Complaint Review: OnRebate.com

The problem is a technicality in redeeming a rebate with OnRebate.com, a Florida company responsible for rebate redemption, primarily with TigerDirect.com . It should be mentioned there is a second rebate on another component that may be at risk for the identical reasons and circumstances as mentioned below, but as of this initial posting - the status of that has not been determined. I will update this posting with that information as warranted. Since this $50 rebate was denied twice, on 2/23/06 online, again on 2/24/06 on the phone, I have been damaged, have filed and in process of seeking a resolution through the Arkansas Attorney General. The company who sold product, TigerDirect.com is of no help and apparently has a vested interest in assisting OnRebate.com. I will discuss this point further down in this post.

On 1/15/06, I bought 3 different components required to assemble a computer, each allowed a rebate. One was sent to an Oklahoma redemption house and I expect to receive it shortly. The OnRebate.com redemption requires an online visit to fill out a form. They do not warn you when filling out your address online, that it MUST match the invoice generated by its client - the company you bought products from concerning that rebate. This is a procedure loaded with deceit, to cheat me out of my rebate that was openly advertised on TigerDirect's front page. When I was notified by email on 2/23 of the rebate denial, I contacted a representative of OnRebate.com who told me of the Terms of(and) Conditions and how I failed to meet them by having done so by the different addresses. Normally, I keep my personal life out of these things, but I was without work and ALMOST had a new job, therefore I had to use an address which was stable to ensure my rebate was received timely, as most have stringent redemption periods for deposit. I explained that either address they had would work now. This did not satisfy her and I was denied again. I told her I would report this to my state Attorney General, and I have begun the process of this as of this post.

Contacting TigerDirect.com was no help, especially in attempts to complain about the OnRebate.com relationship and why they should seriously consider severing it. Although the TigerDirect customer service rep I spoke with denied any ownership link between the two companies, I seriously doubt this due to consistent responses both have made that my rebate address should have matched my invoice. I attempted to assure both companies that I am indeed and remain as Mark, that this is not any attempt at fraud per their terms of conditions, that either address at the present time would work since I did not become employed away from this area and have not yet moved, they had the information proving I made the purchase and I was indeed Mark. I became so angry that I "lost it". I shouted an obscenity and hung up on the guy. Reviewing another post or two given by others with TigerDirect and OnRebate rebate experiences, it is apparent there is some degree of cooperation or collusion between these two companies that has not been made known to the consumer, especially those who are damaged as in my instance.

Not only will I seek a prompt resolution to any rebate issues I have with OnRebate.com, but I will seek addition information that may assist me in any redress I'm entitled.

Mark
Russellville, Arkansas
U.S.A.