Future Shop Mail-In Rebates (Netgear)

[scott_newsgroup]

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!

[jerryhung]

Stay away from mail-in rebates!

Yep, I agree
I'd only buy products with MIR, ONLY IF it was a good price/deal already
ie. I will NOT buy because of the MIR

So far all my MIR are all good, except 1 SMC Router 4 yrs back then
Ext. HD, <a href=../autolink/redirectpage.php?linkid=167 target=_blank>Dell</a>, etc.

[ctam]

My only beef with those MIR is how they advertise on the flyers that the actual price is retail price - MIR.

Example:

Actual price is 39.99, MIR is 10.00

They advertise it as 29.99.

Just have to be careful when you are reading those flyers.

[bluetroll]

ya... waiting sucks... but hey...as long as i get the money i don't really care.

[NDman]

There really isn't anything new about MIR's. If they genuinely wanted to give you discount, they would have given you right away. You should know you are engaging in a totally different transaction when MIR is involved. They are out to get you. Any slight mistake on the rebates, you are doomed. It's a hit-and-miss.

Like you said, you got your cheque. Consider that a success. 6-8 weeks is the normal, 3-4 months are not rare either