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Manufacturer Mail-in Rebate Fraud
The reason we include manufacturer mail-in rebates as a scam is because when manufacturers promote a product by offering a
mail-in rebate they do everything possible to reduce the dollar amounts paid. They call this "breakage." This doesn't mean
that they don't intend to honor all properly submitted rebates but they are aware that half of the consumers that purchase
an item because of the rebate will not take advantage of it. From this statistic it's easy to see why so many manufacturers
offer rebates on their products to consumers. If it stopped there I would not be writing this now because a consumers failure
to mail in a rebate hardly constitutes fraud.
When Manufacturer Mail-in Rebates Become Fraudulent
Rebates cross the line and become a scam when they include complicated submission rules, limitations on the time to mail in
the rebate or find arbitrary reasons to deny rebate requests. Companies running rebate promotions for manufacturers actually
compete for the highest rejection rates and include the complexity of their rules as a reason why they should be selected
to manage a product rebate offer. The manufacturer may have initially begun rebates in good faith but can be seduced into
finding ways to limit redemption. When you are making an offer but create so many obsticles and hoops to jump through that
redemption becomes difficult to impossible you are treading the line between good business and fraud.
How to Avoid Product Rebate Fraud
- Read the fine print. Before you purchase a product with a large rebate, read the form carefully to make sure you can qualify. Sometimes a manufacturer will delay delivery of your purchase just long enough to make sure that you no longer qualify. You will almost certainly receive what you bought but your rebate will no longer be valid.
- Choose the easiest rebates. If your retailer lets you begin the rebate process online you will probably get your rebate faster. Some of them even help you find the right forms, send them and then track your rebate. Another plus is a retailer that provides you with a copy of the receipt and the form right at checkout to help you get your rebate.
- Fill your rebate form out completely. If you fail to provide required information your rebate request will be denied. Read the form carefully and double check it before you send it in. Don't miss the mail-in deadline!
- Use the right UPC code. Some product boxes have more than one UPC code and sending in the wrong one may result in a rebate request denial. If you are not sure which UPC to send in call the customer service number to confirm which one is correct. If you have multiple rebates and copying the UPC is allowed but you can't photocopy it, take a digital photo of the UPC and send that in. Some rebate offers require you to cut out the original UPC so that you can't collect a rebate and then return the product. Make sure you provide the UPC according the the rebate's instructions.
- Make copies of your filled out rebate forms. Copy receipts and the UPCs while you are at it to help you prove that you sent in your rebate. If the rebate involves a lot of money request a postal delivery notification so that if there is a dispute you can prove your rebate was received in time.
- Follow up on your rebate. It can take six to eight weeks to receive your rebate and some can take even longer. If the time it's supposed to take has passed and your rebate has still not arrived contact the manufacturer to find out what's happened. Don't be afraid to complian because if there's one thing manfucaturers hate it's a bad reputation.
More Information on Manufacturer Mail-in Rebate Fraud
The Marketing Rebate Rip Off
Big, Big Money to Be Saved by Making the Most of Rebates
The Great Rebate Scam
Don't get ripped off by a rebate 'deal'
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