-=PCTechTalk=- Re: virus updates - a LOT of rebate info included.....
- From: Foxhillers@xxxxxxx
- To: pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sat, 27 Dec 2003 15:55:17 EST
Rose
What a wonderful, thorough and easy to understand piece of writing....
many will benefit from it.
I've gone one step further and have created a spreadsheet which I use to
track the Rebates and also scan and file the USPS submissions.
mjh
TechRose@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> You can just renew your subscription to Norton, or.... you can buy the new
> Systemworks 2004. If you watch the sale papers (depending upon where you
> live and the stores you have available) you can usually get the new version
> each year for NO MORE than $40 with the Norton Personal Firewall with
> rebates. I have done this every year since the 2000 version. I got it for
> FREE this year...after rebates.
>
> I typically but the Norton Systemworks and the Norton Personal Firewall each
> year for $40 or LESS after rebates. Norton usually does some upgrades and
> adds some new features each year. If you renew your subscription to Norton
> System Works, you are paying for the new virus definitions, not a new
> program and new features. This is what I have been able to ascertain in my
> review of the subscriptions.
>
> This year, I got the Norton Systemworks 2004, Norton Personal Firewall AND
> the Norton Anti-Spam for $100... with $20 off immediately in the store and
> $80 in upgrade rebates. (You have to send in the front page of the manual
> you have or the CD you have..to show proof of purchase to get the rebates)
> So, all it cost me was the tax on $100 and the stamp, envelope and the time
> to fill in the form and make copies for the rebate.
>
> By the way, a friend of mine had purchased the Norton Systemworks a lot of
> folks on this list purchased a year or two ago. It was the pro version and
> all you got was the CD.,.... no...manual... and took about 6 weeks to get
> it.... It was $30. Well, the next year, she purchase the regular
> Systemworks version (not the pro) and she was to have to send in the CD for
> the version she had as proof of purchase. Well, she would have lost Norton
> Ghost as that is in the Pro version and not in the regular version. So, I
> called the Norton rebate center, was on hold for a bit..talked to a guy, who
> took her name and info..and made a file..and noted that she was sending in a
> PHOTOCOPY of the CD,,,, for her rebate...We included a note with this info,
> the name of the guy, date and stuff with the submittal. We sent in all the
> stuff for her rebate and she got it...NO problem. So, she still had the CD
> with Ghost on it.......
>
> I have also called the rebate numbers of other rebates when I have had to
> make arrangements ahead of time. I had a rebate for a camera I bought a few
> weeks ago. It was from HP. If you bought an HP PhotoSmart printer and any
> brand of digital still camera (over $150, I think) HP would send you $50 in
> addition to any rebates you may be getting from them or elsewhere. My
> problem..I lost my Costco store receipt....... I went to Costco for a
> duplicate and they gave me some God awful receipt that looks like I could
> have done it on my computer. It was printed on regular white continuous
> feed paper on a dot matrix printer! (No letter head or anything!)
>
> I called the HP rebate center, explained my dilemma and they did exactly
> what I wanted. The created a file with my info and said what the receipt
> would look like. Of course, I took down the guys name and date and included
> a note in the rebate submittal.
>
> I have never experienced a problem when trying to make arrangements a head
> of time for an unusual circumstance on a rebate. I did get a denial on a
> Western Digital Hard Drive purchase as the thing I had to cut from the box
> did not match what they were asking for, (the picture was a LITTLE
> different). But, I emailed them back..It took two times..as using their
> website to write to them seemed to have deleted the first (most important)
> paragraph of my message. But my second email..in direct response to my
> second denial was received properly (by the same person) and they actually
> read it and wrote back and said my $70 rebate submittal was accepted and
> would be sent. I did take the time to send a thank you note..and actually
> got a "You are very welcome" note back.
>
> Rebates work for companies because most folks:
>
> 1. Forget about them when they get the item they purchased home.
> 2. Do not actually read ALL the details.
> 3. Do not follow ALL the steps.
> 4. Do not mail them in time.
> 5. Lose the receipt or the UPC codes or the rebate slip.
> 6. Do not sign the form, use a stamp, or they send it to the wrong address.
>
> If rebates were so easy, everyone would do it. If everyone did it, there
> would be no need for rebates, they could just give you the discount at the
> register. They BANK on you not following through. You go home thinking you
> got a bargain (as you think of your price as the price AFTER rebate. And
> they get to NOT give you that great price as they keep the rebate you were
> to get!) Think how much it costs for them to have staff and equipment to
> open mail, and process the rebates..even if they farm it out to a company
> that does it for them.) If it were not profitable for them to do that....
> if everyone sent in their rebate....they would not do it! Besides that, the
> rebates work for them as they get to keep the interest on the money you paid
> for 6-12 weeks..until they send the checks. Then, rebate checks usually
> look like post cards these days. So, some folks think they are junk mail
> and throw them away..or FORGET to deposit them. (NO one cashes them
> anymore.... so you have to deposit them..another great angle for these
> companies!) If you do not have a bank account...go to the bank with Mom, or
> your friend, and have your ID ready. The bank will not allow third parties
> to deposit the check without proper ID. Since they are post cards, they
> need to KNOW the person presenting the rebate check is entitled to the
> money! Cute huh!) (Maybe the interest amount is not as much as it use to be
> because the interest rates are down..but even a little interest is better
> than NONE!)
>
> If you ever have problems with rebates:
>
> 1. Check up front and call to make arrangements or get clarification if you
> need it. Make notes of names &dates.
> 2. MAKE COPIES OF EVERYTHING. I even make copies of the envelope I
> send..so I KNOW I sent it to the right address. I also make a note as to
> the date I mail the rebate.
> 3. If you do not get anywhere..go to the store where you purchased the
> item..with all the documentation..(make copies for them..it is helpful and
> shows you are organized..and you mean business!) I had CompUSA give me over
> $175 CASH on the spot for rebates that were rejected and they could see I
> had everything and my other half got nearly $100 back the same day..IN CASH!
> Fry's was willing to intercede on my behalf for the Western Digital Hard
> drive $70 rebate, but I told them I did not need them to after the company
> processing the rebate changed their decision.
> 4. Watch your mail (email and snail mail) for either rejections or
> acceptance notes AND your rebate checks.
> 5. If you do not get your rebate in the time allotted, follow through.
> Some companies use websites like MyRebates.com.
> 6. DEPOSIT the rebate checks! Many folks let these small checks just sit
> on the desk..and forget about them. What a waste!
>
> My one biggest suggestion: Do the rebate as soon as you come in the door
> from the store IF it is not some hardware that you need to install to make
> sure it works. Many stores will not give you a complete refund or exchange
> if you have taken the UPC code off the box. But, you can fill out the form
> and the envelope right away..and as soon as the hardware is installed and
> working.. finish the rebate process.
>
> I know you asked a simple question and this is a long answer. It is sort of
> like you asked the time and I told you how to build a clock!
>
> My justification is I feel it is info that a lot of folks might be able to
> use. I have gotten well over $1,000 in rebates in the last year alone!
> Many were from $3 - $30. A couple were $100. Besides hardware rebates I
> have sent in many other kinds. I have a huge supply of CD-r's, DVD-r's, CD
> plastic cases, CD wallets, Graphics subscriptions, Photo printing paper,
> greeting card paper, external USB ports, inkjet paper, headphones, books,
> software (PSP, Photoshop Elements, Greeting Card, Drive Image, Partition
> Magic and more. My computer room sort of looks like a store. But I still
> watch the papers every week. I am not rich, I pinch my computer budget
> pennies. (Then I spend them on things I really don't need...lol! More
> toys!)
>
> I hope I have not offended anyone..and apologize for taking up mail space
> for those of you who cannot take advantage of rebates as they are not
> offered, or are not interested. I am considering polishing up this info and
> making it into an E-book and putting it on my website...(another project!)
>
> Anyone who needs help.. just holler..I will be more than happy to help....
>
> Rose
> Las Vegas
> ----- Original
MJH
"The Basil Book"
http://foxhillfarm.us/FireBasil
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