Jewel-Osco/MillerCoors Rebate/Consumer Fraud Itasca Illinois

n Dec 31, 2013 at 12:28 pm, I purchased a 24 pack of Miller Beer reacting to the $10 off mail-in rebate offer at the Jewel-Osco (Albertsons). The rebate was mailed in the last day of its postmark validity on Jan 20, 2014. The mailing was returned unopened with a yellow tape label stating: "unable to forward, refused" and dated on Jan 30, 2014. USPS told me that the PO BOX the rebate was sent in was closed. When the issue was brought it to the attention of MillerCoors I was told to resubmit it again by fax. Since I don't have a fax I asked MC to accept the entry again at their own cost via courier. It refused. At the same time I was given no explanation whatsoever why the entry was returned. 

 

I brought the issue up to the store manager of the store who then referred this matter to their liquor dept manager. The man informed me that it is a liquor distribution company that put these rebates on the boxes therefore they should address it. The liquor distribution told me that they only put these rebate on and it is "not their problem" what happens afterwards. I then contacted JO merchandising dept to let them know of the issue as it happens to other people and it needs to be addressed. "It will be" I was told and then the issue was forwarded to the store manager. The manager considering the run around the issue apologized and offered a $30 gift card for the hassle and thanking me for the business. I requested the card to be sent to my address as I live considerable distance from where the purchase took place and simply do not shop at this store on regular basis. Two days later I received a call from a manager of their fraud prevention dept (leaving an impression that it is me that does something fraudulent here) to assure me that the issue is going to be resolved. Once again I reiterated that the issue is systemic , happening to a lot of consumers and I asked JO to inform its regional and upper management of this issue to make sure it doesn't happen to others. "Sure thing" I was told.  

 

The card..................never arrived. On 3/26/2014 after finding that the store manager that promised to address the issue is on vacation with date of return unknown I called the district manager. He informed me that he never heard about this problem and promised to researched it by delegating this to others. Welcome to the point of entry. 

 

Conclusion:

 

The $10 issue took approx. 90 minutes in calls involving...........9 people,: 2 MC, 1 Liquor Distr. and 6 from JO which turns out a complete waste of time. No resolution. 

 

Disclosure:  In March 2013 I took MillerCoors LLC to court at 19th Judicial District Court for consumer fraud and breach of contract. After vigorous defense and trial MC lost the case and was ordered to pay the sum alleged in the complaint: $25

 

Questions:

Are some consumers are on "do not accept" MC rebate list?

 

What is a cost benefit analysis by Jewel-Osco on how this matter was handled aka. what is the cost involving 6 people from 4 different dept over a $10 matter?

 

Why the store manager so blatantly lies and deceives consumers who turn to the retailer in good faith for resolution of the problem?

 

Why is Jewel-Osco allowing fraudulent rebates on its products and then takes no responsibility for consumers who are cheated?

 

What does it say about corporate cultures at both MC and J-O that treats consumers that way and where does business ethics fit into the way the matter was handled? 

 

For additional info please contact Derek Monroe at d2020man@yahoo.com

 

Monroe is an independent writer/reporter with international media. He recently covered Ukraine for Truthout.org and Japan and Iraq for Foreign Policy in Focus, Washington DC.