I purchased the Netgear WGT624 wireless router and associated Netgear Wireless PC network adapter from Circuity City about 6 months ago. It came with a special multiple rebate offer that sounded too good to be true. It was like $30 for the router and more for the router and the adapter, which was what I had purchased.
Being an experienced rebater fulfiller, I carefully filled out everything and made scanned copies and sent a cover letter (dated) with the offer and kept the originals in my lock box. Weeks went by and I got that same postcard that another reader mentioned, that said (falsely) that I had not submitted all of the required information. I called the 800 number on the card to talk to the NETGEAR rebate center. They were not helpful and they would not do anything to assist in the fulfillment of my rebate.
To make a long story short, I then contacted my local Circuit City location and asked for the General Manager. I spoke instead to the Ops Manager and told him what had happened, that I had copies of all the paperwork and I reminded him that Circuit City was in violation of Florida's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. I told him I had waited longer than the required period, was getting nowhere with the fulfillment center, and was willing to picket his store on Saturday if they did not settle this rebate ripoff right away, just on principle. I am not sure which threat worked best, but...
He listened well, seemed frustrated with the situation (I was obviously not the first person who had this problem at this store), and offered to stand behind the rebate. That is, at his suggestion, I went to my Circuit City store, where I had originally picked up the merchandise and he gave me the $30 I was owed. I don't recall if it was a gift card or a check at this juncture, but I can say this - I was thrilled to get it. And, it went a long way towards restoring my faith in Circuit City.
I now shop there again after a several-year-long boycott that started in 2001 (but that's another story). What I am pointing out is that this one fellow made good on CC's advertised promise, in spite of Netgear's fraudulent behavior (I realize now that this may have all been Netgear's fault) and he single handedly restored my trust in CC. A great moment of truth. He should get a raise for this.
So, if this tactic helps others, I suggest you try it. I think if enough consumers STAND UP FOR THEIR RIGHTS ON REBATES and say I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS AND I WILL PICKET YOUR STORE - then the stores will get serious about fulfilling rebate promises.
Also, do file a complaint with the Better business Bureau, too. That gets it on record.
I suspect that Netgear is in violation of several state's laws with their handling of this rebate and a savvy class action law firm should look into this. I bet there is a huge stack of unfulfilled rebates at their rebate center, as I am a 1-in-1000 super-persistent type, and others would just give up. This is, after all, what Netgear, was counting on.
So, netgear - read this: i will never buy your products again. I will not forget how you stood me up on this rebate and how i had to get circuit city to right this one. Was that worth $30 to you to piss off a customer permanently?
I await Netgear's reply - if they dare.
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