Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers,austin.general (
More info?)
Arthur Entlich <e-printerhelp@mvps.org> wrotenews:Y__ne.1561744$8l.426111
@pd7tw1no:
> In the US, rebates are now under the jurisdiction of the Post Office
> fraud section, since both you and they use the mail as the conduit for
> communications.
That's interesting info. Tanks.
> Don't let the fulfillment company (the company usually hired to
> distribute the rebates) get away with claiming you sent in wrong forms
> or they did not receive your request in time.
Most fulfillment companies are in Arizona and other southern states with
lax rules, and even laxer and pro-illegal immigration base. These
companies hire illegal aliens to do almost all the work and the quality is
what you'd expect.
But that's the reason I posted this request for imformation. I want to see
if my problem is part of a pattern and systemic abuse or just a single
isolated case.
I blew the whistle about 5 years ago on a fly-by-night company that Best
Buy loved, who used to have huge rebates on all their computer items. Best
Buy loved them because of the sales increase, but I never heard of one
rebate ever being paid.
I contancted the AG of California and by the time they got back to me the
company had changed their name, and Best Buy was selling THOSE now, even
after I sent a registered letter to Best Buy Sales and Marketing warning
them.
By the time the AG got back to me, that company refered all inquireirs to
their lawyer in San Francisco, who never responded to my request for my
rebate and the company disappeared.
I figure they made off with millions, Best Buy knowingly and fraudulently
sold items they knew, as their managers in stores admitted, items that
would never be rebated. Best Buy must have made millions also.
And no one went to jail.
Or ever will, because as we all know, under republicans is a greedy free-
for-all by all the sleeze crooks in the world.
> Always keep accurate records of what you sent in when and how much is
> due you when. Photocopy or at least scan the items you sent to them,
> including the filled in form, and any receipts or UPC symbols, etc.
I have never had any of them ask me for that. I keep records, but all they
need to know is the date you sent it in, the amount etc. They're not going
to ask you to send it in again. Costs too much. If you bitch enough,
they'll just sent it to you and put a stop on their supposed previous
check.
That's what happened to me and my Magvision monitor $50 rebate.
> I have read the advertising these fulfillment companies send to the
> companies that hire them. They often mention is somewhat vague terms
> that they will help the manufacturer to pay out less rebate claims, but
> reducing the number of eligible claimant.
That could be construed as a criminal conspiracy to defraud.
> I have participated in about 200 rebates over the last 5 years. They
> have very rarely been early (one particular retailer was very good about
> that until they were bought out). The vast majority are 2-4 weeks late,
> (over the 6, 8 10, or 12 weeks they express in the "contract") some as
> much as 8 months so, but I have never NOT received my rebate, however, I
> have had to threaten legal action on several occasions. In some cases I
> have gone to the retailer and make them fulfill the obligations of the
> rebate. In Canada, they have some legal requirements at the retailer
> level to make sure rebates are fulfilled.
Same thing here.
The Best Buy thing had me on speaking terms with the manager, he'd see me,
groan, head over the cash register, tell the cashier "Credit this man for
his missing rebate, hit key "7 and then key 8" and walla!
>
> Remind the fulfillment company that they have entered into a contract
> with you, and make sure you can prove you fulfilled that contract on
> your end (shipped on time, correct paperwork, etc). Tell them you will
> begin charging them interest on the money after the due date.
Empty threats that will never be realized just weakens your position.
>
> And remember, don't just threaten, if you don't get satisfaction, fill
> out the web form with the US Postal Services or the state attorney
> general of your state or both.
That's about the only two things that might work.
I love it when people tell other people to complaign to the BBB!
That's like going to the Alaskan wolf den, hollaring down the hole "Say, I
have a complaint about chicken stealers and someone raped my golden
retriver!".
>
> Art
>
>
--
---Mapanari---
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