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Mike of Kitchener OTHER (07/02/08)
I recently purchased McAfee Security Suite. Having been burned in the past by incompetent or unethical rebate operations I carefully ensured that everything was enclosed and triple checked. Everything was stapled to the 2007 carton which served as the proof of purchase of a previous product. My first e-mail from them indicated that even the claim form was missing. How could they have my e-mail address if my claim form was missing? I intend to file claim in small claims court as well as insist on a refund from the retailer.
Peter of Woodcliff Lake NJ (06/14/08)
I sent in my rebate application a few weeks ago and just received an e-mail from the Rebate Eligability Center informing me of its progress. Apparently, they are invalidating my request because they said I did not provide the original proof of puchase. I know I sent them the original proof of purchase, I checked the contents of the envelope three times before sealing it. I have processed many rebates with many other companies in the past and this has never happened to me until now.
Specifically, the rebate is for $30 on McAfee Internet Security Suite 3-user Upgrade/Competitive at participating Retailers. I have e-mailed their Rebate Center and informed them that I have already sent them the original proof of purchase, and also made it clear to them that the receipt for this purchase exists on the NewEgg website as we now speak. Needless to say, I am very upset by this company's tactics, and hope you are able to get them to honor their rebate agreement.
William of Columbia SC (04/24/08)
I bought a 1 year subscription of 3-user McAfee total protection on 1-3-08 that offered a $20 rebate and mailed it in as they required. On 4-24-08 I tried to track it down on the internet and by calling and they have no record of my purchase (they charged my credit card). Needless to say I never received my rebate.
Joseph of Las Vegas, NV (04/04/08)
On Feb 24th, 2008 I purchased McAfee VirusScan Plus (3 user license). It was a $45 purchase with a $45 rebate. I sent in the Rebate Receipt, The Rebate form, and the original UPC code that I cut out from the bottom of the box. On March 29th, I received a card in the mail, letting me know that they could not honor my request, due to a missing UPC, and to re-submit the card they had sent me with the missing UPC, by 04/16/2008.
They have the original UPC, so how can I send another one? I have a box with a missing UPC, so I can't take it back, and I can't get the rebate. I call the number on the card, and they just tell me in a series of recordings, that I need to submit a UPC, which I already submitted. What can I do at this point?
Christine of Hayward CA (02/27/08)
I purchased Mcafee Virus Scan Plus and tax software 1/14/2008 as required for $20.00 rebate. I mailed in the required original upc code tabs for both softwares and original receipt. I received a postcard that told me that the UPC is invalid. I sent them everything they requested. (I made copies before I mailed in). When I go to the website to check status it tells me that my rebate is valid and is scheduled for final processing. After reading some of the complaints on this website I see I am not alone. How do they get away with this?
This has taken up more than $20.00 of my time easily.
Max. of Quincy MA (02/27/08)
I purchased via the internet on Oct.24, 2007, a 1-year subscription of the McAfee Internet Security Suite which included a $30.00 Mail-in Rebate. In tracking my rebate status via the internet and automated phone service I was informed of the following: Promotion: $30 Mail in rebate on Internet Security Suite at McAfee.com Submission Type: Mail-In Date received: 11-04-2007 Check issue date: 11-26-2007 (via phone the date was 11-21-2007) Check Number: 20338 Status detail: Your rebate is valid. Please allow up to 30 days to receive your rebate.
As of today Feb 27, 2008, I have not received the check. I first tried the different phone numbers as given by McAfee - but most of them were automated services which naturally reconfirmed only what is mentioned above. I also tried general McAfee customer service numbers and got twice a real person on the phone. The first one told me very politely that because my rebate was handled by El Paso, Texas which is not her jurisdiction she could not reply and she could not tell me which phone number I should call to find out where my check is. The second one must have been an offshore service in India or Pakistan. Here the operator told me over and over again that I should call my bank and ask them if they have cashed in a McAfee check number 20338. Even after telling him that his remark is ridiculous, that McAfee naturally does not know my bank and that there are thousands of banks in the US and that the check has to be sent to me - he insisted on his recommendation.
I finally asked for his supervisor who did not comment on his colleges remarks but told me to call a different phone number. Asking if I would reach a real person under this number he confirmed this. Naturally the number was an other automated phone service. I also have multiple e-mails to the McAfee customer service. But even in telling them about my phone experience and that I would like to talk to a real person they reply very politely that this is not their jurisdiction and that I should contact the rebate department given to me on the website and the automated phone numbers over and over again. This is the third year that McAfee is screwing me out of my rebate. In the past I gave up after a while based on the small amount of money involved. Naturally I will not purchase a McAfee product again but I want to get the rebate which they confirm is valid.
I am not getting the $ 30.00 they owe me.
Darlene of Burnham PA (02/17/08)
I also recieved a big run around trying to get my small $20 rebate. I'm thinking their next request will be a sample of my blood to assure I am the person I say I am. But by then the rebate offer will be closed. I will never buy another McAfee product!
Reed of Richmond VA (01/27/08)
I submitted a $60.00 rebate request for McAfee Internet Security Suite on October 15, 2007. After numerous emails back and forth with their rebate center, a call to their rebate center and resubmitting the paper twice, I have not even received an acknowledgment that my rebate has even been received much less processed for payment. Warning: I would think twice before buying from McAfee and expect to receive a rebate.
Charles of East Patchogue NY (12/03/07)
I submitted a $45.00 Rebate on May 14, 2007. I received an email trracking# for rebate on 5/18/07. I received Mcafee check #23271256 for $45 dated June 11, 2007 which bounced (stopped payment). I incurred a $10.00 bank charge for bounced check and am unable to resolve it since after faxing the check and multiple conversations and e-mails.
The $10.00 bank charge for stopped payment caused another check to return with insufficient funds. I lost $20.00, plus total aggravation and no responses from their customer support.
Roland of San Antonio TX (11/28/07)
I renewed a 2 year subscription and was promised a rebate of $20 dollars. I haven't received a confirmation of my purchase, I haven't received the download, and I'm out $112.00 so far. And they keep transferring you either on the web on on the phone.
Paul of Cedarburg WI (10/03/07)
I wish I had read the complaints about the rebates before buying the McAfee security suite on-line. I too am a victim of the phantom rebate. To add insult to injury, I recently started getting various error messages from the mcafee software, two of which indicated I needed to reinstall software. I went to the mcafee site for assistance, logged in, and low and behold, they have no record of me using any of their products.....then why the hell have I been getting pop-ups from McAfee every few months requiring me to verify my subscription? All of the records on my end show expiration in 2008, and they validate my subscription when I click on the link in the pop ups, But when I they attempt to verify my subscription for service issues, they conveniently can't verify that you are a customer. I am guessing they have the same problem when they are working feverishly to issue rebate checks? I wonder how much in unpaid rebate $ is sitting out there, how many people have paid twice for the software prior to subscriptions expiring, and how many people were charged for technical assistance for problems created by McAfee software?
Heather of Norwich CT (03/29/07)
I purchased McAfee Security Suite 3-user in April 2006 because it came with two rebates - one for $40 and another for $70 which made the product attractive. I promptly mailed the required information for both rebates and received a check for $40 in June. It is nearly one year since my purchase and I have yet to receive the $70 check.
After contacting McAfee via email numerous times, I was asked to answer questions via email (product, where & when purchased, UPC, etc). I did - twice. I then received another email saying to mail everything yet again. I believe that I have supplied proof of purchase (above and beyond what they need). I refuse to purchase McAfee in the future, no matter what they offer. Something must be done to stop the promise of a rebate that never happens.
Gwethalyn of Clinton WA (12/28/06)
Two years in a row, McAfee has refused to issue the rebate promised in their ad for updating their software. I went to the "check rebate status" website and was told the rebate was coming, but weeks after it should have arrived, when I phoned customer service, I was told I had been found ineligible.
I was persistent and made a fuss, and a gentleman promised he would issue a check for $50.00 to cover the $30.00 promised in 2005 plus the $20.00 promised in 2006. Finally a check arrived today for $30.00 and in the fine print on the back of the check, it says that by endorsing it, I am accepting it as "absolute payment of all underlying obligations" which would conveniently let them off the hook for the rest. I'm out $50.00 plus all of the time and long-distance calls. I am fed up!
Ramesh of Enfield CA (11/13/06)
I bought Mcafee Software which was having two rebates of $40 and $20. Both were asking for original UPC. I called Customer Service and they advised me to send both the things in same envelope. I recieved rebate for $20 but never recieved rebate for $40. I tried calling them so many times, but used to wait for 15-20 minutes and finally hang up. I even sent email through their website and no response at all. I sent at least 5-6 emails. Finally all this hush, i got hold of customer service just to know that rebate is closed and there is nothing that can be done. This was totally loot. Customer service guy as well as supervisor said there is nothing they can do and i just need to forget this money. I would never ever in my life buy any Mcafee Product as well as any product which has rebate from RebateHQ.
Lost $40 for no reason.
Ari of Silver Spring, MD (10/17/06)
I bought the McAfee Wireless Home Network Security Suite 3 User License from Buy.com and twice submitted all required documentation under the terms of a $60 rebate offer but have not yet received my rebate.
On 4/25/06 first submitted all required documentation by mail. 7/25/06 resubmitted all required documentation by mail. 10/04/06 received email from rebates@parago.com informing me that "Unfortunately, we are unable to honor your rebate request because this particular rebate promotion is closed." !
I'm out $60.
Bonnie of River Falls WI (09/29/06)
I purchased McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 on 4/23/06. There were two rebates on the product. One for $30.00, and one for $40.00. Basically making the product free! I submitted each rebate with all the required information enclosed. I waited the 6 weeks or so, and followed up with a phone call. I was told they never recieved them. I was advised by this customer service peoron to re-submit my rebate form with all copies included to another address:McAfee Rebates PO BOX 028516 Miami, Florida 33102. I did this on July 11, 2006. I again waited the 6 weeks, followed up with a phone call, only to be told the rebate forms never arrived-AGAIN! But now the $40.00 was closed as it ended on August 30th, 2006.
I was just furious. They said there was nothing they could do, but if I FAXED the information for the $30.00 rebate to: 1-800-886-8370 I would be able to track my rebate online after 72 hours. Well, I have yet to see the rebate online. I have no way to track it. I was never sent a confirmation email with a tracking number.
I have tried several different ways to get them to pay this rebate. I have called the rebate center twice and talked to the supervisiors, but was told it's too late to collect the $40.00 rebate. It ended, and they cannot re-open any paperwork for it! They told me to call McAfee Customer Service at 1-866-622-3911. I did, only to be told it would have to go through the rebate center, to call them again. I was so angry at them, telling them the USPS doesn't lose 4 letters going to two different MCAFEE addresses twice.
Alexander of Malvern PA (08/28/06)
I have been already a McAfee customer with an established account. I purchased McAfee antispyware online with a $10 rebates promise. I used my account, downloaded the software online, submitted the paperwork for the rebates and in response got a postcard with no contact information, which stated in tiny letters that my rebate was rejected due 2 reasons: No proof of upgrade (I did not upgrade, I bought new software) Wrong Purchase Date (whoa, that one is even better. I purchased and downloaded it online, but must've done it on a wrong date). Beware of McAfee rebates scam - they scammed even their loyal customer,who used their antivirus software for many years.
Matthew of Chesterfield MI (07/29/06)
In March 2006, I purchased Mcafee Security Suite from Buy.com. There were 2 rebates, both for $30. The one rebate clearly stated to submit the original proof of purchase (UPC), the other clearly stated submit a COPY of the UPC. I submitted all of the requested information and a few weeks later got one $30 check and a post card denying the second rebate because I did not include the original UPC. I emailed Mcafee Customer Service on April 28, 2006 to resolve the issue. I was told to call their toll free number twice, each time I did there was a message that told me to go online. In short, over the past 3 months I sent 7 emails and made several phone calls trying to resolve the issue. Now their web site says they sent me a check and the check cleared, I never received a check. They will no longer respond to my emails.
John of Roswell, GA (06/05/06)
I purchased McAfee antivirus software and submitted $70 worth of rebates.
McAfee is refusing to pay the rebates.
Teresa of West Roxbury MA (05/01/06)
I submitted a $30 and a $25 rebate in August 2005. First they said I didn't send them a valid store address. So I sent them that. Then I got a notice that both checks were sent out in October. Never got either. I wrote again. Then I got notice that they were sent out in December. Never got them. Finally I wrote to Mcafee and I did finally recieve the $25 check. I still haven't received the $30 check. I have never had such a hard time getting a rebate.
Gina of Phoenix AZ (02/23/06)
On 11/17/05, I purchased a year's subscription of Anti-Virus software from McAfee, the download version. My order # is CS129292799. This purchase came with a $30.00 "Mail-In" REBATE. After downloading my purchase, I was never given the opportunity to download my REBATE, no did I receive one in the mail. I then tried desperately to find an email address or telephone number in which to communicate my dismay. No such luck. So, on November 28, 2005, I sent them a letter. After no response, I sent them another letter, to no avail.
William of Bellflower CA (08/23/05)
i submitted mcafee rebate over 8 weeks ago, i haven't received any response on status of rebate
David of Terrell TX (08/12/05)
I submitted two different rebate forms to McAfee last April. McAfee acknowledges that they received them on May 5th. To date they have not paid the rebates. they said it would take 4 to 6 weeks and it has been more than 3 months. I have read other complaints on the internet. I believe that McAfee intentionally makes the rebate process extremely complex to escape paying them. They also play a game of delay to see if the consumer will forget or just give up. They should be investigated and consumers should boycott their products. I will never use them again.
Neville of Menlo Park CA (06/22/05)
I purchased McAfee virus and firewall software in a box showing a $45 rebate and followed the instructions to a tee, sending McAfee the box flaps bearing the original proof of purchase, a copy of the purchase, the original rebate receipt, and the rebate request form. Within two weeks I received an acknowledgement email and tracking number a email tracking email address. After two months I attempted to track the status of the rebates but was disconcerted to find the email address site had been eliminated.
Next I attempted to phone McAfee but but there were no phone numbers on their site. After expending several frustrating hours I finally managed to speak with a live person who told me my claim had been rejected because I had did not send in either the original UPC proof of purchase or copy of the purchase receipt. When I disputed that they said they would refer the matter to another department and would be contacting me by mail in 3 to 5 days. There was no ltetter after two weeks so I contacted them again and it was,"Oh, we will be contacting you in 10 to 15 business days. Additionally, the rebate was now only $30, despite a $45 rebate clearly showing on a box sticker above the name, McAfee.
Donna of Sparta WI (05/17/05)
I bought McAfee internet security suite 2005 ver. 7.0 and if I sent all the right papers in, I was suppose to get a $40.00 rebate. I ordered this from the Dell computer company and they did not send a receipt with the product. I called Dell and asked them for a reciept, they said that they would send me one, but it would take 7-10 days. I told them, that would be to long because I only had 15 days from the time of purchase to get everything in the mail to receive the rebate. I asked them if they could e-mail me a receipt and they said yes.
This all took place last Saturday May 14. It is now May 17. E-mail must be taking longer now days. The person at Dell told me to call McAfee and ask them if they would extend the time limit in this instance. I asked them for the number and they gave me one. It turned out to be a fax number. I called Dell back and they gave me another number that did not go through.
I called the operator and asked for the McAfee number and they gave me a number for some Photo shop. I then proceded to this web-site and came across this complaint form. It sounded like a way to vent, so this is my story. I think that Dell and McAfee should get it together. The only reason that I bought the entire security suite is because of the rebate of $40. I consider it false advertising to tell you what you need and then see to it that you don't get what you need.
Julie of Kingsville MO (04/27/05)
Purchased McAfee Internet Security Suite ver 7.0 on 1/16/2005 Product did not work properly. Returned product disc, receipt and form from McAfee for full refund on 1/31/2005. Mailed via certified, return receipt. Product was picked up and signed for by Susan Welles on 2/7/2005. As of 4/26/2005 I have not received a refund. I have made several call and e-mails to no avail. Customer service keeps giving me a new case number each time and promises to have my refund in "15 days". My most recent call was to James on 4/15/2005 with case number 12570102. He gave me his direct phone number 972-987-2420 and a fax number 972-963-7001 and once again promised to have my refund in 3-4 days. Once again I have been lied to.
I would like to have this matter resolved and get my money back ($41.09) for a product that did not perform as it was supposed to. I refuse to call McAfee anymore only to be put on hold for over an hour at a time. This is not customer "service" this is customer robbery.
Cathy of Greeley CO (04/25/05)
I purchased McAfee VirusScan 9.0 upgrade through www.secureie.com, which advertised a $20 rebate for SecureIE customers. After sending in the rebate form stapled to the required confirmation of download purchase and email confirmation of previous purchase of download of McAfee Internet Scecurity 6.0. I received an email stating I hadn't sent in the required proofs of purchase, & need to resubmit all the information, which I did.
Then I recieved email from them saying my confirmation receipts didn't have the place of purchase on them, which of course it did! I resubmitted and got email saying they I needed to send in a receipt, plus they couldn't find any info on me ion their database. Hard to believe since they'd already sent me three emails. I have resubmitted the same information again, but am not holding my breath waiting for a rebate. They don't seem to have any intention of actually giving out any rebates!!
Myra of Wildomar CA (04/22/05)
This company has problems issuing rebates, and I will not buy their product in the future. I have sent all the requirements for the rebate -- rebate form, proof of purchase, copy of reciept with item circled, and the old McAfee diskette from last year. I received a postcard stating that I failed to meet the requirement because of missing proof of purchase or original UPC.
I had trouble faxing my information due to a busy fax machine. I had to finally call them stating that their fax was busy. When I was able to fax my copy of the required information, I had to fax and refax my items two days later. I will also be mailing the information to the office just to double-check everything gets there as well. In all, I have already made five phone calls, just for $30 rebate? It sounds like too much trouble than it's all worth and would like to forewarn anyone else trying to buy the McAfee anti-virus software.
Dave of River Edge NJ (10/23/03):
I purchased a McAfee product at Staples. The product, VirusScan Professional 7.0, advertised a rebate on the package. I followed the rebate instructions to the letter and sent in the required documents.
After a few weeks, I received a postcard stating the rebate could not be honored due to any of three reasons listed, two of which stated not receiving the original UPC and the proof of purchase, and the other reason stating I did not provide proof of upgrade. I called the number on the postcard which was in Miami, FL. Those people told me to go the website "www.rebateshq.com". The website people responded with an email stating for rebate information and folow-up to contact "COAMS" at an 800 number located in Florida.
Upon finally talking to four people, the fifth person told me I did not include the "proof of upgrade", thus was not entitled to the rebate. I asked where the rebate stated this as I did not recall seeing it. He said it should have been on the rebate form in the fine print and the store should have given me the form. I told him if the form indeed stated this, I would have probably disregarded it because I was not upgrading this product, I was replacing my old Norton Anti-virus with the McAfee Anti-virus product. He said in that case, I would then need to provide the Norton disc.
Since I have a Dell computer with pre-loaded software and could not find the Norton disc, how could I send a disc I do not have in? He said in that case, to print out a form in the Norton software. I asked how but he did not know how. Also, since I had to uninstall the Norton software in order to install the McAfee software, how (if at all) could I find the Norton form? He did not know.
The rebate, if in fact states it requires proof of upgrade, is at the least, very misleading. And I think possibly bordering on illegal. Visualize this: You see a great offer with a huge $30 rebate offer on a package in the store. You take the product up to the register. The cashier then puts the rebate offer form in your bag upon ringing up your sale. Then what are you supposed to do? Pull out the form from the bag and read the fine print while on line?? Even so, the "proof of upgrade" usually means to upgrade the same product with the "upgraded" version, not an entirely different product, don't you agree?
The reason we purchased the McAfee product over the Norton we were familiar with was the attractive rebate offer. I think McAfee should be held accountable for this entriely misleading marketing in order to sell their product and then not make good on the advertised rebate offer. This plain stinks, wouldn't you agree?
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