F'd up a rebate

Lindsay Lohan

Apparently, I was late sending in the $80 rebate on my laptop from Circuit City and it shows online as invalid due to post mark (it was about a week late I think). Is there anything you folks think I could do to sweet talk them into honoring it? I plan on calling them tomorrow to see what I can do but I was wondering if there are any exceptions they make or suggestions you folks might have?

Dark Moon

Not really, besides, "Don't count on getting you $80." These rebates usually aren't handled by the same company that the item is being offered from, but rather a 3rd party. These guys make money based entirely on people either not attempting to claim the rebate, not sending the precisely correct information in, not sending the correct information in on time (you), or sometimes by not even paying out those who do submit everything correctly and in a timely manner. Best of luck, but I wouldn't get my hopes too high.

JAEF

It's hard enough to get them to send you the money when everything is sent properly, but if you shipped it out late... not happening.

Crashtard

I'd say you are pretty well out of luck. They VERY rarely will budge on the stipulations of the rebate. Bummer.

Aegis

Call and check, you might get lucky though it depends on Circuit City's particular rebate policy and how they run it/contract-it-out-to-get-runned. I worked in a call centre for Cingular rebates, and we were rather lenient when it came to the consumer messing up/forgetting things, but then just across the isle we heard horror stories of Verizon and the agents over on that side of the building having to deny near everything. So its a crap shoot really.

Lindsay Lohan

Aegis wrote: »

Call and check, you might get lucky though it depends on Circuit City's particular rebate policy and how they run it/contract-it-out-to-get-runned. I worked in a call centre for Cingular rebates, and we were rather lenient when it came to the consumer messing up/forgetting things, but then just across the isle we heard horror stories of Verizon and the agents over on that side of the building having to deny near everything. So its a crap shoot really.

I actually called yesterday and they were willing to still send it. Basically I told them that I wasn't terribly pleased with the system and held off mailing the rebate thinking I might return it. She said that was fine and processed it. It wasn't a huge lie - the laptop appeared to have Bluetooth built in but when I got it home I found the bluetooth switch did nothing for my specific model despite being told by the sales rep otherwise.

Doc

One thing you can try at places like Fry's when you see a something with a good price "after rebate" is to offer to buy the warranty if they will process the rebate in-store and just give you the discount.

Then when you get to the front where you pay, tell them you changed your mind on the warranty.

Ruckus

Herby wrote: »

Aegis wrote: »

Call and check, you might get lucky though it depends on Circuit City's particular rebate policy and how they run it/contract-it-out-to-get-runned. I worked in a call centre for Cingular rebates, and we were rather lenient when it came to the consumer messing up/forgetting things, but then just across the isle we heard horror stories of Verizon and the agents over on that side of the building having to deny near everything. So its a crap shoot really.

I actually called yesterday and they were willing to still send it. Basically I told them that I wasn't terribly pleased with the system and held off mailing the rebate thinking I might return it. She said that was fine and processed it. It wasn't a huge lie - the laptop appeared to have Bluetooth built in but when I got it home I found the bluetooth switch did nothing for my specific model despite being told by the sales rep otherwise.

What make/model of notebook did you get?

Snowcone

Doc wrote: »

One thing you can try at places like Fry's when you see a something with a good price "after rebate" is to offer to buy the warranty if they will process the rebate in-store and just give you the discount.

Then when you get to the front where you pay, tell them you changed your mind on the warranty.

Doc is tricky....

Doc

Snowcone wrote: »

Doc wrote: »

One thing you can try at places like Fry's when you see a something with a good price "after rebate" is to offer to buy the warranty if they will process the rebate in-store and just give you the discount.

Then when you get to the front where you pay, tell them you changed your mind on the warranty.

Doc is tricky....

Rebates are a scam anyway, so I don't feel bad about jerking them around a bit to get mine then and there.

Lindsay Lohan

Ruckus wrote: »

Herby wrote: »

Aegis wrote: »

Call and check, you might get lucky though it depends on Circuit City's particular rebate policy and how they run it/contract-it-out-to-get-runned. I worked in a call centre for Cingular rebates, and we were rather lenient when it came to the consumer messing up/forgetting things, but then just across the isle we heard horror stories of Verizon and the agents over on that side of the building having to deny near everything. So its a crap shoot really.

I actually called yesterday and they were willing to still send it. Basically I told them that I wasn't terribly pleased with the system and held off mailing the rebate thinking I might return it. She said that was fine and processed it. It wasn't a huge lie - the laptop appeared to have Bluetooth built in but when I got it home I found the bluetooth switch did nothing for my specific model despite being told by the sales rep otherwise.

What make/model of notebook did you get?

It's the Acer 5630 - a fairly basic laptop (not really a gaming machine) but is just about perfect for what I use it for...except for the lack of Bluetooth.