Don't trust WD rebates

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wil Limbacher
  • Start date Start date
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Wil Limbacher

Don't trust Western Digital's rebate offers. For the second time in a few
monnths I've had a rebate denied. The latest, they claim I didn't submit the
bar code. I've got the package sitting here next to me with a big chunk cut
out of it where the bar code was, and I was meticulous in taping the bar
code directly to the rebate form. Either they're deliberately denying some
percentage of claims arbitrarily, or they're just completely incompetent in
handling them. Either way, be prepared to have your rebate denied. I suggest
keeping a copy of the submission, assuming that you're willing to go to a
troublesome battle over $30, which I suspect they know most people won't. I
won't be buying a WD drive where there's a rebate involved again, and I'm
going to tell Fry's what I think of their supplier's tactics. I hope some
aggressive Attorney General decides to investigate this company and puts it
through the wringer.
 
Wil Limbacher said:
Don't trust Western Digital's rebate offers. For the second time in a few
monnths I've had a rebate denied. The latest, they claim I didn't submit the
bar code. I've got the package sitting here next to me with a big chunk cut
out of it where the bar code was, and I was meticulous in taping the bar
code directly to the rebate form. Either they're deliberately denying some
percentage of claims arbitrarily, or they're just completely incompetent in
handling them. Either way, be prepared to have your rebate denied. I suggest
keeping a copy of the submission, assuming that you're willing to go to a
troublesome battle over $30, which I suspect they know most people won't. I
won't be buying a WD drive where there's a rebate involved again, and I'm
going to tell Fry's what I think of their supplier's tactics. I hope some
aggressive Attorney General decides to investigate this company and puts it
through the wringer.
Click to expand...


This has been brought up in the past about several companys, Apparantly
these "problems" are usually down to the companys that sell the products and
not WD directly. This has been supoorted in the past by the fact that one
online retailer has 0 rejections while others have 100% rejections
 
Don't give up so easily. It sometimes takes a few tries to get your money.
Contact the rebate processing company using their 800 number and then
fax them a copy of the UPC code. That will resubmit your claim.
 
Wil Limbacher said:
Don't trust Western Digital's rebate offers. For the second time in a few
monnths I've had a rebate denied.
Click to expand...

I don't fill in rebates, for anti-marketing reasons. Sounds like a lot of
effort for little return. It sounds like laying out all of what would go in
the envelope on a table, then taking a picture of it all with a digital
camera, then sending it registered mail to them might be the idea. Then
again, they could claim that wasn't necessarily what was in the envelope.

Good luck at Fry's, and I *mean* good luck. Trying to get someone who gives
a stuff in that place is impossible. I remember going in there and going to
the CPU/RAM section and asking a shop floor rep. if they had any 120mm ball
bearing fans (they had 80 and 92 on the shelves). He looked at me and told
me he didn't knew they made 120mm fans. LOL! "This week's star employee
goes to..."

Best of luck to you.

@drian.
 
Earlier this year I submitted two rebates to the Young America, MN
address. One was for a WD 200GB drive ($65) from Micro Center, and the
other was for a WD 180GB drive ($100) from Frys. In each case, I
received the checks in a little over a month.
 
Wil said:
Don't trust Western Digital's rebate offers. For the second time in a few
monnths I've had a rebate denied. The latest, they claim I didn't submit the
bar code. I've got the package sitting here next to me with a big chunk cut
out of it where the bar code was, and I was meticulous in taping the bar
code directly to the rebate form. Either they're deliberately denying some
percentage of claims arbitrarily, or they're just completely incompetent in
handling them. Either way, be prepared to have your rebate denied. I suggest
keeping a copy of the submission, assuming that you're willing to go to a
troublesome battle over $30, which I suspect they know most people won't. I
won't be buying a WD drive where there's a rebate involved again, and I'm
going to tell Fry's what I think of their supplier's tactics. I hope some
aggressive Attorney General decides to investigate this company and puts it
through the wringer.
Click to expand...


Hello, Wil:

Always follow the instructions very carefully; they sometimes state that
such items (i.e., tape or staples) are unwanted, and could result in the
delay (or cancellation) of the rebate. Even if there's no clear warning,
it's best to be on the safe side, and avoid any potential hassles.

Good luck!


Cordially,
John Turco <[email protected]>
 
Fortunately, I just got the $20 rebate in the mail for the WD160 rebate. I'm
due another $50. It was a two-rebates deal at Fry's.

I'm usually very anti-rebate, but I've had good luck so far with whatever
company in Minnesota that's processing them.

I bought a Direct TV -Tivo system from Circuit City couple of months ago and
the rebates were processed by the same place in MN. Came within a month and I
wound up getting paid $43 for getting the DirecTivo and second receiver system
in the end.

I keep copies of all the rebate forms I send in and carefully follow the
instructions to the letter. It's a PITA and mostly I refuse to deal with rebate
offers.

The worst one was on the Neptune washer we bought. It took 4 months for the
water company to send the rebate on that one.
 
I don't like rebates either, but if money is an object (and for me, it is),
then it seems to me that either you ignor the rebates and pay more, or send
in the rebates and pay less. I have never seen a computer device sold for
less without a rebate offer, than one sold with a rebate offer. Looks like
we're stuck until Madison Avenue comes up with a different scheme.

By the way, I have never been cheated out of a rebate, but I am very careful
to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts.
 
in the rebates and pay less. I have never seen a computer device sold for
less without a rebate offer, than one sold with a rebate offer.
Click to expand...

Then you have never shopped pricewatch.com
 
Wil Limbacher said:
Don't trust Western Digital's rebate offers. For the second time
in a few monnths I've had a rebate denied. The latest, they claim
I didn't submit the bar code.
Click to expand...

I've had that happen several times, and it seems to matter how the
proof of purchase is attached because in the "Rebate Tracking" forum
at www.fatwallet.com, one person kept statistics on his submissions
(www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=54&threadid=230641)
and found:

The above were processed by RebatesHQ.com (Parago in Miami), one of
the best rebate handlers. Also the president of another rebate
processor, TCA Fulfillment (New Rochelle, NY, warned not to use
staples to attach anything since they get stuck in their envelope
opening machines. I write my name and address, the rebate offer
number, and the dollar amount on each item I submit and then lightly
glue everything in one corner to the rebate form (can be pulled off
without ripping the paper much). I keep copies not only of the
submitted materials but also the store ad because I've read that some
court clerks have told people that the store is responsible for any
offer that they advertise. And when you're given both the regular
receipt and a rebate receipt, copy the latter as well since it proves
that the product you bought was eligibile for the rebate.
I won't be buying a WD drive where there's a rebate involved again,
and I'm going to tell Fry's what I think of their
supplier's tactics.
Click to expand...

Every time I've had problem with a rebate for a Fry's purchase I've
given the store a copy of everything and have gotten the rebate a
month later. The WD rebates I've seen were by Parago
(www.rebateshq.com) or Young America Corp. (Minnesota, also one of the
best processors, FAX ). The three rebates for the two WD drives I
bought from OfficeMax earlier this year took 9, 9, and 5 weeks for
check delivery while the two HD rebates for Maxtor and Seagate drives
I bought from Fry's late last year took 14-15 weeks for delivery, one
handled by Continental Promotions (Niagara Falls), the other by
Parago.

Rebate processors blame the Post Office when in reality they're
responsible for the vast majority of the losses, and one person said
that TCA Fulfillment told him that half of his submissions made by
certified mail with return signature receipt were never received
(names signed were of TCA employees).
 
Tom said:
Then you have never shopped pricewatch.com
Click to expand...

When has Pricewatch.com listed, without rebate, CD writers, CD-R
disks, optical mice, flash card readers, phones, computer keyboards,
USB 2.0 cards, and DIMMs for free, new 120GB HDs for $50, or a monitor
for negative $30 (two years ago, Staples deal, but I missed another
free one in Oct. 2002)?
 
larrymoencurly said:
"Tom" <[email protected]> wrote in message

When has Pricewatch.com listed, without rebate, CD writers, CD-R
disks, optical mice, flash card readers, phones, computer keyboards,
USB 2.0 cards, and DIMMs for free, new 120GB HDs for $50, or a monitor
for negative $30 (two years ago, Staples deal, but I missed another
free one in Oct. 2002)?
Click to expand...


nothings free
Nothings "Negative 30"

new 120gig hd's for 50.. yea I have seen deals like that

It sounds to me like you dont read the fine print on stuff
 
Anyone notice an increase in their telemarketing calls after sending
in the rebate forms or getting a "pricematch" somewhere ?

The phone rang off the hook for a week after a price match at best
buy.

I screwed up royally on my last rebate, didn't notice it was a two
week postmark deadline. Was still putzing around with the drive at
three weeks before I noticed it ;(
 
Tom said:
nothings free
Click to expand...

Then why have I never paid for a CD-R or CD jewel case? And my last
four CD writers and last 4-5 memory modules were free after rebates.
Nothings "Negative 30"
Click to expand...

It was an Envision 710 monitor with two rebates that I bought on Black
Friday about two years ago, and I netted $30 on it. This monitor is
still frequently advertised for $60-80 after rebates. One person
netted $80 on a deal by combining rebates with coupons, thanks to
Peachtree accounting software that's sometimes free after $150 rebate.
new 120gig hd's for 50.. yea I have seen deals like that

It sounds to me like you dont read the fine print on stuff
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean, but I've gotten every rebate I've applied
for, so far.
 
nothings free
Nothings "Negative 30"
Click to expand...

While nothing is free, sometimes with the rebates it ends up that you
aren't the one who pays. Staples used to have 50 packs of diskettes
regularly for $15 with a $20 rebate. Occasionally if you browse the
stores regularly you will find a rebate offer that gets you something
for free or even at a slight profit.
new 120gig hd's for 50.. yea I have seen deals like that

It sounds to me like you dont read the fine print on stuff
Click to expand...

And what do you believe that that fine print will say?
 
I screwed up royally on my last rebate, didn't notice it was a two
week postmark deadline. Was still putzing around with the drive at
three weeks before I noticed it ;(
Click to expand...

The honest thing to do in a situation like this is call the rebate
company and ask them why they're taking so long with your rebate
because, darn it, you always mail your rebates within three business
days. No, you don't have proof of mailing this rebate because in the
past when you've tried to use certified mail, the rebate company
usually ended up losing it.
 
Hey, I got burnt too. I'm pursuing it through the Oregon Dept of
Justice. The more the merrier. As of now, I don't even look at Fryes
ads. **** em, they are in on it too I'm sure.
 
Just resubmit it with a note that the next letter will go to your
attorny general.

worked for me with HP rebate.
 
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