Complaint Review: CompUSA

On 10-19-02 I purchased an H/P laptop computer from CompUSA. Two $100.00 rebates were offered - one from H/P and one from CompUSA. Prior to the purchase I expressed some concern about being able to obtain the store (CompUSA)rebate and was told not to worry, that if there was a problem to "come back to the store and we will take care of it".

I waited 14 days (the return or exchange policy time) to make sure that the computer that I purchased worked properly and then mailed in the CompUSA rebate request form provided by the store. That was on 11-04-02.
On 11-20-02 I was notified by email that my request was denied for two reasons.

(1)My request was postmarked after close of program deadline and

(2)p.o. box not an acceptable address. I contacted the rebate center which refused to budge on the deadline.
I went to the store and spoke to the general manger, Noreen Labeen. I explained that I live in a small mountain villiage and that all mail is delivered by p.o. box and not to a physical address ( I had noted this on the request form). I also expained that at no time did I see a deadline either in the store or on the CompUSA rebate form indicating that there was a 11-02-02 cutoff (just thirteen days after purchase).

She was rude and unsympathetic and stated that there was nothing that she could do - that it was my responsibility to meet the deadline and that I had missed it.

I was shown nothing to indicate that there was an 11-02-02 rebate deadline which seems a little wierd to me. Most are set by date of purchase (45 days or so) and not arbitrarily. I believe that I have been ripped off and CompUSA's management attitude was well, so what. If you don't like it too bad.

Jonathan
Wrightwood, California