The End of Rebates ?

TaranT · Post by **TaranT** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 2:57 am

Good news except for the two-year delay:

Star Tribune, April 2, 2005

In response to customer complaints, Best Buy Co. Inc., the world's largest electronics retailer, promised Friday to eliminate mail-in rebates within two years. Best Buy's rivals, including Circuit City Stores and CompUSA, are expected to follow suit.

"Our customers are telling us they just hate the process," said Ron Boire, executive vice president and general merchandise manager at Best Buy.

But it wasn't immediately clear Friday whether Best Buy would pass on the eliminated rebates in the form of lower prices, though several industry watchers said they expect the company to do so....

Ultimately, Best Buy decided the promotions have become more of a nuisance than they're worth. The company will eliminate rebates on its own, private-label products in addition to the rebates offered by manufacturers within 24 months....

...most analysts said they expect Best Buy to drop its prices to compensate consumers, and that will force other consumer-electronics retailers to eliminate their mail-in programs.

"I can guarantee you that there are five executives in a room at Circuit City trying to figure out what to do next and when to do it," said McGranahan of Sanford Bernstein. "If they're smart like Best Buy, they will realize that there are probably other promotions that would be a lot more effective and less frustrating."

source

AquaSky · Post by **AquaSky** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 7:13 am

That's good news. I happen to hate mail-in rebates as well. They're just more hassle than they're worth. I'd even sooner buy from a company who had an item for $45 over one who had it for $50 with a $10 mail-in rebate.

Scintilla · Post by **Scintilla** » Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:33 pm

Don't buy SOYO products, esp. if they have M:I-Rs attached.

NeoQuixotic · Post by **NeoQuixotic** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 12:20 am

Just saw this now and I say meh. I never had a problem with mail-in-rebates before, but it would be nice. Two little personal notes: I just got a job at Best Buy and w00t!, go Star Tribune/Minnesota in general ^_^! Sorry I had to do that.

Vancore · Post by **Vancore** » Tue Apr 26, 2005 10:41 pm

A bit surprised their dropping mail in rebates, I would think they'd get more money from rebates then they would lose. Mainly cause the consumer has to work a bit more to regain the money (mailing, following instructions, waiting).

Whenever I saw a rebate, I know its not a sale.. just a clever ploy to make me want to buy stuff *Remembers an old 30$ rebate that never came*

narcted · Post by **narcted** » Fri May 13, 2005 1:08 pm

California Govenator vetoed a measure that would have required all rebates in California to be fulfilled in 30 days.

CA. Senate Bill 1154

Governor's Letter