Rebate Fraud? ..... Again

[Jeff Bennett]

Rather than waste a lot of board space, I'd just like to invite anyone else who may have gotten a rejection post card for their rebate submission to reply to me.

This is the second upgrade in a row where Peachtree (Best or Sage) has chosen to reject my rebate.

My card says that I have an invalid UPC.

There were two rebate offers at the time that I purchased Complete Accounting 2006. One required the original UPC (which I provided) and the other required the original box top (which I also provided).

I don't really know what their game is, but, this is a real waste of peoples' time. And if it is a planned inconvenience, it is criminal.

There are those here who may say that it is the rebate provider's problem... well, that may be partially true. But, by posting this message here, and seeing if others have experienced the same problem, Sage will be made aware of a problem that they should address. It is ultimately their responsibility.

Please respond if you have also received a fraudulent notification.

Jeff Bennett

[Jeff Bennett]

I went back and looked at the email I received on September 15th. It provided a link to RebatesHQ.

The status shown on RebatesHQ stated: "Your rebate is valid and is scheduled for final processing."

Yet, the card that I received in the mail today stated: "Dear Customer: Thank you for participating in this promotion. Unfortunately we could not honor your request due to the following reason(s): Complete Accunting 2006 - Invalid UPC Number"

Which one do I believe?

Anyone who sends a rebate submission to these people should keep at least one copy of all submission documents (maybe even two).

How many people have trusted this company to do the right thing, only to have a similar card returned to them? And the sad fact is that it may happen because the company knows that most people won't take the time to make copies of everything.

It is unbelievable that this could happen a second straight time.

I will be reporting Sage to the Better Business Bureau.

Jeff

[Jeff Bennett]

Maybe I am just one of the unfortunate few who have this experience. In which case, I should probably refrain from posting.

But, in case there are others that I can motivate through my posts, I would also like to provide some pertinent information.

The rebate information I originally received was from RebatesHQ.

In searching online, I have found that RebatesHQ's parent is Parago. Parago's Better Business Bureau Reliability Report may be found at: http://www.dallas.bbb.org/commonreport.html?bureau=dallas&compid=50000606

For anyone who is interested, Googling will probably support the fact that my experience is not an isolated case.

(I also realize that I was mistaken in one of my original posts. There were actually three rebates that I submitted for this product. It will be interesting to see what happens with the other two.)

Jeff

[cigargerald]

Your issue is really with the REBATE PROCESSING COMPANY and not Peachtree.

I have had similar dealings with this same rebate processing company. It usually takes a telephone call (and sometimes a talk with a supervisor) to get it straight.

I'm not sure if the people you are speaking to are really in the US or they are some other foreign land.

You usually can get satisfaction, just takes a little time.

G-

[Taiwanese]

I had the same problem with another processing company on a computer router.

I later had to email them telling them I have the prove of what I sent along with receipt from post office. Then they agreed to mail me my check.

Maybe they are trained to reject as many as possible hoping people will just walk away.

I don't buy anything with rebates now or I don't consider rebate as my final price when I shop. It's not worth the time. If the company really wants my business, they will just reduce their price.

It's 2005 already, mailing rebate is so yesterday.

[BentFranklin]

I agree that rebates in general seem to be automatically rejected at first. I also try to avoid buying products that have rebates. When I do buy them, I always keep copies of everything I send in a rebate, plus I send the rebate company a copy of my copies, saying "Here is a copy of what I have copies of." That seems to give them a reason to defraud someone else and just send me my money.

[joelpps]

When my perfectly complete rebate application was rejected, I went to the retailer, who of couse couldn't help me because they have noting to do with the rebate process. I then asked them to refund me for the software, which of couse is a violation of thier policy.

I then filed a claim in small claims court. Before the hearing, the store gave me a store credit for the rebate and the $16 for court filing.

Now the only place I beleive will honor the rebate process is Staples own EasyRebate program as I can file online and the approval is immediate and they only wait 15 days to make sure I don't return the product.

I still won't buy products at Staples (or anywhere else) if the rebate is the manufacturers rebate

[jjslyford]

I recently received a postcard stating that I had submitted an invalid UPC for Peachtree Complete 2006. The only reason that I bought the software was for the $200 rebate - stupid me. My submission had all of the required elements - I'm very careful about that - and they still rejected it.

Seems to me that the company that they use may be pulling some kind of scam. And forget about trying to get someone on the phone - same old runaround with the automated system.

Anyone else have problems with this particular rebate?

[captainship]

Yes, I also received the reject notice and all my paperwork was correct. Maybe this company tells peachtree they filled the rebate so they get paid, and are just keeping the cash?? $200 rebate is pretty big to reject like this.

Edit: I just went to http://www.rebatesHQ.com to check the status and now it says valid and check was sent allow 30 days to receive.

[danmac]

I guess I'm in the minority, but I received my $200 rebate with no problems at all.

I bought mine through cheapsoftware.com, completed the form, sent in the required information and a copy of my Quickbooks CD and a check showed up.

It took a little while for it to arrive, but it required no follow up action on my part.

I'm sorry that so many of the rest of you have had problems.

Dan

[richard kehl]

Danmac you were not in minority. The first time you upgrade it seem to me that you get your rebate without many problems. After the first time, it’s a lot of fun.

My suggestions are:

1. Never buy Peachtree with a big rebate and assume that you will never receive it.
2. Go to RebateHQ.com and make sure the rebate is real before you buy it or open the box. (Bought PCW 2005 at Office Depot in New Mexico, submitted it and got a postcard saying it was good only if I bought it in Alaska. Office Depot got me the rebate, but it took about 180 days.)
3. If the rebate is good, fill out the form on RebateHQ.com and submit it. You will then get a tracking number. Print out form and make sure that do everything that is required. Even make photo copy of CD and back of CD box that you’re upgrading from.
4. Make a min. of two copies of all your paper work and mail originals by Certified Mail with Return Receipt.
5. When you get your rejection that you did not mail your rebate on time, go to RebateHQ.com and get the fax number and fax the Return Receipt and there postcard to them.
6. After you receive an email saying you check is being mailed, don’t forget to send them an email asking where check is, since it’s only been 8 week’s. Of course they will send you an email saying it takes time to process your rebate. If you sent it in July, you should have it by Christmas.

Just think, you get to do this every year that you upgrade unless you pay full price from Peachtree.

Dick

[Vetter]

I know it is more than a month later, but let's add to the history. I also got an invalid UPC Code AND No purchase location postcard... HUH!!! The receipt I sent had the store location???
I called the number on the psopt card and told them I know I sent in the UPC code.
The Service Rep, with absolutely no hesitation, said OK!!!, I will approve your rebate, expect 4-6 weeks to receive a check.
Seems like a game to me.... too many of us have an invalid UPC code......