Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Rebate Scams
Don't you just love the latest scam for consumers. The rebate. Yes, you save some money, but how often are these things completely used? I try to be pretty conscientious with these things, but I miss more often that I care to say. Usually I get the papers filled out correctly but then don't use the check up in time. This has happened to me more than I care to say.
And getting the papers together is a royal pain in the ass as well. Some of those rebates have more conditions than a software license. You have to get cash register receipts and underline or circle or check the purchase. Then you have to get the bar code or serial number from the package. Then you have to use a certain size envelope and send it off to some place with a wait time of 4-6 weeks.
When you get it back, if you're lucky it's a check for the rebate amount. It normally has a pretty short expiration date on it, so you'd better use it quick. If you're not lucky, it'll probably be some kind of limited use money back something or other. You'll either have to use it only at certain stores, or only for certain products. All in all, it's a pain.
But the company makes you think you're saving money, and for all those who don't follow all the little rules, the company doesn't have to lose that money.
