After reading the numerous other complaints, I thought I would get my 2 cents in for Symantec rebates. I too, am a victim of the Symantec rebate rip-off fiasco. I have always had a problem with Symantec, but this is the worst one yet. I agree with a couple of the other posters that if the Symantec AntiVirus software (Norton) wasn't a good product, I would be looking elsewhere... This time I am.
I bought a "bundled" package of Norton AntiVirus (NAV) and Norton AntiSpam (NAS) from CompUSA for $80. The buying incentive was that were 2 separate rebates available that could be used together to recieve a full $80 worth of rebates... Or "free" software in the long run... Yeah, right.
One rebate was for $30 (upgrade of any existing Symantec product) and the other was for $50 (bundled, TurboTax kicker). The other kicker was that you also had to buy any version of TurboTax software within the same week from CompUSA, which I did.
I always send my rebates off immediately because of the horror stories I hear everyday. I received the $30 rebate in about 4 weeks which I thought was pretty good. I kept waiting and waiting for the $50 rebate, but nothing. I finally found out about the symantecrebates.com site and checked there. I couldn't even find any info. About the $30 rebate I had already received... Until I removed the telephone number and e-mail address; then the $30 rebate showed up as being paid. But there was nothing for the $50 rebate. Now keep in mind, both rebates were mailed at the same time and dropped in the same mailbox specifying the different promotional offer numbers.
I immediately e-mailed the Symantec Customer Service Dept (that was all I could find buried on their website) inquiring as to the status of the "2nd" $50 rebate. After about 6 days or so, I finally received a reply from Symantec stating that I had already been paid for the $30 rebate and all was well. They obviously did not read what I had e-mailed them earlier. I replied back with a few choice words.
This time it took them over 10 days to reply back and I had had it. They said they had received nothing and wanted the "promotion" number this time for some "further" investigation. I blew through the roof and found an "800" number to call for Parago, the outfit that supposedly loses (administers) the rebates for Symantec. I actually got through after only waiting for 5 minutes on hold. Of course, you have to go through the standard IVR only to get a recorded voice telling you what you already know. I finally reached a live body and gave her the pertinent info... Again. Her response..."we haven't received anything for that promotion numner". Really??? What a surprise!!!
Now I'm spitting nails because of the complete incompetancy of these people. I actally e-mailed a complete package of scanned documents to Parago... That was 10 days ago and I haven't heard a word from them. I also had sent another complete duplicate package of info to their "re-submissions" dept.in Miami 10 days ago... Again nothing listed on their tracking website.
Out of the blue today I received an e-mail from the Symantec Customer Service group saying that they had paid me for the $30 rebate and even listed a check number. Hello, I think we have established that I did get the 1st rebate. This guy also wanted to know where I had sent the previous rebate info. To. One more stall tactic in their bottomless bag of deception.
Each time I finally did get a reply back, it is stating the same thing or asking for some other lame bit of info. That I have already provided just to prolong the agony. I actually sent a reply back to this e-mail today and attached another complete package of UPC codes, rebate forms, etc., etc., etc. I sent the e-mail return receipt, and of course have seen nothing back yet.
I can't wait for somebody to finally acknowledge that they have received the information for this $50 rebate, but will then reject it because it is not the "original" UPC label from the box... I know it.
I don't know what else I can do short of driving there myself and handing them the rebate in person and making sure I have a witness. They are a bunch of lying, incompetant theives and should be prosecuted for their fraudulent actions.
P.S... What does it tell you that Symantec has a "dedicated" re-submissions dept.in Miami? Absolutely unbelievable.
Clark
Las Vegas, Nevada
U.S.A.
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