On-rebate, Tigerdirect.com, Computer Associates ripoff: deceptive rebate instructions Internet

This product was sold deceptively at several different points. Originally I thought I was purchasing an A-data 1gb thumbdrive for $10 ($90 minus an $80 rebate). The original marked up cost of the thumbdrive should have been a tipoff. I assumed I was getting one product and would going through one rebate process.

In reality, what I received was a $67 anti-virus product from Computer Associates (CA) and a $23 thumbdrive. I also did not have to apply for one $80 rebate but for TWO rebates: a $30 rebate and a $50 rebate. I bit my tongue and sat down for an hour of searching, cutting and pasting (the old fashioned way).

In several places the instructions made it clear that to receive the rebate it was necessary to have purchased the two items at the same time. The $30 rebate was clearly marked Computer Associates DVD rebate. I attached the DVD UPC to that form. The $50 rebate was marked Computer Associates and A-data rebate. I attached the A-data UPC to that form. There was no indication on the form I printed that any other UPC was required for the $50 rebate.

I received no notice that my $50 rebate had been rejected, however, I discovered this fact after checking my rebate status on the onrebate.com website. I had provided the "incorrect UPC". After going back to check the rebate form I discovered that an image of the CA DVD UPC with "sample" superimposed over it was pictured on the CA and A-data $50 rebate form. However, WHEN I PRINTED THE REBATE FORM THIS IMAGE DID NOT APPEAR. NOWHERE ELSE ON THE REBATE FORM DID IT STATE WHICH UPC I WAS REQUIRED TO PLACE ON THE FORM ALTHOUGH THE REBATE REQUIRED PURCHASING TWO PRODUCTS. I can only guess that they wanted a COPY of the CA DVD UPC required on the other rebate form.

If a UPC is required for a rebate that involves multiple products, the rebate form should explicitly state which product UPC is required. The correct UPC should not be indicated with an IMAGE superimposed under another image so it does not appear when the rebate is printed. I believe this practice is very deceptive because of the original misrepresentation of the product and rebate offer and because of the unclear instructions of how to claim the rebates.

Jeremy
Troy, Illinois
U.S.A.