Re: Rebates from Fry's FRAUD

On 03 Dec 2003 20:20:42 GMT, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (DrPimpDaddi)
wrote:

>>I'm curious why you say "Rebates from Fry's" in the subject and then say
>>the rebates are from EPO Technology and Pacific Digital.  Exactly what did
>>Fry's do wrong?
>>
>
>Fry's usually advertises the worst offenders of rebate fraud (including
>themselves), then makes it difficult to get the rebate form. When you do find
>them, they are barely legible because they were horribly photocopied.
>
>In the past, they posted the rebate forms on a bulletin board next to the exit.
>Sometimes the forms wouldn't be there. I'm pretty certain Fry's did this on
>purpose, so that people would leave, instead of getting back in line to
>complain and/or return the merchandise.
>
>Like I said, I haven't been there in years, so maybe they changed.

Everyone has different experiences.  Over the past couple of years I have
built 3 computers.  In addition to the parts I got from Fry's there have
been software and books that bring the total rebates to about 20.  I have
never had a single problem.  While I copy everything I submit, I have
never had to use the copies to prove the rebate.

On the other hand, I have tried to stay with major manufacturers.  I have
never heard of EPO nor Pacific Digital.  Doesn't mean they are not good
companies or that the products aren't good.  But I don't think they are
the major players in the market.

The rebate form is never hard to get at Fry's.  It is always handed to you
by the cashier when you pay.  It may be a copy that is a little blurred
but who cares?  Do you think the fulfillment house reads the forms?

On thing to watch carefully at Frys, Best Buy and several other places.
The rebate offers from the web and the store are often not interchangeable
even though the rebate amount is the same.  I also encountered a
manufacture rebate (perhaps it was Western Digital) that offered a rebate
coupon on line but specifically excluded 8 or so retail chains.  Checking
with a couple of the stores revealed they offered similar rebates but with
different promotion codes.

As always it is buyer beware.  But to say to avoid rebates is senseless.
My last two versions of Norton Antiviris were free expect of for the sales
tax.  Why renew the Live Update subscription for $10 or $15 when you can
get the new version with a year subscription for free?