I am getting more and more upset with the idea of mail-in rebates. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is the practice by certain retailers/manufacturers to allow a rebate of some (or all) of the sale price of an item by mailing in a form, proof of purchase and sometimes proof of prior purchase (upgrade rebate). Though it usually is done with computer products, I just heard an ad on the radio for a mail-in rebate for paint!

These guys rely on the buyer's: laziness, failure to follow instructions and missing deadlines (purchase date or postmark) that are often very short, or simply not remembering a rebate that never comes.

What if there was a concerted effort to boycott all products that use this marketing practice? Is anyone with me? To the barricades boys! (and girls!)

. . . or am I the only one who feels this way?

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> I am getting more and more upset with the idea of mail-in rebates. For those
> of you who do not know what this is, it is the practice by certain
> retailers/manufacturers to allow a rebate of some (or all) of the sale price
> of an item by mailing in a form, proof of purchase and sometimes proof of
> prior purchase (upgrade rebate). Though it usually is done with computer
> products, I just heard an ad on the radio for a mail-in rebate for paint!
>
> These guys rely on the buyer's: laziness, failure to follow instructions and
> missing deadlines (purchase date or postmark) that are often very short, or
> simply not remembering a rebate that never comes.
>
> What if there was a concerted effort to boycott all products that use this
> marketing practice? Is anyone with me? To the barricades boys! (and
> girls!)
>
> . . . or am I the only one who feels this way?

I worked for a big retailer, and I saw this system firsthand. I'm with you, buddy. I always thought it was a terribly deceptive practice that, as a practical matter, I avoid when making purchases. I have literally bought a more expensive item rather than condone the practice. One of the things that irks me about rebates is I get charged sales tax on the money they're going to send back to me. Whatever happened to just charging a fair price in the first place?

> I am getting more and more upset with the idea of mail-in rebates. For those
> of you who do not know what this is, it is the practice by certain
> retailers/manufacturers to allow a rebate of some (or all) of the sale price
> of an item by mailing in a form, proof of purchase and sometimes proof of
> prior purchase (upgrade rebate). Though it usually is done with computer
> products, I just heard an ad on the radio for a mail-in rebate for paint!
>
> These guys rely on the buyer's: laziness, failure to follow instructions and
> missing deadlines (purchase date or postmark) that are often very short, or
> simply not remembering a rebate that never comes.
>
> What if there was a concerted effort to boycott all products that use this
> marketing practice? Is anyone with me? To the barricades boys! (and
> girls!)
>
> . . . or am I the only one who feels this way?
>-------------------
i won't buy a product if i'm required to jump through hoops to get the sale price...it's an attempted rip off by the retailer...right up front...and i'm not bitin'.

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PROUD TO BE TFFE!

an ad on the radio for a mail-in rebate for paint!
>
> These guys rely on the buyer's: laziness, failure to follow instructions and
> missing deadlines (purchase date or postmark) that are often very short, or
> simply not remembering a rebate that never comes.

Guilty!

I have lost Hundreds because of my Laziness forgetfulness and stupidity.

In Defense of my local Staples, No competitors in So. Vermont. You can
apply for your rebate online. I have done one so far and 6 to 8 weeks
before I get a check! I still have two more rebates that if I don't do them soon I will lose even more. I am flawed!

The Mfgs. and Retailers know that they can offer lower prices
and draw a consumer in, with a reasonable expectation the rebate will go unchallenged and they add to their profits! (we are the suckers here)

If we SETI as a Group banded together as a buying group we can buy from the mgs at a low price!

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There is an interesting treatment of this at

Mail-in Rebate Article

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There is a fair amount of this happening here in UK now, buy a DVD player send away for the free disc, buy the new percolator send away for the free 250gm pack of crapo blend coffee,who needs it 4 weeks after you bought the thing, you want it right away don't you...

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bump

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......In Space No One Can Hear You Scream......

Bum-p

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i agree

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......In Space No One Can Hear You Scream......

I will bump all posts back to front page now so we can continue enjoying the forum.Thanks seti for deleting him.

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......In Space No One Can Hear You Scream......