HP Hewlett-Packard
REBATE Ripoff

On 8/16 I purchased an HP / Hewlett-Packard A1510N computer, monitor & printer combination deal at Circuit City that featured three (3) separate mail in rebates... Two through Circuit City which I've already received and one through HP for $70. HP's rebate program number is X022. I completed all requirements and mailed them on 8/17 with copies of everything I sent them.

On 9/8, I received an email confirmation which stated that my "award" (BAD choice of words, folks!) was approved and a check was on its way and to expect it in 2-4 wks.

Well, I patiently waited... And waited... And waited... And received the checks for the two Circuit City rebates rather quickly... And went back to waiting... And waiting... And checking their website to see if there's any further information. The website says to wait 8-10 wks before inquiring despite the fact the website also said my check was mailed and it should only take 2-4 (must be going via the moon).

Finally today, I decided to venture a call to the number they list on this website... Well, after the message that tells me "due to a high volume of calls, my wait time will be around 5 minutes... 25 minutes later a very snotty customer service representative finally comes on the line and rudely asks why I would dare call them.

I gave her my full address and the tracking ID contained in the email... So she had all the information she should've needed to answer my question but she wouldn't volunteer any information until I told her how much I was expecting to receive. She then proceeds to tell me that this is indeed "my lucky day" (EXACTLY her words... It is after all Friday the 13th)... Miraculously or consequently, my check had JUST been mailed today. Now isn't that just waaay too coincidental.

I believe that until you actually CALL to inquire and endure the ridiculously long wait time (and I have a theory about that too... They're hoping you lose patience and hang up) they don't bother sending the rebate on the hopes that you'll just say "forget it".

My last computer was an HP and I have purchased other printers, scanner & a camera all from HP but after that experience, if there's a rebate involved, I probably will buy another brand.

I'll let you know if I actually GET the rebate and how soon.

Company: HP Hewlett-Packard
Country: USA
State: California
City: Palo Alto
Phone: 6508571501
Site: 3.hp.com/04status/status.aspo=dt0

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