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I can relate to this. Rebates are difficult to the customer because of all the paperwork involved. You have to give them a copy of the receipt, plus proof of purchase, your blood type, the year of your marriage, how many kids you have....need I go on?
But, there is a good reason for all of this. When I worked for Bellsouth, they used to give rebates to people who would upgrade their phone service, or add something like DSL. At times, it was $25 per item sold, and the customers would get a check within a month. The moment these customers got their money, they would call in and have the products removed since they got their money, then would call for a credit because they were upset with the service. Yeah, right! Or, they would cash the check, but later on call and say they never got their money, so additional checks would be cut.
Later on, the company finally got smart and developed the coupon system. Customers were then required to fill out this coupon, which was sent by mail, or they could print them on line. Then, they had to fill them out and send in a copy of their phone bill showing them they had these services. And, to add insult to their injury, these coupons had tracking codes on them because of the customers claiming no money was ever sent. Oh, the calls that came in on that. You had those where it showed the check was delivered and cashed, yet it was "I never got it". But, at least the fraud tapered off significantly. And, by the way, customers were required to keep many of these upgrades for at least three months. For things like DSL, they had to keep it a year.
Customers can complain all they want about rebates, but it's the sneakiness and stealing that has caused them to become nightmares.
But, there is a good reason for all of this. When I worked for Bellsouth, they used to give rebates to people who would upgrade their phone service, or add something like DSL. At times, it was $25 per item sold, and the customers would get a check within a month. The moment these customers got their money, they would call in and have the products removed since they got their money, then would call for a credit because they were upset with the service. Yeah, right! Or, they would cash the check, but later on call and say they never got their money, so additional checks would be cut.
Later on, the company finally got smart and developed the coupon system. Customers were then required to fill out this coupon, which was sent by mail, or they could print them on line. Then, they had to fill them out and send in a copy of their phone bill showing them they had these services. And, to add insult to their injury, these coupons had tracking codes on them because of the customers claiming no money was ever sent. Oh, the calls that came in on that. You had those where it showed the check was delivered and cashed, yet it was "I never got it". But, at least the fraud tapered off significantly. And, by the way, customers were required to keep many of these upgrades for at least three months. For things like DSL, they had to keep it a year.
Customers can complain all they want about rebates, but it's the sneakiness and stealing that has caused them to become nightmares.
This is SO true. Rebates are supposed to be in place to reward the people who actually purchase and intend to keep the products, and now they're being punished with incredibly long processes, just so the companies can make sure they're not being gypped out of money. 
Wrong.
I started directing all complaint calls directly to them.
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