A question arises: Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I...

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

A misuse of the term, "rebate". I think "coupon" better describes what they are offering.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

You're not likely to find many on this forum who set manufacturer's rebate policies.

IsoBob Loc: Hamilton, NJ

rook2c4 wrote:

A misuse of the term, "rebate". I think "coupon" better describes what they are offering.

Why issue a rebate that is not applicable to the item the rebate is for? I almost fell into this trap because I never bought an item that the rebate was for something else. Thanks for your reply.
Bob

KennyMac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

Nope ! You will find just about all companies are issuing rebates in card form, much cheaper than generating paper. I don't think you will have any luck getting a check. I end up using them for groceries to free up cash !
Ken

Rongnongno Loc: FL

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only way I could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

If you can use the card to purchase it is like cash. No greenback but cash anyway as per your description you are free to spend it anywhere and THAT mister, is the definition of cash.

Use it toward normal spending in grocery, cash and so forth. In one month if you pay attention you have the cash saved so that you can pay your own credit card bill.

jsharp Loc: Ballwin MO.

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

Most rebates are post sales unlike rebates on vehicle sales which can be used at time of purchase. just use the card to replace other spending.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

I don't like that, either because you are limited to where and how you can use it. I wind up with cards that have just a couple of dollars left on them - hard to use.

I'm sure Amex and Visa like this because they probably collect the regular fee from the merchant, and they keep all those balances that people leave on the cards.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Here in the UK such rebates or Insurance claims are issued using store cards so you have to buy the items you are replacing from that store !!

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

Also, beware of charge downs against the card if it's not used up fast enough.

As an earlier poster said, use the card for your day to day purchases, and put the CASH saved aside for your future camera equipment purchases.

I understand that you feel frustrated that it can't be used on your desired current purchase, but they use it as a hook to get you back into the store for future purchases.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

I've never gotten an AMEX card, but I have gotten VISA cards. There's no restriction on where you use them or what for. Like others have suggested use them for groceries, gas, etc.
This subject should probably have been posted in General Chit-Chat, not Photography Discussion.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Szalajj wrote:

Also, beware of charge downs against the card if it's not used up fast enough.

That's the first thing I check. I've seen some offered that charged a fee to activate, a monthly fee, and then they expired after a certain time. Rebates from reputable sellers are usually goo, though. I recently got one that has no fees and never expires. I can even add to it.

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

They're betting you put the card in a drawer, or your wallet, or somewhere, and forget about it. Then it expires, and they don't have to cover it. Same with gift cards.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

IsoBob wrote:

Why are some manufacturers issuing American Express Cards instead of cash for their rebates. You can't redeem them for cash you must use them for other purchases. I wanted to buy a new lens that has a $200 rebate. The only wayI could swing this deal was to use rebate money toward purchase. What is up with this. Is there away around this that I can't see? Any and all help appreciated.
Bob

I never rely on the "rebate" for the purchase of anything. If I do get the rebate then its extra money.
Frank

KennyMac Loc: Lynchburg, VA

jerryc41 wrote:

I don't like that, either because you are limited to where and how you can use it. I wind up with cards that have just a couple of dollars left on them - hard to use.

I'm sure Amex and Visa like this because they probably collect the regular fee from the merchant, and they keep all those balances that people leave on the cards.

jerry,
Most point-of-sale systems will take multiple $ forms until total value of sale is reached.
Ken