Rebates as promised per contacts with TigerDirect.com were not paid after repeated claims were submitted by certified mail both to the TigerDirect Vendor Inphonics dba Rebate Processing Center and TigerDirect. These claims were completed in January then again in March to the addresses as directed by the TigerDirect.com vendor Inphonics.
Two phones with service were purchased in June.
January 26th completed forms, copies of bills and sales receipt are sent to Customer Loyalty Rebate PO Box 100363, White Bear Lake, MN
Feb 28th
Letter from Rebate Processing Center' arrives claiming that my rebate of $100 (I submitted for the total amount of $460) was invalid for the following reasons:
You did not submit a valid copy of your sales receipt'
You did not submit a copy of your UPC code'
The bill sent does not show an invoice/bill date'
All of this is incorrect as I kept copies of exactly what was requested. I tracked down a phone number for customer care and was told that the PO Box had changed to one in Phoenix, AZ.
March 02
A second letter is receieved stating that the wireless bill submitted is invalid. I call the 800 number and s/w and operator who states that they have changed the mailing address and that it is possible they do not have all the information yet.
This is not correct as the bill is a copy of an online bill and clearly shows continuity of service, mobile number, billing address and the name on the bill. I receive electronic bills, but request and send from Cingular completed current bills showing consistent status as a customer with Cingular and T-Mobile.
March 3rd I fax 480 606 4313 all of the information to Rebate processing center.
March 8th
Certified letters with copies of all forms are sent again to Rebate Processing Center.
March 15th
Used the online TigerDriect.com rebate guarantee form and complete all information as well as send emails requesting assistance. No response is ever received.
March 16th
Call TigerDirect.com customer service. I am advised to send certified copies to TigerDirect.com
March 18th
Certified mail is sent to TigerDirect showing copies of all submittals to Rebate Processing Centers.
March 20th
Call customer care at TigerDirect.com and complain. I am referred to the guaranteed rebate form which I complete again.
March 22nd 2006
Called TigerDirect.com again and s/w Avery. He states he cannot see this order and the process is a little different'your order was submitted and it will be reviewed in a 10 week process.
Summary:
Inphonics claimed first that the rebate forms were not sent, then in a contradictory email communication that the form was incorrectly' submitted. A review of the rebate forms shows that all of the forms were submitted correctly and sent to the correct address.
TigerDirect.com's website states that TigerDirect guarantees all rebates from its vendors. After contacting TigerDirect.com by phone, the forms on TigerDirect.com's website were completed as well as certified letters containing copies of all rebate forms and copies of the certified correspondence for the rebate submittals.
The rebates are for mobile phone equipment and service. All forms (attached) were completed and sent via certified mail to the requested addresses with follow up communications by both, phone, email and certified mail with no response from TigerDirect.com
The total amount of rebates for two mobile phones is $460.00
I am now filing suit in small claims court and pressing for damages. It is apparent that Inphonics (one of the nations largest wireless agents, has perpetuated a scam on a large scale). Through this process they are using seperate company names 'Customer Loyalty Rebate, Rebate Processing Center etc. And changing the PO boxes as well. They changed from MN, to AZ now to NY all without notice.
I will also press to see about having Elliot Spitzer AG NY investigate. I have sent communications to his office and have not heard a response.
In my opinion it is not advisable to do business with either TigerDirect, Tiger Wireless and certainly Inphonics. They are apparently counting on 'breakage' the number of people who will not submit claims or follow up on claims for rebates do to the complexity, time and cost of follow up. This is not only unethical but also at its core dishonest as they are in breach of there contract with the consumer.
Good Luck and please document your communications and pursuse through small claims court to change this egregious behaviour.
Regards,
Adam
Middletown, New Jersey
U.S.A.
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