I bought a V60 Mototola cellular phone from Circuit City on 11/12/02. It came with two $50 rebates, one from AT&T and one from Motorola. I sent both rebate forms in with all the bar codes and receipts and serial #'s as instructed. I received my AT&T rebate within 5 weeks. The Mototola rebate is another matter.
After 8 weeks, I checked with the Mototola rebate web site to check on the status of my rebate, but they "did not show your request in our system." So I called the rebate center in Young America and was told that the PO Box had been closed, and that I should resubmit everything to a new PO Box, and wait 10 weeks.
I get a letter from Motorola Rebate Center that I put down the serial #, not the "ESN #". I tried to give "Janette" my ESN # on the phone, but she wouldn't take it and said to resubmit everything and wait 10 weeks.
Got another letter stating "unable to process your submission." So I called the Rebate Center and "Roland" said they don't keep records of the reasons why a submission is rejected. I talked to his supervisor "David" who informed me that the rebate offer "window of opportunity" had expired and I was not entitled to a rebate. He was unimpressed that I had been trying since November to get this rebate. He said that AT&T would be able to give me a $50 credit on my monthly statement.
So like a dummy, I called AT&T and they basically laughed and said it was a Mototola rebate, so deal with them.
Called Young America Rebate Center back and talked to "Mike", who talked to his supervisor, and they said they would honor my rebate even though the offer had expired, but they needed the original receipts, ESN #, rebate form... And wait 10 weeks for a response.
I waited 6 weeks and called the Rebate Center. "Shelly" said that the check was mailed to me 10 days ago. When I told her that I hadn't received it, she said that "sometimes" they mail their rebates in unmarked envelopes that "may" look like junk mail. She said the check is void if not cashed in 45 days.
Fortunately my wife and I save paper trash for the recycle bin, and that's where I found my rebate check!
So I blame Motorola for hiring a devious rebate firm, knowing that many people don't bother to fill out all the forms (our fault), but if we do, they have other delaying tactics to hope that we give up.
Did I get my $50? Yes, but after many hours of labor. Do I feel good? You bet, because I beat their system! Will I bad-mouth Motorola to anyone I talk to... What do you think?
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