The Federal Trade Commission has charged Wintergreen Systems, an Indiana-based electronics reseller owned by John Levy, with failing to honor mail-in-rebate offers for thousands of customers. The FTC’s conditions for settling the lawsuit require Levy and his company to “be barred from any involvement in the development, marketing, fulfillment, or funding of any rebate program.” There’s also a $330,000 judgment, which the company will not have to pay (more on that below). Both Wintergreen Systems and its parent company, Market Development Specialists (MDS), resold electronics through companies like Office Depot, PC Connection, Buy.com, PCMall, and Woot.com.
rebates
Fear For Your Rebates: Largest Mail-In-Rebate Processor Missing $9 Million?
By 11.14.08
Allegedly, the largest rebate processor in North America, Continental Promotions Group (CPG), owes about $12 million in consumer rebates, but only has $3 million available. According to an insider tip received by [H]Enthusiast, CPG is telling its customers, among whom are some of the largest consumer electronics retailers, to regive it the money necessary to pay out all these rebates. Otherwise, all your little rebate checks might start bouncing. Assuming, of course, you were ever able to get them in the first place…
Small Claims Court Winners Having Trouble Collecting Money From Elusive "Spa Man"
By 10.7.08
“People think when they come to court that they are going to get instant relief,” said Judge Rebecca Dallet of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. “We can give what the law allows, but we have no way of getting the money for them. I don’t think people realize that.”
Don't Assume That Rebate Will Be Redeemable For Cash
By 10.4.08
Companies love rebates because they are difficult to redeem and easy to forget. But you clever shoppers are getting too good at their game, so instead of paying out your rebate in cash, you’ll get something different altogether. Take, for example, Buy.com’s supposed “$26 mail in rebate…”
Canon's Rebate Program Is Blurry And Poorly Lit
By 9.22.08
Brett has now been the victim of two failed rebate attempts through Canon. They ignored the first one, and rejected the second one with a claim that he can clearly disprove. He’s trying again. Unfortunately, it looks like Brett’s experience with Canon isn’t unique.
Morning Deals
By 9.17.08
- MagicJack: $39.95 for VoIp first year, $19.95 a year after that
- Amazon: Health & Grooming Products Manager’s Specials
- Kashi: Free cookie
Highlights From Buxr
- Beach Camera: Sandisk 8 GB Ultra II SDHC HD Memory Card for $19.99 after $20 rebate w/ Free shipping
- Ralph Lauren: 30% Off No minimum Coupon Code RLFA2008
- goHardDrive.com: Western Digital 1TB 7200RPM Hard Drive for $128.95 w/ Free shipping after Coupon Code 10WD10EACS
Highlights From Dealnews
- Amazon.com: 80 Duracell Ultra AA Alkaline Batteries for $30 + free shipping
- Graveyard Mall: Maxim 32-Piece Wooden Train Set for $10 + $6 s&h
- Buy.com: Midland 26-Mile GMRS 2-Way Radios for $45 + free shipping
Highlights From Dealhack
Morning Deals
By 9.9.08
- WarCry: Free Warhammer Online Beta 10 days
- Amazon: Kitchen deals for under $7, all eligible for 4 for 3 promotion
- Buy.com: Logitech G51 Gaming Speakers for $71.99 Shipped After Rebate
Highlights From Buxr
- Deal Extreme: Rechargeable Digital Pin-hole Spy Camera + USB Drive Disgused as Working Pen for $35.53 w/ Free shipping
- HP Home : New stackable Laptop coupon, up to $350 off $999 w/ coupon code NB3325
- OfficeMax: Oscillating 16″ Pedestal Fan for $7.99 + $7.95 Shipping
Highlights From Dealhack
- OfficeMax: Olympus FE-320 8MP Digital Camera $120 Shipped
- Shoebuy: Pay via PayPal & Save $20 off Shoe Orders of $50+ and get Free Shipping
- Bike Nashbar: Save 10%, 15%, or 20% off Entire Order with Coupon Discounts
Verizon: 'You've Earned A New Phone' (Just Not From Us)
By 8.26.08
Is this Verizon promotional email being over-enthusiastic with its subject line, or is it actually misleading? A phrase like “you’ve earned a new ___” doesn’t usually get followed up with, “Just pay us anywhere between $100-$200 for it,” unless it comes from a scam vacation offer. Or Verizon. As Bryan notes in his email to us, “The subject line must mean something like when you tell Verizon, ‘You’ve earned my suspicion and contempt.'”
Morning Deals
By 8.26.08
- Threadless: All shirts $12
- Amazon: Tonka Sand Force Dump Truck & Loader $4-$5 each, squirting trucks $6 & up
- Steep And Cheap:
Black Diamond Momentum AL Climbing Harness for $22Sold out, but they have other deals on outdoor gear.
Highlights From Dealhack
- Tiger Direct: Refurb NEC VT590 XGA LCD Projector $400
- Brooks Brothers: Summer Clearance: Save up to 60% off Men’s & Women’s Fashion
- Buy.com: Fantom GreenDrive 1TB Low Power USB Drive $150 & Free Shipping
Morning Deals
By 8.25.08
Highlights From Dealhack
- REI: Labor Day Clearance: Save up to 30% off Clothing & Gear
- Meritline: PQI 8GB SDHC Card now $25 Shipped & Other Discount
- Buy.com: Dynex DX-LCD32 32-inch LCD HDTV $480 Shipped
Highlights From Bargainist
- Kmart: Jeans, all apparel BOGO 50% off
- Hoover: Summer Canister Sale: Save up to 56%
- JC Whitney: Up to $40 off purchases coupon
Rebate Company Sends Your Check To The Wrong Person, Tells You To Collect The Money
By 8.11.08
Reader Mike says that he contacted a rebate company after not receiving his check, only to find out that the company had issued a check to someone else — and then suggested he contact that person and “discuss the matter of your rebate being deposited in his account.” Um… what?
Morning Deals
By 8.7.08
- Woot: Compaq 6820s 2GHz 17” Widescreen Notebook for $529.99
- Great Day Of Play: Free one-day paintball pass (supposedly good for any field, the site is sponsored by paintball equipment manufacturers)
- Amazon: Logitech diNovo Edge for $84.99 after rebate
Highlights From Bargainist
- Apple Store: Save $400 off Refurb 20-inch 2.4GHz iMac
- B&H Photo: Dane-Elec Meizu M6 4GB Portable Media Player $50
- Newegg: BlueAnt Supertooth 3 Bluetooth Speakerphone $85
Highlights From Bargainist
- Saks off 5th: 25% off any 1 item, more coupons
- Express / Express Men: 20% off coupon + earn $25 GC w/$50 purchase
- Pearle Vision: Free eyeglasses w/complete pair purchase
Morning Deals
By 8.6.08
- Starbucks: $2 Grande iced drinks after 2pm with morning purchase
- Tanga: Wireless Infrared Presenter with Laser Pointer for $9.99
- Amazon: Men’s Dress Shirts from $9 + free shipping – Izod, Geoffrey Beene, Arrow, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein (selling out fast)
Highlights From Dealhack
- Target.com: 15% off & Free Shipping on Lawn & Garden and Outdoor Furniture
- Best Buy: Westinghouse 19-inch WS Dual Input LCD $140
- eToys: Summer Clearance: Save up to 50% off Hundreds of Toys & Games
Highlights From Bargainist
Morning Deals
By 8.5.08
- Iams: Free Iams Premium Protection Dog or Cat Food if you give them your address
- Iomega: 3.5″ External USB 2.0 Hard Drive shipped for $55.66(250 GB) Or $64.16 (320 GB)
- Newegg: Sennheiser CX300B 3.5mm Connector Canal Headphone (Black) $10 after rebates
Highlights From Dealhack
- Sierra Trading Post: Extra 10% off Clothing, Footwear, & Gear
- Amazon: Summer Sale: 25% or More off Kitchen Small Appliances
- Dell Home: Save 20% to 30% off Inspiron Notebook PCs
Highlights From Bargainist
- Torrid: $10 off select Birkenstock
- Toys “R” Us: BOGO $20 off all Wii games
- PayPal: Back to school savings @ Foot Locker, Guess, Tiger Direct, more
Morning Deals
By 8.1.08
- Fandango: Free movie ticket just by entering an AmEx customer service phone number (signs you up for email newsletter, so use a throwaway email address, it will say the promotion has ended but they’re sending you a free movie ticket via email)
- DELL: Xbox 360 Elite bundle with Forza Motorsport 2, Marvel Ultimate Alliance Gold Edition, and faceplate for $399
- Staples: 400GB HDD for $45 after rebate
Highlights From Dealhack
- Vann’s: Canon Digital Rebel XT SLR & 28-90mm $430 Shipped
- Buy.com: Sharp Aquos 37-inch 1080p LCD HDTV $800 Shipped
- TiVo.com: TiVo DVRs: Series2 Dual Tuner $50 Shipped & TiVo HD $180 Shipped
Highlights From Bargainist
- WizKidsGames.com: Free Star Wars Pocketmodel
- Swell: Summer Sale: Up to 75% off + extra 20% off coupon
- Frederick’s of Hollywood: Last Chance Sale: Up to 70% off
