We all know how much mail in rebates suck, but tigerdirect/onrebate is driving me close to insanity. Lemme run through the process…
I bought a package that included a 300gb hard drive, a external hard drive enclosure, and some crappy internet security suite from tigerdirect.
It was for an amazing price…after rebate. $80 after, $200 before, with three rebates, a $50, a $40, and a $30.
Once I got the package, I had to download the forms from tigerdirect. Once I got them and looked at them, all they give you is the website for OnRebate, and the “offer code”. I was thrilled, I thought they were rebates that could be filled out and completed online.
I filled out the forms online, which included the UPC codes and the order number, everything they needed to accept the rebate. Then I had to complete the payment method. Payment by check or paypal took 8-10 weeks, or 1 week if you pay $6 per rebate. I chose a free check out of principal. After I filled everything out, all it gave me was a barcoded form to print out and send in with the receipt and upc, etc. It had very specific instructions, one of which was that you may not address the envelope yourself, you had to cut out and apply the address that prints with the form. Well, when I chose the “printer friendly version” and printed it, the address falls between pages 1 and 2 and only half of it comes out. I ended up print-screening and cropping to print just the address.
I sent the rebates in on the 20th of May, (3 separate envelopes), and they were received the 24th. The $50 one was “accepted” on June 3rd and I got the check on July 10th. The other two were not “approved” until July 3rd, and I still have not received them.
I called yesterday to see what was going on, since it has been 12 weeks since they received the rebates. They told me that the 8-10 weeks is from when the manufacturer approves the rebate, which was June 28th. It has only been 8 weeks apparently, even though I sent the thing in over 3 months ago.
Now, I know that complaining about mail-in rebates is a bit like complaining about a Ford having mechanical issues, but OnRebate takes the cake. This company truly sucks and I don’t think I will be buying stuff from tigerdirect any more.
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