I am Sick and Tired of Bait and Switch Rebate Scams!
April 1st, 2007
The “In The Wind” section of this Blog has become kind of a catch all Blog for subjects that do not fit into the other Blogs on this site.
I figured I would do a little Thursday morning rant since it is about to rain here in Southern California so I cannot ride my motorcycle today.
I am absolutely fed up with the bait and switch rebate scams that seem to now be the norm rather than the exception these days when you go shopping for items. You know what I am talking about. You see a computer advertised for let’s say $999.00. You go to buy the computer; only to find out that the in-store price is actually $2,000.00 with a rebate of $1001.00.
They then tell you to look at the fine print of the ad for the rebate verbiage. You have just been sucked into their store by a bait and switch scam.
At this point at least in California, it is legal for stores and companies to advertise in this way. I think it is time for the California State Legislature to enact laws which prevent the bait and switch rebate scams that are going on.
The advertisers know full well that you are looking at the big price of the item when you look at their ad. They purposefully make their ads this way so that you will get in your car, and waste your gas to go to the store, only to find out that the actual price of the item is not what is advertised.
Technically, if the rebate companies (discussed below) actually honor the rebate, than the price ends up months later to be what was advertised, however you are still paying sales tax on the full price of the item, and not the advertised price.
What the retailer or the manufacturer that pushes these rebate scams do not tell you is that they ordinarily outsource the actual rebate process to 3rd party companies. These 3rd party companies do everything in their power to not honor the rebate. I have personally been screwed by these rebate companies. I did everything that they said to do; cut off the original bar code from the product; send the original receipt by a certain date, etc., only to have the company come up with some bullshit excuse not to honor the rebate. Then to make matters worse there is no way to actually communicate with the rebate company to dispute their rejection of the rebate.
Furthermore, once they have your original receipt and barcode cut-off, they can then turnaround and state; “well we need the original receipt and barcode cut-off to give you a rebate.” Since you already gave it to them, they then deny your claim for a rebate using this scam as well.
Another issue related to rebate scams is that the manufacturers who play the rebate games count on a large percentage of people not actually jumping through hoops to get the rebate, or the 3rd party companies that they use to find ways to not pay the rebates. The manufacturer gets your money in their account, and earns interest on it, while you do not get the product for the price that was advertised in the first place.
Here is my solution; boycott retail outfits that use the rebate scams! Do not shop at their stores. Make complaints to management and their corporate offices that you will not shop at their stores unless they give you a discount price without having to play a rebate game. If enough people boycott the stores that sucker people in, with false and misleading advertisements than they will change their ways.
Another solution is to write your State Legislature and complain about the false and misleading advertising, and request that they do something about it!
As for me, I am not playing rebate games anymore. I will refuse to shop at any store that uses this deceptive form of advertising, and if for some reason I am offered a rebate and do not get the rebate, I will file a lawsuit against the manufacturer.
As consumers, and voters, we have much more power than the normal person realizes. It’s a matter of us all getting together and saying in a loud and clear voice that we refuse to be suckers no more!
By Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. ,© 2007
Welcome to “Stop and smell the roses”
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this section is a catch-all category for postings that don’t fit any other category. Appropriate postings to this area should suggest ways of achieving a healthy work-life balance, diversions to amuse or amaze, or provide a break to ponder the philosophies of others. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to the Humor section
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this section is to share humorous stories and dialogues that will help to brighten someone’s day. Please use a moderate amount of discretion in postings to this category to avoid offending others. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to Technology
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this blog is to discuss new and emerging solutions to computers, printers, drives, phone systems, legal software, etc. We have two special sub-categories to this section: MAC users and Equipment reviews. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to Practice Management
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this blog is to present ideas and solutions for the business side of your law practice. Like any other business, a law firm must be profitable to sustain itself. As a solo attorney, you have the extra responsibility of being both an attorney and a businessman. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to Client Management
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this blog is to discuss various techniques to improve client relations, communications, client referrals, client confidentiality, avoiding complaints, handling complaints, and fee disputes. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to Advertising and Promotion
April 1st, 2007
The purpose of this blog is to discuss ethical and effective means of promoting your legal services. Some suggestions may only work for a particular practice area, while others may be appropriate for all practice areas. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
Welcome to Solo Networking
March 30th, 2007
The purpose of this blog is to provide possible solutions for solo attorneys who are seeking ideas to improve their practice. Networking is a broad area that incorporates making personal contacts that you would be comfortable with referring your clients to them or receiving referrals of their clients to you. Depending on your practice area, this might include financial professionals, accountants, bankers, medical service providers, insurance providers, and other attorneys. Please see the “About” page for more information about this site.
« Previous Page