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UMAX Rebate Problems

We have received so many complaints about UMAX being late in paying rebates that we have stopped counting. Most consumers do eventually get their rebates after waiting many months longer than is reasonable.

But now the plot thickens, with Umax refusing to pay a rebate, claiming that a little mom-and-pop retailer called Circuit City is not authorized to offer the rebate.

Mary of Cincinnati writes:

My husband and I purchased a UMAX 2100U at Circuit City on July 26. We were given a rebate form to fill out. Which we did fallowing all the instructions. Today Aug. 25 I recieved a notice from UMAX Stating my request for rebate could not be fulfilled. Reason? The store where the product was purchased is not an approved reseller for this rebate.

If this is true than how can Circuit City continue handing out rebate forms and advertising rebates if they have no intintion of honoring them? I also applied for rebates on my Compaq presario and IJ300 printer. I have yet to recieve anything for that either.

My husband and I have a combined yearly income of less than $30,000 a year. Every penny goes to paying our bills. We cannot afford to waiste money on false promotions and scams perpetrated by large retailers and companies like UMAX. That's just one more bill that won't get paid this month. (i.e. doctor bills).

The rebate scams have gotten completely out of hand. Consumers are being bilked of the use of their money over many months while companies play their little games. Mary should take her correspondence form Umax to the store where she bought the scanner and inform the manager that if she does not receive her money on the spot, her next stop with be the Ohio Attorney General's office.

It's companies like Umax that give business a bad name. Reputable retailers should delete them from their inventory or vow that they will immediately and without further ado make good on the rebate claims that UMAX squirms out of.

N.B. of Seattle writes:

I purchased a Umax S1200 scanner in early December, 1998 and immediately sent a $50 rebate request in. The rebate form stated I could expect a rebate in 10-12 weeks. This is April 19 and, as of today, I have not received a check. I sent them two e-mails on this subject but they have not responded. I have called their "rebate inquiry" phone number several times but get a recorded message stating they are too busy with rebates to answer the phone.

The rebate offer definitely affected the scanner I purchased. I feel Umax is not acting in good faith. Perhaps the State Attorney General's office would be interested in resolving this. It's apparent that Umax isn't!

.H. of Ft. Worth, TX, writes:
I bought a umax astra 610P scanner 11/15/98 and I was promised a $30.00 rebate if I sent in all the upc/serial number labels along with the rebate coupon. I did all that before the deadline and months later I received a letter saying they didn't receive a copy of the retail receipt from me

I know I sent it . So I sent another copy of the retail receipt and that was months ago Now it is 4/19/99 and still no rebate I wish someone could do something about people like that. Isn't it false advertisement ?

I send this in hoping I can stop other people from making the same mistake as me and some of the other unfortunate people who got suckered out of their $30.00 rebate. Thanks for letting me blow off a little steam.

R.M. of Thermal, CA, writes:
In December I purchased a Umax Astra 1200S scanner. There was a $50 rebate which was the incentive for me to choose this product. I sent in all of the paperwork that was needed to insure my rebate. Have tried to contact the company but only get recording. Was told in the paperwork that it took 6 to 10 weeks for rebate.

P.P. of Carle Place, NY, writes:
On November 27th 1998 I purchased a Umax Astra 610p scanner from a computer store in my home state of NY. One of the issues that prompted me to purchase this scanner was the promise of a rebate in the amount of $30.from the manufacturer, Umax.. I submitted all the neccesary paperwork for the rebate claim and it was recieved by Umax on Dec. 16th 1998. It was guarenteed that I would recieve the rebate in 8 to ten weeks.

It is now March 16th 1999 and I have yet to recieve the promised rebate. I have attempted to contact Umax on several occasions by phone but they have made it virtualy immpossible to contact a human being by phone, instead all I can get is meaningless recordings.

J.L. of Modesto, CA, thinks he leads the UMAX derby:
I think I have everyone else submitting a complaint on here beat. I purchased my UMAX Astra 1220U scanner on October 10, 1998. The rebate for my particular scanner was only a mere $10. I sent off my rebate form, along with the required documentation, a few days after I made my scanner purchase. To this day (May 7, 1999) I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY REBATE, AND IT'S ONLY FOR $10!!! Is UMAX under the impression that its customers are so naive that they would forget? Even if it was only for $1, I still would not forget. Rebates are utilized by businesses as incentives for the consumer to purchase their product, and in this consumers opinion, UMAX knows nothing when it comes to their business relationship with their consumers.

The only consequential damage, if I can call it that, is my anger and frustration I feel towards UMAX for their apparent inability to back up their own consumer incentive policy.

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