Feb 22, 2007 5:55 pm US/Eastern
In Lieu Of Checks, Beware Of Rebate Cards
by Paula Ebben
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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More and more companies are giving out rebate cards instead of rebate checks.
CBS
If you've gotten a rebate on something you've bought recently, you may have received a rebate card instead of a check, the latest trend in the marketplace, but it seems that not everyone is happy with this swap.
Courtney Carver isn't paying with a credit card; she's using a rebate card she earned from her cell phone company.
"I am very excited, it's free money," she said.
More and more companies are giving out these cards instead of rebate checks. Matt Gillin oversees these programs for several big companies
"You can go use it right immediately, you don't have to take a check to the bank," he said.
Consumer advocates say not so fast. Although you should be able to redeem these cards at any store or restaurant that accepts a major credit card -- that's not always the case.
You don't have to tell that to Rex Swenson. A rebate card he earned from buying a cell phone was denied by a waitress
"She came back to the table and in front of my wife announced that the card was declined, which was rather embarrassing," he said.
Complaints like Rex's are popping up all over internet chat rooms. Consumer advocate Linda Sherry says some people are unhappy that they can't deposit the card into a bank account. And there's another problem:
"If you don't use these cards soon enough, they will charge you fees so the true value of the card will be much smaller than what you thought it would be," Sherry said.
Why the problems? Some customers don't realize the card must be activated first. Also these cards must be processed as a signature based transaction, meaning you can't always swipe them yourself, you may have to hand the card to the cashier.
Some companies will still cut you a check instead of issuing a rebate card -- but you have to read the fine print so you know how to make that request.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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