I really do not like these rebate cards that everyone is sending out.
At first blush they would seem to be a good idea (you don’t need to deposit a check) but I think they’re just another way to punish us for using the rebate in the first place.
Of course, the businesses like them because of the branding opportunities for the company offering the rebates as well as the merchant services provider (e.g. Visa.)
My experiences with the dozen or so cards I’ve received has shown:
- Unless you’re sure you’re going to spend the whole thing, don’t even bother using them. Otherwise you’ll have a balance, and if you do, you are condemned.
- If you don’t know the exact balance when you come in with a partially-used card, many stores won’t let you use it. I mean, to the penny.
- The websites for checking balances do not work well on mobile devices.
- If you want to clear your balance, and hand it to the cashier first or split the balance, people behind you in line will scowl.
- They take up room in my wallet.
- I’ve had at least two stores unable to process them (Walgreens once, and a gas station I cannot remember.)
Others have complained that
- Rebate cards lose value over time (as soon as 3 months)
- Some cards have an “account maintenance fee”
- Some cards have a fee if you run them through for “more than they have in balance” (becoming a credit card in your name!)
- You can’t cash them.
- They lead people into the “credit card” mentality.
Why can’t the rebates just be transferred to my Paypal account, or perhaps to my checking account? Right. That will be the day.
{ 6 comments }
I have a similar opinion to that of Scott Clark about consumer rebates being issued as debit cards rather than as checks. In fact, I believe that retailers issue debit cards because they can count on not having to pay the entire rebate via debit card most of the time.
For example, Alltel issued me a $50 debit card as a rebate on a phone purchase. This was my experience. I purchased about $18.30 in groceries and had no problem. A couple of weeks later, I decided to use the balance on another grocery purchase on my way home from work. I could not remember the exact balance, but figured that I would pay the remainder in cash. The cashier required me to tell her the amount to be charged to the card.
Unlike gift cards, there is no way to swipe the card and determine the balance. I would have to go home to my computer and log in to find the exact amount. I estimated $32. The provider disapproved the transaction. Period. It did not provide a reason or the balance. I told the cashier to try $30, and it worked that time. The bagger said he had seen another customer try to use one unsuccessfully in the recent past. Therefore, I have a debit card with about $1.70 left. To use it, I would have to play the inch game with the cashier. Try $1.60, try $1.50, etc. Or I could take the time to look it up if I remembered it. I tossed the card. I believe that providers of these cards have exactly this in mind. They probably make at least a couple of dollars per card in the long run, and I believe that is their expectation when they issue the cards. Thanks Alltel. I’d rather have a check or a paypal credit.
Alltel Rebates, what a mess. Last time I will do it. My 2 totalled 150 dollars and bought me 200 in pain.
the rebate cards are a way for the issuer to start a “relationship” with you then annoy the heck out of you with credit card offers. # they have a good name and address, #2 they can violate many of the telemarketing regulations because you have a “relationship”. If you dont bite with them then they sell that information to other mailing lists. When you check your balance online you have to subscribe and give an accurate email address, They have your attention. All a big business game
My daughter tried to use the prepaid card and was told at a certain store she could not use it as a credit only debit but, she had no pen number what then.
I’m very disappointed with using these types of cards! I, too have had nothing but problems after the first transaction. Unless I know the exact $ amount left on my card, it will not be accepted. This truly is a bad type of “rebate” card. I would suggest a way to correct this or I will not us alltel/verizon phone or service again.
I tried to use a Rebate Card issued by Staples at the very same Staples that gave me the (expletive deleted) thing! Granted I hadn’t been there in a while, but I ran out of ink for the printer and figured this was a good time to use it. “I’m sorry sir, this debit card has no value.” Seems they had taken a fee, every month that I had not used it, therefore it was useless! Guess they don’t work like gift cards, where the value is protected in California. No more buying with a rebate for me.
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