is best buy decent about honoring their rebates for computers?

[dracula]

every week they have some sexy sales on computer bundles(computer, monitor + printer and software bundle) for about $299.99(after $350 of mail in rebates) if they dont honor the rebates it would be about $650 or so which is horrible but at $299 that would be very good. any one with experience with BB mail in rebates(do they actually make good on them?) i would like to hear from you.

[Reality's Fringe]

every week they have some sexy sales on computer bundles(computer, monitor + printer and software bundle) for about $299.99(after $350 of mail in rebates) if they dont honor the rebates it would be about $650 or so which is horrible but at $299 that would be very good. any one with experience with BB mail in rebates(do they actually make good on them?) i would like to hear from you.

No. I'm currently in a BBB dispute with them regarding a $150 rebate they were supposed to send in October. I still haven't gotten it. At first they claim they tried to send it 3 times to my address, but it didin't exist. So I called them repeatedly, and after a long time on the phone talked to a CS rep who was going to "correct" the information. I made sure he repeated the name and address the rebate was supposed to be sent to no less than 4 times. Everything seemed fine. Well, 5 weeks later, we got the rebate which was addressed to one "William Burke". Our last name is not Burke (Starts with an "M"), and the person the rebate was supposed to be mailed to was my mother. I called them 3 more times and they basically said that was the name I wrote on the rebate form and I was essentially not going to get it. I went through the BBB, and after some correspondence they told me to resubmit it and wait another 6-8 weeks. I'm still waiting.

[EagleNights]

I'd say yes. I've gotten three so far, for a total out $300. Takes about 1-2 months. I'd say try it, just make sure you follow the directions/fill everything out right.

[dracula]

hmm, thanks for the responses, looks like it is a toss up, I may try to return it if they dont honor the rebate in a timely manner(how long have i got to return it?)

maybe just build my own.

[Damanthia]

BB computer sale info:

1. You have 14 days to return a computer or monitor.
2. A restocking fee of 15% will be charged on any non-defective opened notebook.
3. Once a rebate has been submitted, the amount of the rebate will be deducted from any return. (Basically if the UPC is missing, they'll assume all rebates have been submitted.)
4. If you need to exchange an item from the above categories after a rebate submission, they will usually swap boxes with you, giving you back your original box, but with new contents. (So you can't resubmit the rebate.)
5. Rebates will usually say that rebate will not be honored if the item is returned.

Some of this may be YMMV.
I haven't had any problems with any rebate submissions, and I've done at least 10 through BB, and more through other companies. Safest thing to do is make copies of EVERYTHING that you mail them, this way if there are any issues, you can put up a much better fight.

[rvdrock]

I had about 6 rebates on my computer, monitor, and printer...and I received all the checks in a timely manner

[gaelan]

make copies of EVERYTHING

[wubb]

Also, it depends on who the rebate is actually going to. I did 2 rebates on a linksys router from Best Buy. The submission to Best Buy itself was no problem. The one to Linksys was a PITA. They claimed I didn't submit the receipt with the rebate submission (which I did...) So I sent them a photocopy along with the postcard they sent me informing me of the problem. I did get the check after that, but it was probably 12+ weeks after first submitting the form.

I don't think I've ever not gotten a rebate I sent out for. *knock on wood* Just follow the terms to a T, and definitely keep a copy of everything as gaelan suggested.

I'd also keep the ad from Best Buy that advertised the after rebate price. Then if the other companies deny you for some reason out of your control, you can bitch both to the company that offered the rebate and to Best Buy that you weren't actually able to get the rebate as they advertised.

[shrike4242]

make copies of EVERYTHING
Not only would I suggest making copies of everything, though if the rebate is a decently big one, like $100, I'd suggest sending it certified mail w/return receipt (the little green postcard), which will cost $4-5, though you'll know for certain someone had to acknowledge it showing up.

When I had a $100 rebate on something from BB, and they said they "lost it", I faxed over a copy of everything I had + the return receipt card, and they ponied up and sent it out about 2 weeks later.

Make copies of everything, especially the UPC, and when you submit everything, write your name, address and daytime phone # on anything that isn't a rebate form. Plus, attach the UPC to a piece of paper and write that info on it, plus the rebate #.

BB used to suck, IMHO, for rebates, though the last few I've sent in have been reasonably painless. Just make sure you make copies of everything you submit, put your info on anything that isn't a rebate form, and use certified mail/return receipt for your mailings, and you should have zero issues.

I'd also keep the ad from Best Buy that advertised the after rebate price. Then if the other companies deny you for some reason out of your control, you can bitch both to the company that offered the rebate and to Best Buy that you weren't actually able to get the rebate as they advertised.
That's the best advice of all, since if you have issues, you can fax in a copy of the printed ad, showing how much you should have received in rebates, and how much they should have been for.

[dracula]

oh wow i didnt even think of sending via certified mail. that is good thinking. I will probably buy a comp from them next week or the week after, i have a hunch this weeks are long gone(they say each store will only get 3 comps heh)

[EagleNights]

Yeah, I remember having to photocopy the actual box the laptop came in, for some reason or other. The instructions said to...

[browneyedgal68]

I had multiple rebates for both my desktop and laptop. All went through fine, but you have to follow the required items to the letter and fill all out correctly, making sure all are going to the correct addresses. With the desktop, the monitor went to one BB address, the CPU went to another, and the all-in-one was an HP rebate. Make sure you've got as many rebate receipts as you need before exiting.

I had the best experience when I actually used one of those personal shoppers (not at all stores). I just grabbed the guy because I wanted in and out quickly, and he was there. Got all the receipts, marked which was for which, even told me which UPCs I needed because there were a lot on the box. But the kicker is, he gave me his card with a DIRECT NUMBER to him. No more languishing on hold! Worked out great.