Office Depot - RebatesHQ - Pargo - Wintergreen Systems
Hanns-G 19" LCD $100 rebate scam ripoff

Somebody is comitting fraud here.

I got in on the Office Depot $100 off 19" monitor deal last August, sent in the rebate to RebatesHQ/Pargon on 8-26 and got nothing until late October. Logged on and they said it was denied because I didn't send in the upc or other code which was bull. I resubmitted the copies I kept and on 10-31 it finally showed up as in their system as ok. On 12-5 it changed to the final processing stage.

Logged in many times over the last few months and it was always the same BS... Final processing.

Got sick of waiting and on 2-17 sent them this note:

It's over 14 weeks now scheduled for final processing. Any idea on how much longer? Thanks.

On 2-20 got this back from the folks at RebatesHQ/Pargo:

Thank you for your rebate inquiry. We are pleased to inform you that your submission has been received and validated, and it is in the final stages of processing. Your rebate check should be mailed by 03/14.

We appreciate your participation in this promotion. If there is anything else we can do to assist you, please contact us at rebates@parago.com. We are always happy to help.

You can also track the status of your rebate, using the Tracking number above, at www.RebatesHQ.com.

Pam
Promotions Customer Service

Checked yesterday to see if it shipped and got this sad message:

Please be advised: Parago, Inc. Is a provider of rebate processing services for its clients. As a rebate processor, Parago works on behalf of Wintergreen Systems to receive mail, perform data entry services, receive customer service calls, print checks, and perform other services associated with its promotions. For the submission in question, Parago performed data entry on the submission, and forwarded the information to Wintergreen Systems for approval and funding. To date, Parago has not received such approval and funding from Wintergreen Systems. Until Wintergreen Systems forwards additional funding for the promotion in question to Parago, Parago will not be able to mail any additional consumers checks under the promotions. We apologize for any frustration this has caused, and will process the reward as soon as we are provided the required funding and approval by Wintergreen Systems.in the interim, we suggest you contact Wintergreen Systems directly, at:

Wintergreen Systems
2510 Sterling Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 295-9054 ext. 110

So I call old Wintergreen Systems hit 110 and get a voice mail overload message saying the only way they can help is to send an email to: rebates@wintergreensys.com

So I send them this email:

I have waited diligently for this rebate for almost 6 months now. After repeated requests for the last few months I was told the check was almost in the mail.

Today I logged onto the Pargo/rebateshq.com site and found this message regarding my rebate:

Rebate: $100.00 Check
Rebate Information For: xxxxxxxxxxx
Promotion: $100 OfficeDepot.com Hanns-G 19" LCD Monitors Rebate Submission Type: MAIL-IN Date Received: 10-31 Status Detail: Please be advised: Parago, Inc. Is a provider of rebate processing services for its clients. As a rebate processor, Parago works on behalf of Wintergreen Systems to receive mail, perform data entry services, receive customer service calls, print checks, and perform other services associated with its promotions. For the submission in question, Parago performed data entry on the submission, and forwarded the information to Wintergreen Systems for approval and funding. To date, Parago has not received such approval and funding from Wintergreen Systems. Until Wintergreen Systems forwards additional funding for the promotion in question to Parago, Parago will not be able to mail any additional consumers checks under the promotions. We apologize for any frustration this has caused, and will process the reward as soon as we are provided the required funding and approval by Wintergreen Systems.in the interim, we suggest you contact Wintergreen Systems directly, at:

Wintergreen Systems
2510 Sterling Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 295-9054 ext. 110

This doesn't look good.in fact it looks like a rather large scam.

I have waited well beyond the limits described in the promotion and I request that check be immediately issued for this account.

The address to send the check to is:

I expect an email response back by Monday March 19th at 6PM EST with an estimated mailing and arrival date for my check.

If I don't receive a prompt response and resolution back I will immediately contact my State Attorney General's office as well as the offices for my congressman and senators. Over the last year or so I've noted a distinct decline in the speed of rebate processing. Perhaps it's time for the feds to investigate and start severely fining those companies that don't seem to be playing by the rules.

Respectfully yours,

I have a feeling they've socked all the money away and will only give it out if you threaten them. Anyone know the name of a good class action lawyer?

I figured it may pay to go back to OD and see what they can do so I called them and the woman said I'll have to call their rebate department back M-F 9-5 866-541-0284.

I'm planning on doing this and hopefully I can get some satisfaction from OD.

Edit:

Very interesting story.

Http://www.in. Gov/attorneygeneral/pr... Program. Ht ml

Looks like old Wintergreen Systems has already been in trouble with the state AG for not paying out rebates.

Two days later I got a note from Wintergreen systems:

& Original message &
From: "Kathy Plake"

We have received your email. We will be working with RebatesHQ to verify your rebate status as they retained all rebate submissions and operated the status website. When we are able to verify your rebate status Wintergreen Systems will honor your rebate by processing a check within 3 weeks. Please be advised due to the number of requests we are receiving we will not be able to contact you unless there are any problems with your rebate.

Thank you.

Wintergreen Systems

What BS. They want us to wait another 3 weeks. Here's my response.

While I appreciate the note I doubt the sincerity. RebatesHQ verified my rebate status back in October of last year. I've been waiting ever since for the magical check to appear. The last time I complained to them a month ago they said the check would finally be sent 3-14. When I last checked - RebatesHQ said the only problem is that Wintergreen Systems has not provided funding for them to send a check.

Dozens of people have reported the exact same issue on various web sites so I know that I'm not the only person falling through the cracks. Frankly after initially submitting the rebate almost 7 months ago your request for me to patiently wait another 3 weeks is disconcerting. The problem isn't somehow in the RebatesHQ verification process, it is in your coughing up the money to actually pay for the rebate checks.

To verify this go to their site: http://www.rebateshq.com/promocenter... Shq/track.html and enter my tracking # - xxxx. Please read their note that pops up. I've reproduced it below:

Please be advised: Parago, Inc. Is a provider of rebate processing services for its clients. As a rebate processor, Parago works on behalf of Wintergreen Systems to receive mail, perform data entry services, receive customer service calls, print checks, and perform other services associated with its promotions.

For the submission in question, Parago performed data entry on the submission, and forwarded the information to Wintergreen Systems for approval and funding. To date, Parago has not received such approval and funding from Wintergreen Systems. Until Wintergreen Systems forwards additional funding for the promotion in question to Parago, Parago will not be able to mail any additional consumers checks under the promotions. We apologize for any frustration this has caused, and will process the reward as soon as we are provided the required funding and approval by Wintergreen Systems.in the interim, we suggest you contact Wintergreen Systems dire ctly, at:

Wintergreen Systems
2510 Sterling Avenue
Elkhart, IN 46516
(574) 295-9054 ext. 110

I would strongly recommend that you speak with your superiors and move heaven and earth to find the funding and either cut me a check directly or direct RebatesHQ to send me the monies owed per the terms of the rebate. I will wait until Friday morning before joining the chorus and submitting my complaints to the State AG's office, BBB and call the people I know in my Senators and House of Rep. Offices to see what pressure they can bring to bear. I sincerely hope to hear back from you before then with the tracking information on the package containing my rebate check.

Sincerely,

Bob
WILMINGTON, Massachusetts
U.S.A.

Company: Office Depot - RebatesHQ - Pargo - Wintergreen Systems
Country: USA
State: Nationwide
Site: www.officedepot.com

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