Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 7

Anyone have more spare rebate forms?

Don't want to risk it so I'll need one.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location:
Posts: 22

Before the 3rd of next month there should be a clear understanding of the terms of the rebate.
I say wait to send it in for the next week or so if you are nervous. No risk at all. If you are inclined to get it, this is too good of a deal to pass up.

I live on Maui....no CompUSA here. (inner geek says to self "how can it be paradise W/O any real computer stores. Another boring day at the beach,ho hum")

Well I'm waiting for the color V anyway.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 89

Eric,

Did you get my request for a rebate form?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 110

I went into the CompUSA in Tysons Corner, Virginia about 11:30 am today, and they had at least three more pads worth of rebate forms. Look in the lower left of the area where the forms are kept (up front). Bought two, and am hoping.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Northern Virginia, U.S.A.
Posts: 36

me too!

alanf, I was in the same store about an hour or so after you!
They still had the pads of the rebate form. It sure was nice to try out a working unit there - every place else I've seen the Prism they've been non-operational.

I chickened out about buying the Prism there at that time, though. Coulda, shoulda, woulda but didn't. So I hope to get it tomorrow. A lawyer friend told me, after seeing the form, that if it's in writing like that, they have to honor it.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

Just got off the phone with the manager of one of the local CompUSA's.

I had been talking to corporate but they kicked it back to the store level. The manager of the store where I purchased the unit said that he will not honor the rebate since the coupon was not found in his store. I was directed back to the store where I obtained the rebate coupon and told that it was up to the general manager there to honor or not honor the rebate.

I can't believe that corporate allows something like this to be determined solely on a local level.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location: SW Virginia
Posts: 290

quote:

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Originally posted by alanf
Bought two, and am hoping.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

Mikgold- I don't understand. How is each Gen Manager going to make a decision on whether or not some office in Phoenix, AZ sends our rebate checks???

By the way, I called COMPUSA HQ Rebate line and he said had no information to indicate that the rebate would NOT be honored. He was just a low-level guy, but he hadn't been told anything by anybody. As far as he could tell, the rebate program was on.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

The reason they said it was kicked back to the GM's was because the rebate is not in the system and therefore the third-party firm that handles the rebates in AZ will not process it. Therefore they are saying it is up to the GM of the store to make a decision on whether to honor the deal and give the $200 immediately as a credit. I guess we are relying on a "goodwill" decision here.

It still seems ridiculous that the corporate offices would leave this decision up to local employees. I would think this generates more ill-will as people throughout the country would get different results to the same problem.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

Yep you're right. I was just told basically the same thing by CompUSA HQ. But, they took down my name, store I got the coupon and bought it from, phone # and sent the store manager an email telling him to honor the deal. Then they gave me the regional manager's number that I am to call if I am not satisfied with the GM's response-- whatever that means. I was also told that if the store didn't contact me within 24 hours, that I should call the HQ back.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

PE,

I just got off the phone with HQ again and again was told that I needed to speak with the GM of the store where I got the coupon.

Finally received a call back from that GM who said that he's not sure he can credit back $200 on a $449 product. He didn't say no, but said he had to kick it up the ladder (to a regional, I'm assuming) and he would try to get me an answer. Do you know to whom you spoke at HQ? The rep I spoke to didn't go so far as to tell the GM to honor the deal. It would definitely help my situation if I could get a hold of the same HQ staffer.

quote:

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Originally posted by prismenvy
Yep you're right. I was just told basically the same thing by CompUSA HQ. But, they took down my name, store I got the coupon and bought it from, phone # and sent the store manager an email telling him to honor the deal. Then they gave me the regional manager's number that I am to call if I am not satisfied with the GM's response-- whatever that means. I was also told that if the store didn't contact me within 24 hours, that I should call the HQ back.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

Ok..... I just got a call from the GM of my store in TX (Mesquite). He went ahead and credited by CC $200 and apologized for the problem.

I don't know if this was helped along by the email sent to him by CompUSA HQ or not. If you call HQ, ask if they can help you by sending a message to the store. (1-800-278-4685 get through the options and hit the one for "overdue rebate")

I am happy and relieved now.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

PE,

That's great!

I would like to call the GM here and relate that information to him. Is that OK with you?

Thanks.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 58

No problem.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 110

quote:

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Originally posted by potter

quote:

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Originally posted by alanf
Bought two, and am hoping.

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Note the form says:

quote:

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Limit one request per name, address or household.

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Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Northern Virginia, U.S.A.
Posts: 36

Ok, now what if someone doesn't read these discussion boards or the newsgroups and has no clue, just finds the rebate form and buys the Prism, follows the directions and in good faith expects a rebate? Sounds funny to me, why should we have to call HQ and get permission from a local manager?

Anyway, I went and got a Prism this morning - different store, but it had the coupons too. Any more lawyers have input on this? I'd like to hear more opinions.

Thanks!

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

A Lawyer's view

Kam-
I'd say if you don't get the rebate after the required time, go to small claims court in your local jurisdiction. In New York it is a very simple and inexpensive process which the Court Clerks will usually help you out with. All you need is a very informal written complaint on the provided form, then serve it yourself on your local store to get jurisdiction over CompUSA. My experience from defending large corporations in small claims court is that it usually just isn't worth their time to send a lawyer or even employee to defend the action and you will get a default judgement against them. Even if they do defend, Judges in those courts are usually consumer oriented in a case as clear cut as the rebate form here. The only problem with small claims court often is collecting your judgement if the defendant does not show and you get a default. However, often presenting it to the company will work, since they don't want to go to the hassle of openning up the default. Alternatively, I would send a copy of the default judgement to the credit card company when you dispute the charge.

__________________
-Michael-

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 7

hmm, now i'm confuse. What should i do. Call CompUsa HQ to see if they will honor the rebate? which coustomer service at the store that they will do and send the coupon in. Now i hear that CompUsa has no said in the processing of the rebates? that sound very flaky! I already sent my rebate with UPC code and copy of receipt. I made copies of everything. Any advice? thanks


icewindx

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Birmingham, AL, USA
Posts: 32

CompUSA in Alabama

After calling CompUSA HQ, they directed me to callthe manager of my CompUSA...this was the first he had heard of this rebate snafu, and said he would have to "confirm with corporate" and get back to me.

If he doesn't offer me the $200 credit, I will raise holy hell. I work for a University department in IT support, and we spend quite a bit of money at CompUSA...so I better get some satisfaction!!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 38

Just got the $200 credit from the GM of the local CompUSA.

Actually, they did a return on the original $449 and then re-charged me for $249. Worked out better for me since now I only had to pay the tax on $249 not $449.