Viking rebates not so great

**bri** · 04-04-2002, 09:36 AM

anyone get that Viking 128meg Compactflash from Amazon with rebate back in December? i still havn't gotten the rebate. calling one number they said 'it will go out eventually', calling another customer service number they said they are backlogged from requests received in November. jeez how long does it take to cut a check.. the rebate deparment probably consists of just the mailboy. beware Viking rebates in the future.

**brettman** · 04-04-2002, 10:43 AM

My favorite trick is to contact the Manufacturer of the product and send them this web site link:

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/...rebatealrt.htm

By law, the manufacturer is the one that is ultimately responsible for fulfilling the rebate within the time specified on the rebate form. Indicate that you will give them 7 days to get you your rebate or else you will file a complaint with the FTC and the Better Business Bureau. If they don't respond then I usually file the complaints, print them out and then fax them to the company headquarters. I had a Tiger Direct rebate that was 3 months past due recently and I had to do all the above before they bothered to respond. Sometimes I will even fax them the complaints on a daily basis until they realize that I mean business.

I hate companies that don't hold up their end of the rebate bargain. I presume that you also have copies of the rebate forms that you sent in as evidence. Good Luck and don't give up.

**scubafanatic** · 04-04-2002, 10:47 AM

I still haven't rceived my rebate for the Viking 128 MB CF card either. FYI, I am referring to a $25 rebate when purchased at Amazon.com. My rebate application/status doesn't even come up on www.rebatestatus.com anymore.

**Talk2raffi** · 04-04-2002, 11:36 AM

Heh...i hear you guys... i JUST got mine a few days ago...

I bought the 128CF from Amazon...

First they sent me a letter saying that I didn't qualify or something, so i called them...the lady told me she'd look into it for me and call me back...so she called me back and says that the rebate says for CDW customers only....

Almost two months later i stumble across the photocopies i made, and it CLEARLY says amazon on it...I call back all pissed off (i think I talked to a Tony)...I explain my situation and he says to fax the stuff to him and he'll put it through quickly...

I fax it, and one month later I get my check...

Viking SUCKS.

**OneStepAhead** · 04-04-2002, 09:15 PM

I have found that filing a "mail fraud" complaint with the USPS Postal Inspectors.

Generally I tell the offending business that I have already filled out the fraud complaint form but that, as a courtesy, I will give them 5 business days to solve the problem before I file the complaint. This works wonders and gets almost immediate action.

Of course, I am not bluffing. I do have the form ready to file and I have, in only one case, had to file it.