Rebates? Question & Answer

excerpt from online news

On June 19 of last year, we purchased several Fisher & Paykel appliances from University Electric in San Jose. At the time, the manufacturer was promoting a rebate on items bought before June 30. Based on our purchases, we qualified for a rebate of $900. However, because the items were not delivered until July 18, we could not submit the rebate forms before the deadline, as they required serial numbers from each model. The rebate administrator told us to contact University Electric and have them apply for the rebate on our behalf. I did so, and was assured we would receive the rebate. I've contacted the manufacturer several times over the last year and was constantly reassured the rebate would come, but it never has. At this point, my calls aren't being returned.

D~
San Jose

A miscommunication caused your rebate to slip through, says Garth Ship, a manager for DCS, parent company of Fisher & Paykel. There was some confusion as to whether the money was sent to you or University Electric, he says, and the closing of the rebate clearinghouse complicated matters.

Regardless, Ship says he cut a check for $900 and sent it to you via overnight courier. You've been given the package tracking number, just in case.

Your experience illustrates why rebates can be so dicey. Even if buyers jump through all the hoops correctly, they're still at the mercy of the fulfillment houses to hold up their end of the bargain. Getting a lower initial purchase price is immediate, and requires far less work.