 Connecticut Rebates
What about all those rebates you never received? Sometimes this is the type of consumer dilemma where the old “ounce of prevention” can prevent lots of rebate headaches.
BEFORE you buy a product which boasts a rebate, be sure you’re willing to comply with the requirements for that rebate. For example, maybe the manufacturer demands an entire package panel, but you are not willing to sacrifice the box which houses your new camera.
- Will you be forced to use up the product before you normally would just to remove the required labels or proof-of-purchase seals?
- Will it cost you more to package and mail the rebate application and
all required documents than it's worth?
- Where's the application form? Some stores display them with the product, others post them collectively at the check-out counter, at a central bulletin board or at the service desk. IF YOU CAN'T FIND IT, ASK FOR IT! REFUND FORMS MUST BE AVAILABLE IF ADVERTISED.
- Note the expiration date!
- Hang on to that receipt! Many manufacturers demand the original sales receipt. If so, make a photocopy to keep for your records. (If you’re buying a number of items at one time, and 1 or more have rebate offers, you might want to ask for separate sales receipts for the rebate items.)
- Write down the name and address of the PLACE TO WHICH YOU MAIL IN YOUR REBATE APPLICATION, along with brand name, model number, and any other pertinent information about the product. Many times, the consumer simply fills in the rebate form and mails it with no record of the address to which it was sent. And many manufacturers use “fulfillment” houses to process rebates. These houses may set up specific post office boxes which are used only until the listed expiration date. Naturally, if you write after this date to complain about not getting your rebate check, you may get no response. Therefore, a full address is important, as well as the name and address of the manufacturer.
- Don’t discard the package until you’re sure all proofs-of-purchase are in hand. These could be UPC symbols, a special logo, a box top, etc. By the way, is more than one proof-of-purchase required? If so, does the cost of buying more than one item make the rebate worth it to you?
- Be sure you fill the rebate form in completely and clearly. Inexpensive printed address labels are ideal to stick on those rebate forms which have very small spaces.
- It’s a good idea to staple the receipt and proofs of purchase to the rebate form.
- Be sure to print the mailing address clearly and correctly.
- Rebate checks are notorious for taking a long time to arrive. Although you may think they were sent by “express snail”, do allow the maximum time advertised by the manufacturer to receive your rebate.
- However, once that time has lapsed and no check has arrived, send a letter of complaint to the same name and address to which you originally sent the rebate application. You should also write to the manufacturer. And if that fails, contact the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
- You may also write to us for help if you note retailers are advertising rebates but have no rebate applications available when you get to the store (or the ones they do have are expired).
Connecticut has a Rebate Advertising law requiring retailers who advertise the net price of an item after deduction of a manufacturer’s rebate to pay consumers the amount of that rebate when they buy the item. If the retailers don’t wish to do this, they cannot advertise the after-rebate price as the final price to be paid by the consumer. Thus, there should be no confusion about the amount the customer must pay at the cash register.
Courtesy of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
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