Inponics (through their LowerMyBills.com web site) offered two free Motorola camera flip phones after rebates with a shared two person 1000 minutes per month two year subscription to T-Mobile; two rebates of $100 each from Inphonics, and two rebates of $50 each from T-Mobile. However, if the subcription were cancelled prior to the two year period there would be a $200 cancellation fee per phone ($400).
First, the two phones did not arrive on the same day. Second, since my wife's arrived first and she was relying on me to process the rebates, she disgarded the box it came in (with the UPC code). Third, when mine arrived and I read the rebate instructions I discovered the need for the UPC code, which I now only had for one phone. Fourth, another rebate rule was that three months worth of billings were required to prove the subscription and that the rebate must be submitted within 120 days of receipt of the phones. Check this chronology:
Receive phones: 2 Aug 04
Receive first T-Mobile statement: 30 days later
Receive second T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 60 days
Receive third T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 90 days
Note: Wife informs me my cell phone number is long distance from our home phone, I call T-Mobile, inform them of the problem, and get a new number after I had mailed the rebate forms.
Receive fourth T-Mobile statement: 30 days later; 120 days
I sent the rebates, with the first three statements to Inphonics and T-Mobile as soon as I received the third statement, with a letter indicating one of the rebate packages did not include the UPC from the box and requesting they waive that requirement.
Inphonics sent a letter denying the rebate for both phones based on the lack of UPC codes (even though I had sent the UPC for my phone) and the billing statement did not show the third bill as being paid.
Per their instructions, I sent the next billing statement which by then was the fifth statement, with a letter explaining the time table for the rebates could not possibly be met if I had waited for a fourth billing statement. I also called and discussed this with their rebate representative and was informed they would get back with me within eight weeks.
I was then sent a letter informing me the Inphonics rebate was denied because my phone number on the billing statement did not match the one submitted on the rebate form. I sent another letter explaining the problem with the original number. They then sent me a letter denying my rebates based on the fact they were not submitted in the specified time frame. I again called and discussed this with their representative, who did not speak good English, with no positive result.
I have five major problems with this whole process. First, if they should have to specify the complete rebate process in their marketing advertisement (that would have prevented my wife from discarding the box). Second, (based on my discussion with the T-Mobile rep) the UPC code is only used to prevent people from submitting phony rebates; the other documents submitted already preclude this from happening. Third, the rebate issue should be related to the fact that I did receive the phones and whether I, in fact, have a two year contract with T-Mobile; not their list of what needs to be in the rebate package. Fourth, based on receipt of the actual billing statement it is impossible to meet their rebate submission time table. The time frame to submit rebates should be rational; not a trick so they can deny the rebate submissions. Last, consumers need to be warned about Inphonics' rebate scams.
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