Arrgh! Rebate gremlin strikes again!

I have heard some grumbling in the past about Canon's rebate process, but the last time I got a rebate it went smoothly. Not so this time. I pre entered everything online and carefully sent in exactly what they asked for. After 2 months I got an email saying my rebate was processed and would be sent shortly-hooray!. Instead of a check, I got a postcard saying I had sent in the wrong UPC code. I knew I had sent in the correct codes, and since they were now gone from the box I had no idea what I was going to do. Fortunately a call to the rebate center confirmed that the screw-up was on their end, and that for some reason I would be getting two checks rather than one, but that the checks would be mailed in 10-12 business days. So now they have had $700 of mine for almost 3 months. At least I think I will actually get my money eventually, but I really wish they would just lower the price.

tweatherred wrote in post #2524274
I knew I had sent in the correct codes, and since they were now gone from the box I had no idea what I was going to do.

Yet another example of "Photocopy Everything You Submit" !!

or an example of don't buy things because of the rebate offered. rebates should be looked at as an added bonus if you get them, that way you're not all upset when they screw you.

deadpass wrote in post #2526120
or an example of don't buy things because of the rebate offered. rebates should be looked at as an added bonus if you get them, that way you're not all upset when they screw you.

I feel a rebate should be looked at as money owed you, that way you will have no problem finding the brass balls to call and persue it when they try to monkey you out of it. People that let it roll off their plate without a fight are the reason Y.A. can make millions off of unclaimed rebates. MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING.
Tom

Beski wrote in post #2526006
Yet another example of "Photocopy Everything You Submit" !!

Better than that, I scanned everything into my computer, so I can spit out additional copies whenever I want to. Unfortunately that doesn't help when they want an original UPC code cut out of the box the item came in. It did, however, help when I needed a copy of my warranty card to get my 20D repaired a year ago or so. I'm still not sure if could find the original.

roqdawg, deadpass: I agree with both of you to some extent. I generally avoid buying items with rebates just to avoid the hassle and am quite aware that only a fraction of the people eligible ever collect them. (4 out of 10, according to Consumer Reports.) In this case, I was planning on buying another camera and lens anyway, but the $700 rebate they were offering was too good to pass up. If I do break down and get something with a rebate, then it is money owed to me as far as I am concerned.

tweatherred wrote in post #2524274
I have heard some grumbling in the past about Canon's rebate process, but the last time I got a rebate it went smoothly. Not so this time. I pre entered everything online and carefully sent in exactly what they asked for. After 2 months I got an email saying my rebate was processed and would be sent shortly-hooray!. Instead of a check, I got a postcard saying I had sent in the wrong UPC code. I knew I had sent in the correct codes, and since they were now gone from the box I had no idea what I was going to do. Fortunately a call to the rebate center confirmed that the screw-up was on their end, and that for some reason I would be getting two checks rather than one, but that the checks would be mailed in 10-12 business days. So now they have had $700 of mine for almost 3 months. At least I think I will actually get my money eventually, but I really wish they would just lower the price.

Mail-in rebates are clever and wonderful things for the manufacturers because of how many people either don't bother or don't follow up. They make a lot of money on it.