I absolutely detest the rebate game that's so popular at places like Office Depot, Best Buy, etc.
The other day I purchased an LCD monitor for $379 with $130 in rebates. Of course, that's two separate rebates ($100 and $30). Each rebate form has to have the serial number of the monitor, my name & address, etc. They must be mailed in a separate envelopes, but of course they go to the same address. Both need the UPC code (one says original, one accepts a photocopy). Both need the receipt (original or photocopy).
So I have to cut out the UPC code, photocopy it (actually, scan and print on my system), same for the receipt, fill out two forms, address two envelopes, etc.
Of course, it's worth it for 130 bucks, but you and I both know they just as easily could have sold it to me for $249 on the spot and been done with it. And you and I both know that's exactly what they don't want to do.
They want me to jump through hoops, because they know that the rebate redemption rate drops with each hoop. The whole thing gets forgotten so the deadlines get missed, the original packaging gets tossed (oops! I need the UPC!), people miss a step in the instructions or leave an entry on the form blank, and so forth. I read an article on this a while back that said rebate redemption rates vary from 20% up to 90%, directly depending on the rebate amount. But it's never 100%. There's always some percentage of people who don't redeem. And that's why the rebate game is so popular. The company can advertise a low, low price "with rebate!", yet not actually sell every unit at that price.
This is really no way to treat your customers, but apparently we sheep are so used to the rebate game we all play along. Pathetic.
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