I feel stupid for bragging about this, but I have a really high success rate with mail-in rebates.
Yes, I know, mailing in rebates isn’t anything to be proud off. It’s a simple process: cut out the UPC, fill out the rebate form and send them your receipt (copy or original) within a specific time period.
Still, it’s a process that is more stressful than it should be because most companies will do anything to invalidate your submission. So you spend double the time reading the rebate instructions and ensuring that all three items are safely tucked into the envelope before you seal it.
And somehow or some way, a company will try to tell you that you didn’t do something right making you even more paranoid the next time you submit for a rebate.
Stop Invalidating My Rebate Submissions, Verizon!
The last three times I bought a phone from Verizon, they had a mail-in rebate good for a $50 debit card, and two of those times they’ve sent me an email saying that my rebate wasn’t valid:
Unfortunately your rebate request could not be processed. Please click on the link below for more details: https://www.VerizonBullShit.com (not real URL)
Please note that we will also send a postcard with this information to your mailing address. If applicable, resubmission instructions will be included.
Both times I’ve sent a message rebate customer service dept. Both times, I’ve sent the same exact message note bragging about my mail-in rebate prowess, organizational skills and high IQ:
I checked the status of my rebate and it states that my rebate is invalid. What do I need to do to receive my rebate? I sent in my rebate with everything it asked. I checked it thrice. I’ve sent in dozens of rebates and only ever have trouble with Verizon. An email was sent to me on [date] telling me it was invalid and that I would receive a postcard in the mail. More than three weeks later and I’ve yet to receive anything. What gives?! This is the third time that Verizon has tried to invalidate my rebate claim! I’m seriously thinking this is a scam!
And both times Verizon responded with a review that didn’t require me to send in any other information:
We apologize for the inconvenience. I have reviewed your rebate information and I have updated the receipt information in your record. Your $50.00 Verizon Wireless rebate card will be processed within 15 days, Stuart.
A week or so later, I received a confirmation email that my rebate was somehow magically perfect to begin with!
Good News! Your rebate submission is now valid for Verizon Wireless $50 Mail-In Rebate Offer Samsung Galaxy S6 with purchases made through June 21, 2015.. Your rebate card is currently being processed for mailing and should be shipped within 14 days.
I don’t want to offend anyone, but a mail-in rebate isn’t calculus. It’s barely addition. For the customer it’s literally placing three items into an envelope and licking a stamp within 30 days. For Verizon’s Promotion Department, it’s checking off three pieces of paper over and over and over again.
Yet somehow my rebates get invalidated from Verizon all the time. You’ll excuse me I think Verizon is being really shady.
