I bought 3 separate items with rebates offered
from TigerDirect, with the rebates totalling
$130. The orders arrived without rebate information, and only one had the word "rebate" listed on the order, but no other information. I contacted TigerDirect about
whether the item received was identical to the one ordered, and for my rebate form. They replied about the product, but made no response on the rebate. I contacted them on another order when received, and they replied that neither item on the order was entitled to a rebate. I went to the TigerDirect web site, found the add which clearly mentioned a rebate of $40, and sent them an email with the link to the webpage in it. I got no reply.
I explored the TigerDirect web site, and finally found links to OnRebate.com, and the rebate forms for each product at OnRebate.com TigerDirect included the added instruction that the rebate form had to be completed and
sent in by Certified Mail in order to ensure that the rebate was honored. I had a checklist from OnRebate to submit the sales order or shipping order, to enclose the
original barcode for the product, and to submit the form. I filled out three separate forms, cut out the bar codes and taped them where indicated, and mailed these in three separate envelopes with copies of the order that I printed off my account with TigerDirect, making sure each was correctly addressed and in the correct envelope. I handcarried and mailed each letter as Certified Mail. I also elected to receive the rebate with PayPal, a step that cost me an added $1.00 per rebate. I gave all required information concerning name,
address, order #, email address, phone number, and so forth.
I've just had one rebate shot down because I did not sign my name somewhere. I filled out three forms, and at no point did I see where my signature was required, nor a warning that if I did not sign that the
rebate could or would be refused.in fact, OnRebate.com did not offer to return the form to me for correction, merely that their action was FINAL and that I would not hear from them on this again. I can't send in
another request for rebate, since they will not accept two forms for the same rebate, and besides, they kept my original barcode. Since I did not know that a signature was either sought nor needed on any of the rebate forms, I expect the other rebates to also be refused on this bases.
IF SOMETHING IS NEEDED, that "something" needs to be stressed on the form.in my opinion, OnRebate.com and TigerDirect have conspired to present the most difficult of circumstances for obtaining, processing, and redemption of rebates. TigerDirect deliberately avoids responding directly to questions concerning rebates, forms, or submissions thereof, and you have to be
persistent and knowledgeable enough to find the information on their web site. OnRebate.com goes further by giving you a simple checklist of three items, and printing out a form that you have to first correctly identify by manufacturer and model number, but this information is not consistent with that information provided as part of the order from TigerDirect. It was with great effort that I finally narrowed down which rebate was in fact the one I was entitled to, so that I would print off the right form.
OnRebate does NOT provide any warnings as to probable causes or reasons for their failure to pay off on submitted Rebates. I am very cautious in filling out rebates, but then, as evidenced by other complaints against them that I have since read about, they will use
almost any pretex to deny a request, which is actually an entitlement as part of the sales contract.
I hereby charge that OnRebate.com is engaged in deceitful and unlawful business practices, and that by making use of OnRebate.com as its redemption partner, TigerDirect is equally guilty of conspiracy to defraud the public at large by making numerous offers that involve redemptions that they knowingly expect not
to be redeemed, and in fact by not making full disclosure of how to obtain such rebates, that TigerDirect representives knowingly help perpetuate this fraud against their customers.
Donald
Pensacola, Florida
U.S.A.
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