Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Silicon Valley, California
Posts: 173

Hey...you may be able to benefit from a snafu by CompUSA. In their Sunday circular, they advertise a $200 rebate on Visor Prism when bought in conjunction with OmniSky modem and service. BUT...the actual rebate form says has no conditions or special instructions. It just says a $200 rebate when purchasing a Prism.

Some stores have been alerted and pulled the rebate forms from the self-serve rebate area. But, some have not.

You might get lucky! If you have access to newsgroups, a few people are posting the rebate coupon so others can take advantage.

The rebate is good until 1/20.

Good luck!

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

I saw the newsgroup posting about it, and went right down to CompUSA. I asked customer service about the rebate, and was given a copy of the rebate form. $200 off if you purchase the Prism this week from CompUSA.

I was suspicious, so I asked whether I had to purchase the Omnisky modem with it. The customer service rep said no, this was a different rebate, and I just needed to purchase the prism only.

I'm mailing my rebate form today!

Whaooo! I love my new prism!

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 8

Can anyone point me to the place where I can get this rebate online? Wow can this be true? A Prism for 299, I might be giving my VDX to my girlfriend

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

I just did it in Mesquite, TX (Dallas)! The rebate coupon is near the front and it doesn't mention Omnisky at all. I will send off my rebate today.

The promo is not on the web at all.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

Mine will cost 449 + tax.... then wait for 200 bucks back. Net $287- nice

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: NYC
Posts: 287

I bought my Prism like 2 months ago from the Handspring Website. Will I be able to use this mail in rebate or it is only for CompUSA?

Thanks

Al

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It all started way back in February 2000 with a Blue VDX.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 11

Please post the coupon!!!

I am begging you to post that coupon/rebate form. I would love to take $200 off the Prism. Thanks in advance, during, and after.

Pritam

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

I have scanned it, how do I post it?

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

Someone on the comp.sys.palmtops.pilot newsgroup apparently scanned a copy of the rebate form and posted it. I don't know if that would work or not. However, the rebate form only refers to requiring an original upc code from the box. Here is the link to the message:

http://x68.deja.com/[ST_rn=fs]/thre...82134.455278683

It's a sweet deal.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 63

does the prism need to be purchased from CompUSA?

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

<does the prism need to be purchased from CompUSA? >

Yes.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

CompUSA/Prism Rebate

I have several of these forms. My local CompUSA still had three or four pads of them.

I have been trying to get an answer from CompUSA as to whether they will actually honor this rebate as printed on the form.

The people at their 800 number didn't know and directed me back to the manager of the store. The manager of the store said the form was mis-printed. I asked whether they would honor the rebate. He indicated that they would not. Take that with a grain of salt, as I'm sure that the store managers are not making any company policy.

I just want some assurances before I jump into this. If we don't know whether they will honor the deal until we send in the form and UPC then at that point it is too late to return the product (having had several weeks go by and cutting up the box).

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 100

Hi folks;

My heart was pounding as I walked into the local CompUSA to check its rebate forms rack. Bingo! They had about five PADS of the stuff. The store also had 18 units in stock, so after coming home and discussing it with my husband, I'm mulling over this offer myself.

FYI, here is the actual text on the form for those who are curious. A couple of things to note:

- The rebate paperwork goes to a department for "MINDSPRING Rebate," not Handspring. Could it be that whoever did the layout on this form was so inattentive that they couldn't get the rebate program name correctly? Purplemd's info about the circular ad says nothing about Mindspring 'net service with this package.

- I have quite a bit of experience with rebate fulfillment... mostly because I'm a real anal-retentive person when it comes to crossing the Ts and dotting the Is. The fine print doesn't say that you must use an original coupon, but MOST REBATES do. This makes me concerned that folks using xeroxed (or scanned) coupons may be taking an additional risk.

- I'm not sure what it means in the fine print where it says "Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law." California charges state sales tax -- is this what they mean? Not sure.

- There is NO question -- you MUST purchase your Prism at CompUSA, and you MUST have purchased it between January 13 and 20. If you bought it on the 12th or the 21st, you're out of luck. I know rebate companies are very stringent about this.

Having said all that, I think I might kick myself if I don't buy this and use the rebate... if in two months I start hearing here on the boards about the folks who started getting their rebate checks in the mail. HOWEVER, I also have to be willing to risk having the rebate not be honored on some technicality.

If you are going to use the rebate form, make sure you make a photocopy of both sides of the rebate form (after you have filled out your info). Make photocopies of your receipt and the UPC for your files. Mail the letter out using the following:

- Certified mail ($1.90)
- Delivery confirmation (40cents?)
- Insurance on $200 ($3.00)

Because I do NOT want the form lost in the mail, or have the rebate center tell me they never got it. $200 is $200. That's a lot of money.



FRONT OF FORM:

----------------------------------------------------------------

$200 Mail-In Rebate
Offer good 1/13/01 through 1/20/01

Purchase Handspring Visor Prism
(sku#278176)
for a $200 Mail-In-Rebate

See reverse side for details


BACK OF FORM:
----------------------------------------------------------------

To receive your $200 Rebate:

1. Purchase Handspring Visor Prism (sku#278176).
2. Product must be purchased between January 13, 2001 and January 20, 2001 at CompUSA.
3. Fill in all requested information on this rebate form.
4. Mail this completed form along with a copy of your dated sales receipt and the original UPC code from the product package.

Name --------------
Street Address ------------
City---------
State------- Zip Code --------
E-mail

Mail to:
Dept. 28359
Mindspring Rebate
P.O. Box 52900
Phoenix, AZ 85072

No reproduction of UPC codes will be accepted. Requests must be postmarked by February 3, 2001. Limit one request per name, address or household. Requests from groups, post office boxes or organizations will not be honored. Fraudulent submission of multiple requests could result in federal prosecution under the U.S. Mail Fraud Statutes (18 USC, Section 1341 and 1342). Offer good in U.S.A. only. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. If you do not receive your rebate within 6-8 weeks, please call 1-800-773-6709 or visit http://www.rebatestatus.com. Rebate checks are void if not cashed within 90 days of issuance and cannot be reissued. Please keep copies of all materials submitted for your records.

Item #C9461

----------------------------------------------------------------

I'll let you know if I buy one and send in the rebate. And of course, I'll post when I get the rebate check in the mail.

-- L

[Edited by Traveliter on 01-16-2001 at 09:32 PM]

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Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 73

Insurance?

The insurance coverage buys you nothing, you have to show and prove physical damage to the item and package.

Jim

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Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 50

Wow. I can't believe that you can buy it for $300. Has anyone actually gotten a confirmation that you can do this and that they will validate the discount? If That is true, then i might have to go down to m friendly neighborhood compusa and pick one up in the naext day or so!

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

I believe that this is an actual rebate. Some think it was meant to be with Omnisky- but isn't that one always in effect? In fact the promos in the store I visited said that you could get the Prism and Omnisky for $4XX after all rebates. You would have to pay $700 up front for all. Given that the SKU is correct, the rebate form makes no stipulations and is clear that you buy a Prism and get $200 off, and that the thing is only 1 week long (so not too many people can do it), I believe that this is just an extremely good deal.

Any legal eagles in here who know what the law says about rebates/coupons that are not honored? I will absolutely raise hell with CompUSA if this is not honored. From what I have seen (Best Buy is a great example b/c they screw up adds all the time)it is the store's responsibility to fix incorrect ads in the store and it should be displayed prior to your purchase. I was told nothing about any error and in fact was directed over to the Coupon table for my rebate slip. Just my rant as I am starting to picture waiting 6-8 weeks to hear that my rebate request is rejected.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 77

Well, I'm just a law student, but it would seem to me that if you know there is an error you cannot take advantage of their mistake. It would seem to be a unilateral mistake - one made by one party (CompUSA). If they make the mistake and you have no reason to suspect that it is an erroneous offer, then you might be entitled to the deal. However, if you have reason to believe that the offer is a "mistake", you cannot take advantage of it.

However, laws are different everywhere. This probably is a valid deal in some states and not in others. If you make a big stink at CompUSA then they might give you the deal. On the other hand, I've found the people at CompUSA to be rather stingy (e.g. They have a policy to match other store's prices, but often I have to drive to Staples to get the advertised price.)

Registered: Sep 2000
Location: Utah
Posts: 78

There is no question that the rebate is valid. I asked customer service if there was a rebate. They confirmed to me there was. I even asked if it was the rebate for the Omnisky deal, and was told that was a separate deal. Relying on their representation, I gave them $450, plus tax, and bought the prism.

It's a simple deal - and no mistake. This isn't an Omnisky promo. CompUSA made me an offer, I accepted, and I will get my $200. If they hassle me about it, I will win and get my $200 (yes, I happen to be a lawyer - but anyone could win this argument).

If there was a misprint, they should have fixed it or withdrawn the offer before representing to me that the rebate was valid.

I happened to be in another CompUSA store last night, and saw the same rebate. I asked again whether this was valid, and was again told it was.

By the way, my Prism is VERY cool. :-)

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brianp
Well, I'm just a law student, but it would seem to me that if you know there is an error you cannot take advantage of their mistake. It would seem to be a unilateral mistake - one made by one party (CompUSA). If they make the mistake and you have no reason to suspect that it is an erroneous offer, then you might be entitled to the deal. However, if you have reason to believe that the offer is a "mistake", you cannot take advantage of it.

---

__________________
-Michael-

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

P.S. I've bought one a half hour ago and already mailed out my rebate info

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-Michael-