in their rebates. It's annoying, but so worth it.
Good tip - I usually let this stuff slide but you've inspired me...!
I am incredibly diligent when it comes to rebates, and nothing irks me more than when one fails to come through. Luckily, most rebate companies will fold fairly quickly if you call them, but it is a shame that it has to come to that (to date, I've only lost one rebate -- from Office Depot for $16). I think the two most important things are to (1) make copies and (2) have some sort of tracking calendar/reminder system to remember to followup on rebates.
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