In April I bought two sets of Columbia Telecommunications FRS-14SPR2 model FRS radio/walkie-talkies. I sent the rebates out the same day with the UPC, Fry's receipt, and rebate form.
The form said to wait 12-14 weeks, which I did. No rebate was ever mailed back to me. I attempted to call... No answer. I emailed them at [email protected]... No response. I asked Fry's what they could do... Nothing.
I just found their phone number today at the website: www.columbiatel.com, so I will be calling to complain tomorrow.
The kicker is, after reading about so many others that have not received their rebates from this company, I see that Fry's and Outpost.com are still offering their products and advertising their rebates. What a SCAM!
I have sent out over 50 rebates this last year and I've found it is VERY COMMON to not receive a rebate check in the mail as expected. Mysteriously, many rebate submissions simply vanish, or checks are never issued until I do a follow-up. Luckily, I ALWAYS keep detailed records and photocopies of every rebate I send out.
Most of the time manufacturers are good about re-submissions, and I often receive the check eventually, after some very hard work. Rarely though, I come across disreputable companies the likes of Columbia Telecommunications. Not only have they not sent my rebates, they have never answered the telephone number or the email address on the rebate form. They offer no way to check the status of the rebate, and no way to contact them. Most companies will at least try to hide the fact they are working hard to lose your rebate. Not Columbia, they make it pretty damn obvious they have no intention of honoring their rebate obligations.
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