Down on Nikon....Rebates?

[atencati]

Feeling a litle pissed with NikonUSA today. I have just had my second rebate rejected, just after I sent in the third (biggest) for the 70-200VR. Both times they have claimed I did not include ANY of the paperwork required. Not you forgot the warranty cad, or you forgot your receipt, no, you forgot everything....TWICE!!! WTF!!!

Has anyone actually received a rebate from NikonUSA? Calls to the service line have prompted the answer, just send us new copies of the info we need and we'll process it. Oh, one of the items is the serial number cut off of the box and can't be duplicated in any way shape or form??? Sorry, you should have included it the first time. AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! I am out $200 and potentially $150 more if they do it again!!!!


Canon is starting to look real good right now no matter how much I love my camera...and to think of all the peolpe I talked into buying Nikon because of the rebates, boy am I going to look stupid eh?

Andy

[birddog114]

I wonder why the do need the serial from the box?
Is the serial number on the lens and on the warranty card not enough proofs for you to prove that you bought them and you're entitled for a rebate.
That why people bought grey and don't care!

[atencati]

They make you include the serial from the box so you can't return the item after getting the rebate. I have 3 boxes with holes in them now....

Andy

[birddog114]

They make you include the serial from the box so you can't return the item after getting the rebate. I have 3 boxes with holes in them now....

Andy

Oh yes, you can buy some cheap Nikon boxes for your stuff and throw the other away.
I didn't know who got that ideas? perhaps they will ask you send in the lens cap of the lens for DNA matching

[sirhc55]

Andy - there is one thing I have tried in the past that works - keep on their backs constantly and then they will know that you are genuine and not someone trying a rip-off through a grey market item.

Which brings up the point that if you sent all relevant documents and they say you did not - was it you contacting them about the rebate or did they contact you?

Another lesson I have learned is to take photos or scans of anything that involves money - I am having a similar problem at the moment with retrieving some savings from the UK but I do have the evidence on my computer.

Good luck mate

Chris

[atencati]

They actually sent me a letter saying I did not include any of the required documentation....wierd?

For the 70-200 rebate, isent all the items, photocopies of all the items, a picture of all the items, mailed it registered with signature and delivery confirmation, with a pic of the envelope and confirmation receipt...lets see them dodge that one eh!!!!!!

anyways.....

Andy

[Greg B]

Andy, in my experience, there is usually a reason behind this kind of thing - whether it is that they have experinced fraudulent claims or whatever. It is important to line the ducks up - what did the rebate offer say had to be provided, have you given them exactly that? If so - you need to get in touch with a manager. You need to be very precise.

If you haven't provided what needs to be provided, do you have it and can you give it to them?

As Chris said, you have to stay on them. It shows you are genuine, and it should get you a result.

If they are being petty, don't let up. Make sure of your facts. Keep going.

Cheers

[Glen]

Atencati, there were a few threads about this on DPReveiw a while back, might be worth chasing that up. Seems you are not the only one caught. There was a concensus that the rebate allowed a lower perceived or advertised price, but not many could jump through all the hoops to claim. My next correspondence would mention the groundswell of opinion on the net about this, your identical experiences, your registered mail and your state attorney's office all in one sentence.

[atencati]

Andy, in my experience, there is usually a reason behind this kind of thing - whether it is that they have experinced fraudulent claims or whatever. It is important to line the ducks up - what did the rebate offer say had to be provided, have you given them exactly that? If so - you need to get in touch with a manager. You need to be very precise.

If you haven't provided what needs to be provided, do you have it and can you give it to them?

As Chris said, you have to stay on them. It shows you are genuine, and it should get you a result.

If they are being petty, don't let up. Make sure of your facts. Keep going.

Cheers

after some fruitless phone time, heres where I am...

I was very careful to double check all my documentation before mailing the rebates in. There ar 4 items requirede here, application, serial # from box, warranty card, and copy of receipt. I stapled the 4 together and sent them. They said they received the application and receipt, but not the warranty or serial. I explained how this conradicted therir earlier statement, and again they said they would check into it.

They must store the record in a giant dumpster or somthing. anyways, I will keep banging down the door until I get my cash, it's worth it to me. You would think the small amount would be worth it to keep a good customer...

A

[birddog114]

Andy, in my experience, there is usually a reason behind this kind of thing - whether it is that they have experinced fraudulent claims or whatever. It is important to line the ducks up - what did the rebate offer say had to be provided, have you given them exactly that? If so - you need to get in touch with a manager. You need to be very precise.

If you haven't provided what needs to be provided, do you have it and can you give it to them?

As Chris said, you have to stay on them. It shows you are genuine, and it should get you a result.

If they are being petty, don't let up. Make sure of your facts. Keep going.

Cheers

after some fruitless phone time, heres where I am...

I was very careful to double check all my documentation before mailing the rebates in. There ar 4 items requirede here, application, serial # from box, warranty card, and copy of receipt. I stapled the 4 together and sent them. They said they received the application and receipt, but not the warranty or serial. I explained how this conradicted therir earlier statement, and again they said they would check into it.

They must store the record in a giant dumpster or somthing. anyways, I will keep banging down the door until I get my cash, it's worth it to me. You would think the small amount would be worth it to keep a good customer...

A

Andy,
Try hard on them and you'll get it, try also to talk to their superior.
If I were you I'll come to see Arnie and ask him to loan me his spirit  BTW, I wish you will get the cash quickly and will lust more toys.

[gstark]

Andy,

Call 'em again, and ask to speak with a supervisor's supervisor.

You need to speak with someone in senior management really, and be firm and assertive, but also polite, and refuse to take no as an answer.

When they say something can't be done, ask them "why" and wait for their answer. After a suitable period of quiet, remind them that you're waiting on their answer. Again, refuse to accept "no" as a valid answer.

Modst of all, be persistant. If you're calling on the 1800 number, be especially so; it's their nickel.

PM me if you a couple of other hints to get to talk to the right people - that's the key, after all - finding the right person.

[atencati]

UPDATE:

My SB800 was initially denied (start of this rant) even though I know I sent all the proper paperwork. Funny, I went through it all again and the warranty card in the box was for an SB80x, not the SB800. When I called Nikon they confirmd they had sent the wrong warranty cards out with the product but have not made any attempt to fix the error.

Per Gary's instructions I tried to be persistent and got absolutely nowhere. Nikon does not give out Warranty center phone numbers, period. Hmm.

So I Lied. I called Tech Support. Told them was working on the warranty card mixup and I was transferred to the wrong dept. He game me the number for the warranty dept. They confirmed that was the problem. They asked me to take a pic of the serial on the flash and send it to them. I did. Still nothing. ime for more phone callls I guess.

Now they have had my 70-200VR rebate since Dec. Nothing.

I know most are from down south, but has anyone received any rebates from Nikon USA? Ever? They still owe me several hundred $ US and I can't find any status on the rebates. I'm wondering if it wasn't all just a marketing ploy.

Andy

[sirhc55]

Andy, locate the headquarters for Nikon USA, turn up in your firetruck and stand in front of the building with a zippo - they might just come to the party

[MCWB]

Andy, locate the headquarters for Nikon USA, turn up in your firetruck and stand in front of the building with a zippo - they might just come to the party

And make sure you mention what you did at B&H!

[gstark]

So I Lied. I called Tech Support. Told them was working on the warranty card mixup and I was transferred to the wrong dept. He game me the number for the warranty dept.

Well done.

But it's sad that you have to resort to such tactics.

They confirmed that was the problem. They asked me to take a pic of the serial on the flash and send it to them. I did. Still nothing. ime for more phone callls I guess.

I presume you still have the number. Did you record the name of the person you were speaking with? Call that person back ...

Can you find any of their corporate press releases? They usually have a contact person and direct number, and while that person has nothing to do with your issue, you will generally find that

(a) they're located somewhat proximate to the CEO, and

(b) the fact that you have their name and direct number acts as quite an incentive for them to provide you with some assistance after you express to them exactly how dissatisfied you are with their absence of professionalism and unwillingness to deal with the issues as hand. These are marketing people, after all, and they are completely unfamiliar with the concept of things going wrong.

[SoCal Steve]

atencati - Don't give up completely on Nikon USA. I just came home to find a $100 rebate check from them for my D70 kit. It took exactly two months from the day I mailed it in. Nothing to brag about, but at least they came through with the dough!

[atencati]

New from Nikon!!!!! I just received this E-mail.

>Unfortunately, we do not have a record of receiving your rebate claim.
Please fax all the required information to 631-454-1835, Attention Nikon
Rebate Inquiry. We will review your proofs of purchase and process your
claim. We apologize for any inconvenience

This is after they confirmed they have it, and they were working on it!!! HA!!!!

Time to get back on the phone

Andy

[gstark]

Sounds like the organisation handling the rebates is less than organised.

There's some discussion on DPR with many bothers experiencing similar issues to these.

You really need to find someone senior within the organisation; talk with your local retailler and see if you can prise the name and contact number of their sales rep from them.

[SoCal Steve]

Just taking a closer look at the $100 rebate check I got from Nikon USA yesterday. They cut the check on Feb. 25th but it wasn't mailed until two weeks later on March 11th. I guess every extra day they can hold on to your money the more interest they can collect on it.