Great deal on Corsair RAM?

[Bob M]

Agreed! I recently documented on Anandtech Forums proof of 13
successful rebate submissions worth over $500 on products purchased
between August 2004 and April 2006 from/through Tiger Direct, a company
one cannot mention on various forums without someone crapping in a
thread about Tiger Direct ripping people off on rebates.

There are at least several older rebate submissions going back to 2000.
In all, I've NEVER been stiffed on a rebate through/from Tiger Direct.
Which of the following explanations is more likely:

A. I have a big smiley face icon next to my name in Tiger Direct's
computers along with a note from the CEO instructing them to honor my
rebates just because I'm a really cool dude

B. I am meticulous in following directions and complying with rules for
submission of rebates <=== bingo!

Here is a photo of 22 rebate submissions worth over $1300 from
purchases made just between 05/14/2004 and 05/31/2004 (nearly half were
from Best Buy):

http://s89934018.onlinehome.us/images/rebates.jpg

I received ALL of those rebate checks with the exception of one that
was part of a two-rebate promotion. They approved one rebate but
denied the other because they claimed I couldn't redeem both (which was
not correct). Surprisingly, the rebate they approved was the more
significant of the two.

Like you, I am meticulous in following directions, complying with rules
for submission of rebates, verifying that downloadable rebate forms are
for the correct promotion before purchasing, making copies of all
materials submitted, and getting the rebate postmarked BEFORE the
deadline.

Something else is key to my success (and I suspect your's). I do not,
as many can be found advocating on numerous forums, attempt to 'game'
promotions by deliberately misreading offers and terms to create
dubious interpretations that seek to enhance the promotion being
offered or combine different promotions that a reasonable plain reading
would not warrant (i.e. rebate abuse). I have gone around and around
with persons advocating such dubious practices on various forums. More
often than not, these are the same persons crying foul and advocating
legal action the loudest when their rebates are denied or frequently
rant about rebates being a scam.

Regards,

Tim

Dude, get a life.

 

[larry moe 'n curly]

As I said earlier, if you don't have the mentality to do the rebates
IMMEDIATELY (same day as the purchase) then don't do them at all,
because you ***WILL*** end up not submitting many of them.

It can be risky to mail the rebate on the same day because if the
product is defective you may not be able to exchange it for another one
if the UPC label is removed. I almost always test the product for at
least a week before submitting the rebate, and I never forget because I
always write a reminder on my calendar.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Agreed, be sure you are going to keep the product first. As it happens,
most of the rebates are on software. But if it's defective you can
always send it back to the mfgr., even if you can't return it to the
store (in fact, what percentage of your purchases are from a store vs.
from online? For me, most purchases are online these days).

 

[Adam Corolla]

Corsair rebates like most others either take forever to arrive, or
don't arrive at all. The standard scam these days is for the issuing
company to wait until people call and complain about not receiving
their rebates, only then are their rebates actually processed and sent.
Everyone else is SOL.

"These days"? What you describe was the same experience I had until about 4
or 5 years ago... Around then, things seemed to change for some reason, and
I haven't had a problem since.

When doing rebates, here are some tips how I learned to make it work:

REBATE TIPS FROM ADAM

1. BEFORE YOU BUY
A. Check the rebate expiration date. It may already be expired
B. Ask a sales rep what forms you need from the store. Make a note of
that rep's name and the time&date you spoke to them.

2. WHEN YOU BUY
A. Get at least two copies of the receipt
B. Ask the cashier what additional forms or paperwork you need for the
rebate in case the sales rep gave you wrong info. Make a note of the
cashier's name and the time&date you spoke to her.

3. WHEN YOU GET HOME
A. In the excitement of enjoying your new purchase, it's easy to forget
about the rebate. Fill those forms out ASAP, but (see nest tip)
B. DON'T CUT THE UPC symbol off the product package or otherwise damage it
until you are certain you won't be returning the product! Returns with
damaged packaging may not be accepted or they may charge you a restocking
fee.

4. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (after you are sure you won't be returning the
product)
A. Carefully fill out all necessary forms in clear, legible writing. Pay
special attention to all directions--sometimes they throw a goofy one in
there that most people ignore or don't read, then the rebate company refuses
the rebate on that technicality.
B. Make at least two photocopies of all forms, UPC symbols, rebate coupons
and receipts and anything else you need for the rebate.
C. Send the rebate request in with delivery confirmation. I cannot stress
this enough. If you don't do this, a shady rebate company can throw away
your request, claim they never received it, and by the time you find out and
send another one, it'll be past the expiration date and you'll no longer be
eligible for a rebate.
D. Check the instructions to see how long to expect the rebate to arrive.
Use the longer date (if it says six to eight weeks, use eight weeks) and
mark your calendar (preferably both paper and your pop-up reminder in
Outlook or whatever you use) to remind you that you should have received the
rebate. NOTE in there where you put the photocopies and delivery
confirmation receipt.

5. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT in the specified time
BEFORE DOING ANY OF THE FOLLOWING, get some note paper and note EVERYTHING
you do with the company. Every detail of conversation, every person you
speak to and their extension, any fax or phone numbers you're given, and the
times & dates of everything.
A. Call the company, being sure to get the person's name and note the time
& date of the call. BE POLITE AND PATIENT even though this is frustrating.
You will find that service people are much better able to focus on the task
at hand (helping you) if they aren't being pressured, insulted or bullied by
an angry customer. Find out why you haven't gotten the rebate. If they say
they are running late, ask for a specific date when you can expect the
rebate by. Make detailed notes. Re-mark your calendars for that date. Put
your notes with the photocopies and delivery confirmation.
B. If they say they can't find it, mention the delivery confirmation
(which you should have received weeks ago.) Point out that you have proof
they received it and on what date, and ask to speak to a manager. Get the
manager's name and explain that you will be re-sending the rebate request
with PHOTOCOPIES of the information. Normally, they won't accept
photocopies of receipts, UPC symbols, etc, but since THEY lost the
originals, they had better accept the copies!
C. Tell the manager you expect expedited service due to the fact that it
was their mistake, not yours, which is causing the delay. Ask if you can
send the request to his or her attention. Get a specific date by which you
can expect your rebate after he receives it. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN IN
DETAIL AS YOU ARE TALKING/LISTENING because it's easy to forget when you
hang up.
D. Send the second request to that manager's attention right away, with
delivery confirmation, and a note detailing your phone conversation. Don't
forget to mention that he specified when you would have the rebate by, and
when he said it would be. Go by when he receives it, so if he said two
weeks, give him two weeks from the date he receives it (better yet give him
three or four extra days just in case he is swamped and it takes him time to
get through his mail to your letter, let him know you are doing this as well
because he'll appreciate your thoughtfulness and that works out good for
you.)
E. If they request the photocopies by FAX, get a phone number to call
after you send the FAX to make sure they received it. Also along with the
rebate forms, receipts and UPC symbols, include a letter politely insisting
on a return fax with the company information, rep's name, confirmation of
rebate form receipt, amount of rebate and date when to expect it by. Note
that you expect that return FAX within 24 hours. If you don't get it by
then, call them and find out why.


Be polite and patient at ALL TIMES. If you get angry, insulting, pushy or
belligerent, you're shooting yourself in the foot because you're making it
hard for the person you're dealing with to concentrate on your problem (and
less likely for them to want to help you.)

If after all the above you still can't seem to get the rebate, talk to the
highest level person you can and mention in a casual, relaxed way that
you've been in contact with other people who have not received the rebate
and that they were talking about a class-action suit. You have to say it in
a relaxed and casual way because usually people are making empty threats
when they mention suits, and you can tell an empty threat because the person
making it has to stress it, make it sound important and forceful. Imagine
that you aren't trying to use the lawsuit threat to push them to give you
what you want, but that you're just talking to a close friend about an
article you read in the paper.

Again, remember that the people you're talking to are peons, they aren't the
ones trying to rip you off, they're just trying to get through another day
at work for whatever pittance they're being paid while the corporate heads
set the "screw-the-customer" policies and rake in the cash. But don't
bad-mouth the company either... for reasons I won't go into here.


Does it seem ridiculous to have to go through all the above for a silly $20
(or whatever amount) rebate? Sure, but the $20 isn't why you do it. You do
it for the principle, and for the joy of being a pain in the ass (with just
cause) to a shady company and forcing them to give you your money.

 

[David Maynard]

That assumes that the purpose of rebates really is to lower the price
temporarily for all of the reasons you say.

It's not an 'assumption', it's an explanation of a few reasons why
companies use rebates.

But my guess

A "guess" based on what?

is that the real motivating factor is to trick you into
thinking you're getting a lower price,

Not much of a 'trick' when you *are* getting the lower price, if you don't
screw it up.

when actually the company knows via
research that the chances are you won't send in the rebate form.

I don't know what percentage of the populace "won't send in the rebate
form" and I'll "guess" that you don't either, the "most" claim notwithstanding.

However, I am absolutely certain the companies have an estimate, just like
they have a estimate for incoming part rejects, assembly line rework, and
product failure rates. Doesn't mean they 'want' any of them.

And/or that
if the company fails to send your rebate for whatever reason, the chances
are even slimmer that you will follow up.

Contrary to your apparent 'trick conspiracy' belief, most companies do not
want that to happen because it's counter productive to the purpose of the
rebate in that whatever they gained from the single sale is more than lost
in customer dissatisfaction.

Car salesmen, maybe, because they figure that one purchase is the only time
they'll ever see you. But companies depend on reputation and repeat business.

The manufacturer controls the wholesale pricing.

Yes, they control what they sell it for, and only that.

If the end of rebates means
wholesale prices will drop, that's at least a first step.

Except the 'if' isn't valid.

There is absolutely nothing to prevent a company from dropping it's
wholesale price and if they wanted to they would. They don't.

You've got two choices. You can ignore rebates, which might help the others
get a better one since the return rate drops so the company estimate of
what they can offer might increase, or you can take advantage of the rebate
and save some money.

Hopefully competition in the marketplace will be the incentive for dealers
to drop their prices as well.

A company trying to incentivize sales wants to incentivize sales, not
'hope' the dealers drop the price as well.

And don't forget MSRP as well.

Why should *I* 'not forget' MSRP when virtually everyone else does?

Manufacturers suggest a retail price, and sometimes even have that price
printed on the box. If the MSRP is lowered, the dealer has no choice but to
charge that price as the max. Only a fool would buy something from a store
where the MSRP is printed on the box but the store a sticker on it with a
price that's even higher.

I have no idea where you get that theory from. The most common case is
selling below MSRP but if there's sufficient demand things get sold over
MSRP as well.

Selling over MSRP isn't common, though, because the demand will immediately
spur more production, if the company can possibly manage it. Won't be any
rebates either.

 

[David Maynard]

Oh, that's right. We should always trust big business.

Give me a reason not to, other than your apparently automatic assumption
they're 'evil'.

They always act with
the highest of ethical motives.

Depends on what one considers 'ethical' but I get the impression you'd call
'for profit' an priori 'unethical'.

How do you put food on the table?

I see you're also following the same debate in the Corsair memory thread.
I'm going to stick to this thread, but I think a lot of interesting things
are being said over there.
One thing to remember about rebates: Buying a $100 product with a $20 rebate
is NOT the same as buying that same product for $80 if you live in a
locality that has sales tax. The sales tax will be charged on that $100, not
on $80. So, right off the bat, you've lost some money.

Amusing. You 'only' get $20-tax back so you've "lost some money."

Clue: You never had it to 'lose'.

And, no, the 'choice' isn't it being sold for $80 vs a $100-$20 rebate
because manufacturers aren't going to change wholesale just because you
don't like rebates.

<snip>

 

[David Maynard]

But the issue is not MY mentality. We are talking about the very reason
companies do rebates.

No, you're not talking about why companies do rebates, you're talking about
your 'guess' based on a knee jerk assumption there's some devious
conspiracy involved.

I, and some others, have already given you a few of the reasons companies
do rebates, some of which are rather obvious when given proper
consideration, but you ignore them because they don't fit your conspiracy.

If the percentage of people who do rebates were to skyrocket to say 98% of
customers,

Where's your data to show it isn't already 98%? Or that an increase to 98%
would be a "skyrocket?"

how long do you think the rebate program would last?

As long as it served the purpose of increasing sales in the target market.

It's BECAUSE
the companies know that the filing percentage will be considerably lower
that they continue to offer rebates.

And your evidence for that claim is where?

It's the sucker-born-every-minute
philosophy. And in this case I'll admit I'm one of the suckers.

Uh huh. So, even if your accusation were true, just how do you expect
rebate programs to 'end'? Let me guess, you're one of those who want
government to 'pass a law' to keep you from being a sucker.

I'll go back to the point I made earlier: How much will a company be able to
lower its MSRP if it didn't offer a rebate program?

None, because that isn't the purpose of a rebate. They'd offer something
else, like 'pay you X bucks' for your old whatever, and throw it away.
(Based on an actual program brilliantly conceived.)

That's where I'd like
companies to be.

Ain't going to happen because your theory ignores the real reasons
companies do rebates.

I realize you profit from rebates. Congratulations.
But lets go to an analogy. It's not a perfect one, but it might be a good
point of discussion.
Lets assume HYPOTHETICALLY that a white person who walks into a car
dealership is going to get a better deal on an interest rate than a black
person or a Hispanic. I say hypothetically because though there are people
who will tell you there is data that supports that hypothesis, I don't want
to get into an argument as to whether that interpretation of the data is
correct.
Lets just say it's true: A white man will get a better interest rate than an
African American or a Hispanic. So I know that whenever I want to buy a car,
I'm going to come out a winner compared to other ethnic groups. Does that
make that system right because I fare better at it than other folks?
Remember, I said it is not a perfect analogy. Racism is a much more serious
offense compared to whether I save a few bucks on a joystick.

Your analogy holds no water because there is no a priori discrimination on
the part of the manufacturer offering rebates. It's entirely up to the
purchaser whether he wants it and properly applies for it.

But still, if
the main reason for rebates is trickery --

That's the main problem, your assumption even in the face of being given
the real reasons.

the idea that you're really not
going to get the savings you think you're going to get

Except you do, if you apply for it properly.

-- then the fact that
YOU profit from the rebates and others may also profit from them is no valid
defense of the system if its based on the idea that most people will not
profit from it.

That logic is just plain bad. If I offer, today only, a 'free' car to
anyone who comes in, with the advertisement, and asks for it but only one
person does, and gets the car, I have not 'cheated' all you skeptics who
claim it was 'a trick'. That's your problem. And, just to be clear, I've
also not 'cheated' you if I correctly guessed that only one person would be
'foolish enough' to come in and ask.

Nor does it mean I intend to change my regular price.

And I think that anybody who delves into this will find that there is
trickery involved. The company is betting on the fact that you're never
going to file that paperwork. They are hyping a savings to you that they
know you're unlikely to ever get.

Well, 'surprise', then, because I do get it.

And I guess I should finally make it clear that tho this subject is "Best
Buy rebate scam," my point has never been that Best Buy is scamming its
customers. I've been talking about rebates in general. I just happened to
join in on this particular discussion.

Oh come on. You can't claim that rebates 'in general' are inherently a scam
and then claim a practitioner isn't scamming.

 

[DP]

DP wrote:


That's the main problem, your assumption even in the face of being given
the real reasons.

And lets turn your question back on you: How do you know those are the REAL
reasons? You say they are, but I won't believe you unless you can document.

As for the basis for some of my comments about redemption rates, etc, well,
the stories are out there all over the place.

Here's one, from that commie rag, Business Week:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov2005/nf20051123_4158_db016.htm

OK, I've given you partial documentation for some of my claims; now how
about some documentation for yours?
It's your move.

 

[Barry Watzman]

Rebate redemption rates are relatively low (e.g. under 50%), but that
does not mean that those offering rebates are engaging in a scam, nor
does it mean that there is any "trickery" involved.

Rebate offers are, for the most part, exactly as presented and can
generally be taken at face value. There is no scam and no "trickery".
The offer is up-front, straightforward and, with very few exceptions,
fulfilled as described.

The redemption rates are low simply because half or more of the
population is some combination of {disorganized, lazy and/or forgetful}.
Rebates provide a means for the manufacturer or retailer to increase
total sales by INDIRECTLY offering differential pricing, where the price
paid is at the discretion not of the seller (the offer of the rebate)
but of the buyer.

 

[DP]

Depends on what one considers 'ethical' but I get the impression you'd
call 'for profit' an priori 'unethical'.

Well, your impression would be wrong.

 

[DP]

Rebate redemption rates are relatively low (e.g. under 50%), but that does
not mean that those offering rebates are engaging in a scam, nor does it
mean that there is any "trickery" involved.

Scam, as in an illegal enterprise designed to steal money from people? No.

Trickery? Well, I guess it all depends on how you define that word. Here's a
sentence from the BW story: "What rebates do is get consumers to focus on
the discounted price of a product, then buy it at full price."
To me, that has hints of a little shell game going on.

It's like those lottery commercials that make you think you have a chance to
become a multimillionaire. Yes, people do win lotteries and do become
multimillionaires as a result. But your individual chance of winning a
lottery is probably less than the chances of you siring or giving birth to a
child with three eyes.

I guess it's all a matter of trust. I used the example the other day of
extended warranties. In recent years, people have become suspicious of them
and are shying away from them (which is not to say there aren't some good
extended warranties out there). I think the same thing is happening with
rebates. People are becoming more suspicious.

If Best Buy or Circuit City or CompUsa wants to keep hyping rebates, then
they start to lose credibility with me. Which means I might be less likely
to believe any claim the company may make. Which means I may be less likely
to trust in their promise to stand behind their products. Which means I'll
take my money elsewhere.

I think simply as a keeping-your-customers-satisfied move, you'll see more
and more sellers moving away from rebates.

 

[Percival P. Cassidy]

When doing rebates, here are some tips how I learned to make it work:

REBATE TIPS FROM ADAM

1. BEFORE YOU BUY
A. Check the rebate expiration date. It may already be expired
B. Ask a sales rep what forms you need from the store. Make a note of
that rep's name and the time&date you spoke to them.

2. WHEN YOU BUY
A. Get at least two copies of the receipt
B. Ask the cashier what additional forms or paperwork you need for the
rebate in case the sales rep gave you wrong info. Make a note of the
cashier's name and the time&date you spoke to her.

3. WHEN YOU GET HOME
A. In the excitement of enjoying your new purchase, it's easy to forget
about the rebate. Fill those forms out ASAP, but (see nest tip)
B. DON'T CUT THE UPC symbol off the product package or otherwise damage it
until you are certain you won't be returning the product! Returns with
damaged packaging may not be accepted or they may charge you a restocking
fee.

4. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (after you are sure you won't be returning the
product)
A. Carefully fill out all necessary forms in clear, legible writing. Pay
special attention to all directions--sometimes they throw a goofy one in
there that most people ignore or don't read, then the rebate company refuses
the rebate on that technicality.
B. Make at least two photocopies of all forms, UPC symbols, rebate coupons
and receipts and anything else you need for the rebate.
C. Send the rebate request in with delivery confirmation. I cannot stress
this enough. If you don't do this, a shady rebate company can throw away
your request, claim they never received it, and by the time you find out and
send another one, it'll be past the expiration date and you'll no longer be
eligible for a rebate.

I read the rebate instructions on one Web site a while ago and saw a
warning that they do not accept certified/registered/delivery
confirmation mail. This information was not on the printed form.


Another thing to watch is that the rebate processing service may have a
different set of instructions/conditions from those printed on the form.
A few years ago Staples had a good rebate on APC uninterruptible power
supplies, and there was no mention of the form of any limit. I checked
with the manager, who assured me that if no limit was mentioned, then I
could get the rebate on as many as I liked, so I bought two. However,
when I called the rebate processing center to see if I could mail them
in the same envelope or whether I needed to mail them separately, the
person read from her instructions that the rebate was limited to one per
customer. Being thus forewarned, along with the required information
(all in one envelope) I sent an enlarged copy of the rebate form,
drawing attention to the absence of any stated limit, and I pointed out
that the store manager had assured me that there was no limit. I did get
the two rebates.

Perce

 

[John Malone]

90%+ of the rebates are discriminatory so I never conceder them as worth
anything.

Where I live I have no address (other than a 911 we got last year and that
is 1.5 miles from the house) and you don't get mail to a 911 addy.

I use a PO Box and 99% of rebates won't let you use a PO Box so for me they
just won't work!
They all want a physical address but when I give them Range 8 W. Township 40
N section 1&2 ect....... No one can deliver anything to it.

I just get the best price I can without rebates and leave it at that....
--
John Malone
==============
|
| | > Rebate redemption rates are relatively low (e.g. under 50%), but that
does
| > not mean that those offering rebates are engaging in a scam, nor does it
| > mean that there is any "trickery" involved.
|
| Scam, as in an illegal enterprise designed to steal money from people? No.
|
| Trickery? Well, I guess it all depends on how you define that word. Here's
a
| sentence from the BW story: "What rebates do is get consumers to focus on
| the discounted price of a product, then buy it at full price."
| To me, that has hints of a little shell game going on.
|
| It's like those lottery commercials that make you think you have a chance
to
| become a multimillionaire. Yes, people do win lotteries and do become
| multimillionaires as a result. But your individual chance of winning a
| lottery is probably less than the chances of you siring or giving birth to
a
| child with three eyes.
|
| I guess it's all a matter of trust. I used the example the other day of
| extended warranties. In recent years, people have become suspicious of
them
| and are shying away from them (which is not to say there aren't some good
| extended warranties out there). I think the same thing is happening with
| rebates. People are becoming more suspicious.
|
| If Best Buy or Circuit City or CompUsa wants to keep hyping rebates, then
| they start to lose credibility with me. Which means I might be less likely
| to believe any claim the company may make. Which means I may be less
likely
| to trust in their promise to stand behind their products. Which means I'll
| take my money elsewhere.
|
| I think simply as a keeping-your-customers-satisfied move, you'll see more
| and more sellers moving away from rebates.
|
|
|
|
|

 

[David Maynard]

And lets turn your question back on you: How do you know those are the REAL
reasons?

You mean besides it being prima facia obvious?

Because I've been there.

You say they are, but I won't believe you unless you can document.

Of course you won't, because it isn't a good conspiracy.

As for the basis for some of my comments about redemption rates, etc, well,
the stories are out there all over the place.

Here's one, from that commie rag, Business Week:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/nov2005/nf20051123_4158_db016.htm

OK, I've given you partial documentation for some of my claims; now how
about some documentation for yours?
It's your move.

The topic is your claim that the 'reason' companies do rebates is because
"the vast majority" won't send them in but your article doesn't say that.

 

[David Maynard]

Rebate redemption rates are relatively low (e.g. under 50%),

Actually, his article suggests the redemption rate is 60%.

 

[David Maynard]

Well, your impression would be wrong.

Then I'm glad to hear I was wrong.

 

[Mark A]

I disagree, in part. Norton products almost always have a rebate posted on
the shrinkwrap to get you to upgrade or to replace a competing product.
From my recollection, the rebate offer runs the life of the product, which
tends to change annually. When it's introduced at the beginning of the
product cycle, there's a rebate offer. And usually at the end of the
product cycle the rebate offer is still on the box and usually still good.
Either they start out with a long period in which to file the rebate, or
else the rebate deadline slides during the year. (If Norton is going to
offer the same rebate throughout the product lifecycle, why not just lower
the price.)
Quicken and Money do the pretty much the same.

Upgrade rebates are a different category. Upgrade rebates allows the company
to sell one box of software at two different prices, instead of having to
sell one software package for new buyers and one for people who qualify for
the upgrade. There is also a problem of qualification since many companies
want you to send in receipts, etc from the previous version.

 

[David Maynard]

Scam, as in an illegal enterprise designed to steal money from people? No.

Trickery? Well, I guess it all depends on how you define that word. Here's a
sentence from the BW story: "What rebates do is get consumers to focus on
the discounted price of a product, then buy it at full price."
To me, that has hints of a little shell game going on.

It's a 'hint' that is the author's opinion, or your interpretation, not a
'fact' and it's partially contradicted by the published fact, in the same
article, that the redemption rate is 60% (derived by subtracting 40 from
100). The majority "focus on the discounted price of a product" and then
get the discounted price.

It's also misleading the way you interpret it, or the way the author
'hints', as it is a plain simple fact, clearly understood, that you "buy it
at full price," then send in the rebate and get your rebate check, so the
end result is the "full price" you paid minus the rebate you receive, which
is what is advertised: "buy at... get back..." It's what "rebate" means.

But I'll answer the definition matter. In this context 'trickery' would be
leading someone to believe one thing when it's something else, as in "ah
hah, fooled you." But a rebate is precisely as advertised.

It's like those lottery commercials that make you think you have a chance to
become a multimillionaire. Yes, people do win lotteries and do become
multimillionaires as a result. But your individual chance of winning a
lottery is probably less than the chances of you siring or giving birth to a
child with three eyes.

Again your analogy fails because there is no 'random chance of winning' a
rebate, other than your own reliability (plus the occasional blips and
blurps that accompany life).

I guess it's all a matter of trust. I used the example the other day of
extended warranties. In recent years, people have become suspicious of them
and are shying away from them (which is not to say there aren't some good
extended warranties out there). I think the same thing is happening with
rebates. People are becoming more suspicious.

The question is whether the 'suspicion' is warranted or a conspiracy theory
induced automatic 'distrust' regardless of what is done.

If Best Buy or Circuit City or CompUsa wants to keep hyping rebates, then
they start to lose credibility with me. Which means I might be less likely
to believe any claim the company may make. Which means I may be less likely
to trust in their promise to stand behind their products. Which means I'll
take my money elsewhere.

I think simply as a keeping-your-customers-satisfied move, you'll see more
and more sellers moving away from rebates.

Now there you have a reasonable theory, that irrational mistrust may kill
the golden goose.

 

[John Doe]

... a rebate is precisely as advertised.

Many people have contrary real world experiences to that opinion.

... there is no 'random chance of
winning' a rebate, other than your own reliability (plus the
occasional blips and blurps that accompany life).

Many of us have found that rebates do not get delivered. For
example, the $20 rebate I was supposed to have received for buying a
Zoom modem.

The question is whether the 'suspicion' is warranted or a
conspiracy theory induced automatic 'distrust' regardless of what
is done.

David Maynard uses the "conspiracy theory" argument so much, it's
beginning to sound like a conspiracy theory.

/

Now there you have a reasonable theory, that irrational mistrust
may kill the golden goose.

A rebate is a golden goose?
Very funny.

 

[DP]

You mean besides it being prima facia obvious?

Because I've been there.


Of course you won't, because it isn't a good conspiracy.

Just as I thought, David, you can't document it. I don't care about your
opinion. Your credibility is zip with me.

It's just as prima facie obvious to me that, based on comments in this
thread and the Corsair memory thread alone, a LOT of people have gripes
against rebate companies and accuse them of worse than trickery.

Oh well, nice try. I'll be interested in hearing what precious "facts" (as
you mentioned in a different post in this thread) you can bring in to
support your position. Until then, I'll ignore your opinions and
speculations.