scott_newsgroup
Jan 21st, 2005, 10:25 AM
Slow rebate processing is not a new thing, but I thought I would share my experience with Future Shop and also suggest never to buy anything with a mail-in rebate. This particular rebate says in big letters: 'processed within 8 weeks'.
I purchased a Netgear router back in November, and mailed-in my rebate the same day (November 19th). It was sent to Winnipeg, so I imagine it was there within a few days. Either way, let's be generous and say that it arrived around the 25th of November.
I just called the rebate processing center because it has been over two months (remember 8-weeks was the processing time). I was told that the cheque would be mailed-out on February 22nd, 2005. I then said that that amounts to a lot more than 8-weeks, and asked them what the 8-weeks meant. Here's what they said:
'8-weeks is the time it takes for us to process a cheque. Before the cheque processing, it takes another 6-8 weeks for Futureshop and Netgear to authorize your request'. WHAT!?!?
Basically, it's Futureshop holding the additional cash that I paid in November for three months, collecting interest (which would be A LOT if you count all of the mail-in rebate promos that they run, and how many people take part), and then mailing-out the cheques at their leisure.
Anyways, lesson learned - don't bother with mail-in rebates, don't support Future Shop, stick with supporting the smaller computer stores. At the end of the day, I should be happy I get my cheque (I imagine they also let a lot of cheques slip-through-the-cracks, and hope that the customer forgets about it).
Future Shop -> poor customer service and not to be trusted.
Stay away from mail-in rebates!
I purchased a Netgear router back in November, and mailed-in my rebate the same day (November 19th). It was sent to Winnipeg, so I imagine it was there within a few days. Either way, let's be generous and say that it arrived around the 25th of November.
I just called the rebate processing center because it has been over two months (remember 8-weeks was the processing time). I was told that the cheque would be mailed-out on February 22nd, 2005. I then said that that amounts to a lot more than 8-weeks, and asked them what the 8-weeks meant. Here's what they said:
'8-weeks is the time it takes for us to process a cheque. Before the cheque processing, it takes another 6-8 weeks for Futureshop and Netgear to authorize your request'. WHAT!?!?
Basically, it's Futureshop holding the additional cash that I paid in November for three months, collecting interest (which would be A LOT if you count all of the mail-in rebate promos that they run, and how many people take part), and then mailing-out the cheques at their leisure.
Anyways, lesson learned - don't bother with mail-in rebates, don't support Future Shop, stick with supporting the smaller computer stores. At the end of the day, I should be happy I get my cheque (I imagine they also let a lot of cheques slip-through-the-cracks, and hope that the customer forgets about it).
Future Shop -> poor customer service and not to be trusted.
Stay away from mail-in rebates!