About those rebates: I recently purchased a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer from B&H. Canon had a big rebate (that comes in the form of an American Express gift card). So, I took the...

Basil Loc: New Mexico

I recently purchased a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer from B&H. Canon had a big rebate (that comes in the form of an American Express gift card). So, I took the plunge and bought the printer (which I do love by the way).

On 15 October (4 1/2 weeks ago), the printer arrived and I immediately filled in the rebate form and mailed it that day! I also "pre-submitted" by scanning a .PDF and uploading to Canon's rebate site.

As I mentioned I mailed the paperwork required 41/2 weeks ago. This morning, I finally get an email from Canon stating they had received my request for a rebate and that it will be "reviewed and processed" within the next 6-8 weeks. After that, assuming all is in order, I guess they will mail the rebate, which will take who knows how long to get here.

I'm glad I got the printer, but just want to share that, if you go for one of these mail-in rebates, don't expect a quick turn around.

Leitz Loc: Solms

Basil wrote:

I recently purchased a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer... (show quote)

This subject came up here a week or so ago, and it seemed most received the card within a reasonable time. 6-8 weeks sounds about normal for most rebates.

Basil Loc: New Mexico

Leitz wrote:

This subject came up here a week or so ago, and it seemed most received the card within a reasonable time. 6-8 weeks sounds about normal for most rebates.

Ok, I honestly didn't think it would take almost 5 weeks just for them to receive my request (I know the mail can be slow, but...). So 5 weeks for them to "receive", 8 weeks for them to "process" + at least 2 weeks to get the rebate = 15 weeks. Whether it's normal or not, I was surprised it was going to take this long.

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

Basil wrote:

I recently purchased a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer... (show quote)

I don't understand the mail-in rebate thing. Why not have an "instant" rebate applied when the purchase is made? Wouldn't that be less expensive for the company than processing mail-in rebate forms?

Leitz Loc: Solms

Basil wrote:

Ok, I honestly didn't think it would take almost 5 weeks just for them to receive my request (I know the mail can be slow, but...). So 5 weeks for them to "receive", 8 weeks for them to "process" + at least 2 weeks to get the rebate = 15 weeks. Whether it's normal or not, I was surprised it was going to take this long.

Guess you call it "snail mail" for a reason! :lol:

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Mac wrote:

I don't understand the mail-in rebate thing. Why not have an "instant" rebate applied when the purchase is made? Wouldn't that be less expensive for the company than processing mail-in rebate forms?

It in the issuers best interests. "Instant" rebate means it will apply to each and every sale. Retailers hate them because of the paperwork they need to file on each affected item sold, it's a huge burden. Companies also prefer the "mail-in" rebates as there are always customers who forget to mail them, mail them late, don't include all the required information, or just don't feel its worth the effort. The companies give up less profit that way.

lesdmd Loc: Middleton Wi via N.Y.C. & Cleveland

Mac wrote:

I don't understand the mail-in rebate thing. Why not have an "instant" rebate applied when the purchase is made? Wouldn't that be less expensive for the company than processing mail-in rebate forms?

Logical but wrong. People routinely screw-up the details of submitting the paper work, or fail to file it at all, or lose receipts, etc. When this happens, and it happens all the time, the company offering the rebate makes out like a bandit (pun, sort of intended).

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

I have always copied the exact rebate form when submitting my rebate request. Certain companies just automatically reject the rebate request by stating that you did not include "such and such". For those companies, I just send in a copy of the rebate information, stating that I know they just don't want to pay it back.

If they delay, or reject, I also let them know that they are committing a Federal crime using the mail. Usually, I receive the rebate in just a few days. It is well known that less than 10% will submit a rebate request. What a pitiful way to run a business.

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

MT Shooter wrote:

It in the issuers best interests. "Instant" rebate means it will apply to each and every sale. Retailers hate them because of the paperwork they need to file on each affected item sold, it's a huge burden. Companies also prefer the "mail-in" rebates as there are always customers who forget to mail them, mail them late, don't include all the required information, or just don't feel its worth the effort. The companies give up less profit that way.

Well, I guess that makes sense. I fall in to that Not Worth The Effort category on small rebates.

rolf Loc: Kenora Ont.Canada

We bought a Maytag dishwasher in May last year with a $150.00 rebate finally got our cheque in Nov after many phone calls. Its like the company's don't care about customers anymore.

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

Basil wrote:

I recently purchased a Canon Pixma Pro 100 printer... (show quote)

Typical. By the time you actually get the rebate, you will have forgotten you submitted it. :-)

Basil Loc: New Mexico

brucewells wrote:

Typical. By the time you actually get the rebate, you will have forgotten you submitted it. :-)

And I think they make the process so tedious that that porabably bank on many folks not taking the time required to submit.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Advertising is geared to the impulsive buyer, or the spur of the moment. Why do companies use that type of advertisement, because it works. Why do companies vie for the end caps at the end of isles or space around the cash register? Again impulse and attention grabber. Advertisement is propaganda, misleading at the best, some times out right lies such as buy one get one free. Reduce 50% when it is usually higher than original price, but it works. They appeal to our gullibility.

Bill_de Loc: US

There is the flip side of every coin. There is so much fraud that haste makes waste. I'm not talking about the guy that tries to get a rebate and then return the item. I'm talking about organized corruption.

Most rebate coupons/forms indicated the expected turn around time.

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mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Mac wrote:

I don't understand the mail-in rebate thing. Why not have an "instant" rebate applied when the purchase is made? Wouldn't that be less expensive for the company than processing mail-in rebate forms?

No, it actually would be much more expensive for the company. A large percent of rebate coupons are never submitted, or are submitted late, or are submitted incorrectly, or are submitted with missing documentation or information. Manufacturers count on this. They make you work for the rebates, which often require significant attention to detail.