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Archive 2005 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins

  
 
ajacobs2
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p.1 #1 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


I wish they would stop all these rebate floats and just issue a rebate (REALLY AN INCENTIVE) at the time of purchase. I have seen many here get a little frustrated over when their rebates finally got paid. Well Nikon is good compared to others and usually Symantec is slow but not that bad.

I am now on my third letter to them over a stinking 20 dollars. They didn't see the info though it was glued or stapled right to the page and marked " this is what you want". The glue must of fooled them.

The third letter; First two were nice.

Dear Resubmissions Department,
cc: Symantec Corporation
John W. Thompson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Gary Bloom, Vice-Chairman and President
John Schwarz, President
Mark Bregman, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
John Brigden, Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Janice Chaffin, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Thank you for your postcard stating the application for refund has been refused. Enclosed please find the copy (all I have left of the information followed to the forms and letter that I sent you originally, the second time).

Note it has the information you asked for and obviously received. That’s those little checkmarks on the left for each step I danced, paddled, waltzed, and spelunkered through to get a stinkin’ 20 dollar rebate.

I am tired of hoops and rebate programs. If you can give a rebate, and pay people to process all these claims, just lower the price and eliminate the BS.

You are wasting, paper, ink, toner, phone calls and my time plus postage for your float. If you need the float that bad we’ll take up a collection and maybe get my LIVE UPDATE on two of my own machines home to work right if the float helps. I never complained to you even after waiting twice as long to get a promised rebates over the years, many years.

Take the idiot who dreams up these rebates “and tell him no desert for eight weeks”. Unless you clean up your room, wash the family dog and pass math in school.

This is stupid and childish.

By the way, Symantec, I deal with consumers using your corporate stuff, you know those license packages we sell for you through the VAR programs with XXXXX Electronics.

There are a couple of new programs coming out from your competitor and maybe change is in the wind. To bad though, we have dealt with you for as long as I can remember, this process over the 20 dollars has really got me p*ssed.

I attached everything with glue to the main sheet. You had to have it and get it or we have a problem with reading skills and working together and I would of never received the idiot post card. On the subject of idiots, this would be a good new chapter for the sequel to Hillary’s Book “It takes a Village – Idiot” or maybe we’ll get the President to look at not leaving anyone’s behind – behind!

It’s all right there on that page I sent you. GLUED TO THE PAGE SO IT WOULDN’T GET LOST ! ! ! ! ! !

I AM just annoyed at the process so to expedite matters this will be the last correspondence you will see from me. That’s four more stamps and an hour of my time to buy your product in simple terms. I spend less time beta testing for two other companies. I will go back and look a lot more seriously at what’s out there and being offered.

The documents are enclosed, I have nothing else left to clip snip, cut, paste, drool, over or get rabid about. Now, I don’t really care whether you send me the rebate or not. I can't afford the tolls after paying for the bridges.

Thank you for your time
Alan Jacobson
CEO – Gearheads INC.




Jul 30, 2005 at 10:46 AM
jmcfadden
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p.1 #2 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


hehe , fantastic

Al I have to seee if I can come up with an article from my paper here about people "getting even" in a kinder gentler way ,

take for instance the guy who stuffs the envelope (you know the kind that says "postage not necessary if mailed in the US) that the junk mail companies were sending him, he carefully cuts thin strips of aluminium or heavy cardstock and tapes the envelope shut . He managed to get the postage weigh on one of them to 3 Dollars , the company never sent him any more junk mail.

Another guy takes all the blown in cards from all the magazines that fall out everywhere when you try to take a look at one at the bookstore. Well he gathers all his and mails them without ever addressing them , just so they get charged the postage.

I will try and find it , I was laughing so hard .

But I digress. These companies are amazing , I stopped even sending the rebate stuff in, just too many hoops to jump thru for so little return


J



Jul 30, 2005 at 11:08 AM
David R
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p.1 #3 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


I stopped even sending the rebate stuff in, just too many hoops to jump thru for so little return

That's the whole point of rebates. Everyone things they're getting a discount, but far less than 50% of people even bother submitting the forms. I no longer do either - just too much hassle. But if they gave an instant rebate it would cost a lot more money.




Jul 30, 2005 at 11:59 AM
mrimpossible
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p.1 #4 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


take for instance the guy who stuffs the envelope (you know the kind that says "postage not necessary if mailed in the US) that the junk mail companies were sending him, he carefully cuts thin strips of aluminium or heavy cardstock and tapes the envelope shut . He managed to get the postage weigh on one of them to 3 Dollars , the company never sent him any more junk mail.

brilliant. I'm definitely going to start doing that.



Jul 30, 2005 at 12:19 PM
deapee
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p.1 #5 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


I just mailed in both my rebates today for my d70 and my epson r200 -- They really make those things so complicated it's not funny.

You have to get this and that piece, photocopy it (don't submit originals), circle this item on the receipt, etc...it's ridiculous.

From what I hear, rebates are a marketing scheme...a really low percentage actually send the forms in, and an even lower percentage send them in correctly.



Jul 30, 2005 at 01:38 PM
Jack OBrien
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p.1 #6 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


The last time I read anything about this, it seems that there were only about 30% of people that even bothered with the rebates. I think only half that actually get a rebate back. The last two I sent to Nikon, I sent them Return Receipt Requested and they had to sign for it. Have no idea if that made a difference, but I got both a couple months later.

Jack



Jul 30, 2005 at 02:05 PM
grmedhat1
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p.1 #7 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


That's a good letter. Bravo for sending it. Out of the last 8 I mailed in last year only 3 actually made it back to me in form of payment. Like the others I too am tired of the rebate thing as it's such a scam. I guess we need to be sending letters to the law makes as well.


Jul 30, 2005 at 02:27 PM
ajacobs2
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p.1 #8 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


ROUND TWO - I sent the letter with the photo copies of all the documents to the rebate center last thurs. It's Miami and got there the next day (from Tampa)

Saturday, this gets posted to me in email about an hour after the post.....now how can I be missing the name of the store as they mention it in the text.

Dear ALAN JACOBSON,

We just wanted to let you know we have received your rebate submission for 05-31108 $30 USD Mail in Rebate with Purchase of - Norton Ghost (NG 9.0) at CompUSA.

Your rebate tracking number is: 158023xxxx
To check your rebate status just click on http://symantecrebates.com/promocenter/symantec/trackdetails.html?track_number=158023xxxx
Please be sure to keep a copy of your tracking number for future reference.
Thank you for your purchase. We look forward to serving you again.
Sincerely,
Symantec

You will be unable to reply to this email because it has been automatically generated. You have not been added to an email list. This message was sent in response to your rebate submission and will be the only email you will receive about this rebate.

So I look it up again and ..........................
Rebate: Variable Reward
Rebate Information For: 1580XXXXXX
Promotion: 05-31108 $30 USD Mail in Rebate with Purchase of - Norton Ghost (NG 9.0) at CompUSA
Submission Type: MAIL-IN
Date Received: 07-29-2005
Status Detail: Invalid.
Invalid Reason: Missing: Purchase Date
Missing receipt
Missing Email Confirmation &/or Original UPC or Invalid UPC number
Missing: Purchase Location

All that information was in the envelope and mailed to them as a package and resent twice as photocopies. They have the origional.

Deduction : No one can READ at Symantec......

Now the letters, I only said to them I wouldn't communicate with Symantec, now I will send letters to every Florida State Agency and BBB agency and maybe start a campaign against rebate promotions like some states have other proprietary laws.

I am on a quest....

(*&^%^$%F*&54#crap @#@^&$% son of a $$%@123 f&^$%$$*%)+0

I just got hit with a windmill blade.............



Jul 31, 2005 at 06:38 AM
AReineman
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p.1 #9 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


You go Al! Awesome.

John, you are a man after my own heart -- I think I have a very bright future as an envelope stuffer.

Andrew



Jul 31, 2005 at 04:12 PM
David R
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p.1 #10 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


Al,

In addition to going to state agencies, you may want to see if there are any Symantic online forums where you can complian. If you get enough Symantic customers whipped up, they'll likely make you happy.

You may also want to the president of Symantic. If nothing else I would hope they'd be asking their rebate processing vendor some questions about pissing off Symantic customers.

Good luck,
David



Jul 31, 2005 at 04:25 PM
ajacobs2
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p.1 #11 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


Thanks guys for your support. Today twelve letters went out to the CEO of Symantec and his VP's, their major vendors and four Florida Agencies.
Unlike Quixote who also got hit in the head with a windmill blade, I was wearing my Army Helmet and survived to follow my quest.

I have been thinking of starting NAUSEA.

The National Association of Unified Symantec End-User Abolitionists

Hmmm... too long..



Aug 01, 2005 at 06:47 AM
mcanyes
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p.1 #12 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


I have to jump on this one.

I have been trying to get Symantec Ghost to work consistantly for a while now and I get PQI errors. So far Symantec support has been less than helpful - most of them are learning the English language. Perhaps some of you remember how Ashton-Tate distroyed dBase years ago. Apparently Symantec is determined to destroy itself in the same way. Anyway, I have decided that I will just never buy a Symantec product if there is anything else available.

I have been looking at Acronis True Image to replace Ghost and so far it looks much better.

One other thing, I figure my hourly billing rate is something like $60.00, or one dollar a minute. I loose money sending in rebates so I just quit doing it unless it was for a substantial chunk of money.

Michael



Aug 02, 2005 at 11:35 AM
ajacobs2
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p.1 #13 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


They can read....Today I got the check from SYMANTEC, someone there can read! They ( Oh I'm so emotional over this) can READ, someone had to READ the frickin letter. Im so moved I could just thank all the teachers in the world for teaching someone at Symatec to READ.

Woooooooooooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Lets see fifteen total letters to three major corporations and two hours writing.
The outcome......................priceless........ because im not going to cash it in .

Im going to set it in resin and concrete and screw their books up for the next two years...!



Aug 10, 2005 at 06:33 PM
jmcfadden
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p.1 #14 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


ajacobs2 wrote:
They can read....Today I got the check from SYMANTEC, someone there can read! They ( Oh I'm so emotional over this) can READ, someone had to READ the frickin letter. Im so moved I could just thank all the teachers in the world for teaching someone at Symatec to READ.

Woooooooooooopeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Lets see fifteen total letters to three major corporations and two hours writing.
The outcome......................priceless........ because im not going to cash it in .

Im going to set it in resin and concrete and screw their books up for the next two years...!


heheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheheh


J



Aug 10, 2005 at 06:38 PM
stevenosloan
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p.1 #15 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


Yah, i'm hoping my Nikon rebate turns out all right. Sent it in a couple days after i got my stuff (almost a month w/ in the due date) havent heard Jack didly. That was almost two months ago, i sent them an e-mail...hoping to get a promising responce. If not i'm gonna be mad cuz i wont have that money to take to college. Of course many letters/e-mail/phonecalls will follow...but $#*% if i dont get that money, they can atleast send me some new boxes...cuz they forced me to cut holes in mine those b@st@rds


Aug 11, 2005 at 12:55 AM
ajacobs2
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p.1 #16 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


Steven, I feel your pain, but Nikon has been known to take 8 weeks to send out those rebates. They eventually get there.

The part that got me was SYMANTEC put in all these phone numbers and command centers with on-line, off-line call-ins and a whole big deal and it DON"T WORK. Then next year they'll raise the price again with the next edition. When does it end? When we stop buying. A thirty day lull kills these big outfits.

Anyway as promised here she lies in state. (and in resin)
http://www.aljacobs.com/symantec2.gif





Aug 11, 2005 at 07:02 AM
Jack OBrien
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p.1 #17 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


yer killin' me Al After all the work you went through, hehe, I wouldn't cash it either. Symantec needs to see this photo

A few years ago, I bought an bible study program, which retailed for $300. The guy was going out of business, so he sold it to me for $150, plus the package had a rebate of $100. How could I go wrong? After months and months of waiting, and no resolution over the phone, I gave up. I thought it was a wonderful example for a company to set that sold 'religious' software, hehe. Anyhoo, 1 1/2 years later, I finally got my rebate check, totally surprised me, because I had completely written it off.

Jack



Aug 11, 2005 at 07:20 AM
Doug Quance
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p.1 #18 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


My experience with rebates has been less than stellar...

I no longer consider a rebate in my decision to purchase a product. If the price I am paying for it is not competitive... I will not purchase the product.

I remember standing in line at CompUSA one day to exchange a router. Several people were in line with me telling me that I should purchase another product because of the rebate. When I asked how many of them have ever received their rebate checks... the silence was deafening.

I am convinced that most of these rebate programs are scams. All rebates should be redeemed instantly by the retailer...



Aug 11, 2005 at 04:38 PM
ajacobs2
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p.1 #19 · Rebates and Manufacturers. Grins


****** YOU WON"T BELIEVE THIS ******

Today I get a second check from Symantec for 20 dollars, seems when I sent the second request in, ...they did the same thing, they challenged the scaned summary and found out they were wrong. Or some one who received one of the letters I sent must of gotten through that "pay this guy"....They did twice. It covered my postage and the fifteen letters I sent.

I am now grinning and smiling like a Cheshire cat but it also proves something else. "these folks are out of control" with rebates. It loses for them and loses for the consumers, no one really wins. And just maybe too many beans just cut loose from the bean counters"

These programs are for the birds and I have no place in my heart for their mistake. I hope ( not thru my personal gain of 20 dollars, I spent ten times that in time and agravation) they figure out you lose when you try to be smarter than your customers. You are nothing without the people that support you.

AMEN and AMEN
Have a great day...........................



Aug 15, 2005 at 04:11 PM





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