MrB wrote:

"Just Sue The *******s" wrote in message
...

"John" wrote in message
...
I know that the institution of rebates is meant to rip you off so I'm
quite anal about paying attention to the details and ALWAYS sending in the
rebate with delivery confirmation. The delivery confirmation at least
minimizes the "Sorry, we never received your rebate" or "Sorry, we didn't
receive your rebate in time" excuses.

I read the rebate forms several times looking for the "gotcha's". I know
I go through way more trouble than I should for $20-$50 but it's the
principle. They make it as annoying as possible to claim a rebate so
that most people won't bother. I'm the one that bothers.

I send in my rebate to Canon along with all the rebate form, purchase
receipt and I cut out the UPC code from the box and put that in the
envelope. My new tactic is to use wide tape and tape the UPC code to the
rebate form.

I checked on my rebate status just now.

Error(s): An original qualifying UPC was not included

Yep. No matter how hard I tried, Canon still managed to screw me over.

Since they want "an original" qualifying UPC", my copy won't suffice.

Canon, the next time I'm in the market for a product I'll remember this
incident.


I'm assuming that you're in the US (because we in Britain get few rebates)

I'm thinking of a Canon camera with a ?100 rebate on it - and if I find
myself in your position I will write to them giving them 14 days to honour
their rebate promise, with a warning that legal action will ensue if they
don't pay up.

If nothing is forthcoming I will issue proceedings in the county court
(small claims section) and serve a summons on the *******s.

The cost is ?30 - which they have to pay if they [1] wish to settle before
going to court, [2] have to pay if a judgment is obtained against them.

I've used the small claims procedure on two previous occasions - one case
was heard and won, the other was settled prior to a hearing. I no longer
waste time pleading for people to cough up what they owe me - serve a
summons, it's more dignified and it gets very good results.

The important thing is that you don't get into protracted arguments with
them - just warn them, and then sue them..


I have never worked with a Canon rebate, but have worked with several other
reputable companies. I can truly say I have never been screwed out of a
rebate. I would not worry about Canon. Follow the directions to the letter,
keep copies, and watch your mail because some of these rebates look like
postal spam. It is a scam because most people don't file for rebates, but it
can be done pretty reliably. (Keep a log of submitted rebates). Suits in the
US cost lots of money, if cheaper in the UK, God bless you.

I always wonder about posts like this. The original
poster *did* all of that.

He was asked to send in the original product identification
code. He did that. The rebate center claimed that the product
identification code was *not* in the mail he sent.

How does he prove otherwise?

The process is a ripoff.

If it was for real, the company would allow the store to
give you the rebate on the spot and then the company would
file for a refund. Everybody wins that way -- the company
gets more business, more product is sold, and the customer
is happy.

Since it is NOT done that way, and since you have no ability
to prove you complied with the original rebate request, it is
a scam.

For myself, I stay away from all such offers and tell the
retailer that I'm doing that and why.

--
--- Paul J. Gans