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| foxnstocks |
 Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:38 am Post subject: Buy EVERYTHING that is free after rebate! |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| I am in the habit of buying anything that is free after rebate with a rewards credit card. If I can't use the item myself, I either sell it on Ebay, give it as a gift, donate it to a charity and take the tax deduction, or sell it at a garage sale. Look at the ads for Staples, Circuit City, Eckerd, Rite Aid, Ace Hardware, Office Max, etc. |
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| jeter4982 |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:29 am Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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Thats a pretty good idea! I might try it out! 
Tom |
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| Mayur |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Associate
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| I loving buying things that are free after rebate. I love black friday at OfficeMax. They have almost everything for free with a MIR. |
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| InvestingMac |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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Neat idea!
I think I'll have to keep my eyes open for a few of those offers now. I used to dismiss anything that included a MIR. |
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| thrilla |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:16 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| You have to be careful of this one because many retailers/manufacturers are notorious for screwing the consumer on rebates. I am currently having problems with Proview and Velocity. After a couple weeks, it doesn't even seem like it is worth it any more. |
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| Benjamin |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Administrator
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I think the reason they say you must wait 6 to 8 weeks and make the process as complicated as possible is so you forget and when the check doesn't come you never remembered you sent it. Or they say Oh, it was missing this or that if you do remember.
Don't get me wrong, some follow through no problem, but think twice before basing a purchase on the rebate.
What happened with Proview and velocity thrilla? |
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| trixiezzz |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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| I guess there is a risk if you buy something you truly have no need for. But as far as office supplies go, or something else you are going to use anyway,I think this is a great idea! I never thought of it and what a great way to boost your reward free. |
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| thekingofspain |
| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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New Poster
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I use to stack $150 dollars worth of item from an office store and then use a big coupon on top of that like save $40 on $150 of purchases. Then I would flip the big items on ebay.
After a few years the office stores got wise to this practice and killed the coupon angle.
The price of the free after rebate items dramaticlly goes down after one of these promos.
The only real winner is ebay and paypal now a days.
If you do not have a scanner or access to copy machine then rebates could be a pain in the butt.
I have only one rebate in 5 years to a company that went out of business. Watch the rebates to see if they are the office store or the bankrupt product company.
I forgot to sumbit 1 rebate before the time deadline 
I also had a $20 rebate turn into a $10 rebate because the store gave me the wrong rebate form. |
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| raven3517 |
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 3:09 am Post subject: |
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Investing Associate
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| I do this, too! Especially places I've had good luck with/trust - like Staples and Rite Aid. I don't sell the things on eBay, but most of the items I pick up make good gifts, or I share them with my family, or donate them. Someone can always use the items, and sometimes I even make money off of the deal, if I use a coupon (esp. at Rite Aid). Those I always do! |
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| thrilla |
| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:32 am Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| eInvesting Admin wrote: | I think the reason they say you must wait 6 to 8 weeks and make the process as complicated as possible is so you forget and when the check doesn't come you never remembered you sent it. Or they say Oh, it was missing this or that if you do remember.
Don't get me wrong, some follow through no problem, but think twice before basing a purchase on the rebate.
What happened with Proview and velocity thrilla? |
Well with Proview, I purchased a computer monitor and sent in the rebate. After 8 weeks or so, they sent a postcard back stating that I did not make the purchase within valid dates (which I did). I called and spoke with a customer service representative and they told me to fax the information in and resubmit the application. I did that and have not heard from them yet. Every single time I call, I have to hold for 15-20 minutes before someone actually picks the phone up. I am getting ready to report the company to the Better Business Bureau.  |
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| fladoozle84 |
| Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 4:30 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| I feel like I always get screwed. The checks never come back. I was once owed over $15 from Office Max or something for office supplies and it never came. At least I dont remember it coming. I never buy things anymore unless I really need them because it's just not worth the hassle. The rewards are so small on these small purchases and you have to pay the card off before the rebate comes. |
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| noksagt |
| Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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Member of the Month! March
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I disagree with the premise of this thread--many FAR items aren't worth my effort. After taxes & the ebay fees & shipping & the float the OEM got off of my purchase, etc. I wouldn't come out that ahead.
However, there is NO reason for you not to get a rebate for which you are entitled. Complain to the company and/or file complaints with the BBB/FTC/postmaster/att. gen./planet feedback/etc. I've never been cheated out of a rebate, though some companies have certainly tried! |
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| alicia gist |
| Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| We bought a computer one time that had $300 in rebates. We wrapped the computer up for Christmas. After Christmas we started filling out the rebates and they had expired!! What a loss!! |
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| thrilla |
| Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:36 am Post subject: |
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Investing Sr. Associate
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| fladoozle84 wrote: | | I feel like I always get screwed. The checks never come back. I was once owed over $15 from Office Max or something for office supplies and it never came. At least I dont remember it coming. I never buy things anymore unless I really need them because it's just not worth the hassle. The rewards are so small on these small purchases and you have to pay the card off before the rebate comes. |
I sometimes feel the same way, but then I think about how the retailer is getting away with screwing the consumer! I always pursue my rebates because I do not want them to get away with it. Sometimes it is not so much about money as it is the principle of the matter. |
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| trixiezzz |
| Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 8:23 am Post subject: |
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Investing Manager
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| I agree that there is a cost to the time and effort and frustration factor in dealing with these rebates. When they want you to send in your original receipt you really have to keep good records, make xerox copies, etc and then REMIND yourself to check back with them. Also, if you charge it and they take over 60 days you can't even do a chargeback. But if it's for something you're going to use anyway, it's worth the gamble, I think. |
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