Toshiba Toshibadirect.com Toshiba Rebate Rifoff -- Stay Away from the Toshibadirect.com and Save Time and Hassle!!! Internet

I bought a Toshiba notebook through Toshibadirect.com. And also paid for the FREE (after rebate) wireless NANO mouse. They shipped out to me on May 15, 09. See below the partial email confirmation from Toshiba:

"1 M300ST3402 C2D P7450 2.13GHZ 250GB WHITE 729.00 1 1 729.00
Shipped 1 on 05/15/2009
2 PA3745U TOSHIBA NANO 2.4GHZ WIRELESS 49.99 1 1 49.99
Shipped 1 on 05/15/2009"

I submitted the rebate documents exactly the way required on June 10, 09.

Then I received an email from Toshiba more than two months later on Aug. 25, 09, although the offer says I should get my rebate check within two month. See below the partial email from Toshiba:

"Thank you for participating in the Toshiba mail-in savings program. We truly appreciate your business. Your submission for $49.99 MIR - Any Satellite/Qosmio AND Toshiba Nano or Bluetooth Mouse has been received. It will be validated based on the requirements as printed on the rebate form. If you qualify for multiple mail-in savings, multiple checks/premium items may be mailed to complete fulfillment. Please allow the full 6 to 8 weeks for processing of your mail-in savings requests."

Please note that it says another "6 to 8 weeks" needed "for processing of your mail-in savings requests."

Then, I got a mail from Toshiba mid-September, 09 (don't remember the date), says:

"...., but your submission for the Toshiba Offer was declined for the following reason(s): Your submission did not include any valid Mouse UPCs to qualify for this offer"

"Please return this entire letter with all the missing information requested to the following address by: October 18, 2009." "If you have any questions please call (888) 221-4317"

I called today, Oct. 6, 09, and explain that I did exactly everything as required, including the UPCs, when submitting the rebate form. The lady, Jody (ID 2039) put me on hold for many times and then told me:

"Sorry sir, the offer was close September 30; nothing we can do now."

I explained that the Toshiba letter says I have untill October 18, 2009 (see above). She basicly did not explain anything and just played stupid. I found myself wasting time trying to explain again and again becuase she obviousely knew what was going on and could not or did not want to help. After a while, I asked about any other department or persons within Toshiba I can get help. She gave me an phone, says:

"Sir, please call the VIP line: 888-221-4933 and you will be helped there. Nothing I can do here."

I called right away. And kept getting voice mail:

"The person with voice mailbox 7592 is not available, please leave a message."

I left message. But no return of my call. I tried to call the phone on the letter again with the hope to speak to Jody again, explaining the phone she gave me did not work. But I got a man answered the phone, telling me:

"We have not extention phone line so I cannot get you to talk with Jody."

After I explain the situation, he told me:

"Nothing we can do here as the offer was closed. Sorry. Please continue to call the other number. Everyone can get to that line, I don't know why you can't!"

I then decided to give up on them. I had come to understand that they knew exactly what they are doing -- maniputaing people!! I have lost the whole morning dealing with these Toshiba people, in addtion to so many hours already spent trying the get the "rebate" by filling out the forms, cut the bar code, drove to post office to mail the stuff.

And by the way, the FREE (after rebate) $49.99 NANO mouse DID NOT WORK!!!

Now, out of despire, I am here spending my time to register on this website and write this report. This is the first time I report the ripoff online!

Yes, I have been ripped off many times through online purchase, but those are not the kind of brand name like Toshiba. I did not even try to get my money back or report because they are not big businesses and I just have to learn the lesson myself; and, I am sure most folks out there would be careful dealing with non consumer brand names.

However, Toshiba is different -- big name, good quality, etc. People tend to trust this kind of companies. I feel I need to do something so that Toshiba will not be able to ripoff too many people.

Thank you for your time!!