Here are some common tactics. An offer of more than one rebate on a single product seems like a jackpot. In reality, the process is often too complicated to pursue.
Often, the consumer doesn't realize multiple copies of the receipt or proof of purchase are needed until it's too late. Lately, many companies have begun sending rebates that are pre-loaded on debit cards, which can be inconvenient and confusing. The rebate cards also sometimes have maintenance fees or other charges that reduce the benefit.
Plus, many customers who are expecting a traditional paper check rebate in the mail may throw the debit card away, mistaking it for a pre-approved credit card offer. Or it could be the inside flap of a box, where a customer is not used to looking. The buyer may unwittingly damage or tear the proof of purchase while opening the package or may throw it away without realizing it.
They also add very specific instructions and hope you will not notice the fine print or deadlines for submitting the rebates. Another popular tactic: an extremely short rebate redemption period, causing consumers to miss the deadline if they don't submit the forms immediately. The company is betting on the fact that you won't notice If the rebate simply never arrives. To make sure you get the rebates you're entitled to, be careful to read all the fine print, submit all the required paperwork quickly, make copies for your records, and follow up if you don't receive your rebate in a timely manner.
And the next time you are shopping, make sure you consider the hassle of handling a rebate claim before you purchase that item. Personal Finance. In , our U. Click here to use our Best Buy rebate finder tool. Visit BestBuy. Join Now. Typically the offer carries an expiration date of six to eight months.
The purchaser completes a form provided by the manufacturer and mails it—along with any other items the manufacturer may require, such as a cash-register receipt or the Universal Product Code UPC snipped from the packaging—to the address specified on the form.
Most commonly, the purchaser sends the rebate form and related "proof of purchase" items not to the manufacturer but to one of several large clearinghouses hired by the manufacturer to handle these transactions—for instance, the Young America Corporation in Minnesota or the Nielson Clearing House in Texas. The clearinghouse then processes the form and sends the purchaser a check in the manufacturer's name, usually within four to eight weeks from the time the purchaser mails in the required information.
Companies use a number of means to get their rebate forms into the hands of customers. Many companies supply a pad of tear-off rebate forms to the stores selling their products; others print the form directly on the packaging or on a tag hanging from the merchandise. In addition, companies frequently use television and radio advertisements to publicize their rebate promotions. Finally, there are several Internet sites that direct consumers to rebate offers, such as myRebates.
Rebates are highly attractive to most consumers. They provide a partial and tax-free cash reimbursement for their purchases; the Internal Revenue Service views rebates as a reduction in the price paid for a product, rather than as income.
And for manufacturers, rebating provides numerous advantages: it induces prospective customers to try their products; it boosts company sales and visibility; it relieves problems of excess inventory; and it attracts interest from retailers, who often help promote the offer and expand the shelf space allotted to the manufacturer's goods accordingly. Cash Register printed rebate claim forms do not qualify as the Sales Receipt. Both a Sales R eceipt and C laim Form must be submitted. Receipt showing purchase of the item is required to qualify.
If any information is missing and your claim has to be resubmitted, this will restart the 4 to 6 week processing period. Enclose your original UPC bar code cut out from the bottom of the product box. It consists of 12 numerical digits where the first six numbers are and are followed by six additional numbers. For example purposes, guidelines are below: Where can I find the rebate form? What if the form is no longer online? Please note: Unlisted promotions may be offered to customers who attend live AccuQuilt events or receive exclusive offers from AccuQuilt by other means.
All offers requiring a promo code cannot be combined with other offers requiring a promo code.
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