Compusa Fails consumer fraud rebate ripoff scam San Bruno California

Compusa Fails to honor Laplink "Free after Rebate" Offer after Laplink files Chapter 11 consumer fraud ripoff ripped off and scammed San Bruno California .....

On their full-color Compusa advertising circular on February 12,2003, Compusa offered and advertised the product "Laplink Everywhere Deluxe" for "FREE" (after rebate).

They offered a 100% full rebate for the product purchased, on Compusa rebate forms that were printed on Compusa cash registers by Compusa. In addition, Compusa was the only merchant that was offering this item for "Free"(after rebate).

This obviously makes the merchant, Compusa, a party to the rebate scheme and furthermore they knew or should have known about the financial status of Laplink (being close to bankruptcy).

I took advantage of this offer, since I had a few issues from the previous edition of Laplink and thought that perhaps this one may be a little better and since all I would have to pay was the sales tax, what did I have to loose? After all, Compusa prints the rebate forms on their machines and this is a joint Compusa-Laplink rebate.

Most merchants realize that by advertising and offering a rebate, they are ultimately responsible for its fulfullment. I was induced to purchase this item (Laplink Everywhere Deluxe) because of the full 100% rebate advertised and offered by the merchant, Compusa.

In April, 2003 I received a bancruptcy letter from the attorneys for Laplink. I immediately
went to the Compusa store in San Bruno, Ca., where the item was purchased. I attempted to return the item intact, and this was denied (because the barcode had been removed for the rebate offer).

Since just over 30 days had passed since the submission of the rebate documentstime (rebate time limit is 30 days if no date is stated in offer-per FTC guidelines), I asked Compusa to pay me the rebate amount that they had promised. They also refused that request. In the past, Compusa has always honored rebate fulfillment for non-performing vendors, and I expected the same treatment now.

After I disputed this item with my credit card issuer, Ms. Lorraine Chester(F.E. Manager) of the San Bruno, Ca, Store #297 branch of Compusa stated their position in her 20 page response letter to the credit card issuer: "Compusa is not responsible for manufacturer's rebates...."!!!!! So now the credit card issuer says that the charge appears to be valid (although some would argue that fraud has been committed in this case).

I suspect that my only hope for a remedy now is with a judge in Small Claims Court.

Everone should know what the rebate policy is at Compusa because there is nothing posted
in their stores or advertising about this "non-responsibility". TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!

This STINKS very badly.

Brad
San Bruno, California
U.S.A.