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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> SanDisk rebate scam?
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Showing posts 26 - 41 of 41, (reverse)
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 04/17/2008 11:12:26 AM · #26
Terry, thanks for your explanation. Actually, it looks so much like a credit card that I was afraid by "activating" it I'd actually be signing up for another credit card -- something I definitely want to avoid.

Yes, I guess the best way to use it is as a "split transaction" -- $20 using the debit card and the rest in cash or another card. It's still a pain compared to just having $20 deposited into my checking.

04/17/2008 11:17:00 AM · #27
for rebates, i always take a picture of:
1) the store sign advertising the rebate or the in-store circular
2) the box of the item, before cutting the UPC code
3) the rebate form, filled out with UPC code attached
4) the receipt
5) the addressed envelope

the "scam" is actually part of why manufacturers offer rebates. its very easy for them to deny rebates and very difficult for you to prove otherwise. they count on you either not following through with your rebates, or denying it flat-out for some vague reason or the other.
i've got a huge folder of photos and scans of rebates, receipts, and addressed envelopes before mailing :)
 04/17/2008 11:19:15 AM · #28
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
Originally posted by citymars:
Today I finally got my Sandisk rebate ($20) -- for the memory card I bought in November. I thought it would be a rebate check, but it is some sort of prepaid debit card. It looks like a Visa credit card. The insert says it is not a credit card, but it makes me a little nervous, because apparently if you try to pay for something that costs more than $20, then you are responsible for "fees and charges" for going over. It also has an expiration date of 07/2008. All in all, I'm not sure $20 is worth it.


Debit cards for rebates are becoming more common.

If you try to use the card for more than the balance on the card, the transaction will decline authorization. The "fees and charges language" is on the card to allow the card issuer to recover their collection costs if you use the card in a way that avoids the decline. An example might be using it at a restaurant where the bill (and the "hold" is less than $20 but you leave a tip on the card and go over.

Safest thing to do is to use the card at the supermarket or some similar place. Tell the cashier you want to put $20 of the purchase on your credit card BEFORE you slide it. To avoid confusion, tell them it's a credit card (because it processes like a credit card).

~Terry


and make sure you use it. i got one from my bank as some kind of reward a few weeks ago. in the fine print, it mentioned that there would be a $2.50 fee deducted monthly once the card hit a certain "age." On mine it was 6 months. Using it though, turned out to be a bigger hassle than it was worth. :( Could have just been this particular promotion though. NOTHING was easy -- from the activation to the usage.
 04/17/2008 12:27:28 PM · #29
I just sent the following email to Sandisk's email address for retail sales inquiries:

Originally posted by email to Sandisk:
Good morning,

I am a member and a volunteer moderator at DPChallenge.com, the largest digital photo contest site on the web. It should be no surprise that this site has a very large number of current and potential Sandisk customers.

I thought you might like to be aware that a large number of our users are complaining about problems with Sandisk rebates. It appears they are having difficulty with rebate claims being denied even when they have provided all required documentation (and can prove they have done so). I wanted to make you aware of this so that you would have an opportunity to respond and to correct the problem. The discussion in question is at //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=754089.

Sincerely,
Terry Auspitz


Hopefully we'll get a response.

~Terry
 04/17/2008 12:30:02 PM · #30
Originally posted by ClubJuggle:
I just sent the following email to Sandisk's email address for retail sales
Hopefully we'll get a response.
~Terry


awesome, dude. can't wait to see what they say.
 04/17/2008 12:55:02 PM · #31
Originally posted by k4ffy:
for rebates, i always take a picture of:
1) the store sign advertising the rebate or the in-store circular
2) the box of the item, before cutting the UPC code
3) the rebate form, filled out with UPC code attached
4) the receipt
5) the addressed envelope

the "scam" is actually part of why manufacturers offer rebates. its very easy for them to deny rebates and very difficult for you to prove otherwise. they count on you either not following through with your rebates, or denying it flat-out for some vague reason or the other.
i've got a huge folder of photos and scans of rebates, receipts, and addressed envelopes before mailing :)


This is actually a good idea. I make copies of all this stuff except for the addressed envelope and box. I then mark in big letter on the front of the rebate form the "due date" for the rebate and put it on my bulletin board so I can call if they don't send it.
 04/17/2008 03:45:58 PM · #32
I received the following reply back from Sandisk:

Originally posted by Olivia @ Sandisk:
Hello Terry,

My sincerest apologies for all of the problems you've had regarding rebates. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Young America is responsible for our rebates - have you tried contacting them? Young America can be reached at 1-888-701-7637.

If you have contacted them without any luck, please let me know and I will look deeper into this problem.

Again, I appreciate you bringing this to my attention.

Regards,
Olivia


I replied as follows:

Originally posted by email to Sandisk:
Hi Olivia,

As per my earlier email, it is not me personally who is having the problem, but a surprisingly large number of our site's users. You can read the discussion at //www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read &FORUM_THREAD_ID=754089 for details.

I will pass on the number (and explanation) below to our users, but based on the large number of people having this problem, this appears to be a broad issue, not just an isolated error. With that in mind, you probably should look deeper into this problem. I'm sure our users will appreciate any additional information you can provide.

Thanks,
~Terry


I'll keep everyone updated.

~Terry
 04/17/2008 05:23:18 PM · #33
Thanks for following up on this, Terry. I tried calling the number on the card on multiple occasions and was disconnected once and the next time I just gave up after being on hold for an hour. I did receive one of the pre-paid cards that I was expecting, but not the other.

The response you received only underscores my feelings on this issue -- it's not our fault because a separate company manages our rebates. That's more than just a convenient excuse, it seems to be precisely the reason why they use a separate company to manage their rebates. That way, they don't have to deal with the problems and don't have to take on any of the responsibility. Shameful.
 04/17/2008 10:30:02 PM · #34
Here is the latest reply I received:

Originally posted by Olivia @ Sandisk[/quote:
Hi Terry,

Here is the response I received from Young America:

Originally posted by Young America
I checked out the blog that was on the 2nd e-mail and it looks like most of the complaints logged were from early to mid March. There were a few different issues that delayed the offer and in turn delayed shipment to the consumers. The escalations I receive from SanDisk have actually decreased and I truly believe that the offers and issues are now under control.[/quote:


If you or your users believe there are still issues, please let me know. SanDisk definitely does not want unhappy customers! Again, my sincerest apologies for the hassle and delayed response time. If anything comes up in the future, please email me.

Regards,
Olivia


The above reply that Olivia quoted from Young America appears to be factually incorrect insofar as the "early to mid March" statement is concerned, as several users have reported problems, even repeated problems over a period of years. I'd like to see if we can escalate this within Sandisk. Any suggestions for the reply?

If anyone who would like to contact Sandisk about their individual rebate issues, the email address I contacted is AmericasRetailSales Sandisk *dot* com.

~Terry

Message edited by author 2008-04-17 22:30:17.
 07/21/2008 06:29:40 PM · #35
Sandisk Rebate Scam BE AWARE... if they are offering you a rebate... be ready to wait for the rest of you life to get it... they will pull any possible trick to avoid paying you ! The California Attorney general CAN STOP THE SANDISK SCAM but you have to file a complaint at //ag.ca.gov/ .Also the Federal Trade Commission (877) 382-4357 CAN investigate and STOP this illegal Sandisk Rebate Scam but you have to complaint !!!

Message edited by author 2008-07-28 19:34:06.
 07/21/2008 07:13:05 PM · #36
I don't recall if Sandisk was an offender for me or not, but I have had the same experience with mail-in rebates. One year I bought a lot of items as Xmas gifts at Fry's and Microcenter, expecting about $150 in rebates. At least a third of the rebates were never received or denied for vague reasons. For the largest rebate, I waited about 4 months for the check. Also had a two rebates totaling $50 for compusa several years back (A USB print server box, I believe) which was never received by Netgear. Funny how bills and IRS letters don't get lost in the mail like rebates do.

Two vendors I have had good experience with on rebate offers are T-Mobile and Staples own in-house "Easy Rebates" program.

My policy now is that if I like the out-the-door price, I will buy it, and a rebate (if I ever receive it) is just gravy. The retailers that offer the discount as a out the door price are getting more of my business these days.

Message edited by author 2008-07-21 19:14:23.
 07/21/2008 08:30:18 PM · #37
I detest rebates, but I've never had any trouble getting cash back from Sandisk. I like their products too.
 07/28/2008 07:33:50 PM · #38
Sandisk Rebate Scam BE AWARE... if they are offering you a rebate... be ready to wait for the rest of you life to get it... they will pull any possible trick to avoid paying you ! The California Attorney general CAN STOP THE SANDISK SCAM but you have to file a complaint at //ag.ca.gov/ .Also the Federal Trade Commission (877) 382-4357 CAN investigate and STOP this illegal Sandisk Rebate Scam but you have to complaint !!!
 07/28/2008 07:56:46 PM · #39
I don't know about a scam, but I got a 2 gig card from BestBuy for Christmas, and it came complete with a virus right out of the package!
 07/28/2008 08:49:04 PM · #40
Originally posted by adrianva:
Sandisk Rebate Scam BE AWARE... if they are offering you a rebate... be ready to wait for the rest of you life to get it... they will pull any possible trick to avoid paying you ! The California Attorney general CAN STOP THE SANDISK SCAM but you have to file a complaint at //ag.ca.gov/ .Also the Federal Trade Commission (877) 382-4357 CAN investigate and STOP this illegal Sandisk Rebate Scam but you have to complaint !!!


We really need to get a new bouncer on the front door.
 07/28/2008 09:12:20 PM · #41
Originally posted by Kelli:
I don't know about a scam, but I got a 2 gig card from BestBuy for Christmas, and it came complete with a virus right out of the package!


lol that seems to happen alot form BetsBuy. to me anyways. anything i get from them seems to have a bug or be broken or some other form of pleasentness when i get it home

Message edited by author 2008-07-28 21:12:32.
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