Home Depot
Patio Set and Grill Gift Cards Unpaid After Four Months

First let me say I am shocked by finding so many other people going through the same thing as I am regarding Home Depot's gift card and rebate scam.

On May 5, my husband and I purchased a patio set at Home Depot. The sales clerk advised us that there was a rebate and we would receive a $100 gift card for this particular set. We had also found a set at Lowes that we liked, but since we would get $100 back, we purchased the set from Home Depot. As soon as we got home, I filled out the rebate form, cut the UPCs from the boxes, and highlighted each item on the receipt as it stated to do on the rebate form. The next morning I mailed it. The rebate form says to allow 4-6 weeks.

On May 17, my husband and I went back to Home Depot and realized they were still offering gift cards and rebates on all patio furniture, grills, and outdoor power equipment. We looked at the gas grills and found one that we liked. This one qualified for a $50 gift card. That night I got together all the needed information for the rebate and mailed it off the next morning.

In mid June, since I had not received either gift card yet, I decided to call. I spoke to Shawn at the rebate center, and he advised me that the $50 gift card was being processed, but there was a problem with the $100 gift card. When I questioned it, Shawn stated that we were missing a Special Customer Service Document. He went on to explain that I would have received that paper when Home Depot delivered the patio set. I told him that we never had the patio set delivered, that we picked it up at the store, and that the rebate form never states that the items need to be delivered. He agreed that it did not and was not quite sure why they declined it. He then explained they were having a lot of these problems and that I just needed to send in all the information again. I asked him why they did not still have my information, and he said it was probably thrown away or lost.

I then asked to speak to a supervisor. After waiting at least 15 minutes, Shannon picked up. She asked me to fax her all the information. Within 15 minutes after hanging up with her, I started trying to fax it. It kept being busy. This went on for over an hour. Mind you, the fax number I had to fax into was a long distance number. After an hour I called back to the rebate center, and by this time I was quite upset. Shannon was not available, but they put me through to Leah (ID # 9401). She advised me to keep trying, since there is only one fax machine and they had been having the same complaints from other people expecting their gift cards. She assured me that once she got the information she would personally make sure it was sent out as soon as possible.

After a few more hours of trying to fax the information, I managed to get through. I got a confirmation, then called back and asked to speak to Leah. She did get on the phone, surprisingly. I told her I had just faxed the information she needed and asked her if she had received it. She said the fax was not in her office. Finally she admitted it was in another state. I was furious by now. She told me she was going to handle this, but she had no way of even getting to the paperwork that I had just taken several hours out of my day trying to fax to her. She assured me she would take care of it and it would be processed within 2 weeks.

After a few more weeks I called the rebate center again, since I still had not received my $50 card. They had all kinds of excuses. Basically they told me that they had changed rebate centers and so many rebates were lost, and they asked me to please allow them a few more weeks. I then asked if they had the information I faxed regarding my other $100 gift card. They said there were no problems and that it was still being processed too. By this time it had been almost 12 weeks (the rebate says to allow 4-6 weeks).

I waited, then called again 2 weeks later. This time I spoke to Ashley. Once again I had to explain everything over again, which I was so tired of doing. She told me "it's just gonna take time and you need to wait." I was very angry by now. She acted as if I was bothering her and I was being ridiculous for wanting to know where my gift cards were. Again I asked for a supervisor. Debra finally got on the line. She told me there was nothing that she could do and I would have to wait. The whole time she was huffing and puffing in the phone while I was trying to explain to her that this was not fair to Home Depot's customers, and that regardless of whether they changed rebate centers, they should hire more help so they can get these rebates out quicker. She then told me my $100 card was sent on July 27th. I found this quite odd, since on all the previous calls to the center they told me it was still being processed. She said if I did not receive it in 30 days (August 27th) to call back, and they would have to reissue another one. I asked how long that would take, and she said another 4-6 weeks. I asked about the $50 card, and she said in a rude tone, "Still being processed, ma'am."

On August 28th I called back to the rebate center. I still had not received either card, and it had now been almost 4 months since I sent in the original rebates. This time I spoke to Elizabeth, who is a supervisor. By this time I was so tired of explaining the whole ordeal to the people who answer the phones. She was very rude. I think each time I called, these people note it on the computer. She tried rushing to get off the phone, saying I would have to wait because it takes time. I said it had been 4 months! I asked for the Corporate Office number, which I had asked many other people I had spoken to about. She said there was not a corporate office. I explained that I found that hard to believe. I had a few other choice words for her, then hung up the phone.

I then got online, only to find an email address. I then called my local store and asked for the number, which I got. Finally! So I called. I spoke to Nikkia. She was not any help. She said that I did reach the Corporate office, but they do not handle anything with the rebates. I asked where I could file a complaint. She said "UMMM, nowhere." I said I found it quite odd that a multi billion dollar company does not have anyone who handles complaints. I then asked her how she would feel if she ordered something and it took over 4 months to get. She said, "Well ma'am, I have," and "It was no big deal to me, but then again I'm a patient person." I was extremely angry with her.

So basically it has been 4 months, with countless hours on the phone with them, and I still have not gotten either of my gift cards. I began researching online how many other people had complaints regarding these rebates and gift cards with Home Depot, and it is amazing how many other people are going through the same thing as me. They are being told the same exact excuses. I have read so many complaints that sound exactly like mine.

I hope someone reads all these complaints about Home Depot's gift card scam and files a class action lawsuit. Today I plan to send a certified demand letter to the Corporate Office stating I will allow them 30 days to send me the 2 gift cards, and if I have not received them on that 30th day, I will take legal action. I refuse to give up.

I will keep this updated. Wish me luck with this scamming company!

Company: Home Depot
Country: USA
State: Georgia
City: Atlanta
Address: Corporate Office- 2455 Paces Ferry Rd
Phone: 8006540688

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