Every day we find various products from different retailers/websites that are having rebates. The rebates are good way to save money on day to day shopping and you will get the money back usually within 10-12 weeks timeframe, if the requirement of the rebates fullfilled properly.
To get our rebates back on time so that we will get our money back, we need to track them properly using some tool. One universal way is to track these using Excel sheet, but if the rebates are tracked using some advanced tools then its fast and easy to get our money back.
Points you should take care while sending rebates:
1. Read the instructions on Reabte form properly and follow them. You should complete all information requested on rebate form in a legible hand writing, you may want to use all caps. Some rebate companies ask to write some work on cover letter, so you need to take care of them. Don’t forgot to mail your rebates ontime, as all rebates has an postmark date.
Hint: If you are purchased the product from an online retailer, then download and/or print the rebate immediately. Some online sites will remove the rebates as soon as the sale/promotion is over.
2. Make a copy of all reabte paperwork before mailing the reabte, this will help you to resubmit the rebate in case the rebate center does not receieve them.
3. Track the rebate from time to time, you can take help of some rebate tracking tool, I will discuss these in this article below. This will help you to determine the status of rebate and help you in getting your money back on time.
4. Contact the rebate center in case the rebate does not arrive in timeframe mentioned in the Rebate form, Most of the retailers, manufacturers and rebate fulfillment companies have their websites and toll free 800 numbers where you can track your rebate and contact reabte company by email or phone. Ask them about the problem with your rebate and get them resolved, some time rebate problems get resolved over phone.
5. Still if the rebate never arrives then you can file complaints against the Rebate company and retailers. This will help you to get back your rebates.
Rebate Tracking Software / Web Sites to track Rebates:
i) Rebate Tracking Software (Download, Install and start tracking):
RADRebateTracker (For MAC Lovers only)
ii) Rebate Tracking Websites (Track the rebates online):
What if I never get my rebate?
As I talked above about filing the complaint in case you did not receieve the rebates, here are some of the places where you can file complaints to get your monet back…
Federal Trade Commission (You can also call 877-FTC-HELP to file complaint)
National Association of Attorneys General
Hint: Find your state’s attorney general contact info and call to complaint. The AGs will take action if they receieve pattern of complaints on some retailer.
The following websites can also be used to raise the concerns about the denial of rebate, sometimes this will also help in getting your rebate back:
Hope this will help you in getting the rebates. More updates to follow, Keep an eye on this page…
Let me know in case I forgot any information on this page. Thanks
Great information… Thanks