Companies give away billions in discount, free and rebate coupons every year. According to the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), rebate offers can be irresistible to consumers, slashing the price of consumer goods at the time of purchase or promising partial or full reimbursements after the purchase.
Some shoppers are enticed by manufacturers’ and retailers’ instant cash rebates that can be redeemed immediately at the checkout counter. But most rebates must be mailed- in, and often require consumers to pay full cost of an item at the time of purchase, then send documentation to the manufacturer or retailer to receive a rebate by mail.
The documentation required generally includes the original sales receipt, UPC code, rebate slip, and the customer’s name, address and telephone number. In most cases, this paperwork must be sent to the manufacturer or retailer within 30 days of the purchase.
Consumers do not have to tolerate rebates that never arrive or arrive far later than promised. By law, companies are required to send rebates within the time frame promised, or if no time is specified, within 30 days.
When purchasing a product that offers a rebate, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), along with the FTC, encourage consumers to:
- Follow the instructions on the rebate form and enclose all required documentation in the envelope when filing for a rebate.
- Make a copy of all paperwork to be mailed when applying for a rebate. It’s the only record a consumer will have of the transaction if anything goes wrong.
- Contact the company if the rebate doesn’t arrive within the time promised.
- If the rebate never arrives or arrives late, file a complaint with the BBB, FTC, or your state Attorney General.