kelly558 Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 I was looking at some ads and noticed that there are a lot of prices after the rebate. so does that mean you have to send in a rebate ?
Rebirth Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 Staples has easy rebates, you do those online.
billcsho Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 ACE Hardware, Rite-Aid, and Costco also have online rebate submission.
H_Hancock Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 If you'll look closely at the ads, you'll find MOST stores, esp. the electronic centered ones, require a rebate to get the "low" price....Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Circuit City was infamous for rebates as was CompUSA when both were in business. One of the reasons Best Buy is so attractive, esp. for its Black Friday sales, is the total lack of rebates. BB quit using rebates a few years ago and has proven to be very popular. Personally, I hate rebates.....filing out the forms, not forgetting to fill them in completely, hoping it's not rejected arbitrarily, etc. Just give me the low price without the rebate dance, Easy Rebates notwithstanding. They're still rebates and your money isn't yours for months.
SuperMommy Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 The rebates are a usual thing for many stores on BF. They are a tiny hassel, but I usually spend no more than 30 minutes every year filling my forms out and have NEVER had a problem with receiving any back. I have been doing them for 6 years now. Just be aware of if the rebate requires a copy of the original receipt and of the date by which it needs to be sent in b/c they all have a date which they must be postmarked. If it's not worth it to you then you will be best to avoid them, but if you are willing they produce great savings. I usually get $100-$200 a year back in rebates.
chefswife Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 Another reason that I love CT, Instant rebates!!!!!!!
ObiRich Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 If you'll look closely at the ads, you'll find MOST stores, esp. the electronic centered ones, require a rebate to get the "low" price....Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. Circuit City was infamous for rebates as was CompUSA when both were in business. .Office Max went "rebate free" about the same time as Best Buy...
H_Hancock Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 (edited) Office Max went "rebate free" about the same time as Best Buy...My bad...I'd forgotten they, too, had moved to being no rebates. And, yes, rebates can lead to great prices, but why put up with them when some stores offer just as good prices without rebates. The only thing that'll move stores away from rebates to giving the true price at the checkout is to vote with your shopping dollars. I, for one, will give my first dollars to a non-rebate store over a rebate using store...I hate to give the company a free "loan" of my money and be at the mercy of a rebate fulfillment house to give my promised money back. And I'm not speaking from sour grapes....over the many years of filing rebate forms, I've had only a very few ever get bounced back--can count them on one hand--but why put up with any inconvenience when you don't have to? If you like playing the rebate game and dance, more power to you. I'll do my primary shopping where I'm not tied to the limitations of a rebate, like "Oh, you cut the UPC off for a rebate? Well, you can't return it now. I understand it doesn't work after four days, but since the UPC's gone, you'll have to take that up with the manufacturer as we don't accept returns with UPC's missing from the box." Edited November 12, 2009 by H_Hancock
AuntieJul Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 I did a couple of rebates last year from Kmart and it took nearly 4 months before I received my check. That was ridiculous! Rite Aid's are tricky but Staples are very easy.
KBsDarling Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 i think its just another way to skirt price matching...WM wont match a rebate price(obviously) so they know you have to come to THEM for it
MonsterMutts Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 There was just a story on NBC about how the rebate people are banking that you either won't take the time to fill them out or won't do it right. It's money in their pocket that way.
billcsho Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 I had little problem with rebates, however, I am very carefully in submission and tracking. My 2006 BF has over $700 in rebates, then it went down to $540 in 2007 and $260 in 2008. All with 100% successful rate. These are just my BF rebates record, while I normally have $500-$1000 in rebate per year. Typical turn around time is 8-12 weeks. Symantec, ACE, and Staples are usually received within a month. There were a few that took over 4 months and one took more than 6 months. I'll avoid large amount single rebate unless it is from a very reliable processor such as Costco or Staples. You need to be very careful with CompUSA or CircuitCity rebates as it is the same as TigerDirect now.
arci122 Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Just think, you get to use your coupons on the pre rebate price, so you actually save more with the percentage off ones like Kohls, and you get your Kohls cash.
billcsho Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 I am actually interested in getting something at Kohls this year that all have mail-in rebates too. If you are familiar with rebate offers, there are often free after rebate items that no other discount can match. I did even make money on rebates many times (free item plus free cash).
Ohiocat2382 Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Another reason that I love CT, Instant rebates!!!!!!!What do you mean by instant rebates? DH and I moved to Connecticut less than a year ago and this will be my first bf here.
magickallight Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 The stores BANK on the hopes that you don't bother with the rebates - a lot of people forget or wait too long and so they get the full price instead of the price you THOUGHT you were getting it for! It is amazing how many people buy stuff with rebates and NEVER take advantage of them!
wx4svr Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 The stores make more money... what else can be said. lol. I generally steer clear of those deals.
cannerr Posted November 14, 2009 Posted November 14, 2009 I, also, never count on the rebates. Stores and companies, too, rely on the fact that the majority of shoppers never fill out and submit the proper information for the rebate.
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