Mike of Eugene OR (3/28/03):
I bought a Sony desktop computer at Circuit City. The advertised price included a $100 mail-in rebate. I filled out the paperwork and sent in the bar code off the box as requested. After approximately 9 weeks, I received a card saying that I did not submit a bar code. It is extremely difficult to get through on their "customer service" phone and the Sony rebates website is useless. It just tells you to resubmit, which is rather impossible since I already sent them the barcode. I would never have purchased the computer if I would have known how difficult it is to obtain the rebate that they advertise.
Chrissy of Goldsboro NC (3/5/03):
My husband and I purchased a new Sony Viao Computer in January, 2003. Both the monitor and the CPU had mail-in rebates. We also purchased an HP home/office printer. Well, HP also had a rebate. We mailed all three rebates in immediately, correctly filled out. We even attached every single UPC Barcode item from the box to a sheet of paper, stapled to the mail in rebate portion. In three weeks, we received our rebate from HP without any problems.
Now, as for Sony, there are all kinds of problems. We keep getting these cards in the mail that state "The UPC barcode was not included with your rebate submission." Well, that is bull! I even saved the boxes that all of the products came in. I have all documentation, proof of purchase, hardware/software, and more, even down to the boxes! I have tried to call to contact someone. However, all I get is a recording that I can not speak too! This recording only supplies limited information and NOTHING else! I have called other various Sony numbers only to be told that "they have no idea!" Well, go figure.
I then proceeded to resubmit all of the information that the card was asking for. I typed up a long letter listing every sinlge number for both Sony products. I included every number remaining on the box (because I had already mailed in about 5 UPC bardcode looking items with the orignal rebate), as well as every number found on every single booklet, software/hardware item, and all numbers from the proof of purchase. I also purchased a 3 year warranty on my CPU from the store where I purchased the Sony Computer. So, once again, how can they deny my rebate?
I am totally disappointed with them because of all of the hassle with two simple rebates. I will not purchase anymore of their products unless they follow their rebate promotion offers. I feel that this is false advertisement on their behalf. I just don't understand why Sony would do this to me, and so many others.
Sharon of Milwaukee (3/3/03):
I purchased a Sony computer model #pcv rx830 in November of 2002. Here it is March of 2003 and I have not received all the rebates I was promised. I mailed in all the required receipts and bar codes and Sony sends me lovely postcards saying that I didn't mail them in on time or some other reason. I have five rebates I am still waiting for. Will I ever get them?
Leanne of San Diego (2/28/03):
I bought a whole computer package from Sony last August and sent in all the necessary forms to sony. I was supposed to receive 3 $50 rebates. I tried calling Best Buy for an investigation but I always get the runaround, same thing when I call the other numbers for Sony rebates. They couldn't help me either.
Carol of Charlestown RI (2/28/03):
On 12/17/02 I purchased from Best Buy a Sony computer system. PCV-RX850 computer and Stylepro 17" monitor. The computer had a $100 rebate - the monitor $50. On 12/23/02 I emailed the original UPC, receipt and rebate form for both to the address given on the rebate form. On 1/15/2003 I recived an email that my UPC for the computer was not received. I also received a postcard 01/27/03 stating same.
On 01/28/03 I sent copies of all originally sent for the computer. On 2/26/03 I was online in a discussion with another friend - in Michigan - with the SAME problem. He resent twice and still they denied. He purchased his at Circuit City - went to the store and said "either pay or take the computer back". They paid him with "If you ever get the rebates just bring them in".
I then called the rebate center and the woman informed me they didn't receive the original UPC nor the second mailing with the copy. This made me very upset and told her I would either report them to my state atty. general or return the system. She did take the UPC over the phone and after checking today 2/28/03 it states the "rebate is valid and is in the final stages" - for whatever that is worth. Now I have received an email in regards to the monitor in that the UPC was not received. I have emailed them TWICE and tried calling the phone number only to have "all representatives are busy - please leave a message". It seems to me that this is a scam on Sony's part as they apparently have no intentions of paying the rebates.
Never, never will I buy from Sony again and advise others with rebates involved - forget it!! You have to fight it and still no guarantee you will get it.
Karen of Snellville GA (2/3/03):
My husband and I purchased a Sony computer from Circuit City back in September of 2002 and was to receive a $100 rebate and a $50.00 rebate through a Sony promotion w/Circuit City when we sent off our rebates a week later we also sent out 2 other rebates that we qualified for through Sony's website for a Camcorder we purch same day and another for the monitor this was another $150.00 worth. In the end of November we received one rebate check for $100 for the Sony online rebate for the camcorder but we received nothing else.
On December 19 I called Sony rebate center which was given to me on my Circuit City receipt and the lady stated that she had no record of the other three rebates even though they were all sent out at the same time. She asked me to resend the copies to a resubmission address which I did the same day and still they have no record of my rebates now it is Feburary 3rd 2003 and I am still out $200.00 in rebates.
Lynn of Tucson (1/30/03):
I ordered a Sony NV200 notebook online thinking there would be a 100 instant rebate. The rebate did not go through when I checked out. I tried contacting Sony who gave me the runaround between its affiliates, rebateshq.com. I've met very rude and uninformed customer service representatives who'd disconnected me, hung up or did not know what was going on. Finding this website and reading numerous complaints ... I definitely believe there should be a class action lawsuit against Sony because there's a lot of people out there who doesn't know what they're getting into when buying a Sony product.
James of Newark DE (10/17/02):
I also had a sony rebate from Sony for my computer. All I got was a post card saying "you have already submitted the maximum number of rebate claims per household" or the info I sent was wrong. This was the first rebate i ever sent to the Sony company and the last time I buy anything from them again.
Michael of Camp Pendleton CA writes (5/29/02):
I bought a Sony Vaio notebook computer one year ago, May 2001. I was promised a $100.00 rebate. I set in all paperwork requested by Sony to recieve this rebate. I registered the completed package with the USPS, return receipt requested, I have that copy. A few months went by, not a word or check. I had to leave on a military deployment for six months, still no check or letter.
Upon my return and frustrated, I sent them copies of of everything again, waited three months, still no rebate check or letter. I again used return reciept requested, someone from Sony sign it, I have that copy as well. I am sending in the paperwork one more time. I am really frustrated with Sony. I am sure there is a statue of limitations on this rebate. They refuse to write a simple letter, I am forwarding everything I have to the Federal Trade Commision and BBB.
I have wasted my time, money. They are making false promises. I am totally frustrated, they promised a rebate and did not give me the rebate after buying their product.
Terry of San Jose CA (5/2/02):
I applied for a $200 rebate from Sony and received only $100. Detail: I purchased a $400 Sony SAT-T60 TiVo DVR in February 2002 under the premise that I would get $200 back via mail-in rebate. Having ensured that I met ALL the qualification criterion, I mailed in the rebate. A month later I find out that Sony had changed their policy on this rebate mid-stream and now the promotion offers a $100 rebate. They refuse any attempt to give me the money that is due to me. I feel I have been the victim of an unfair and illegal marketing scam; a scam perpetrated, no less, by a huge company of international fame and supposed reputability.
I am short the $100 that is fairly due to me. The rebate (which I have a copy of) specifically stated in writing the terms of the offer. They cannot simply change the terms of the policy on a whim. I have wasted many hours contacting them as well. I also am emotionally averted to mail-in rebates and to Sony in general.
Ross of Waco TX (4/9/02):
Submitted a Sony rebate form for a CD-RW drive. The rebate was for $30. The rebate form included the UPC barcode from the product box and a form. Stapled the barcode to the form and submitted. I have received a postcard from the rebate center that advises me that my submission did not include the UPC barcode, when in fact it did. I called the number on the postcard, but was not able to locate a human being in the lengthy menu. I contacted a Sony product representative, who directed me to a tech support rep. The Sony tech support rep advised me that she knew of no other number to call and was unable to assist in any way. I cannot resubmit the UPC barcode because it went out originally.
Bonnie of Davie, FL, writes:
I bought a Sony VAIO computer on or about September 19, 2000. Included with that purchase was a $100.00 rebate offer. I immediately mailed all the pertinant information in to Sony to take advantage of that rebate. I called to inquire where the check was and, to no surprise, they sent it to the wrong address. I received the check and deposited it into my account on November 28, 2000. On December 4, 2000, my bank called and advised me that the rebate check had a "Stop Payment" issued on it. As a result, I have incurred bank charges. Another check was forwarded to me. That check had a "Stop Payment" as well.
After numerous phone calls, hours on hold, rude service and non-concerned employees, I am still waiting for my rebate check. It is now December 20, 2000 and I have yet to receive a good check. I know it will be a waste of time to submit my bank charges in light of my experience thus far with this company. I feel a class action lawsuit should be in order. I have read the numerous problems other consumers have had with Sony. I feel this is fradulent and unfair business practice. I find it hard to believe that a multi-million dollar corporation is having this much of a problem issuing a $100.00 check. I have incurred about $100.00 in bank charges due to Sony's stop payment on the original check.
Terry of San Jose, CA:
I sent in a $100 rebate request to Sony VAIO Rebate center
last October. They (Sony) informed me that a rebate check
was sent to me on Dec. 1, 1999. However, I still haven't received
any check.
After contacting Sony many times, it doesn't seem like I'll
get the rebate. Their reason is : A check was sent to me.
If the check was not cashed, then they'll have to wait until
they receive the original check before they can re-issue a
replacement check.
I asked them what if the check was lost somewhere during the
mail process and neither I nor Sony will get the original
check. They told me that it is their company policy that they
cannot put a stop payment on the check and so they cannot
entertain my request either.
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