Complaint Review: Tiger Direct - OnRebate

I purchased a flat screen monitor with an 'after rebate' price of $139. My order confirmation indicated that I had ordered eTrust Security Suite software, which I did NOT order. I called immediately, and the TigerDirect rep said that he could sell me just the monitor for $199 with a $50 rebate, but that it would be $10 cheaper to get the bundle, after rebate. So I believed him and took the bundle.

In order to take advantage of the rebate, you receive a code ONCE THE PRODUCT HAS SHIPPED (i.e. it's too late to discover that the rebate for eTrust only applies if you have purchased a laptop, a PC, or some other non-monitor item) that helps you find the appropriate rebate forms. After numerous calls to Tiger Direct and onRebates trying to find the rebate form that DID apply, and hours on hold only for tiger Direct to refer me to on rebate and on rebate to refer me back to Tiger Direct, I reached someone who said he would see if he could get a supervisor to authorize them to honor the rebate even though I purchased a monitor. (customer service reps can't do ANYTHING to help resolve a problem) I never heard from a supervisor. After 2 more calls I gave up - obviously their M.O. - and filed a different rebate form for eTrust that was $10 less, in effect getting me to the same place as if I'd just bought the d**n monitor in the first place, but I digress.

In the meantime, I completed the $50 rebate form, including the original UPC Code as required and sent that in as well as the $30 rebate form for eTrust.

3 weeks later I received an email telling me that my eTrust rebate was denied because I had not enclosed a UPC code. When I called to tell them that indeed I DID enclose the UPC code and that I have a copy of what I sent to prove it, I couldn't get to a human, but the automated message recognized my phone number and said that they had 2 rebates but both had been denied. the next day I called again - about 5 times because I was on hold for FREAKIN ever - I finally got to someone that told me I had the wrong UPC codes on both forms. I told them I'd used the stickers sent to me by Tiger Direct, and they said TOUGH, I CAN'T HELP YOU, CALL TIGER DIRECT.

I called Tiger and they said "we can't help you, onrebates processes all of our rebates, you have to deal with them." I called on rebates again, same result. I called Tiger again. (several times but I will cut to the chase) the rep said they would have a supervisor return the call. 2 days later, no call, so I call Tiger again. This time I was so fed up I said I just want to return the d**n thing and get my money back. She said "oh, there will be a restocking fee". After arguing about that for a bit and telling her my story about the denied rebates, she said 'oh, we can't take it back at all without the original UPC code!'

So I am stuck with an inferior product (Hanns-G which I never would have purchased if not for the rebates) for which I have paid $239 instead of the advertised price of $139.

Tiger direct is unethical, unhelpful, and BAD BAD BAD.

Deborah
Calabasas, California
U.S.A.