I've heard some negative opinions about Sandisk rebates. Is it justified?
I'm in the process of buying at least 10 8-gig Extreme cards and would like to know if the rebates are effective.

Thanks!

I've done them twice so far and both times haven't had any issues. I believe the rebates are handled by the same company that used to do Canon's mail-in rebates, Young America. Many people have had issues with them before. I always make photocopies of everything that gets sent in and usually check with them about 8 weeks after sending stuff in. If you keep photocopies then even if they claim to have 'lost' your rebate, you can send the photocopies.

One of the worst out there for rebate processing. It's why I no longer buy Sandisk cards.

make photocopies of everything.

I submitted a rebate form last month for 3 CF cards. Within days, the online site here:
https://www.web-rebates.com/sandisk/

said " ERROR: Did not submit original UPC". Off I went, calling the customer service....the lady immediately acknowledged receiving the UPC, apologized and resubmitted my form, my check is enroute.

It's decent..just stay on top of it...else your rebate will be denied and you won't know it. keep hitting that website I gave above to check your status and be ready to call their CS right away in case you see text in RED FONT !

PS: afaik, 1 rebate per customer for 3 cards...not sure about 10...

LCollector, thanks for the link. I sent mine in and frankly forgot about it. Just checked it via the link and pleasantly found:

"Your rebate has completed the first 2 of 4 steps
A check request for $40.00 is being processed."

I've been satisfied. As stated above (goes for any rebate) - copy everything and be prepared to follow up. If it's a big rebate, consider sending with certified mail. My last Sandisk rebate came back fast without a glitch.

oh yes, post with USPS "signature confirmation/delivery confirmation"....good advice !

I've never had a problem with Sandisk, or with any other manufacturer/distributor/third party, with respect to handling a rebate.

All I do is buy, make copies of everything, send in early, and wait. I once called someplace (don't recall where) to check the status and it was the same day the 'bate was ultimately mailed.

Just check yourself - sites like our beloved FM tend to be, unfortunately, somewhat critical once an issue is detected with what seems to be a "group". With such a small sample space, careless readers might think that all Sigma lenses have back/front focus issues, all 17-55IS models suck in dust, all Canon rebates ultimately fail, etc, etc. And while some folks have had problems, most companies evidenced here as being so terrible probably wouldn't remain in business if individual FM threads were truly representative.

Most of my family and close friends regularly file for rebates: I've never heard of any of them experiencing problems with products ranging from electronics to bath towels. And although my experience would also be a small sample space - it's at least enough to counter what we routinely see here.

Enjoy.

I had only one experience with Sandisk, earlier this year. It took 10 weeks to get the rebate - I was almost giving it up for gone. From now on, I am sticking with Lexar: both the cards and the rebate process are much faster ;^) (sample size of 1 in each case, YMMV)

I did not have any trouble with the last round, but instead of a check it was a $100 Visa card that needed to be spent in a couple of months. Darn thing made me spend an extra $680 at B&H

I didn't have any problems..

joeisayo wrote:
I've heard some negative opinions about Sandisk rebates. Is it justified?
I'm in the process of buying at least 10 8-gig Extreme cards and would like to know if the rebates are effective.

Thanks!

Just got one with visa rebate card, works fine. Bit slow to get, but you could check status online:

https://www.web-rebates.com/sandisk/

In the last 9 months I've applied for 4 rebates from Sandisk. I can't remember what form the rebate was for the first one but it did come in after some time. The second and third were for the VISA cards ($130 and $160 amounts) which I've used at gas stations but you do have to go in and have the card scanned by the attendant. I have no problem with this as I would have used a charge card otherwise. The forth, which came in very quickly was for a much smaller amount and is in the form a check to B&H photo which I have not used yet but plan to do so in the near future.

Sent in everything that was requested and kept copies of everything. Being able to check the status on-line was a plus. It should be noted that I do not hesitate to use rebates and have never had a problem, but again, I do keep copies of everything and only discard the copy when the rebate comes in. This also assures that I do not forget about it as some take an extraordinarily long time to show up.

It would be much better if Sandisk went "Canon way" and offered instant rebates. Clean and quick. Darn Canon instant rebates made me spend far more than I wanted/needed at Adorama.

Over the past two years, I have submitted 15 rebate requests without a single problem. The negative buzz on the internet vastly overstates sandisk rebate problems. I think they are more the exception due to occasional sloppy processing by their processing center.
John

The rebates are handled by Young America, the same that handled the Canon rebates. Therefore, don't count on the rebate. I bought two Sandisk cards and got a post card saying I didn't submit the UPC codes. Luckily I had photocopies of everything I sent in. I called them and they said there's a mistake, and then the person on the phone acts as if she would check my file and says, "oh sorry, your rebate will be processed immedeately".

Everybody who doesn't call them doesn't get the rebate... In my opinion this is attempted fraud. So don't count on the rebate...

I forgot, there's a new spin to it: If you receive your rebate, you receive it as a VISA debit card that cannot be recharged or loaded with additional money. It's good for a few months. You may have to do some ahead planning to spend all the money, otherwise it falls back to Young America.

I checked mine and it processed fine and indicates the check is coming. Not that I ever expect that to turn around quickly with any rebate, although Apple's are usually relatively quick.

I've had no problems on 2 Sandisk rebates. That said, rebates are always a pain in the ass and I'd never buy anything because of the rebates.

This thread reminded me that I'm still missing my rebate check from December. I had it reprocessed in June and it still hasn't shown up. I just called again to have it resent.

This is the first time I have not received a rebate check from Sandisk on the first try.

I have had 2 of 4 submissions have "issues". They say forgot to send UPC etc. I tell them I can fax a copy of my submission that cleary show UPC taped on form. They then say, no problem we will release them.

Last time the rebate was a check good only at the place I bought the Sandisk cards themselves. No real problem, as I can find things to buy there, but be aware.

mgipe wrote:
One of the worst out there for rebate processing. It's why I no longer buy Sandisk cards.

Ditto. A couple real problems trying to get checks. This latest with a Visa cash card, the card got declined a couple times, then when it went to less than $10 left they simply made it invalid. Sandisk has lost my business for good.

This thread is really kind of funny if you take a step back and look at it.

I bought 2 16 gig extreme 3 sandisk cards and got the $200 rebate visa card with no problem. I was surprised that it arrived much sooner than I expected.

edited

Edited by tomhh on Aug 18, 2008 at 02:47 PM GMT