Are Mail-In Rebates Worth the Hassle?

July 12th, 2010

Are you willing to trade your time and effort for some cash back on your purchases? Mail-in rebates are a subject that elicits a strong reaction from most people. They either love them or hate them, and very few people are neutral or indifferent. In the past few years complaints about rebate processing companies have tripled, and the result has been better rebate tracking and the introduction of online or paperless rebates (like Staples Easy Rebates). If you found that advertised sale-after-rebate price on your last gadget purchase too irresistible to pass up, we have some tips for you to increase your success rate in collecting your rebate money.

1. Do some research before you buy, to be sure that you can get the rebate form, know all the requirements, the expiration date has not passed, and the store has the item in stock or can deliver it to you before the rebate offer expires.
   
   
2. Make sure the rebate form offers a tracking option, where you can check the progress of your submission online, and don’t delay! Mail in your rebate as soon as you’ve made your purchase and tested it to be sure that it’s working as advertised. Many people forget about rebate offers and fail to send them in before the expiration date. Be sure that you have the necessary proofs cut from the packaging before you discard it.
   
   
3. Read the fine print of the offer carefully, and follow the instructions to the letter. For example, if you’re required to circle the purchased item on the receipt, be sure to comply. Don’t staple the proofs to the form if you are specifically asked not to do that. Send the original receipt unless the offer specifically says that a copy is acceptable. Any failure to follow instructions will cause your rebate to be denied.
   
   
4. Print your information legibly and fill in every bit of information required, to avoid rejection. Many offers require a street address, and will refuse to send payment to a post office box.
   
   
5. Always photocopy or scan the filled-out rebate form, receipts, and all the supporting documentation, including the UPC code or proof of purchase. Store all of your rebate information together in a convenient file.
   
   
6. Keep a record of your rebate submissions and the approximate dates you expect to receive them. You can use a spreadsheet, Quicken, or even a free online site like Rebate-Tracker or Rebate Reminder to create this log. Using an online option gives you the advantage of being able to search for the rebate in their database, and the site will send you reports and reminders when your rebates are due.
   No matter which method you choose, save the following information for each offer:
   • The date that you submitted the rebate application
   • The name and address of the rebate company
   • The amount of the rebate, and
   • The website or phone number that the company generally provides to check on the rebate status.
7. Don’t forget about your rebates, review your log at least once a month. Watch for them when they’re due to arrive, some of them are just postcards and can get stuck inside magazines or junk mail. If you have any outstanding rebates that are over two months old, you should:
   • Call the phone number or go to the web site to check the status.
   • Keep a record of all the contacts you make regarding the rebate, including the date the contact was made and the name of the person who assisted you.
   • Keep a copy of any e-mails about the rebate. If you use the “Contact Us” form on the rebating company’s web site, you won’t have a record of that message. So be sure to copy and paste your comments into your word processing software and save it, before sending the message. Add the time and date that you sent the message.
8. Follow up if rejected. If you get an e-mail or postcard notification telling you that your rebate is denied because the company claims that you didn’t send all the correct supporting documentation, contact them immediately. There is usually a toll-free number provided, and they will give you a short time to respond. You should re-submit your copies of all the required paperwork (including the copy of the UPC code or other proof of purchase). This second submission almost always seems to work, and often can be faxed.
   
   
9. Contact the manufacturer. If you get no response, stop dealing with the fulfillment center, and start dealing directly with the manufacturer. Send a letter or e-mail directly to the Customer Service Department of the manufacturer of the product (or provider of the service) that you bought. You can almost always get this contact information from the Internet, and they will usually help you collect your rebate.
   
   
10. Cash that rebate check as soon as you receive it – there’s no reason to wait, and the deal’s not complete until you get all your money. Don’t put it in a drawer and forget about it, because they do expire.
    

Only you can determine if the value of a rebate is worth your time and effort to get it. But you should never purchase a product strictly for the rebate. Instead, you should always view the rebate as an extra bonus. So, what do you think, are mail-in rebates worth the hassle? Please take our poll and share your thoughts with other readers.

Entry Filed under: Shopping