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Timothy Daniels
Guest
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 Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:44 am Post subject: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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Actually *getting* a manufacturer's rebate from
Circuit City requires jumping through SECRET
HOOPS
In late January, I bought a Motorola SB5120 cable
modem from Circuit City. It had 2 overlapping
rebates, each for $20. I called the nearest store,
and I was told that the modem had to be ordered
on the website. So I ordered it on the website,
and it said to pick it up at the nearest store.
At the store, they charged my credit card and
handed me the modem. Sounds like I bought it
at the store, right? Wrong!
I sent in the meticulously filled-out rebate forms
with a copy of the purchase receipt, and I waited
four weeks. Today, I received 2 letters - one for
each form - saying that the rebates wouldn't be
issued due to "INVALID PURCHASE LOCATION".
The modem hadn't been "purchased" at the store!
I called the number in the letters, and there was a
recording so bad that I couldn't even understand it.
I called the store, and their recording said to call
a different no. about rebates. The people at that
no. said they were the old rebate company - only
up to last October. They knew all about the scratchy
recording at the "new company", and they gave me
a series of menu numbers to push on the "new
company's" automated telephone system.
That got me a live rep in Texas for Circuit City's
manufacturer rebates. She told me that the
Terms and Conditions of the 2 rebates "clearly say"
that the purchase had to have been made in the
store. Of course, the form that I had printed off
their website made no mention of purchase location.
They wouldn't budge, and neither would their
supervisor.
I went to the Circuit City store and complained to
the Director of Operations. She was soooo
sympathetic and without even seeing my refusal
letters, she refunded my credit card for $43.
It's obvious to me that the whole series of hoops
is standard procedure at Circuit City!! Most
people would not be so perseverent and would just
give up on getting the rebates. But I knew I had a
good case for FRAUD, and I was willing to take the
suckers to Small Claims Court.
Consumer Beware at Circuit City!
*TimDaniels* |
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BigJim
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:44 am Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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I will not purchase products with rebates except and auto.
I wanted a xm2go radio for a present, when to bestbuy and it was 200 dollars
with a 50 dollar rebate, when to samsclub and bought the same radio for
149.00 with no rebate. If people would look around these prices can be found
from many vendors and retail stores.
"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:y4OdnfqMT4DcRo3ZnZ2dnUVZ_tudnZ2d@comcast.com...
| Quote: | Actually *getting* a manufacturer's rebate from
Circuit City requires jumping through SECRET
HOOPS
In late January, I bought a Motorola SB5120 cable
modem from Circuit City. It had 2 overlapping
rebates, each for $20. I called the nearest store,
and I was told that the modem had to be ordered
on the website. So I ordered it on the website,
and it said to pick it up at the nearest store.
At the store, they charged my credit card and
handed me the modem. Sounds like I bought it
at the store, right? Wrong!
I sent in the meticulously filled-out rebate forms
with a copy of the purchase receipt, and I waited
four weeks. Today, I received 2 letters - one for
each form - saying that the rebates wouldn't be
issued due to "INVALID PURCHASE LOCATION".
The modem hadn't been "purchased" at the store!
I called the number in the letters, and there was a
recording so bad that I couldn't even understand it.
I called the store, and their recording said to call
a different no. about rebates. The people at that
no. said they were the old rebate company - only
up to last October. They knew all about the scratchy
recording at the "new company", and they gave me
a series of menu numbers to push on the "new
company's" automated telephone system.
That got me a live rep in Texas for Circuit City's
manufacturer rebates. She told me that the
Terms and Conditions of the 2 rebates "clearly say"
that the purchase had to have been made in the
store. Of course, the form that I had printed off
their website made no mention of purchase location.
They wouldn't budge, and neither would their
supervisor.
I went to the Circuit City store and complained to
the Director of Operations. She was soooo
sympathetic and without even seeing my refusal
letters, she refunded my credit card for $43.
It's obvious to me that the whole series of hoops
is standard procedure at Circuit City!! Most
people would not be so perseverent and would just
give up on getting the rebates. But I knew I had a
good case for FRAUD, and I was willing to take the
suckers to Small Claims Court.
Consumer Beware at Circuit City!
*TimDaniels* |
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Dave
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:36 am Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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I've been thru similar scenarios. But you used the right procedure. It
isn't just Circuit City. They all hope you do something wrong or give up on
it. You have to be ready to prove you have it coming and fight for it. I
buy a lot of items with rebates, follow the instructions to the letter,
document the hell out of it and follow up when I don't get it. I always get
what's coming to me but have had to fight for it. I too have talked to
management at Circuit City as well as a few other places.
"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:y4OdnfqMT4DcRo3ZnZ2dnUVZ_tudnZ2d@comcast.com...
| Quote: | Actually *getting* a manufacturer's rebate from
Circuit City requires jumping through SECRET
HOOPS
In late January, I bought a Motorola SB5120 cable
modem from Circuit City. It had 2 overlapping
rebates, each for $20. I called the nearest store,
and I was told that the modem had to be ordered
on the website. So I ordered it on the website,
and it said to pick it up at the nearest store.
At the store, they charged my credit card and
handed me the modem. Sounds like I bought it
at the store, right? Wrong!
I sent in the meticulously filled-out rebate forms
with a copy of the purchase receipt, and I waited
four weeks. Today, I received 2 letters - one for
each form - saying that the rebates wouldn't be
issued due to "INVALID PURCHASE LOCATION".
The modem hadn't been "purchased" at the store!
I called the number in the letters, and there was a
recording so bad that I couldn't even understand it.
I called the store, and their recording said to call
a different no. about rebates. The people at that
no. said they were the old rebate company - only
up to last October. They knew all about the scratchy
recording at the "new company", and they gave me
a series of menu numbers to push on the "new
company's" automated telephone system.
That got me a live rep in Texas for Circuit City's
manufacturer rebates. She told me that the
Terms and Conditions of the 2 rebates "clearly say"
that the purchase had to have been made in the
store. Of course, the form that I had printed off
their website made no mention of purchase location.
They wouldn't budge, and neither would their
supervisor.
I went to the Circuit City store and complained to
the Director of Operations. She was soooo
sympathetic and without even seeing my refusal
letters, she refunded my credit card for $43.
It's obvious to me that the whole series of hoops
is standard procedure at Circuit City!! Most
people would not be so perseverent and would just
give up on getting the rebates. But I knew I had a
good case for FRAUD, and I was willing to take the
suckers to Small Claims Court.
Consumer Beware at Circuit City!
*TimDaniels* |
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Timothy Daniels
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 4:37 am Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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"Dave" wrote:
| Quote: | I've been thru similar scenarios. But you used the right procedure. It
isn't just Circuit City. They all hope you do something wrong or give up on
it. You have to be ready to prove you have it coming and fight for it. I
buy a lot of items with rebates, follow the instructions to the letter,
document the hell out of it and follow up when I don't get it. I always get
what's coming to me but have had to fight for it. I too have talked to
management at Circuit City as well as a few other places.
|
I guess I was spoiled. My previous experiences with rebates
were with Fry's Electronics and Maxtor. I bought 4 Maxtor hard drives
at Fry's, and I applied for rebates for each of them over a 10-day
period (even though the rebate was restricted to one-per-household).
Lo and behold, they all came through without a hitch! I thought all
manufacturer rebates were like that.
*TimDaniels* |
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Dave
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:40 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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I wish they were. Some are getting a little better. I like the ones that
send an acknowledgment email and provide a web site with status. Symantec
used to be very bad. But lately they're pretty reliable. Once I bought a
Western Digital hard drive from Circuit City with a $50 rebate from WD. I
had a hell of a time getting it. I ended up going to Circuit City and
telling them about the trouble getting the promised rebate from one of their
vendors. They made some calls and I had it within a week.
"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:MaGdndnWaJafnYzZRVn-sQ@comcast.com...
| Quote: | I guess I was spoiled. My previous experiences with rebates
were with Fry's Electronics and Maxtor. I bought 4 Maxtor hard drives
at Fry's, and I applied for rebates for each of them over a 10-day
period (even though the rebate was restricted to one-per-household).
Lo and behold, they all came through without a hitch! I thought all
manufacturer rebates were like that.
*TimDaniels* |
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Timothy Daniels
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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I suspect those "calls" went as far as the back room at
the Circuit City store. Your going in to your local store so
that they could "rescue" you from the nasty rebate
company was just a hoop you had to jump through. You
went away thinking highly of your local store, didn't you?
*TimDaniels*
"Dave" wrote:
| Quote: | Once I bought a Western Digital hard drive from Circuit City
with a $50 rebate from WD. I had a hell of a time getting it.
I ended up going to Circuit City and telling them about the
trouble getting the promised rebate from one of their
vendors. They made some calls and I had it within a week. |
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Dave
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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Yep, it's just what you have to do sometimes. They aren't going to cheat me
out of it though.
"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:qs-dnXFr1KQAJ4zZ4p2dnA@comcast.com...
| Quote: | I suspect those "calls" went as far as the back room at
the Circuit City store. Your going in to your local store so
that they could "rescue" you from the nasty rebate
company was just a hoop you had to jump through. You
went away thinking highly of your local store, didn't you?
*TimDaniels*
"Dave" wrote:
Once I bought a Western Digital hard drive from Circuit City
with a $50 rebate from WD. I had a hell of a time getting it.
I ended up going to Circuit City and telling them about the
trouble getting the promised rebate from one of their vendors. They made
some calls and I had it within a week.
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Warren
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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Dave wrote:
| Quote: | Yep, it's just what you have to do sometimes. They aren't going to cheat
me out of it though.
"Timothy Daniels" <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote in message
news:qs-dnXFr1KQAJ4zZ4p2dnA@comcast.com...
I suspect those "calls" went as far as the back room at
the Circuit City store. Your going in to your local store so
that they could "rescue" you from the nasty rebate
company was just a hoop you had to jump through. You
went away thinking highly of your local store, didn't you?
*TimDaniels*
"Dave" wrote:
Once I bought a Western Digital hard drive from Circuit City
with a $50 rebate from WD. I had a hell of a time getting it.
I ended up going to Circuit City and telling them about the
trouble getting the promised rebate from one of their vendors. They
made some calls and I had it within a week.
|
It is highly likely that the money came out of that particular Circuit City
store's P&L, which is what the manager is being judged on, and earns a bonus
on. In a sense, the store manager was taking money out of their pocket to
make things better, and they hope that their actions will impress you enough
that you continue to shop at their particular store.
--
Warren H.
==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.
Power Lawncare Tools for Spring Clean-up:
http://www.holzemville.com/mall/blackanddecker/ |
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Dave
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2006 10:36 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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I don't think so. It was a Western Digital check that I received. I think
Circuit City just prodded them to pay up. I did find that they had a
special list of contact numbers just for that type of situation.
Dave
"Warren" <wholzem@hotmail.com> wrote in message
| Quote: | It is highly likely that the money came out of that particular Circuit
City store's P&L, which is what the manager is being judged on, and earns
a bonus on. In a sense, the store manager was taking money out of their
pocket to make things better, and they hope that their actions will
impress you enough that you continue to shop at their particular store.
--
Warren H.
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Timothy Daniels
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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"Timothy Daniels" wrote:
| Quote: | Actually *getting* a manufacturer's rebate from
Circuit City requires jumping through SECRET
HOOPS
[.........]
I went to the Circuit City store and complained to
the Director of Operations. She was soooo
sympathetic and without even seeing my refusal
letters, she refunded my credit card for $43.
It's obvious to me that the whole series of hoops
is standard procedure at Circuit City!!
|
I checked my credit card account today, and the
$43 rebate has hit my account. Apparently, the
Circuit City strategy is to get people back into the
local store where they can be stroked and "rescued"
from the Bad Rebate Company. It all makes sense,
now that I think back - the "old rebate company"
was so apolegetic for the "new rebate company's",
behavior - although they supposedly had no connection
whatsoever with it - and they knew about the
scratchy recording and just what series of 3 menu
options to select to get through to a real person at
the "new rebate company". The whole scenario
was choreographed and staged by Circuit City!
What a friggin' HASSLE!!
*TimDaniels* |
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Guest
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| Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:36 pm Post subject: Re: Secret Hoops to get Circuit City rebates |
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On 2006-03-13, Timothy Daniels <TDaniels@NoSpamDot.com> wrote:
| Quote: | "Timothy Daniels" wrote:
Actually *getting* a manufacturer's rebate from
Circuit City requires jumping through SECRET
HOOPS
[.........]
I went to the Circuit City store and complained to
the Director of Operations. She was soooo
sympathetic and without even seeing my refusal
letters, she refunded my credit card for $43.
It's obvious to me that the whole series of hoops
is standard procedure at Circuit City!!
I checked my credit card account today, and the
$43 rebate has hit my account. Apparently, the
Circuit City strategy is to get people back into the
local store where they can be stroked and "rescued"
from the Bad Rebate Company. It all makes sense,
now that I think back - the "old rebate company"
was so apolegetic for the "new rebate company's",
behavior - although they supposedly had no connection
whatsoever with it - and they knew about the
scratchy recording and just what series of 3 menu
options to select to get through to a real person at
the "new rebate company". The whole scenario
was choreographed and staged by Circuit City!
What a friggin' HASSLE!!
*TimDaniels*
|
Could be depending on what the product was....I got my
$30 rebate check without any problem other than checking
the rebate site & not seeing my entry. I did remember
tho that entries on any rebate website isn't done or
appear until the expiration date of a rebate; at least
that is what it appears to me. My rebate was for a
Panasonic DVD recorder without a harddrive.
The biggest problem is that the postal "service" don't
forward any rebate checks to a new address; the rebates
apparently "disappear" somewhere without a trace. |
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