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Consumerist Bites Back

January 28, 2008 RSS Feed Print

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The Consumerist, the site where "shoppers bite back," didn't like our recent articles on rebates. The bloggers there say we unfairly blame consumers for failing to redeem rebates, when it's really companies' fault for making the process so difficult. At least we got some love from the readers' comments, where some pointed out we were just reporting it as we saw it.

• Also in the blogosphere: You can check out this week's Carnival of Personal Finance for tips on retirement withdrawal, socially responsible investing, and why there's no need to feel embarrassed about not having new clothes.

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The Consumerist claims to have fair and open message boards, but that isn't really the case.
When I threatened to expose the fact that their "worst company of the year" 'contest' was rigged, they immediately deleted my account's commenting capability.
It was really a surprising learning experience. At first I trusted these guys since it seemed like they were fighting for my rights, but it becomes very clear that they aren't really fighting for anyone, and practice many of the same things they complain about.

Vance Decker of CA 5:58PM August 12, 2008

I agree with both your original take, as well as the fact that some companies make rebates a bit difficult to obtain. Personally, I've never had a rebate rejected or end up missing in the past 10 or so years I've submitted them. Especially with a lot of the new online submissions methods, in many cases it seems to be easier than ever to submit and track.
Sure, there are going to be times when something goes wrong and the processing center claims they are missing a UPC or receipt, or whatever. I guess if it makes someone feel better, they can claim the company is fraudulent, evil, or whatever adjective you want to use. I'm sure there are occasions where it really isn't the consumer's fault, but there are probably just as many instances where the (sometimes obscure) directions weren't followed properly, deadline missed, etc.
I know I've done it before, and it was just recently. I had a $20 rebate on a motherboard for the new computer I was building. I printed the rebate form, and set it aside while waiting for my parts to arrive. A few weeks lapse and I realize I didn't send the rebate and the postmark deadline had already passed. Oops, my fault. Of course, I would have bought that motherboard whether there was a rebate or not, so not a big deal.
And I think that is the ultimate takeaway from this rebate debate. Don't make a purchase solely on the fact that it has a rebate. If it is an item you want and it just happens to have a rebate, great. Fill it out, and hopefully you get money. If not, at least you go into the transaction not expecting it, and if you miss a deadline or forget a key point in the instructions, it isn't a big loss. But if you are constantly trying to find deals by using rebates, surely you're going to be upset when something happens.

Jeremy of MI 1:44PM January 28, 2008