The Rebate Debate

[Valerie S. Johnson]

By Valerie S. Johnson

It’s great to receive a cash rebate when you buy a product, but getting it can be a hassle. After making your purchase online or in a store, you fill out a form, and send it with the original receipt and the UPC code from the packaging. Sometimes you can register online for your rebate.

You usually have to wait at least a month to receive that weird postcard you almost throw away until you realize it’s a check. Your request for a rebate may be denied. Maybe you missed some detail, such as not sending the form within 30 days of your purchase. Some consumers think manufacturers or retailers intentionally deny perfectly valid rebate requests, knowing that many people won’t bother following up to claim their cash.

Want to have your say about mail-in product rebates? The Federal Trade Commission is hosting a free public workshop in San Francisco on April 27, 2007. Consumer advocates, government officials, business people, and members of the general public are welcome to participate. According to the FTC, the workshop "will provide an opportunity to discuss consumers' perspectives on rebates and challenges businesses face when they offer rebates, and will explore 'best practices' in the offering and fulfillment of rebates."

The FTC encourages you to submit written comments about rebate issues, and your suggestions for workshop topics, speakers, and participants. Send an email to rebatesworkshop@ftc.gov.

Full details about The Rebate Debate workshop are available at the FTC's website.

[JanH]

I absolutely hate manufacturer's mail-in rebates. I've had several denied even though we sent in everything just right. (and then resent per their instructions) It is a waste of time for me and deceptive when I buy the product. Nowadays, if I don't get an instore rebate, I don't even consider the other as part of the package. I'll tend to buy the instore rebate products first.