Mail-in Rebates

[vurules]

I've always been reluctant in buy products that have mail-in rebates because, despite the eventual saving, I'd still have to pay the full price up front. Now, I'm getting deciding between a geforce 4ti and a geforce 3. Both are at about the same price, but the geforce3 comes with a $40 mail-in rebate.

For those of you who have mailed-in (rebates), how long does it take for them to mail back rebates?

[Reid]

I have gotten rebates back in usually three to four weeks, sometimes less.

Not knowing your money situation, I can't say which way to go, but for me, I'd get the 4ti, from what I have heard about it.

[Whyzman]

As far as when you get your money back, you need to read the fine print. Many say 4 to 6 weeks...I've found that each rebate varies.

Usually, you can find the rebated item cheaper through an e-tailer without the rebate. However, I've done quite well, saving $75.00 on one build. The CD-ROM was $45 and the Modem was $30 both with full rebates. I used the savings to beef up my RAM. These were through OfficeMax about 18 months ago. And, just picked up a CenDyne CD-RW for $29 after instant savings and rebates.

There's some deals to be had...

I opened a savings account where I deposit the rebate savings which I then use to purchase rebated items. ;)

[hiredgoonz]

As long as you have the money up front, it's worth it (although with some rebates of $100 or more, it can be tough to have to wait for your money) But it's a good deal as long as you actually mail in the rebate. The companies offer the rebates to boost sales and realize that many of the buyers will either be too lazy to mail them in, or will do something wrong and the rebate will not be honored.

I'm not saying they're masked bandits or anything. I've gotten every rebate I've ever mailed in. As long as you follow the directions, and photocopy everything so you have a copy, they have no choice but to give you the money. Although I've had rebates take up to 8 weeks to come...

[kayofcircles]

Sorry to be a wet blanket at the party..but we've only gotten about half of the rebates we've mailed in. Yes, one can photocopy and save everything..but they can say they didn't "get" the rebate stuff within the allotted time, etc. Or that you didn't "do" everything correctly. Saw a suggestion posted here months ago on rebates..said to "register" mail them, and then they couldn't use the "didn't get it" excuse, at least. And one rebate took 5 months to arrive...but it did arrive, so that's good. So, my two cents would be, "hope for the rebate, but don't spend more money than you have to spend...just in case you never see it."

[iisbob]

Only rebates i go for are on general inexpensive items anyways; like just recently BestBuy had a deal with 100 pack Philips CDR's for $20 with a $15 and a $5 mail in rebate-so if i get my money back they are virtualy free.

if not, then i consider $20 for 100 CDR's to be a good tade off.

[Whyzman]

Haven't had the problems Kay points out! Rebates I've gone after have come from reputable companies. One note: I think the rebates coming through well known 3rd party companies, like the one located in Young America here in Minnesota, are safe bets. They've no axe to grind by shorting you of your money!

As HG mentioned...followthrough is the real name of the game! An extremely large number of folks purchase with all the right intentions of sending the rebate in...but alas, forget! I've a rule for myself...do it immediately when I get home. If I don't fill-in the paperwork completely, I at least grab an envelope and address it putting all the paperwork inside, and put the envelope right next to my monitor as a constant reminder.

Some of these are pretty substantial...the $75.00 I saved on the two required components for the build I mentioned earlier were definitely worth remembering! ;) And the Cendyne 32X12X40 CD/RW for $29.00 I determined was a pretty good buy for my upcoming build. That one I'm getting $30.00 back and they're tossing in a free personal CD Player...

They might still have some of these available through OfficeMax on line...free shipping with purchase over $50.00 (This qualifies...they figure total purchase before the rebate is subtracted).

And, as iisbob grabbed the free CD/Rs from BestBuy...HiVal has them available through OfficeMax also..got me some of them too! :D

[Budfred]

I've done a lot of rebates in spite of hating them. I have gotten a number of good deals that way and I can afford to wait. However, I have had many that take up to 6 months to arrive and I ended up with a piano keyboard for the computer that I paid full price for since the company went quietly out of business after I sent the rebate. I will continue to use them, but cautiously.

Budfred

[Mark Miller]

I have been waiting 3 months for a rebate from hp. Anybody have any dealings with them, good or bad?
Mark

[mjc]

Got my rebate from HP in about 6 weeks....:eek: 3 months?

Do you have a phone number you can call someone about it?

[Mark Miller]

Thanks MJC,
Thought it was taking along time,I do have a number to call.
mark

[Budfred]

If I remember correctly (which would be a feat:D ) it took my about 5 months to get a rebate from HP.

Budfred

[sea69]

Staples is very careful about their rebates, whatever product you get with a rebate @ Staples they back up.

got my lexmark rebate within (6) weeks.


:)

[kenja]

My $0.02:

Over the years, I've had better luck than Kay, but it sure is infuriating when they don't come through. My buddy spent so much time fighting for a Philips rebate that he would have been money ahead if he had paid full retail.

I agree, the Staples online system is the very best (except for "instant" rebates :) ).

Be aware that if a company goes under before you receive your rebate, you're S.O.L. Luckily, my VisionTek rebate came two weeks ago.

[Mark Miller]

The problem is that when you have a problem with a rebate, your not dealing with the company you bought it from. I am finding this out right now now with HP, They farm it out and I am dealing with a company in Mpls [Nothing wrong with Mpls]. Pain in the butt
Mark

[Budfred]

I live in the Mpls area and there are a lot of rebate companies within about an hour drive of where I live. I have often thought it would be quicker if I could just go by and pick it up, but of course they would have none of that. :p :D

Even when they are local, they often have the check printed elsewhere from a bank in another location with mailing services in yet another location, and so on...

Budfred