“Rebate” Scams. Scores of millions of Americans are robbed of unknowable billions upon billions of dollars every year in “rebates” that they never apply for or are never paid, even if they do go to the trouble of reading all the instructions, making a copy of the receipt, cutting out the UPC symbol, filling out the application, and mailing everything in on time. Because “rebates” are a scam that should be outlawed.
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Every company that offers a “rebate” does so with full knowledge that some people will not find the time to do all the work involved, so won’t even apply. Others will do something wrong and be told they don’t qualify — or just never hear back, and, if they follow up, will then be told they did something wrong — and perhaps even be told it’s too late now to do it right!
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What percentage of people entitled to rebates don’t get them? Who knows? But it’s a lot — certainly enuf to induce manufacturers or retailers to offer rebates rather than simply cut prices. Offering rebates that they know some people will not get is a type of willful fraud: robbery. So why hasn’t government outlawed rebates?
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Alas, government has its own “rebate” scams intended to defraud citizens out of moneys properly due them. Here in New Jersey we have an “NJ Saver Rebate” you have to apply for, and you can’t apply if you don’t have an application package. You aren’t told by the State that you are entitled to a rebate package. It isn’t sent automatically to everyone entitled to it.
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I got the rebate my first year here (I returned to NJ in June 2000 after 35 years in NYC), but was not sent the package for 2001 — even tho I had applied the year before, so should have been in the system to receive the application — so didn’t think to apply, and didn’t get it. I was robbed of several hundred dollars by the State of New Jersey.
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I did apply for 2002, but my application was sent back with a demand that I submit a copy of my Social Security card. I wrote back indignantly that (a) I didn’t have a Social Security card anymore because I got my SS card 40 years ago and lost it decades ago when my wallet was lost or stolen, and (b) I didn’t have to present a Social Security card when I made application for the 2000 rebate, but got that, so they cannot require me to present a SS card now. I never heard back! And I didn’t get my rebate, another several hundred dollars stolen from me by the State of New Jersey.
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This year, I heard a promo on TV about the rebate, so went online to look for the form, and could not apply online because you have to plug in a number from the application package, which wasn’t sent to me! — again, even tho I had applied TWICE for this rebate so should have been sent an application package automatically!
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So I sent an email to my State Assemblyman. Someone from his office called when I wasn’t home and sent a return email that said I needed to apply for a Social Security card and should call him, but left no phone number for me to call! I emailed back that there was almost certainly not time enuf to apply for and receive a Social Security card and I didn’t need one in 2000, so shouldn’t need one now. I also pointed out that I needed a phone number at which to reach him, but got no reply! The deadline for applying, October 1st, is fast approaching, and it looks as tho the State of New Jersey is intent on cheating me out of my NJ Saver rebate yet again!
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How much is at issue? If a co-worker and I read the website right, it should be at least $1,000 — that the State does not want to give me, even tho I am entitled to it! How much is it cumulatively, the two years I have already been robbed and the year presently at issue? Perhaps $2,000; perhaps more.
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By contrast, the City of Newark mailed me a notice that I am eligible for a property-tax rebate and needed only to return that form to apply for it. I got that rebate. If the City of Newark — which is supposed to be one of the poorest cities in the Nation — can take the time and money to alert every taxpayer and actually pay the rebates due, why can’t the State of New Jersey, one of the richest in the Nation, do the same?
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We are being robbed and must demand reforms.
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First, all commercial rebates must be in-store rebates or simple price reductions. No gimmicks; no applications; no onerous procedures and documentation to send in. If a UPC code is required, let the cashier cut it off the package right then and there, and let the store deal with the manufacturer or its own home office, as it does anyway.
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As for state and other government rebates, they should be distributed automatically. If they have your records, they already have your Social Security information and don’t need separate proof. You’ve already established that.
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Rebates are robbery and should be outlawed.
- posted by L. Craig Schoonmaker @ 1:59 PM