Adorama Customer Service - Rebate T3i/Printer ( Bad CS, and Very misleading website)

So last week I bought a T3i for my daughter along with a Canon Pixma Pro9000 printer, and a Canon 100mm L lens which I received yesterday. If you look at the first link for the printer, (same rebate shows on the camera) it CLEARLY states the following: (To make my point, lets just assume, I bought the printer without the camera)

http://www.adorama.com​/ICAP9000M2.html

Price: 444.00
Mail in Rebate: 200.00 (or if you buy a T3i, you get a 400.00 rebate)
FINAL PRICE: 244.00 (THE FINAL PRICE YOU PAY FOR THE PRINTER)

At the bottom of the page, if shows 2 links.
1. > Receive a $200 American Express¦ Receive a $200 American Express¦
2. > Receive a $200 Mail In Rebate - or Receive a $400 Mail In Rebate If..

I don't want a American Express rewards card (I purchased the equipment using my Billmelater account, which is no payments or interest for 6 months), I want the mail in rebate so I can get the printer for 244.00

If you click on the mail in rebate link link,

http://www.adorama.com …=rebatepop&Sku=​ICAP9000M2

it takes you to yet two new links. again click on the mail in rebate link.

But the links keep sending me to the Amex rewards card rebate. Thinking I'm doing something wrong, I call CS. I explain the situation and she keeps trying to explain to me that it is NOT an instant rebate. I say "I know that. I know the difference between a instant rebate, a mail in rebate, and a rebate for a rewards card. I say I don't care if it take 3 months to get a mail in rebate check, all I 'm trying to say it I can't find the link. Well, after 15 minutes of trying to explain the issue, she still doesn't get it and I politely say "may I speak to a manager". She says "He's busy and sir there is nothing he will do, thanks for calling Adorama" and quickly hangs up before I can say anything else.

So, I take a deep breath and call back. After being on hold for about 20 minutes, guess who I get again? Yep same girl. I again politely say "Miss, you dont undertand the point I'm trying to make, so may I please speak with a manager. After going back and forth again about trying to tell her that the site is very misleading. It should state if you buy this printer, you get a 200.00 rewards card. But it doesn't. It clearly states the FINAL price is 244.00, not 444.00 and a rewards card and their should NOT be 2 different links for 2 different rebates. Again, she has no idea what I'm saying and says "But sir, you are getting a 200.00 (or in my case 400.00) rewards card". I say "Will that rewards card credit my Billmelater account"? No it won't. she seriously argued with me about something she really didn't fully understand. I said "Can I please just speak to a manager". After much delay, she puts me on hold and says "He's on another call". I said NO worries, I'll wait an hour if I have to". Anyway, she finally comes back on the line and says "He'll speak to you". She put me on hold for several minutes comes back on and says "I'll transfer you". Guess what? The call gets disconnected.

Now my patience is wearing thin, but a few moments later the manager does call me back on my cell. (Very polite guy I might add) So, to try and wrap this up, I explained my point (knowing there really is no mail in rebate) the manager says "Wow, that is very misleading and you are 100% correct. So, what I'm going to do for YOU is talk with the web guys to fix this asap so other won't get mislead. He then said "we normally don't pay for return shipping, but in this case, I will make an exception" He sends me an email with the shipping label etc.

Now after taking a deep breath and knowing what a pain in the ass it's going to be to take the printer to a UPS store during the holidays, I email him back saying "Hey. I might be able to can get someone who will buy the rewards card off of me. However, I did tell him that the same printer is on BHVIDEO's site for 399.00 (45.00 less) and asked if he would at least match their price, for all the hell I just went through. He said "Price matching is done on a case to case basis, but he will see what he can do and he's waiting for approval". I did get an email back saying they will give me a 45.00 credit to my Adorama account and the next time I buy something, make sure I tell the sales rep. I said "but I don't want a 45.00 store credit, I want the 45.00 credited to my original purchase on my Billmelater account". I have not heard back from him yet. UGH!!!!!

So now that I've bored the hell out of all of you with my novel, am I nuts? Is this standard practice with them? I have always been a HUGE Adorama fan.

Christian

I bought the same printer last week at B&H for $399, and I'll get the $400 rebate. Free printer.

Also, this is NOT an Adorama rebate, it is a Canon rebate, but the MIR IS an Amex card with $400 on it. MIR does not mean a check 100% of the time. There are MIR's of different kinds.

Also, on some previous MIR's that I've done where I got a card and not a check, instructions come with the card which allowed me to transfer the balance into my bank account.

See B&H's form:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …111_CANON_PRO90​00-SLR.pdf

The mailing address is the same, except for department and such. It's just some MIR processing company I'm sure.

Also, if you got a T3i and the printer, you should get a $400 rebate.

Anyway even if I can't get the $400 off the card into my account, it doesn't really matter. We'll just use that card for groceries or gas or whatever we would normally be buying so it won't make any net difference either way.

That would be upsetting... I don't see why you want the check so bad and why the amex card is so bad... Use it for gas, another purchase in future, etc... Can use them anywhere. Money is money. Still getting it back.

And what is so bad about Adorama credit? You will buy from them in the future, no? So you still get your money.

It does seem like a lot of trouble, but they seem to be trying to help you out. Good luck!

Invertalon wrote in post #13537596
That would be upsetting... I don't see why you want the check so bad and why the amex card is so bad... Use it for gas, another purchase in future, etc... Can use them anywhere. Money is money. Still getting it back.

And what is so bad about Adorama credit? You will buy from them in the future, no? So you still get your money.

It does seem like a lot of trouble, but they seem to be trying to help you out. Good luck!

Unless I'm wrong, A ton of places (Gas stations) don't accept a rewards card. But even if they did, that's not my point. I prefer the cash simply because I can apply it to my billmelater account in which I have 6 months to pay off over 2000.00. If I get a rewards card, I will impulsively use it to buy something online instead of paying off my account. The WHOLE point I was trying to make is their site is EXTREMELY misleading and it should clearly state that. If they give you a choice, but there really isn't a choice, I think that's BS. And it took well over an hour for a manager to get back to me and I had to deal with a CS rep who was telling me I had no idea what I was talking about.

And after all of this, would you want a 45.00 Adorama credit? Even if I do, it might be months and months before I can make my next purchase. So, the way to handle this is to take 45.00 of my order.

Numenorean wrote in post #13537586
I bought the same printer last week at B&H for $399, and I'll get the $400 rebate. Free printer.

Also, this is NOT an Adorama rebate, it is a Canon rebate, but the MIR IS an Amex card with $400 on it. MIR does not mean a check 100% of the time. There are MIR's of different kinds.

Also, on some previous MIR's that I've done where I got a card and not a check, instructions come with the card which allowed me to transfer the balance into my bank account.

See B&H's form:

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …111_CANON_PRO90​00-SLR.pdf

The mailing address is the same, except for department and such. It's just some MIR processing company I'm sure.

Also, if you got a T3i and the printer, you should get a $400 rebate.

Anyway even if I can't get the $400 off the card into my account, it doesn't really matter. We'll just use that card for groceries or gas or whatever we would normally be buying so it won't make any net difference either way.

a 400.00 rebate, or a 400.00 rewards card? I'm confused as to what you actually got? (Sorry if I sound a tad ignorant in all of this) So, you think I might actually be able to tranfer the rewards card to my billmelater account?

Buylongterm wrote in post #13537666
If I get a rewards card, I will impulsively use it to buy something online instead of paying off my account.

So it's Adorama's fault that you're irresponsible?

Why not buy groceries with it, or whatever else with it that you can and use the cash in your bank account that you would have otherwise spent to buy that to pay on the BML account?

Sounds like you're the perfect BML customer though...they'll get their interest from you.

Buylongterm wrote in post #13537666
The WHOLE point I was trying to make is their site is EXTREMELY misleading and it should clearly state that. If they give you a choice, but there really isn't a choice, I think that's BS. And it took well over an hour for a manager to get back to me and I had to deal with a CS rep who was telling me I was wrong.

And after all of this, would you want a 45.00 Adorama credit? Even if I do, it might be months and months before I can make my next purchase. So, the way to handle this is to take 45.00 of my order.

I didn't find their site misleading at all. I clicked on the rebate details, and then clicked on the rebate form to see what the rebate said. In both cases, it's clear that what you get is an Amex card with $xxx value on it. There is nothing misleading at all. Simply assuming that "MIR" = "CASH!" is not the way to operate.

I agree that B&H's price is lower, and a better deal. But Adorama really doesn't even have to match the price - I'm unaware of any price guarantee or anything that they've done. The fact that they are willing to price match with a credit to your account is plenty good enough - after all you were the one who failed to do your due dilligence prior to making a purchase - and again how is that Adorama's fault?

Basically someone needs to call the WHAAAAAmbulance for you.

Buylongterm wrote in post #13537677
a 400.00 rebate, or a 400.00 rewards card? I'm confused as to what you actually got? (Sorry if I sound a tad ignorant in all of this) So, you think I might actually be able to tranfer the rewards card to my billmelater account?

I'm getting a $400 mail in rebate. The mail in rebate is for an American Express card with $400 on it. That's what the rebate IS. There is no difference, no "OR" at all.

Numenorean wrote in post #13537699
So it's Adorama's fault that you're irresponsible?

Why not buy groceries with it, or whatever else with it that you can and use the cash in your bank account that you would have otherwise spent to buy that to pay on the BML account?

Sounds like you're the perfect BML customer though...they'll get their interest from you.

I didn't find their site misleading at all. I clicked on the rebate details, and then clicked on the rebate form to see what the rebate said. In both cases, it's clear that what you get is an Amex card with $xxx value on it. There is nothing misleading at all. Simply assuming that "MIR" = "CASH!" is not the way to operate.

I agree that B&H's price is lower, and a better deal. But Adorama really doesn't even have to match the price - I'm unaware of any price guarantee or anything that they've done. The fact that they are willing to price match with a credit to your account is plenty good enough - after all you were the one who failed to do your due dilligence prior to making a purchase - and again how is that Adorama's fault?

Basically someone needs to call the WHAAAAAmbulance for you.

Your meaning to tell me that a site showing two different options and saying the final cost of the printer is 244.00 (not 444.00 with a gift card is not misleading, then I'm not sure what to tell you. It's funny that the Manager agreed with me and thinks it should be changed on their site ASAP. I've asked 4 people at my work and they all said the exact same thing. This is about principle and they way you do business. And then to top it off by having their CS rep hang up on me twice when I was as nice as I could possibly be. You think that's a correct way of doing business? And after all of that, i should some how feel privileged because they matched one of their biggest competitors price? Come on.

And trust me, I've never once paid a single penny of interest on any account that offers no payment or interest for x amount of time.

But hey, I don't go around making sarcastic comments towards members. I own 2 forums, and if someone told one of my members to get a WHAAAAmbulance, they'd be banned.

To everyone else, thanks for your comments and insite. I really appreciate it.

Christian

Once you recieve the $400 card from Amex, you can request a check. I wish I still had the letter that came with the card, but it does state you can call to have them write you a check. I hope this solves your problem.

I'm not sure Adorama is at fault here. It's a canon rebate, through Amex. It is actually one of the better rebate deals out there. They keep you updated, ie rec'd, processed, shipped, etc.

Buylongterm wrote in post #13538037
I own 2 forums, and if someone told one of my members to get a WHAAAAmbulance, they'd be banned.


Christian

That doesn't sound like a very fun forum.

Buylongterm wrote in post #13538037
Your meaning to tell me that a site showing you have two different options and saying the final cost of the printer is 244.00 (not 444.00 with a gift card0 is not misleading, then I'm not sure what to tell you. It's funny that the Manager agreed with me and thinks it should be changed on their site ASAP. I've asked 4 people at my work and they all said the exact same thing. This is about principle and they way you do business. And then to top it off by having their CS rep hang up on me twice when I was as nice as I could possibly be. You think that's a correct way of doing business?

But hey, I don't go around making sarcastic comments towards members. I own 2 forums, and if someone told one of my members to get a WHAAAAmbulance, they'd be banned.

To everyone else, thanks for your comments and insite. I really appreciate it.

Christian

No, it isn't misleading. Advertising the price after subtracting the value of a MIR is a common practice. As I said, I clicked on the rebate information, clicked on both options, and looked at the rebates. On both of the ones I clicked on, in BOLD lettering it says that you get an Amex Card with $400 on it (which is in huge red). I don't see how any sane person could read that and think that they will get a check in the mail, or that it is somehow Adorama's fault that a rebate they're offering is on a gift card when they really have NOTHING to do with the rebate terms - that is all Canon's department.

The manager probably "agreed" with you just to shut you up and get you off the phone. I never said that being hung up on was a good thing, but it sounds to me like you were not having a very nice tone with the person on the phone either. I could be wrong, but I would not really understand how to tell someone that a rebate that clearly says it is for an Amex card is for an Amex gift card when the customer was insisting that somehow it should be a check. Beyond saying RFTM basically.

There is absolutely NOTHING misleading at all about this rebate. The main problem you seem to have is that you are so irresponsible with your money that an Amex card will cause you issues that a check would not. I fail to see how that is the fault of anyone but yourself.

I looked at it and I'm not really sure what is misleading. It all looked pretty cut and dry to me. My inclination is to believe that you thought it would be cash and when it turned out to be a card, you weren't happy about it. It's not Adorama's responsibility to insure you don't spend it online frivolously.

J0eybb wrote in post #13538071
That doesn't sound like a very fun forum.

It's on of the fastest growing HD forums and my members love me. LOL

Numenorean wrote in post #13538073
No, it isn't misleading. Advertising the price after subtracting the value of a MIR is a common practice. As I said, I clicked on the rebate information, clicked on both options, and looked at the rebates. On both of the ones I clicked on, in BOLD lettering it says that you get an Amex Card with $400 on it (which is in huge red). I don't see how any sane person could read that and think that they will get a check in the mail, or that it is somehow Adorama's fault that a rebate they're offering is on a gift card when they really have NOTHING to do with the rebate terms - that is all Canon's department.

The manager probably "agreed" with you just to shut you up and get you off the phone. I never said that being hung up on was a good thing, but it sounds to me like you were not having a very nice tone with the person on the phone either. I could be wrong, but I would not really understand how to tell someone that a rebate that clearly says it is for an Amex card is for an Amex gift card when the customer was insisting that somehow it should be a check. Beyond saying RFTM basically.

There is absolutely NOTHING misleading at all about this rebate. The main problem you seem to have is that you are so irresponsible with your money that an Amex card will cause you issues that a check would not. I fail to see how that is the fault of anyone but yourself.

The rebate is not misleading at all. That's not what I'm saying. They way Adorama posted the rebate is. They show 2 different links suggesting you have two different options. If it was just one option for the AMEX card, I'd be ok with that. But in 3 different areas, they clearly show you have the option of a mail in rebate or a AMEX rewards card. That's it.

And I promise you, I was as nice as can be towards the girl. I am a IT Director and I deal with people **** all day.But, that does not give me the right to hang up on someone. I always treat people with respect. because I know in life, you get more accomplished treating people nice vs. being an ass.

All I can say is I respect your opinion and we just see things differently. I'm so nice that if you were in Chicago, I'd buy your sarcastic ass a drink!

Peace,

Christian

Buylongterm wrote in post #13538169
The rebate is not misleading at all. That's not what I'm saying. They way Adorama posted the rebate it. They show 2 different links suggesting you have two different options. If it was just one option for the AMEX card, I'd be ok with that. But in 3 different areas, they clearly show you have the option of a mail in rebate or a AMEX rewards card.

And I promise you, I was as nice as can be towards the girl. I am a IT Director and I deal with people **** all day.But, that does not give me the right to hang up on someone. I am always as nice as I can be because I know in life, you get more accomplished treating people nice vs. being an ass.

All I can say is I respect your opinion and we just see things differently. I'm so nice that if you were in Chicago, I'd buy your sarcastic ass a drink!

Peace,

Christian

Well sarcasm is one of the services I offer.

But the MIR IS an Amex card. Just because it says MIR does not mean it's a check. MIR's come in a variety of options. If you didn't click on the link and read the actual rebate, I'm sorry but that's your fault. The link doesn't say you will get a check either. It just says MIR.