Complaint Review: Star Rebates

Started Grocery Rebate Program by us buying furniture at Beck's Furniture in Rancho Cordova CA in March 2009.  After going thru 2 different companies that folded on the program we were invited to start a rebate program with Star Rebates in May 2010.

We did indeed received our first 4 months (20 each month) of rebates and then Star Rebates skipped a month and I called to inquire and was told they were really behind.  I received one more month's rebate ($20).  Star Rebates then skipped two month and again I called to inquire and was told they were really behind and were playing catch up.

I then placed another call to Star Rebates only to discover that they don't reside in Seattle (so my rebate request must be forwarded) to Canada at a phone number of 604-677-0619.  Spoke to John and he promised me $80 (4 months of rebates)  within the next month.  I did received $80 a month later.

After several phone calls and several emails going back and forth, I have not received any more rebates since August 2011 (agreement says one rebate per month). The following is an email that I recently received from Star Rebates:


"Star Rebates began in 2009 to provide rebate programs as consumer incentives. With the payment of a small registration fee consumers would be able to participate in this program based on purchasing normal products that they would already be buying for their normal day to day lives.  Like all new businesses you use the information available to make projections and create a business plan.  

The usage of the program has far exceeded expectation.  We did not anticipate the deep recession and the continued elevated prices of fuel.  At this point Star Rebates has exhausted its available resources.  Our best efforts to fix the program have not been successful, and we have stopped all further sales.  

We are trying our best to satisfy the terms of your certificate. We have been overwhelmed by responses and continue to send payments to as many customers as possible.  We are currently working with our partners and creditors to free up cash and if we are able to do so we will contact you with additional rebates.

We sincerely apologize if this program has not met your expectations and hope that you understand that like many organizations, Star Rebates has been impacted by the dramatic and unprecedented events of this global economic downturn.

 We thank you for your understanding.

The Star Rebates Team"