Complain about a product or service

CompUSA - Rebates

Sean of Dublin OH (03/13/08)
After 1.5 years of waiting for my rebate I am taking action. Its not the money its principle. In Sept of 2007 I spent 2 hours on the phone with the coporate office who after reviewing my file determined yes there had been an error. Apparently my postmark was two days off? BUT because they were a good company they might make an exception (probably would after 1 hr on phone). I followed up 1 week later per their request and was told still o answer. As most I forgot about it until I found my notes. Today I called and was told there is no one else in the department anymore. Ironically the gentleman I spoke to was the same as sept 2007. I asked why he told me Yes then and no now, and his reply was he wasnt the manager at that point. I am filing a complaint with the AG's office. I will NEVER buy anything from Comp USA and NEVER recomend them to anyone.

I have endoured nearly 3 hours on the phone with numerous departments and was told today, sorry we just can't help. Your 100.00 rebate we owe you will not be sent. its out of my hands

Prithviraj of Humble TX (02/15/08)
I sent to CompUSA two months ago some e-mails asking about my rebates, but still I have not received an answer from the rebate department about my rebate check.  I even gave my new address and many reminders about my reminders, but all failed; I have not received any message.  I ask you to please help me get my rebates.  Thanks.

Janet of Vancouver WA (01/11/08)
I purchased items totally $259.90 on Sept. 2, 2007. The clerk told me how to fill out the rebate forms and to be patient waiting for the checks. I waited 4 months, and when I contacted compUSA by phone and e-mail, I was told I contacted them too late. They said I returned the item!! I didn't. I've submitted and gave them everything they've asked for and they still say my rebates are invalid. I purchased these items because of the rebates. I feel cheated and scammed by this company. One rep even told me over the phone I would receive my checks in 7 weeks. Then here comes an e-mail that says I applied too late. Good Grief. I hate eating $130.00 worth of promised rebates. Will NEVER purchase a rebate item again!!

Adele of Kenmore WA (01/02/08)
At the time of my CompUSA online purchase of a ViewSonic Comoputer monitor, the web site said that I qualified for a free after rebate, Canon IP1800 Photo Printer. I was charged for the printer on my Visa account. After the printer arrived, I was given the information to get the rebate. I sent in all of the required info. I did not notice that the rebate form had a different qualifying date than the web site listed. Canon sent me a card which listed the reasons why my rebate was refused. 1) The IP1700 (wrong model number) had to be purchased, 2)The UPC symbol is not valid for this promotion, 3)The receipt was dated prior to the qualifying period. It is impossible to make contact with COMP USA by phone. I have tried two different numbers and have waited several times: 30+ min, 50 min, and 70 min. I am convinced that no one responds to any call.

Lynn of Cherry Hill NJ (03/06/07)

I purchased a HP Pavilion PC and a 15 inch LCD monitor from CompUSA online, because they promised a total of $250.00 of mail-in rebates. I received $100.00 from HP in January of 2007 but to date I have received only a postcard from CompUSA eRebates. I sent them the completed rebate form and a copy of the receipt printed from my computer as requested. I also sent a copy of the packing list as further supporting data. The postcard from eRebates in Delaware stated that the order # and invoice # that matched the packing list was "invalid".

I called their 800 number and was told that online purchases require a receipt. When I explained that the receipt had been included and the packing list was simply supporting material they said they would forward my claim to a supervisor and I would receive an e-mail in 3-5 days. That was in early January.

Darren of Ventura, CA (03/04/07)
They failed to pay $250 in rebates.  Clearly not paying rebates is a regular practice because they are blaming to postal service.

Haven't had any correspondence since informing them I was referring this to CA state AG office.

Anthony of Hou TX (08/13/06)
In response to an advertisement, I putchased a $90.00 Norton Anti-Virus software protection that came with a $30.00 rebate. I received a printed rebate form from CompUSA and submitted it by fulfilling all of the requirements. I later received a letter from Norton that my rebate was denied because I didn't purchase the product from Best-Buy. I re-read the advertisement and rebate form and there was nothing mentioned about Best-Buy. Note that the rebate form was pre-printed at CompUSA. It seems that I am out $30.00 and I would discourage these rebates.

Michael of North Adams MA (07/30/06)
We purchased a HP laptop DV1420 November 6th, 2005 in CompUSA. Sent in all required documentation and paperwork to HP for $50 rebate and to CompUSA for $150 where we bought. Sent another letter early 2006 after no response. Thrid attempt July 2006. Sent last letter to Consumer Affairs in MA where we bought it.

Phi of Plano TX (06/10/06)
CompUSA refused to pay $200 rebate on purchased Toshiba laptop:  On 04/01/2006, I purchased the laptop for 1407.24 with the understanding I will receive $200 rebate back from CompUSA.  On 04/10/2006, I sent in the rebate submission by US mail.  On 04/14/2006. I contacted CompUSA erebates Customer Service after failing to locate my rebate entry on the web erebate site. The agent told me to allow a few more days.

On 04/20/2006, I called erebate Customer Service and was told to wait another week. Also I was told not to re-submit the rebate request by mail or via erebates web site or all submitted rebate requests will be voided due to duplicate entries. On 04/25/2006, I contacted erebate Customer Service and was told to forget about the rebate because it is already passed the 04/22/2006 submission deadline. Since then, I have contacted the retail store's Customer Service manager, CompUSA Headquarter, and erebate Customer Service and was told since I sent it in by US postal mail and not by entering the request online via erebates.compusa.com, there is nothing I can do to get the $200 rebate.

Desiree of Mason OH (04/26/06)
I purchased a COMPUSA 80 GB USB 2.0 External Harddrive for $84.99 on 11/25/2005. I was to recieve a $35 rebate. I emailed COMPUSA through their rebate center. They had no record of recieving my rebates and because I had mailed the rebate information they could not help me. And at the time of purchase I was not made aware that I could use the online rebate system.

Michael of Coral Springs FL (04/18/06)
Rebates from CompUSA- sent rebate on time. Sent rebate on 3/15/06, deadline was 3/18 for post office cancellation. Wondered if they ever sent customer product or mailing and product was delayed by post office? Nah, never happened. Obviously, post office mishandled, and cancellation date on envelope 4 days after deadline. CompUSA said, Too bad, we are very strict on deadline on cancellation date, we are not responsible for what the post office does. CompUSA=USED CAR LOT SCAMS

Charles of Sparks NV (03/30/06)
Failed to receive rebate after order. When CompUSA sent order it was suppose to be shipped as a bundle package. It was shipped separatly so was the billing. According to there promotion both items had to be on the same receipt. I obtained a receipt from CompUSA eventually after numerous calls, sent it with all correctly filled out forms and still have not received rebate. Order received 12/07/05 I have copies of rebate, Internet order, and E-mails from CompUSA.

Janice of Stroudsburg PA (03/17/06)
I bought a laptop on Jan. 8, 2006 and it had a mail-in rebate of $200 in which i followed the instructions to a T and mailed out my rebate on Jan. 10, 2006. When i call for the status of my rebate they can't find my submission and are telling me they can do NOTHING to get me my rebate. I made copies of everything I mailed to them and they still won't do anything. At first they didn't even have a record of my online purchase and when i tried to dispute this with my credit card company they will not do anything either. I thought if they don't have any record of my purchase then i shouldnt' be charged for it.

Tom of Salt Lake City (12/16/03):
Free After Rebate, buyer beware! Throughout this past few years, my wife and I have about $400 in rebates that were never fulfilled. After making numerous calls and emails (who has time to keep doing this constantly?) and not getting anywhere, we've basically given up.

Steve of Amo IN (11/24/03):
Bought new computer with 5 rebates ($300.00), 2 days left on time to expire. Monitor's not in stock, it arrives 2 days after rebate ends (shipping over weekend). Comp usa says, "sorry but read the expiration back to me."

Lost$300.00, sent everything in, but when I called corporate they said, "no receipt, no proof-of-purchase, form not all the way filled out." All untrue.

Mike of Chandler AZ (10/22/03):
Rebate issue: Bought rebate products for myself, my neighbor and relative. Use my personal credit card to ring three separate receipt. Each receipt has two rebate products (one is PNY memory and another one is Columbia Batter Charger) from different company. All three rebates were submitted, and I am the only one received money back from Columbia. My neighbor and relative did not get money back because they claimed that the rebate right can not be transferred. They traced back to me in the CompUSA rebate receipt which has my name and credit card information on it. There is no issue with Fry's Electronic, Best Buy, OfficeMax or CircuitCity because these stores do not print the name and credit information on the rebate receipt. Why PNY is OK and Columbia is NOT OK? I refuse to shop in CompUSA in the future.

Damage Resulting: Loss of $28 (two rebates) and waste of my visiting CompUSA and calling rebate center and CompUSA customer service (800) 266-7872.

Bruce of Primm Springs TN (9/20/03):
I bought a 19" flat screen monitor on 5/25/03 for $599.99 with a $100.00 rebate. I mailed in the rebate form immediately. The forms said rebates would be paid within 6-8 weeks and to check on their website if I hadn't received it within 10 weeks. On August 21, 2003 I visited CompUSA's website and tracked my rebate. (They rather cleverly have a system where to track the rebate, you have to know which of 4 addresses you sent it to, so if you didn't keep adequate records, you may never find it.)

The website said it had been "accepted" but not mailed. Under the link "contact us" is just a long distance telephone number. I called and after a brief hold gave my info to a woman who informed me my check was "scheduled to go out September 4th" (long after the promised 6-8 weeks). On September 20th I visited the website again, and found my rebate is listed as "mailed". However, clicking on the tracking number turned up the message "Returned to us by Post Office. Incorrect mailing address. Click here to correct." (I have a copy of what I sent them and the address is correct.)

I clicked on the link and re-entered the address. Their website returns the message that my rebate will be remailed when they have "verified" my address, whatever that means. The fine print on the offer says it is no longer valid if it is not redeemed within 6 months of the last valid purchase date, which was 5/31/03. If I file a small claims suit, do I have to file it within that 6 months?

Why isn't it possible to do a class action on this since the system is obviously set up to rip people off?

A class action suit is a possibility but it would take years to move through the courts. If Bruce really wants his money, Small Claims Court is the way to go. No, he does not have to file withini six months.

Denise of Milpitas CA (9/12/03):

• 8/10/03-Purchased a Compaq computer and other items totaling $1,778.62 at CompUSA for my daughter to use in entering med school. Given three rebates by store personnel including a $100 rebate for the computer. White Coat Ceremony scheduled to begin in less than 3 hours so hurriedly went to hotel, changed clothes, and put rebate forms in my suitcase.

• 8/11/03 - returned to Milpitas, CA from Louisville, KY
• 8/12/03 - home but only long enough to do laundry
• 8/13/03 - departed on a trip to Seattle, WA
• 8/19/03 - returned home to Milpitas, CA from Seattle
• 8/20/03 - Started preparing rebate forms and noted that $100 rebate was expired. Called phone no. on the rebate form and spoke to a female who indicated that I should submit rebate form to her attention and she would get approved. Mailed rebate form, copy of receipt, and original UPC code from computer box (provied by my daugher through the mail from Kentucky).

Perhaps in the past, $100 rebate would not be consequential; but I have been unemployed for over a year now (put computer on credit card and then paid out of equity line) and would find $100 useful.

Lak of Dublin CA (8/2/03):
This company sells items with rebate. But the company they hired to handle the rebate (TCA, http://www.wheresmyrebate.com) just make it impossible to get your money back for the rebate. TCA just change the term for the rebate as they wish, they refused to help me out and just denied all my rebate request even I meet all the requirements stated on the rebate forms. After so many contact with them and they just won't response or agree to do anything for me. And CompUSA won't help me on this too as they said this is something between me and the rebate handling company - TCA.

Damage Resulting: I lost all rebate money that I supposed to receive.

Patrick of Anchorage AK (6/4/03):
I purchased a computer package that supposedly included three rebates. The $10.00 rebate was approved with no problems. The $40.00 rebate was approved after I called and informed the rebate center that many Alaska communities do not have mail delivery to houses and have to usa a P.O. Box. The $150.00 rebate was refused for every reason they could think of.

I did finaly get the rebate but only after contacting the Vendor and stating that any legal action taken would name them as well as CompUSA. From what I've seen on the internet something needs to be done to stop these rebate rippoffs. Many people don't bother to pursue the matter because of the dollar amount but if they deny 1000 $10 rebates, they made $10,000. If they deny 1000 $100 rebates they make $100,000. Very profitable for them.

Sarah of Madison WI (3/25/03):
I purchased a PDA and memory stick from CompUSA on 2-8-03, with 2 mail-in rebates for $50 and $20. I mailed these rebates on 2-11-03. I enclosed the completed forms, receipts, and copies of the PDA's UPC symbol in each and the actual UPC symbol, cut from the package in the $50 offer as required in the instructions. On 3-20-03, I read an e-mail (dated 3-19-03) re: my $50 rebate stating it was denied because "UPC LABEL NOT ENCLOSED". I phoned the # provided (914) 633-0977. After holding for 3 min, I was disconnected. I tried calling the number I had copied down from the rebate submission form, (800)390-2344, and received the same recorded messages as the original # until I was again disconnected. I repeated this 2 more times on 3-20-03 and was disconnected each time.

I phoned CompUSA's general customer service # and waited on hold for 20 minutes. I hung up as I had no more time to give that day. I wrote & sent an e-mail to their customer service. In this letter, I expressed my frustration with being disconnected and my desire for a returned phone call or e-mail within 24 hours. On 3-21-03, I received an e-mail directing me to the first two #s I've already tried and been disconnected from. I responded with another e-mail pleading with someone to read my message and advise me on how to contact an actual person. I phoned the (800) # again, and received a customer service rep. who claimed that neither of the UPC symbols had been received. Her only advice was to resend my photocopies of my submissions.

I did not make photocopies. I suggested that these photocopies were available through the other rebate offer (both in New Rochelle, just different POBs). She said that was a different rebate and that was not an option for me. I will now write a letter to the address provided in the denial e-mail. Nonetheless, I feel certain that I filed a complete submission and that CompUSA is failing to comply with an advertised rebate.

Michael of Haverhill MA (2/24/03):
On 2/6/03 I purchased a PNY Compact Flash Media Card which had a $20 rebate. The rebate was advertised in the flyer and at the counter where the item is kept. When I checked out, I was supplied with the Register receipt supplying the rebate form and pertinent information. The sales transaction completed, I rushed home to use the item and submit the necessary items for the rebate.

I mailed the rebate along with the necessary items the very next day. On 2/22/03 I received an e-mail from the Rebateshq.com people, informing me that my purchase was outside the specified dates. Ha that’s funny. I have a copy of my receipt and submitted form. My purchased item, submitted UPC code and mailing date all are per the rebate requirements. E-mails to CompUSA are going nowhere. I continue to be stonewalled. I will never ever shop at CompUSA again.

I have been swindled by CompUSA. I have lost $20 and gained much aggravation over the issue. I feel that CompUSA has acted fraudulently in this mater. Based on what I have read at this site, I am not the only person experiencing the issue.

Gerald of Exeter NH (2/23/03):
I bought software that had a manufacturer's rebate. The manufacturer did not pay. Now CompUSA says that the have no obligation to pay rebate when the manufacture does not pay.

Damage Resulting: I lost $ 180 in unpaid rebates.

Elizabeth of Knoxville TN (2/20/03):
This is regarding the $100.00 rebate due me. This Toshiba S103 was purchased on 11/11/02. Compusa had a $150.00 rebate along with Toshiba's rebate of $100.00 on this machine. I mailed all the required info to both Compusa and Toshiba on 11/19/02. Well, I got the rebate from Compusa in less six weeks but to this date (02/20/03) I haven't received the rebate from Toshiba. I'm wondering just why this was presented to us at the time of purchase and I've not heard a word about the rebate since I mailed it.

Warren of Rochester NY (5/19/03):
Local CompUSA ran a newspaper advertisement for a Sale on 3/21/03 from 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM which included a KOGI 17" LCD Monitor for $299.99. I stood in line outside this store for best part of an hour to take advantage of this offer. Bought the unit on credit card, received receipts AND two (2) rebate forms one for $70.00 another for $60.00. I filled both claims either that night or the next day, 3/ 21 0r 22/03, with the original UPC code plus a photocopy of the UPC for 2nd claim. Since then it was discovered I had switched the original to the wrong form BUT BOTH CLAIMS WENT to same address.

I received witten notice that COMPUSA was rejecting my $60.00 rebate because it had photocopy of UPC. I took records to service desk at store and asked how I could send original UPC codes to two of THEIR claim centers. Desk person sent e-mail to headquarters with photocopies of my claims, receipts, and all material.

Got letter dated 4/12/03 stating they were still rejecting my rebate, regardless of having received the original on the $70.00 rebate form. My wife called a reference telephone and explained problem and operator there, Shelly, instructed her to FAX copies of everything and to phone in two weeks for status. I called today and was told thy are still processing FAXES from late April. Today is May 19th and they told me to call back in TWO more weeks ! They had no information to the $70.00 rebate.

I truly believe this company intends to cost me $130. more on their advertised retail price of $299.99.

Cathryn of San Clemente, CA, writes (4/2/01):
A simple purchase of SDRAM 128MB rebate offer of $20.00 at COMPUSA store in Mission Viejo CA. All appropriate forms, receipts, UPC, sent in during rebate period. We received a card from PNY stating that the UPC symbol is not valid for this promotion. Fortunately for me, I retained a copy of all information sent for the rebate. Clearly we had the correct items needed to qualify.

Sent email to CompUSA re this and after a search they verified that yes, we did have a valid rebate in the system.

How many people actually retain a full copy of info sent on a measly $20 rebate? To make a tiring story short, the forms were sent in December 2000. It is now April 2001. After many contacts by phone, and email I still haven't rec'd my money back. They don't care about being reported to Consumer Affairs. Each time I talk to them they say oh ya rebate in the system .. Ya baby ... the check is in the mail!

Next stop small claims court. There is no reason to justify a company not honoring offers, other than greed. This is ridiculous. You can be sure we won't spend another dime at CompUSA in any shape or form.

The damages are simple. I have spent hours checking into, emailing, calling to no avail. My time is valuable. I expect people to honor their commitments regardless of how small. Additionally I would like my $20 back.

Philip of Brooklyn, NY:

The thing is that the rebate papers said that we had to buy it within a certain time, so i called Scansoft and five times a woman answered and switched me to a machine that said nothing the minute she heard "REBATE."

The next day I called again. There was an answering machine claiming they were closed for Presidents Day. So I started called anytime I can, but no help came. The textbridge rebate was $70 and the Paperport Deluxe was $30. We never got it back.

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