HP 215 Rebate Questions (Staples $40 GC and HP "top secret" $70)

[dealsdyker]

I received the $40 GC from Staples already. Unfortunately, it is only valid in the B&M which kind of stinks. I mean, who cares if you use a gift card on-line or in the store. Plus it expires in 60 days. :( So, I'll be looking for some Staples B&M deals.

Waiting now on the HP $70 "top secret" rebate and a little nervous about that one since HP changed the name of it to "Employees Only" or something like that... AFTER I sent in my rebate. Now, I can't link to that rebate form at all. It used to be found http://www.hp-at-home.com/topsecret/coupons/digitalcamerasCoupon.html but that link no longer works. There used to be a "check your rebate status" link on that page that I was checking to see what HP would do when they got my rebate form.

I originally found the HP rebate form easily by doing a search on HP's site for "215 rebate". It was the first link that came up. Not so secret IMO. I have a printout of that search page ready to fax a CSR if necessary, along with a copy of my rebate form that DOES NOT say employee only.

Got a feeling we're going to get screwed on that rebate like the Dell/Viewsonic folks are. I know it is early, but has anyone had contact with HP on the $70 rebate?

[leemaj]

i think it will be 6-8 weeks, but if it doesnt come, we can start a list here of all the people who got in on that deal. count me in

[welfareloser]

dammit, taht's gonna suck if they screw us on that one... $70 is a lot, and i never woulda bought the camera without that...

*grumble*

[leemaj]

btw, on the same day i got my GC, i got a $50 rebate from staples, and i have no idea what its for. I track every rebate very meticuliously, and, all of my staples rebates have come in. its a longhot, but did anyone else get $50?

[deeesouza]

does anyone know if staples online codes work at the b+m stores? can we just tell the cashier..code #@!!@#, and have them type it in? just curious...

[thenate1]

I just tell them that I am on staples.com's mailing list and that in one of the E-Mails they sent they sent me a coupon for $XX.XX off $XXX.XX the code they said to mention was code #: XXXXX. "I think the Email said just to mention the code at any store and that I could use it - online or in person...I think if you just put it in the computer they said it would automaticly pull up the discount." Something along those lines usually does the trick for me.

[mrdrsput]

Not to preach to the choir, but for all those newbies with rebate $$$ dancing in your heads - If you actually sent in a $70 rebate, but did NOT keep a copy of the form and receipt, please read on. If you always make a copy of your rebates, please move on, and enjoy your day!

==============================

This might be an expensive lesson, but you should ALWAYS make a copy of ALL rebates if you care about getting back that money. I have found that in about 50% of the cases where the rebate amount is > $10, I have had to call/email/write to request status after 8-10 weeks, and then had to fax a copy of my documentation before the check is sent.

Yeah, it shouldn't work that way, but that has been my experience. Remember - the way rebates remain profitable for the companies who give them is the expectation that many people will either forget, or just plain won't take the time to read, follow, and complete the rebate forms, then mail it in. If you really want your $$ back, you usually have to "work" for it - making a copy of your rebate information BEFORE mailing it is your cost! If that is too much trouble, then you cannot be upset if the rebate never arrives.

FYI: I have NEVER had a rebate refused after providing the photocopy of the rebate form, sales receipt, and UPC/Proof-of-purchase.

[faither]

I tried to use the online code in-store and was told I needed a copy of the e-mail. Calmly asking for the manager and attempting to convince him didn't work either. He said they've been getting heat from the district or regional management -- because of the number of codes being redeemed -- and now could only accept the code with the e-mail.

Oh, well.

[snake]

Another rebate question, what is everyone filling in for a serial number on the HP $70 rebate if you are selling the camera and don't open it?

I bought two, I'm using one and e-baying the other. Do you think I can use the same camera serial number for both rebates (using different addresses)?

How have others been doing this?

[artike]

hey dealsdyker, the manager at my local Staples B&M wouldn't accept me verbally giving him my $40 off $200 code. he said I have to show him a printout of the e-mail, but I grabbed the code off the boards. would you forward your Staples e-mail to me so that I can go shove it in front of that snotty guy's face and get the discount? I've been frantically looking for somewhere that's posted their e-mail, but no dice.

thanks, if you can help.. [email protected]

[dealsdyker]

Yeah, the first time the manager of my Staples did the same thing. Prick. So I went home, searched the net, and found an html page that was printable for the $40/200 coupon. I brought that in and he said "uhhhh, no problem." He explained that they are getting hammered in the B&M for not having "proper documentation" for using the codes. Whatever.

Here is where I printed my coupon. Looks like the site is down though. Anyone else? http://hotcoupons.freeservers.com

(edit) just found them here: http://hotcoupons.homestead.com/files/

[dealsdyker]

I was wrong. I got my $70 rebate today. Wooo hoooo!!!! Know what I did? Went to http://www.redcross.org and donated it all.

[johnnymk]

I tried using that $20 off of $100 coupon last week at my local Staples B&M and they said it looked fishy since it wasn't attached to an EMail. They asked me where I got it from and I couldn't remember. I even posted a question in the Need Deals forum. I still don't think they will accept it.But thanks for posting it.

[jmalm]

Most Staples are now equipped with computers in them that are able to use staples.com via the store. Only thing is you can now pay for your "dotcom" order at the register with your lovely gift card. So don't single that out yet. Our store has 5 computers equipped for "dotcom" ordering.

[jamespf]

I got both the $40 Staples gift check and the $70 HP rebate. I had no problems.

[brettman]

I got my GC earlier this month and the HP $70 rebate last week sometime. I still don't believe I actually received the HP one - that sounded kind of iffy from the beginning but they came through.