Your CPG Mail in Rebate May Be In Jeopardy- rebatestatus.com (some info in Summary)

Bankruptcy?
http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2008/11/10/daily66.html

Wow. That is messed up.

Agent9 said: Wow. That is messed up.

Correct.

Over on SD the mods have allowed this in the "hot deals" category but have removed it from the front page. It has 17 pages over there with five thumbs up. People are going nuts.

This is difficult for the mods here and there. It is not a "deal" per se, but it is absolutely CRITICAL to almost every FW and SD visitor. This is a GD five alarm fire for deal seekers, ESPECIALLY with BF morning now less than two weeks away!!

But if the OP had posted this where everyone would see it, he would have been excoriated by some jackass for posting in the wrong place 'cause this is not technically a "deal".

It's a helluva situation.

Is there a list of CPG's current business clients anywhere? I keep finding info about a marketing company.

Got this notice from PriceGrabber.

PriceGrabber.com wants to thank you for being a loyal customer, and also say thank you for participating in our review rebate program.

We wanted to give you an update on a recent change in our rebate process that has occurred over the past few days. We have been informed that the vendor who supplies the rebates to PriceGrabber customers who have filled out a review on our site is unfortunately no longer able to process rebate requests from our customers. Although PriceGrabber has prepaid this vendor a substantial amount to more than adequately fund our review rebate program, they have informed us that they do not intend to honor checks they have previously issued to our customers.

If you are currently in possession of a rebate check issued on behalf of PriceGrabber.com, or if you receive a check of this kind within the next week, PLEASE DO NOT CASH IT. The vendor is placing stop-payments on these checks to prevent you from being penalized, but we still hope to prevent you this additional inconvenience. PriceGrabber is in the process of reissuing your rebate check directly from our own accounts. A new check to be mailed to you directly from PriceGrabber headquarters in Los Angeles, CA. No additional action will be required from you to initiate this process.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and we appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to participate in both of our programs. Your feedback is very valuable to us, and we want to ensure you receive your rebate as promised. Rest assured that PriceGrabber is also taking all appropriate actions to ensure this type of problem does not occur again.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at rebates@pricegrabber.com.

Again, thank you for your time and understanding.

Best regards,

Darren Davis
VP, Product Marketing
PriceGrabber.com

So I guess they'll be honoring all outstanding rebates, but don't Cash those initial checks you get.

cnIsfg said: That article is very misleading. CPG has not been a leader in rebate processing business for years and most of their major clients (Linksys, Logitech, Netgear et al) and retailer who sells those products dropped CPG a couple of years ago. For most who currently do rebates CPG should be a non-issue. About the only manufacturer I often see posted in deals here on FW here still using CPG is Acronis

uh, there are still a whole lot of mfrs that use CPG

zoglog said: cnIsfg said: That article is very misleading. CPG has not been a leader in rebate processing business for years and most of their major clients (Linksys, Logitech, Netgear et al) and retailer who sells those products dropped CPG a couple of years ago. For most who currently do rebates CPG should be a non-issue. About the only manufacturer I often see posted in deals here on FW here still using CPG is Acronis

uh, there are still a whole lot of mfrs that use CPG

Looking through my rebates, I see quite a few fw favorites, including Antec eCost, BFG, TrendNet, and Newegg/RoseWill.

They might not make up a big amount by percentage, but I bet there are a lot of fw readers who have done them, especially Newegg and Antec.

Waiting on a $20 upgrader rebate for Ahead Nero software through rebatestatus.com.
The site says it will be mailed out Dec. 17 but I guess I shouldn't hold my breath.
I have scanned copies of everything so I guess I can just go after Ahead to get my rebate.

I do not see how the fullfilment centers failing would cause me to lose a rebate.

ZeroWallet said: FrugalFreak said: concerning CPG Rebates and retailers
linkThe linked article ends, "... but let's face facts, lower pricing up-front without the MIR hoops to jump through is what the consumer wants." Amen.

re:
but let's face facts, lower pricing up-front without the MIR hoops to jump through is what the consumer wants

Yes, and in at least 2 states rebates must be instant.
However since the mfgr and/or retailer are banking on the fact that many will not get turned in.

If forced to give instant, they will be for far less money.
I like current system.

Last year, Continental's customer service was clueless about a Citibank gift card offer they were processing, so I called the local Continental office and found it was located at the Pointe Hilton in Phoenix -- the same place where those crooked AIG executives recently met. Continental maintained its executive offices there but its processing center 20-30 miles away.

yesidonoitall said: I do not see how the fullfilment centers failing would cause me to lose a rebate.

You may not lose the rebate but you'll have to go thru a heck of alot to eventually get it. Company X gives money to rebate fullfilment center. Rebate fullfilment center goes bankrupt, no longer pays out rebate. You then have to contact Company X and find out who/where/when you will get your rebate. Your original receipt is with the rebate fullfilment center...hopefully they won't twist their panties in a bunch because you no longer have it.

You probably will get paid but it will take your time, energy, and phone calls to get it. Personally, I don't know how much time my $10 rebate is worth. 10 minutes, 20 minutes. I stopped doing rebates over $50 recently. It had to be a great deal w/o rebate. For me, rebates are frosting on the cake.

There's a rebate status link on their site to look up what rebates you have with them.
Besides two Pricegrabber rebates which I am not depositing (will wait for Pricegrabber to reissue - I got the same email from Pricegrabber last night as the one posted above), I have 3 Canon rebates (from Staples and Office Depot) and a Smith Micro (from Buy.com)rebate in hand. I am going to deposit the others today and hope I don't get burned with returned check fees.

dpacman said: There's a rebate status link on their site to look up what rebates you have with them.
Besides two Pricegrabber rebates which I am not depositing (will wait for Pricegrabber to reissue - I got the same email from Pricegrabber last night as the one posted above), I have 3 Canon rebates (from Staples and Office Depot) and a Smith Micro (from Buy.com)rebate in hand. I am going to deposit the others today and hope I don't get burned with returned check fees.I wouldn't do that unless you're sure those particular rebates did not come from the CPG folks. I have a $150 Canon rebate from them, check drawn on Stearns Bank in Scottsdale. I am definitely not depositing it.

TRENDNet mailed something similar to their customers as well:

Dear Valued Customer,

This is an official email from TRENDnet.

Please note that a mail-in-rebate check that was recently mailed to you by a 3rd party company, on behalf of TRENDnet, will BOUNCE if you try to cash this check. This issue came to our attention today and we are taking immediate action to ensure that you receive your mail-in-rebate refund.

Why will your mail-in-rebate check bounce?

Please note that a 3rd party rebate processing company (legally we cannot disclose the company name at this point) was contracted to issue you your mail-in-rebate check. This 3rd party company is experiencing financial difficulties and the funds provided to them, by TRENDnet, are no longer available. We apologize for any inconvenience, delay or confusion this may cause. We are doing everything in our power to rectify the situation immediately.

We are taking immediate corrective actions to change our mail-in-rebate provider to ensure that this never happens again. We are committed to ensure that you receive your refund in a timely manner and that you will have full confidence in TRENDnet running into the future.

How to get your mail-in-rebate:

Don't cash the mail-in-rebate check you have received (it will bounce)
If you have not yet received the check, remember not to cash it once you do get it in the mail
Make a photocopy of the check for your records
Mail the original check to TRENDnet headquarters along with a printout of this email.
Mail the check to: (for your reference: our headquarter address can be confirmed on our website at www.trendnet.com)
TRENDnet
Mail-In-Rebate Check Rectification
20675 Manhattan Place
Torrance, CA 90501 USA

TRENDnet will immediately mail back to you a new check that you can cash at any time
Additional Questions:

Please email rebatequestion@trendnet.com if you have any questions or concerns about the process or your mail-in-rebate check.

Rest assured that we are doing everything in our power to correct this unfortunate occurrence immediately.

We apologize again for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,
TRENDnet

This is the official response from Canon:

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=2587&keycode=important_rebate_info

November 14, 2008.

Dear Valued Customer,

This is an official message from Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The third party rebate processing company that was responsible for processing rebate claims and issuing mail-in-rebate checks for Canon-brand printer and video products (along with many other products of a number of other companies) filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy petition earlier today. The funds provided to them by Canon U.S.A., Inc. (and other companies) apparently are no longer available to satisfy the rebate checks such company issued on behalf of Canon and other companies. Regrettably, as a result, you should not cash the refund check you recently received for such products, as it likely will bounce. We apologize for any inconvenience, delay or confusion this may cause. We are doing everything in our power to promptly rectify the situation.

Accordingly, we request that you take the following actions:

* If you are holding or receive a rebate check for printer or video products which is dated on or before November 14, 2008, please do not cash the check, as it may bounce. Please look for updated postings on the Canon U.S.A. website on or about November 18, 2008 for further instruction on how to exchange your check for a new check that you will be able to cash.
* If you have not yet mailed in your rebate claim materials, please hold such materials until you receive further instruction. We are making new processing arrangements, with a new mail in address. Please look for updated postings on the Canon U.S.A. website on or about November 18, 2008 for further instruction on where to mail your rebate claim material and how to exchange your check for a new check that you will be able to cash.

Check our web site early next week for further instructions and contact information for any questions you may have. Again, please do not cash any rebate checks for printer or video products which are dated on or before November 14, 2008, as they may bounce.

We are committed to ensuring that you receive your refund as soon as possible and that you will continue to have full confidence in Canon U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize again for any inconvenience.

Sincerely, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

comprx said: dpacman said: There's a rebate status link on their site to look up what rebates you have with them.
Besides two Pricegrabber rebates which I am not depositing (will wait for Pricegrabber to reissue - I got the same email from Pricegrabber last night as the one posted above), I have 3 Canon rebates (from Staples and Office Depot) and a Smith Micro (from Buy.com)rebate in hand. I am going to deposit the others today and hope I don't get burned with returned check fees.I wouldn't do that unless you're sure those particular rebates did not come from the CPG folks. I have a $150 Canon rebate from them, check drawn on Stearns Bank in Scottsdale. I am definitely not depositing it.

Thanks for the link about the Canon rebates. I didn't know they issued a statement.

damatrixz said: shank said: RELAX. The entity offering the rebate promotion (manufacturer, distributor or retailer) is responsible for fulfillment. Other than bank fees due to bounced checks, you should still get your rebate check - eventually. Worst case, you will have to go back to the entity advertising the promotion, and/or file a claim with your credit card company.

This is not the first or last time a rebate fulfillment house has run in to difficulties - just be patient, persistent, respectful - and keep good records.

Fortunately, all of my outstanding rebates are fulfilled by other entities.

How would i go about this? I purchased the xbox 360 hd player from FYE and i never got the rebate. I called in and they are unwilling to help, i called FYE corporate they direct me to the store, i call the store they direct me to the rebate line. I called my cc but since the time to file has expired they wont help either

File a claim with the BBB where the company is headquartered; if that doesn't work, file a claim with that state's attorney general. Might also be worth speaking with the store manager and if he/she doesn't help, POLITELY ask for their boss' contact information.

From Logitech...

Brief Summary
---------------------------------------------------------------
What is happening with the rebates????

Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Eugene) - 11/17/2008 01:35 AM
Dear xxxxxx,

Thank you for your e-mail. My name is Eugene and I will be assisting you with
your issues regarding case number xxxxxx-xxxxxx.

With regards to your issue, Logitech is aware of this issue. We are currently
working very closely with the relevant parties to sort this issue out. As for
now, if you have received a check, do not bank it in first as it will only
bounce.

I am not sure when will they come up with a conclusion. What I will do is to
keep your mail in my mailbox and set it to pending. In this case, your issue
will not be discarded. When I receive a feedback I will notify you immediately.

I apologize for the inconvenience caused.

Thank you for using Logitech. Have a great day ahead, xxxxxx.