Rebate schmeebate

[mgordon99]

I have often wondered why retailers get away with advertising the low low price on systems with the "after rebate" in small letters. I don't think it's right, mostly these internet contract rebates.

Sure some people will go for the deal, but how many people have been lured in by the low price. These people might have even bought the system and then find out that the provider has no local access number in thier area, ouch!

This story reveals some info on the subject:

http://abcnews.go.com/onair/2020/diaz000524.html

[tonym]

I agree. You see offer after offer in flyers and at various web pages for computers that are esentially free, EXCEPT that there's a $400 ISP offer and a $200 web bank offer and a .... If you opt out of these things, the system costs a price that's unreasonable for the value offered.

The system exists as a hook to get unwitting folks to sign up and be bombarded with ads and "free" internet access that ends up costing them in the long run.

Truth in advertising. It's the only way!


Tony

[Warthog]

I always avoid the "free computer" ads because I know that they really aren't. Speaking of rebates, I still haven't gotten my $20 rebate on my Pioneer amplifier. hmmmmmm......I sent that in October....

Warthog

[SysOpt]

Indeed, I agree. If there is a $200 rebate on a $400 item, the price should still say $400, not $200. They can make the $200 rebate as prominant as they want but I think it's wrong to say it costs $200 UNLESS they give you the rebate discount at the register - some, but few, do. I avoid small rebates because I never get around to mailing them.

[socalgal]

In a similar vein, Rmcky has started a thread in the ResellerRatings forum on which companies honor their rebates and those which don't; those which are timely and those with which you seemingly wait forever.

It would be interesting if those who have sent away for rebates would list your experiences with vendors' rebates here:
http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/Forum11/HTML/000120.html