Beware Adobe Rebates

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
to get in to.

The Adobe rebate requires sending in the original sales receipt, the
barcode label from the box containing the two products, and something
called the Proof of Purchase Tab #1, also from the box. Well I could
not find anything called "Proof of Purchase Tab #1" so I cut out the
barcode label and ripped off from the front of the box the large flap
that describes both products. I sent all this to Adobe along with the
purchase recipt and form with my name & address etc.

About 4 weeks later I got an email stating my rebate was being refused
because I did not include "Proof of Purchase Tab #1." So I contacted
(with considerable effort) both Adobe and the company handling the
rebate and said I could not find that tab, but I did send the large
color flap that obviously came from the box. They said they woudl take
the matter under consideration.

After a few more days I got an email from Adobe Customer Service saying
they were "unable to process" my rebate because I never sent them the
required flap from the box.

I still have no idea what flap they are talking about. If you plan on
purchasing this product I'd recommend you send the entire box back to
them.

Or better yet, go withPaint Shop Pro.

Birk Binnard
www.birkbinnard.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

In article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01>,
Birk Binnard <birkb@nospambirkbinnard.com> wrote:

> I still have no idea what flap they are talking about.

Wouldn't it have been easier to have called them when you originally
were trying to fulfill the terms of the rebate?

--
To reply no_ HPMarketing Corp.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Birk Binnard wrote:
> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
> to get in to.
>

The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for
everyone to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem
to use the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the
whole disgusting scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste
large chunks of time, and still be refused your rebate -- and they
will give you a spurious excuse, or no excuse at all, just a silly
little non-informative postcard.

-- Ron

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Adobe is one of those companies that does produce good products but has
horrific customer service. It is almost impossible to contact them about
anything without paying though the nose, and their on line help isn't
even very good (and it can be complicated). My personal view is that
these rebates in the consumer electronics world are largely a marketing
effort to attract customers who either don't file for them or can't.
Some retailers, Staples and Office Max, seem to be getting a bit better
about rebates, but by and large I find it practical and good for my
blood pressure to avoid any that are not 'instant'. Caveat Emptor.

Birk Binnard wrote:
> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
> to get in to.
>
> The Adobe rebate requires sending in the original sales receipt, the
> barcode label from the box containing the two products, and something
> called the Proof of Purchase Tab #1, also from the box. Well I could
> not find anything called "Proof of Purchase Tab #1" so I cut out the
> barcode label and ripped off from the front of the box the large flap
> that describes both products. I sent all this to Adobe along with the
> purchase recipt and form with my name & address etc.
>
> About 4 weeks later I got an email stating my rebate was being refused
> because I did not include "Proof of Purchase Tab #1." So I contacted
> (with considerable effort) both Adobe and the company handling the
> rebate and said I could not find that tab, but I did send the large
> color flap that obviously came from the box. They said they woudl take
> the matter under consideration.
>
> After a few more days I got an email from Adobe Customer Service saying
> they were "unable to process" my rebate because I never sent them the
> required flap from the box.
>
> I still have no idea what flap they are talking about. If you plan on
> purchasing this product I'd recommend you send the entire box back to them.
>
> Or better yet, go withPaint Shop Pro.
>
> Birk Binnard
> www.birkbinnard.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

*caution* *warning*

Participating in this thread may get you
accused of insulting millions of people.

*grin* ;^)

Jeff

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Birk Binnard wrote:
>
> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
> to get in to.
>
> The Adobe rebate requires sending in the original sales receipt, the
> barcode label from the box containing the two products, and something
> called the Proof of Purchase Tab #1, also from the box. Well I could
> not find anything called "Proof of Purchase Tab #1" so I blah blah blah...


You stop right here and FIND IT - that's how you get the rebate bucks,
not by whining later.

A simple search came up with all this info:

http://www.dogpile.com/info.dogpl/ [...] 25231%2522

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

As I noted in my original post, my purchase was made through Amazon.com.
After I posted my first post here I sent a copy to Amazon as well
because I felt they should be aware of what happened. They sent me a
reply saying they would be happy to provide a duplicate sales receipt if
that would enable me to resubmit my rebate claim.

I wrote back saying that would not help since what I was missing was the
elusive "Tab #1" which I no longer had. I just received another
response from Amazon saying they regretted this whole situation and
would put a $30 credit on my credit card today. Their email was very
gracious and they apologized for my inconvenience in this matter.

It is truly refreshing to see a company like Amazon that recognizes what
customer service means, and that values it's individual customers. I
will certainly admit that I was remiss in not locating "Tab #1" but
nevertheless I made a good faith effort to comply with the terms of the
rebate and I was sorely disappointed at the responses I got from both
Adobe and their "fulfillment center".

I would consequently recommend to all that purchases involving rebates
be made through Amazon if at all possible.
--
Birk Binnard
http://www.birkbinnard.com

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 3/5/05 2:46 PM, in article %ToWd.147392$Yu.138243@fed1read01, "Birk
Binnard" <birkb@nospambirkbinnard.com> wrote:

> As I noted in my original post, my purchase was made through Amazon.com.
> After I posted my first post here I sent a copy to Amazon as well
> because I felt they should be aware of what happened. They sent me a
> reply saying they would be happy to provide a duplicate sales receipt if
> that would enable me to resubmit my rebate claim.
>
> I wrote back saying that would not help since what I was missing was the
> elusive "Tab #1" which I no longer had. I just received another
> response from Amazon saying they regretted this whole situation and
> would put a $30 credit on my credit card today. Their email was very
> gracious and they apologized for my inconvenience in this matter.
>
> It is truly refreshing to see a company like Amazon that recognizes what
> customer service means, and that values it's individual customers. I
> will certainly admit that I was remiss in not locating "Tab #1" but
> nevertheless I made a good faith effort to comply with the terms of the
> rebate and I was sorely disappointed at the responses I got from both
> Adobe and their "fulfillment center".
>
> I would consequently recommend to all that purchases involving rebates
> be made through Amazon if at all possible.

Not only that.

If you use your Amazon.com Visa card, you get a 3% gift certificate for
future purchases. My new Canon MarkII purchased shipped free without any
salestax and I got $240 back to buy cards, etc.

A great operation.


_______________________________________________________________________________
Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Accounts Starting At $6.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com
<><><><><><><> The Worlds Uncensored News Source <><><><><><><><>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 05 Mar 2005 17:09:12 GMT, C Wright
<wright9_nojunk@nojunk_mac.com> wrote:

>Rebates are just one step above a rip off scam.

Some don't even manage that one step. There was one in the Netherlands a
while ago where a seller of stereo equipment was offering 100% rebate
which you could claim after IIRC 8 years. If you read the (very) small
print carefully, it was fairly obvious they had no intention of ever
paying out. The consumer organisations gave it a lot of publicity and
the scheme disappeared pretty quickly.

--
Stephen Poley

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ronald Hands wrote:
> Birk Binnard wrote:
>
>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements
>> 3 bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package,
>> along wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I
>> was about to get in to.
>>
>
> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for
> everyone to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem to
> use the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the whole
> disgusting scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste large chunks
> of time, and still be refused your rebate -- and they will give you a
> spurious excuse, or no excuse at all, just a silly little
> non-informative postcard.
>
> -- Ron
>
>
If you can't handle instructions for submitting rebates (and, yes they
DO require 'jumping through hoops'), then how are you going to learn to
use a complex piece of software?


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

grenner wrote:
> I completely agree. If an item is on sale but the sale is actually a rebate
> I will not buy the item. I am guessing rebates are popular with companies
> because many people never claim them. Kind of like extended warranties,
> they are pure profit for a company or store.
>
> Greg
> "Ronald Hands" <rhandsNOSPAM@mountaincable.net> wrote in message
> news:36248$4228e79d$18d54d20$541@MOUNTAINCABLE.NET...
>
>>Birk Binnard wrote:
>>
>>>I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>>bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>>wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>>to get in to.
>>>
>>
>> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for everyone
>>to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
>> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem to use
>>the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the whole disgusting
>>scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste large chunks of time, and
>>still be refused your rebate -- and they will give you a spurious excuse,
>>or no excuse at all, just a silly little non-informative postcard.
>>
>>-- Ron
>>
>>
>
>
>

If you don't think the product is worth the price without the rebate,
DON'T BUY IT. I bought PSE3, and got the rebates (I can read, and
follow, instructions), but I would have been quite willing to pay the
full price for this product, or wait a few days until it showed up in
stock at Sam's or Costco.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ron wrote:
> Adobe is one of those companies that does produce good products but has
> horrific customer service. It is almost impossible to contact them about
> anything without paying though the nose, and their on line help isn't
> even very good (and it can be complicated). My personal view is that
> these rebates in the consumer electronics world are largely a marketing
> effort to attract customers who either don't file for them or can't.
> Some retailers, Staples and Office Max, seem to be getting a bit better
> about rebates, but by and large I find it practical and good for my
> blood pressure to avoid any that are not 'instant'. Caveat Emptor.
>
> Birk Binnard wrote:
>

>
>
Well, of course they are marketing efforts! Many customers don't even
try to send in for rebates, and if the product is worth the money, they
pay it, and enjoy the product. BTW, if you need support on Adobe
products, try the Adobe User to User Forums at www.adobe.com. Lots of
knowledgable, and helpful people there.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

DaveC wrote:
> On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 12:58:54 -0800, Birk Binnard wrote
> (in article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01> ):
>
>
>>I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>to get in to.
>
>
> Rebates work in favor of the product manufacturer because
> 1. Human nature results in people losing pertinent paperwork (receipts, etc.)
> or letting the date expire
> 2. They make it nearly impossible to fulfill all the requirements.
>
> I once applied for a rebate on a laptop. The requirement was to send in the
> the UPC square from the box. I carefully cut the top layer of the corrugated
> cardboard that had the UPC printed on it and sent it in, only to be told,
> months later, that the entire depth of the cardboard ("do not peel" ) must be
> provided.
>
> I avoid all products that promise to give you something back that you can't
> get at the cash register.

Again, you MUST follow instructions (which leaves out many people) in
order to, reliably, get rebates. I have never been denied a rebate,
although I have been asked to provide more information once when my wife
became confused and sent the wrong receipt with one offer. We received
the rebate within a week of sending in the correct receipt.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

George Kerby wrote:
>
>
> On 3/5/05 2:46 PM, in article %ToWd.147392$Yu.138243@fed1read01, "Birk
> Binnard" <birkb@nospambirkbinnard.com> wrote:
>
>
>>As I noted in my original post, my purchase was made through Amazon.com.
>> After I posted my first post here I sent a copy to Amazon as well
>>because I felt they should be aware of what happened. They sent me a
>>reply saying they would be happy to provide a duplicate sales receipt if
>>that would enable me to resubmit my rebate claim.
>>
>>I wrote back saying that would not help since what I was missing was the
>>elusive "Tab #1" which I no longer had. I just received another
>>response from Amazon saying they regretted this whole situation and
>>would put a $30 credit on my credit card today. Their email was very
>>gracious and they apologized for my inconvenience in this matter.
>>
>>It is truly refreshing to see a company like Amazon that recognizes what
>>customer service means, and that values it's individual customers. I
>>will certainly admit that I was remiss in not locating "Tab #1" but
>>nevertheless I made a good faith effort to comply with the terms of the
>>rebate and I was sorely disappointed at the responses I got from both
>>Adobe and their "fulfillment center".
>>
>>I would consequently recommend to all that purchases involving rebates
>>be made through Amazon if at all possible.
>
>
> Not only that.
>
> If you use your Amazon.com Visa card, you get a 3% gift certificate for
> future purchases. My new Canon MarkII purchased shipped free without any
> salestax and I got $240 back to buy cards, etc.
>
> A great operation.
>
>
> _______________________________________________________________________________
> Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Accounts Starting At $6.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com
> <><><><><><><> The Worlds Uncensored News Source <><><><><><><><>
>
The math doesn't work out, unless you paid $8000 for a $3000 camera.
But I am glad you enjoyed it.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"Ron Hunter" <rphunter@charter.net> wrote in message
news:u8zWd.8943$nP3.5133@fe04.lga...
> Clyde Torres wrote:
>> "Ronald Hands" <rhandsNOSPAM@mountaincable.net> wrote in message
>> news:36248$4228e79d$18d54d20$541@MOUNTAINCABLE.NET...
>>
>>>Birk Binnard wrote:
>>>
>>>>I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>>>bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>>>wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>>>to get in to.
>>>>
>>>
>>> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for
>>> everyone to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
>>> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem to use
>>> the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the whole
>>> disgusting scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste large chunks
>>> of time, and still be refused your rebate -- and they will give you a
>>> spurious excuse, or no excuse at all, just a silly little
>>> non-informative postcard.
>>>
>>>-- Ron
>>
>>
>>
>> Ron, here's my take on rebates. The reason they are offered is allow
>> employees who work for companies to order products through the companies
>> and get kickbacks in the form of rebates. For example, let's say that I
>> work for ABC, Inc. ABC, Inc. needs Adobe PE 3.0, so I get the necessary
>> forms to the Purchaser to place the P.O. and send it to Adobe. The
>> product comes in, and I receive it. Unbeknownst to the Purchaser and the
>> company, I tear off the required stuff on the box, get a copy of the P.O.
>> and send in for my rebate. ABC, Inc. never knows about this, or if they
>> do, they don't care. I did this recently with a Lexar Media 1GB USB
>> stick.
>>
>> For what it's worth, I sent in for my PE 3.0 rebate about a month and a
>> half ago, and it arrived today.
>>
>> Clyde Torres
> Clyde,
> I would suggest you not confess to crimes on a public forum.
>
>
> --
> Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Ron, it wasn't a crime. My boss knew about everything, and his word is
final.

Clyde Torres

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Fri, 04 Mar 2005 17:58:20 -0500, Ronald Hands
<rhandsNOSPAM@mountaincable.net> wrote:

>Birk Binnard wrote:
>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>> to get in to.
>>
>
> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for
>everyone to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem
>to use the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the
>whole disgusting scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste
>large chunks of time, and still be refused your rebate -- and they
>will give you a spurious excuse, or no excuse at all, just a silly
>little non-informative postcard.
>
>-- Ron
>


I buy things with rebates, especially photo and computer stuff. I've
received over $1,000 in rebates in the past year. I bought a Nikon
Coolpix 5400 and a D70 Kit, each having a $200 rebate.

If you read the instructions and keep copies, you will get the rebate.
I file the copy and occasionally review them. If I've received the
rebate, I toss it. If I haven't and it's been over 6 weeks, I call and
"remind" them.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 03:12:30 GMT, "Clyde Torres"
<clyde_torres@yahoo.com> wrote:

>"Ronald Hands" <rhandsNOSPAM@mountaincable.net> wrote in message
>news:36248$4228e79d$18d54d20$541@MOUNTAINCABLE.NET...
>> Birk Binnard wrote:
>>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>> to get in to.
>>>
>>
>> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for everyone
>> to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
>> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem to use
>> the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the whole disgusting
>> scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste large chunks of time, and
>> still be refused your rebate -- and they will give you a spurious excuse,
>> or no excuse at all, just a silly little non-informative postcard.
>>
>> -- Ron
>
>
>Ron, here's my take on rebates. The reason they are offered is allow
>employees who work for companies to order products through the companies and
>get kickbacks in the form of rebates. For example, let's say that I work
>for ABC, Inc. ABC, Inc. needs Adobe PE 3.0, so I get the necessary forms to
>the Purchaser to place the P.O. and send it to Adobe. The product comes in,
>and I receive it. Unbeknownst to the Purchaser and the company, I tear off
>the required stuff on the box, get a copy of the P.O. and send in for my
>rebate. ABC, Inc. never knows about this, or if they do, they don't care.
>I did this recently with a Lexar Media 1GB USB stick.
>
>For what it's worth, I sent in for my PE 3.0 rebate about a month and a half
>ago, and it arrived today.
>
>Clyde Torres
>


Do you have any evidence that this is a wide spread practice? I doubt
that it is.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 05 Mar 2005 17:09:12 GMT, C Wright
<wright9_nojunk@nojunk_mac.com> wrote:

>
>>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>> to get in to.
>>>
>>> The Adobe rebate requires sending in the original sales receipt, the
>>> barcode label from the box containing the two products, and something
>>> called the Proof of Purchase Tab #1, also from the box. Well I could
>>> not find anything called "Proof of Purchase Tab #1" so I cut out the
>>> barcode label and ripped off from the front of the box the large flap
>>> that describes both products. I sent all this to Adobe along with the
>>> purchase recipt and form with my name & address etc.
>>>
>>> About 4 weeks later I got an email stating my rebate was being refused
>>> because I did not include "Proof of Purchase Tab #1." So I contacted
>>> (with considerable effort) both Adobe and the company handling the
>>> rebate and said I could not find that tab, but I did send the large
>>> color flap that obviously came from the box. They said they woudl take
>>> the matter under consideration.
>>>
>>> After a few more days I got an email from Adobe Customer Service saying
>>> they were "unable to process" my rebate because I never sent them the
>>> required flap from the box.
>>>
>>> I still have no idea what flap they are talking about. If you plan on
>>> purchasing this product I'd recommend you send the entire box back to them.
>>>
>>> Or better yet, go withPaint Shop Pro.
>>>
>>> Birk Binnard
>>> www.birkbinnard.com
>
>Rebates are just one step above a rip off scam. Here is how they generally
>work: Separate companies contract with Adobe, Canon, Nikon, etc. and etc.
>Knowing that only about 30% of the people actually apply for a rebate the
>rebate companies agree to totally absorb the cost of any rebates over and
>above, for example, the 32% level. That way the major companies have an
>essentially guaranteed expense level. The fewer rebates that are actually
>issued the more profit the rebate company makes. The closer they get to
>their guaranteed level the pickier they get - often to the point that they
>will deny rebates to people that have done everything correctly.

I have never been denied a rebate when everything was done as
required, and I send in several a month at least.

>Also, ever notice (when you do get a rebate check) what bank they are drawn
>on? It will be some small bank in some small town that you probably never
>heard of - like the Citizens State Bank of Waverly, MN! The major companies
>pay the rebate companies with wire drafts from major banks; but the rebate
>companies pay you with checks drawn on small town banks that take a long
>time to clear, thus making money on the float.

All well managed businesses play the float. They also play the float
in taking up to 6 weeks to get the check to you. I like my Nikon D70
Kit better at $900 than at $1100.


>All of that said, if you did not understand what "Tab #1" was you should
>have called *first*. Knowing how rebate companies operate they are just
>hoping to get submissions from people like you that do not contain
>everything required.
>Chuck
>

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sat, 5 Mar 2005 11:56:23 -0800, DaveC <me@privacy.net> wrote:

>On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 12:58:54 -0800, Birk Binnard wrote
>(in article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01> ):
>
>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>> bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>> wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>> to get in to.
>
>Rebates work in favor of the product manufacturer because
>1. Human nature results in people losing pertinent paperwork (receipts, etc.)
>or letting the date expire
>2. They make it nearly impossible to fulfill all the requirements.
>
>I once applied for a rebate on a laptop. The requirement was to send in the
>the UPC square from the box. I carefully cut the top layer of the corrugated
>cardboard that had the UPC printed on it and sent it in, only to be told,
>months later, that the entire depth of the cardboard ("do not peel" ) must be
>provided.

I have used a box cutter to skin the labels from lots of boxes and
never been denied a rebate because of it. The rebate processor is
usually not the manufacturer. A simple call to the manufacturer has
fixed what few problems I've had with rebates, and I do lots of them.
>
>I avoid all products that promise to give you something back that you can't
>get at the cash register.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 02:33:45 -0600, Ron Hunter <rphunter@charter.net>
wrote:

>DaveC wrote:
>> On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 12:58:54 -0800, Birk Binnard wrote
>> (in article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01> ):
>>
>> I once applied for a rebate on a laptop. The requirement was to send in the
>> the UPC square from the box. I carefully cut the top layer of the corrugated
>> cardboard that had the UPC printed on it and sent it in, only to be told,
>> months later, that the entire depth of the cardboard ("do not peel" ) must be
>> provided.
>>
>> I avoid all products that promise to give you something back that you can't
>> get at the cash register.

>Again, you MUST follow instructions (which leaves out many people) in
>order to, reliably, get rebates.

There are reasonable instructions (asking for proof of purchase) and
unreasonable instructions, which are aimed at getting out of paying the
rebate owed. The OP's case seems rather weak. But the case above is
clearly unreasonable - proof of purchase was provided, and there is no
reasonable excuse for witholding the rebate. If the above case came to a
Dutch court, the company concerned would have virtually no chance of
winning, as Dutch courts routinely dismiss unreasonable conditions.

--
Stephen Poley

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 15:33:10 +0100, Stephen Poley
<sbpoleySpicedHamTrap@xs4all.nl> wrote:

>On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 02:33:45 -0600, Ron Hunter <rphunter@charter.net>
>wrote:
>
>>DaveC wrote:
>>> On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 12:58:54 -0800, Birk Binnard wrote
>>> (in article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01> ):
>>>
>>> I once applied for a rebate on a laptop. The requirement was to send in the
>>> the UPC square from the box. I carefully cut the top layer of the corrugated
>>> cardboard that had the UPC printed on it and sent it in, only to be told,
>>> months later, that the entire depth of the cardboard ("do not peel" ) must be
>>> provided.
>>>
>>> I avoid all products that promise to give you something back that you can't
>>> get at the cash register.
>
>>Again, you MUST follow instructions (which leaves out many people) in
>>order to, reliably, get rebates.
>
>There are reasonable instructions (asking for proof of purchase) and
>unreasonable instructions, which are aimed at getting out of paying the
>rebate owed. The OP's case seems rather weak. But the case above is
>clearly unreasonable - proof of purchase was provided, and there is no
>reasonable excuse for witholding the rebate. If the above case came to a
>Dutch court, the company concerned would have virtually no chance of
>winning, as Dutch courts routinely dismiss unreasonable conditions.
>

Here in Arizona, when the County & State fairs come to town, the
Midway game booths are required to display a sign that says, "If you
don't understand the rules, don't play this game."
That's very good advice.

Other good advice: if you don't like the rules, don' t play the game.

--
Bill Funk
Change "g" to "a"

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Pete wrote:

> I didn't say that.
>
> My gripe - obviously - is that the insane rebate scam forces you to pay
> sales tax on a lot more than the cost of the goods, after all the BS is
> over.
Yep! But as a sales tool a rebate works :-)

Pogo had the answer. He said "we has met the enemy, and they is us."

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On 3/6/05 12:14 PM, in article BE50A448.1C4F7%wright9_nojunk@nojunk_mac.com,
"C Wright" <wright9_nojunk@nojunk_mac.com> wrote:

> On 3/6/05 2:30 AM, in article edzWd.8945$yg4.6691@fe04.lga, "Ron Hunter"
> <rphunter@charter.net> wrote:
>
>
>>>
>> You are a bit behind on banking methods. With electronic presentation,
>> there is no longer significant float beyond the time it takes you to get
>> your check in the snail mail.
>>
> I am up to date on banking method
>
Sorry about that punched the wrong key!
I am up to date on banking methods and and am aware that checks can now
clear in a matter of hours rather than days. However, I believe that
individual banks still have some control over this. If that were not the
case why is it that rebate checks still come from small banks in small towns
that you never heard of? You know that big companies like Adobe do not do
their corporate banking at these banks. In any event it takes longer for a
check to clear than for a wire transfer to show up so there is still money
that can be made on the 'float.'
Chuck

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ronald Hands wrote:
> Ron Hunter wrote:
>
>
>>>
>>>
>> If you can't handle instructions for submitting rebates (and, yes they
>> DO require 'jumping through hoops'), then how are you going to learn
>> to use a complex piece of software?
>>
>>
> I've had no trouble with complex pieces of software, thanks. I've been
> operating personal computers since 1979, and I run both Linux and
> Windows on this machine without difficulty. And I handle Adobe
> Photoshop Elements 2.0 with reasonable aplomb. In other words, your
> gratuitous insult was not appreciated.

Perhaps you should apply the same attention you have given learning to
use computers to filling out rebate offers.

> I've had two occasions when I've had trouble with rebates. One of
> them involved Intuit and seemed to involve the company not telling the
> fulfilment outfit (in Florida, as I recall) about the Canadian rebate or
> their not being able to decipher the invoice provided by Intuit Canada
> on a direct-by-mail purchase. After some struggle I eventually got my
> money.

International transactions are always more complicated than domestic
ones. Add the laws of two countries to the situation and things get out
of control.

> The other, again as I recall, involved Linksys and a rebate form
> provided by the Canadian seller, Future Shop. The Linksys fulfilment
> outfit insisted that such a rebate did not exist. Never did get my
> money on that one. Never plan to buy anything more from Linksys.

See above. Sometimes, it just doesn't work.

> There is absolutely no reason why it should take six to eight weeks
> for a rebate to be provided. And the number of complaints about the
> arcane procedures and shoddy practices seems to indicate that there's
> something definitely wrong with the whole procedure.
> If it walks like a scam and quacks like a scam . . .

I think you fail to understand how companies handle funding for rebates.
Rebates normally come from the advertising budget of a company, who
provides the money to a fulfillment company who handles the actual
rebates. If more rebates are received than planned, the fulfillment
company waits until the company pays them before sending you the money.
I have waited as little as a couple of weeks, and as long as 6 months....
It's not, quite, a scan, but it is an annoying way to do business.

>
> -- Ron


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Clyde Torres wrote:
> "Ron Hunter" <rphunter@charter.net> wrote in message
> news:u8zWd.8943$nP3.5133@fe04.lga...
>
>>Clyde Torres wrote:
>>
>>>"Ronald Hands" <rhandsNOSPAM@mountaincable.net> wrote in message
>>>news:36248$4228e79d$18d54d20$541@MOUNTAINCABLE.NET...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Birk Binnard wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop Elements 3
>>>>>bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this package, along
>>>>>wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I know what I was about
>>>>>to get in to.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> The only way to stamp out this pernicious rebate madness is for
>>>>everyone to refuse to buy any product that involves a mail-in rebate.
>>>> After several bad experiences (not with Adobe, but they all seem to use
>>>>the same "fulfilment" houses), my policy is to avoid the whole
>>>>disgusting scam. You'll jump through all the hoops, waste large chunks
>>>>of time, and still be refused your rebate -- and they will give you a
>>>>spurious excuse, or no excuse at all, just a silly little
>>>>non-informative postcard.
>>>>
>>>>-- Ron
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>Ron, here's my take on rebates. The reason they are offered is allow
>>>employees who work for companies to order products through the companies
>>>and get kickbacks in the form of rebates. For example, let's say that I
>>>work for ABC, Inc. ABC, Inc. needs Adobe PE 3.0, so I get the necessary
>>>forms to the Purchaser to place the P.O. and send it to Adobe. The
>>>product comes in, and I receive it. Unbeknownst to the Purchaser and the
>>>company, I tear off the required stuff on the box, get a copy of the P.O.
>>>and send in for my rebate. ABC, Inc. never knows about this, or if they
>>>do, they don't care. I did this recently with a Lexar Media 1GB USB
>>>stick.
>>>
>>>For what it's worth, I sent in for my PE 3.0 rebate about a month and a
>>>half ago, and it arrived today.
>>>
>>>Clyde Torres
>>
>>Clyde,
>> I would suggest you not confess to crimes on a public forum.
>>
>>
>>--
>>Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net
>
>
> Ron, it wasn't a crime. My boss knew about everything, and his word is
> final.
>
> Clyde Torres
>
>
Most companies would consider that theft. But if you had permission...
I wouldn't want others working under different rules to take it for
granted that this practice was allowed everywhere.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Arthur Entlich wrote:
> I've participated in over 100 rebates for electronic and high tech
> items, and you, Mr. Hunter live is a rarefied universe. Although I have
> never been denied a rebate in all those cases, because I do very
> carefully read the instructions, I have certainly had fulfillment
> companies attempt to disallow a rebate request, where I had to read them
> the riot act to get paid. I have also only rarely had a rebate paid
> within the allotted time the forms claim, and many have needed to be
> further pursued. In some cases, the ONLY way I was paid was by
> pressuring the retailer to either pay themselves, or intervene for payment.
>
> I have had checks show up with very limited time left on their 30 or 60
> day limit, I have had them pre-dated by months, etc.
>
> Some fulfillment companies advertise to their clients (the companies
> that wish to offer rebates) how they will effectively disqualify as many
> people as possible to reduce the payouts made. Sometimes, the problem
> is the manufacturer who will take it sweet time in providing the
> fulfillment company with the money so they can distribute it.
>
> Rebates offer a number of benefits to the retailers and manufacturers.
> Rebates are a way to clear the channel of old stock, to give investors
> the impression that inventories are greatly reduced, and to move
> liability from one fiscal quarter to the next, again to represent a
> false bottom line. Further, they supply an incentive to the shopper,
> since over 90% forget to fill in rebate submissions in time. So the
> shopper "remembers" getting a good deal on a product, and neglects to
> recall he never filled in the rebate form, and therefore has paid more
> than he recalls.
>
> Some companies are finally beginning to respond and are offering either
> on line registration, or at sales counter automatic rebates.
>
> Art
>
>
> Ron Hunter wrote:
>
>> DaveC wrote:
>>
>>> On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 12:58:54 -0800, Birk Binnard wrote
>>> (in article <3_3Wd.134666$Yu.53469@fed1read01> ):
>>>
>>>
>>>> I recently purchased the Adobe Premier Elements and Photoshop
>>>> Elements 3 bundle from Amazon. Amazon offered a $20 rebate on this
>>>> package, along wtih a $30 rebate from Adobe itself. Little did I
>>>> know what I was about to get in to.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Rebates work in favor of the product manufacturer because 1. Human
>>> nature results in people losing pertinent paperwork (receipts, etc.)
>>> or letting the date expire
>>> 2. They make it nearly impossible to fulfill all the requirements.
>>> I once applied for a rebate on a laptop. The requirement was to send
>>> in the the UPC square from the box. I carefully cut the top layer of
>>> the corrugated cardboard that had the UPC printed on it and sent it
>>> in, only to be told, months later, that the entire depth of the
>>> cardboard ("do not peel" ) must be provided.
>>> I avoid all products that promise to give you something back that you
>>> can't get at the cash register.
>>
>>
>>
>> Again, you MUST follow instructions (which leaves out many people) in
>> order to, reliably, get rebates. I have never been denied a rebate,
>> although I have been asked to provide more information once when my
>> wife became confused and sent the wrong receipt with one offer. We
>> received the rebate within a week of sending in the correct receipt.
>>
>>

I don't live in any strange universe, I just turn the rebate operation
over to my wife who is obsessive about doing it exactly as the
instructions dictate, as exotic as they may, and sometimes do, get.
Sometimes it takes both of us to parse the phrasing of the instructions.


--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net