Rebate Processing

Understanding rebate processing procedures will make it easier to claim the money you're entitled to receive.

Save money with mail-in rebates.

In recent years, rebates have become a very popular marketing tool. Some rebates offer a fairly small discount, such as $10 off the purchase of a $200 digital camera, while others may be for a savings of $200 or more off a brand new laptop computer. Sometimes, you can even find promotions for items that are free after rebate.

Why do manufacturer's offer rebates instead of automatically giving the customer the discount? Essentially, this tactic is cheaper because the company knows there will be a number of customers who either forget to send in the rebate application or complete the paperwork incorrectly. This limits the amount of discounted merchandise the company has to provide. Some studies have actually indicated that less than 50 percent of all eligible consumers manage to successfully redeem their rebates.

To make it easier to collect your rebate check, remember the following simple tips:

• If you have questions about a rebate that's being advertised at a particular store, ask a clerk before you leave the store. If the rebate is offered by the product manufacturer only, look for details on the company Web site.
• Don't leave out any requested information. Read the rebate application carefully to make sure you've provided all necessary details and double check to make sure your address is correct. Rebates with missing or incorrect sections may not be processed in a timely fashion.
• Fill out the rebate as soon as possible. You don't want to miss out on your money because your application didn't meet the deadline.
• If possible, complete your rebate application online. Since you won't need to wait for the post office to deliver your materials, you'll get your check quicker.
• Keep a copy of your rebate submission for your own records. Then, if the check doesn't arrive by the date listed on the application, you'll be able to follow up as needed.

In most cases, the company offering the rebate doesn't actually handle the rebate application. The work is outsourced to a firm that specializes in rebate fulfillment, such as MDS Fulfillment or CyTech Marketing. These companies do nothing but process rebate applications and other related promotional materials for their clients. While this saves the company offering the rebate time and money, it can make it more of a hassle for you to collect your check if problems arise.

Generally, rebate fulfillment centers stand to make a greater profit if you fail to collect your rebate check. The manufacturer, on the other hand, wants you to remain a loyal customer. Therefore, if you're having trouble collecting your rebate, it's best to contact the manufacturer of the product directly using the information you find on their Web site. The address, e-mail, and telephone number on your rebate application will only connect you with representatives from the rebate processing center.

If you enjoy searching for mail-in rebate offers, you may have seen ads promising to help you work at home as a rebate processor. These job offers typically claim you can make between $20 and $50 an hour processing rebate applications and filling in online forms on behalf of various corporations. Unfortunately, the job offers are just variations of the various data entry scams that have been circulating for many years. Their income statistics are deliberately misleading.

With rebate processing jobs, you don't just sit back and make money. You only earn a profit if somebody clicks on the ads you've created, buys the product, and submits the rebate application. The only people who profit from these work at home opportunities are those who are collecting the "subscription fees" from people who pay to join the program in the hope of receiving information about a legitimate work at home opportunity.

I've Tried That provides an excellent explanation of why you should stay far away from this type of work at home employment.

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