DerrickTempleton
Well-known member
agreed, but they make more money this way. I wonder if the customer dissatisfaction will hurt them worse in the long run...
rebate fraud?
- Thread starter Rubop
- Start date
agreed, but they make more money this way. I wonder if the customer dissatisfaction will hurt them worse in the long run...
Ian Wood
Member
Look at it from Panasonic's perspective and answer the following question: "How can I sell more cameras without reducing the price?"
The answer: A rebate. They are still selling it at the full price. A percentage of buyers will collect their rebate which will cut into their revenue per unit but it will be much less dramatic than lowering the price. Remember that only x% will complete the rebate process (I would guess somewhere between 40 and 60%). As well, a rebate is a temporary promotion whereas a price drop is permanent.
The answer: A rebate. They are still selling it at the full price. A percentage of buyers will collect their rebate which will cut into their revenue per unit but it will be much less dramatic than lowering the price. Remember that only x% will complete the rebate process (I would guess somewhere between 40 and 60%). As well, a rebate is a temporary promotion whereas a price drop is permanent.
Hudsonview
Member
I don't think the rebate offer is a scam, but...
I purchased my DVXb the last week of April. The paperwork went out May 5th. There was no form in the camera box for the DVX book, so we (Veronica Burk at Panasonic rebate and myself) went back-n-forth on this, trying to resolve it. B & H Photo wasn't much help, here. With Ms Burks' help I was able to obtain the book. It arrived about one month ago.
I waited patiently for the rebate, through the entire six to eight period, but it hadn't arrived. At this point I contacted Ms Burk again and she promised to look into it. A short time later she informed me the rebate was sent to me on June 15th. Again, I waited. No rebate. Again, I contacted Ms Burk and she promised to look into it. Via email, Ms Burk informed me that the rebate check had been sent back to Advertsing Checking Bureau. I then confirmed my address and she assured me the check would be remailed. Via email, Ms Burks informed me the check was remailed on July 5th. It arrived yesterday. It was postmarked July 20th. Are you following me on this? Well, of course, I was delighted to finally receive the check and put an end to this frustrating episode. It's not over...
I opened the envelope- I swear to you, I had a hinkey feeling opening it. Very Hinkey. The check is in the amount of $200.00, not the $400.00 promised in the original terms. WTF???!!!
The original rebate agreement under which I purchased the camera was for $400.00, if the necessary paperwork was sent in before the expiration date of said rebate, which was May 30th. Ok? What I believe may have happened is due to the delay caused by the inattention, inefficiency or negligence of someone at this Advertising Checking Bureau, the original rebate may have been changed by Panasonic to a $200.00 rebate and I was just lumped into that grouping. That's the reasonable assumption. The cynical assumption, and I take a backseat to no one when it comes to being cynical, is that this was done deliberately. But as Jan Crittenden has said many times on this board, "I want to pay the rebate". Ok, Jan, I hear you, but that doesn't allow for the unethical actions of scumsucking slimebags whom Panasonic has hired to expedite certain tasks on your behalf and whose actions reflect poorly upon Panasonic. This, as I say, is the cynical view.
Needless to say, I refuse to cash this check. I want this to be resolved fairly. And soon. I must add that through this all Veronica Burk has been exemplary in her professionalism. She has always been quick to follow up on my phone calls and emails, and when she has promised something, she's done it.
Jan, I hope you read this.
EDIT: 5:10pm. I have just received an email from Veronica Burks saying that I should have received two separate checks for $200.00 each. She has asked that I don't deposit this item but to send her the number of the check in my possession, and she will look into this. I'm sure that she will; she has been, and continues to be, exceptionally helpful. This dreary affair may yet be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
I purchased my DVXb the last week of April. The paperwork went out May 5th. There was no form in the camera box for the DVX book, so we (Veronica Burk at Panasonic rebate and myself) went back-n-forth on this, trying to resolve it. B & H Photo wasn't much help, here. With Ms Burks' help I was able to obtain the book. It arrived about one month ago.
I waited patiently for the rebate, through the entire six to eight period, but it hadn't arrived. At this point I contacted Ms Burk again and she promised to look into it. A short time later she informed me the rebate was sent to me on June 15th. Again, I waited. No rebate. Again, I contacted Ms Burk and she promised to look into it. Via email, Ms Burk informed me that the rebate check had been sent back to Advertsing Checking Bureau. I then confirmed my address and she assured me the check would be remailed. Via email, Ms Burks informed me the check was remailed on July 5th. It arrived yesterday. It was postmarked July 20th. Are you following me on this? Well, of course, I was delighted to finally receive the check and put an end to this frustrating episode. It's not over...
I opened the envelope- I swear to you, I had a hinkey feeling opening it. Very Hinkey. The check is in the amount of $200.00, not the $400.00 promised in the original terms. WTF???!!!
The original rebate agreement under which I purchased the camera was for $400.00, if the necessary paperwork was sent in before the expiration date of said rebate, which was May 30th. Ok? What I believe may have happened is due to the delay caused by the inattention, inefficiency or negligence of someone at this Advertising Checking Bureau, the original rebate may have been changed by Panasonic to a $200.00 rebate and I was just lumped into that grouping. That's the reasonable assumption. The cynical assumption, and I take a backseat to no one when it comes to being cynical, is that this was done deliberately. But as Jan Crittenden has said many times on this board, "I want to pay the rebate". Ok, Jan, I hear you, but that doesn't allow for the unethical actions of scumsucking slimebags whom Panasonic has hired to expedite certain tasks on your behalf and whose actions reflect poorly upon Panasonic. This, as I say, is the cynical view.
Needless to say, I refuse to cash this check. I want this to be resolved fairly. And soon. I must add that through this all Veronica Burk has been exemplary in her professionalism. She has always been quick to follow up on my phone calls and emails, and when she has promised something, she's done it.
Jan, I hope you read this.
EDIT: 5:10pm. I have just received an email from Veronica Burks saying that I should have received two separate checks for $200.00 each. She has asked that I don't deposit this item but to send her the number of the check in my possession, and she will look into this. I'm sure that she will; she has been, and continues to be, exceptionally helpful. This dreary affair may yet be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.
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