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Just thought I'd pass along a warning about the $100 rebate on the E-500 2 lens kit that Olympus is currently offering. You may not automatically get it just because you apply for it.

I just bought this kit and tried to claim the rebate and was told I did not qualify because I did not send in the original UPC code that was printed on the E-500 camera body box.

This is a bald-faced lie! I absolutely did send in the UPC barcode I cut from the box, along with the rebate claim form, and of course my invoice showing where and when I purchased the camera kit.

The problem is that Olympus rebate rules are far too rigid when it comes to rebates. There should be some way to get your rebate even if the UPC code is misplaced, or, in my case, strangely disappears after it arrives at the rebate center.

Apparently, with Olympus, there is just no accommodation for this at all.

I've have sent lengthy emails to every address I could find at Olympus, explaining that I actually did send in the UPC code, but I've gotten nowhere...all they tell me is that they can't help me unless I can come up with the original UPC code that I already sent in!!

So it comes down to my word against an employee at the rebate center, and Olympus bases their decision on who gets a rebate on the word of that employee. If the employee gets up on the wrong side of the bed one day, or gets ****ed at his supervisor, and takes a hand-full of UPC codes and throws them in the trash, you will get no rebate from Olympus.

A very sad situation.

Before I get inundated with people telling me that all rebates work that way let me direct you to Lexar Inc rebate center, and you will see that they have anticipated potential problems just like this, and actually have an email address where you can get help if your rebate claim has been denied, and you disagree with the reason why.

I like my E-500 camera a lot, and I highly recommend it, but if you are looking into buying one I suggest you do not make your purchasing decision based on the post-rebate price, since you could end up like me, and get screwed on the rebate.

Last edited by moonz on Nov 17th, 2006 at 06:19 AM

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quote:

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Originally posted by moonz
Just thought I'd pass along a warning about the $100 rebate on the E-500 2 lens kit that Olympus is currently offering. You may not automatically get it just because you apply for it.

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__________________
Brochures Printing

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Because someone at the rebate center did something with the IPC code that I sent in with the rebate claim form, and then reported that it was not present when they opened my submission.

Exactly why they would do this is unknown to me. I've taken advantage of many rebate offers for various products over the years, and never had such a thing happen before. I can only speculate as to the reason.

After it became obvious to me that my E-500 rebate claim was in trouble one of the first things I did was go to the search engines and see what I could find out. I was astounded to see people openly advertising UPC codes for sale. Maybe an employee at the rebate center is selling IPC codes under the table, behind the back of Olympus (maybe Olympus hires a third-party company to run their rebate campaigns).

More likely there is an employee at the rebate center that gets off on throwing IPC codes in the trash, knowing that doing this will invalidate the rebate claim, and cause the person applying for the rebate to get zilch. A person that gets their kicks like this is not so unusual...this would be exactly the same type of jerk that gets enjoyment out of spreading viruses on the internet, and we all know just how many of those guyz there are.

Regardless of what actually happened to my UPC code, there should be a simple way to remedy such a predicament, but unfortunately, regarding this rebate offer, there is not. I suspect that if Olympus had built some some extra customer protection into their rebate claims procedure that this probably would not have even happenend.

I'm sorry to say that this negative experience has changed the way I will view sale prices on all products involving "send-in" rebates. I will no-longer be so trusting.

Last edited by moonz on May 18th, 2006 at 09:09 PM

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Moonz,
I too purchased the Olympus E500, with the $100 rebate, but I chose very carefully the retailer from which I made my purchase. The reason I say this, is some retailers will honor the rebate directly, rather than having to submit it to the Manufacturer. I purchased my camera about 3 weeks ago from a local "warehouse" store...Costco. I don't know if you have ever heard or them or are familure with them, but they honor the rebate themselves, and I have all ready received my rebate check (actually about 4 days ago). They allowed me to submit my rebate request on-line at their own site, so I did not have to send in any original paperwork/receipts or cut the UPC from the box, which I really do not like to do anyway, it just mutilates the box, and you cannot be sure, as in your case if they will actually honor the rebate in the end.

Also, I would suggest to you, when submitting documents you should make copies (maybe even 2 or 3) of each and every document or item you send to them, including the envelope you have addressed and mailed to them.

I had a problem with some rebates from a local office supply store, so I took my copies, tons of them, to the store where I made my purchases, and the store themselves, gave me a credit back to the credit card I made the original purchase on!! I was pretty suprised and amazed to say the least! By doing so they managed to keep me as a customer for many years to come!

When I make copies, I copy each piece of paper individually on a separate sheet of paper, then place as many of the items as I can fit onto my scanner, usually all of them, and copy them all together, then additionally, as mentioned above, I make a copy of the envelope with the address where I mailed it to, and my return address. After mailing, I will write on the copies the date mailed and when the alloted amount of time required to receive the rebate has passed, add a note on my calendar and/or in my cell phone as a reminder to follow up on that date, and if not received, I pursue it further.

I know this sounds like alot of work, but in order to get the rebates you are counting on, I feel it's well worth it, at least it is for me! I have made many purchases, simply because the reduced price of the item after rebate, so I count on them to be sent to me. I think with a little extra effort, and some pre-purchase homework, ie: retailers who honor rebates rather than having to send to the manufacturer, retailers who allow you to submit rebates on-line, rather than submitting via mail, where doc's. can be lost or thrown away, you will find the extra efforts pay off! I'm sorry about your situation, and hope you can get it resolved, at the very least I would approach the retailer where you purchased your E500, and see if they would be of any assistance! Good luck! Hope my advice is of help to you for any future purchases!

Laurie
AKA-Katkoota

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hi Katkoota,

Thanks for the very good advice.

This is the first time I've ever had a problem with claiming a rebate for anything, so I guess you could say past experience had lulled me into a false sense of security. I never expected I'd get screwed when dealing with a huge multi-national company like Olympus. Of course the problem is most likely not initiated by Olympus at all, but probably a third party company that Olympus has retained to run their rebate programs here in the states.

I bought this camera kit from newegg.com on the internet. Newegg, up to now, has been a great company to deal with. I have spent several thousand dollars with them over the years, mostly on computer-related equipment, and they have been really excellent. However, I have written to them regarding this matter, and I've yet to hear back from them, so I may be changing my mind about singing their praise.

I've never bought from Costco, but I'll be checking them out, especially then a product rebate is involved.

This experience will certainly change the way I purchase things. I don't think I'll look at products that offer rebates quite the same ever again.

best regards

-moonz-

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Is there an Attorney who would like to file a class action on this? If there is let me know how much money you need upfront. I have fairly deep pockets and to be honest You can have every dime. I don't want anything for myself out of this. Sounds funny doesn't it folks. I really do not care if I even get the rebate out of the deal I just do not wish to see someone sneak around and steal from all of us and that is what they are doing.I am willing to pony up more than just a few dollars. Yes a lot more than 1hundred
So any takers? any other folks want to kick in a few bucks? My thought is why don't we ask Olympus to rebate those of us they are trying to shaft about a grand for each person they have turned down. Not just the ones they think haven't sent in the parts needed to get a refund. Just make it the ones who have already sent in for a refund. No Gold diggers. My share goes charity. drayegon

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I had no problem getting mine when I purchased from Circuit City this summer. I sent mine in directly to Olympus with no store help. I am deeply sorry to hear of your travails.

Gary

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Do you think there would be so many people complaining about the problem if there was no problem? Please tell what you think our problem is Gary? I will bet not one person here bought the E 500 for the rebate. Still Olympus offered it and I will collect it if they have to throw the money in with my coffin before the dirt settles on my grave. Does that tell you just how angry I am now?

dray

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I never intended to suggest that there was no problem with Oly rebates. There was a mention that maybe it had to do with the dealer that folks purchased through and I just wanted to relay my experience with my rebate through my Circuit City purchase. I sincerely hope that your problems get rectified satisfactorily.

Regards,

Gary

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You have now mentioned one company by name twice. I am doing my best to ignore that remark about a company other than Olympus. Not sure if you have a girl friend that works for CC or What but let us keep the post on topic. My topic has been and always will be what has Olumpus done to fix their problem with Their unpaid rebates. you did not lookup the prices available at other stores. I paid less where I bought my e 500even if I do not get a rebate. you paid about 799 at CC and then got a 100 rebate. that was with both lenses I only paid 599 for the camera with both lenses When I get my rebate I will have only paid 499 total. My grip is that anyone who bought the camera no matter where or at what price should still get the 100 rebate. I dont have any friends at Joe Blow Camera and smoking emporium. Still I for one will spend more than a thousand dollars to get my money.

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I just wanted to say that I eventually did get some money back on the Olympus E-500 kit I bought, but it was not the full amount ($100) that was promised according to the rebate rules, and it took the intervention of newegg.com, the camera kit vendor, to make it happen.

It took 4 months to get a check, and I only got $75, so I'm still not completely comfortable with the whole affair, but nothing like this has ever happened to me in all the years I've been buying and claiming rebates, so I guess I could say this is probably just a bad stroke of luck.

I have learned a lesson here though, and I'll never again base my purchases of larger ticket items ($500 or more) on hefty manufacturer rebate promises ($100 or more)....never.

I don't think the manufacturers are the culprits here...rather...I suspect the third-party rebate center employees that the manufacturers hire to run their rebate campaigns are selling some of the $100 rebate UPCs out the back door.

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I have had so many emails on this I just had to finally write to this post one more time.I have been waiting and sending out posts and emails a little of everything. I will never let this go until Olympus Pays me the one hundred US Dollars they owe me. I know everyone is going to say go after the company that said they were the rebate company. I am sorry folks it does not work that way. Maybe some of you have never been at the top of a big company. Well I have been. I was CFO and then CEO for a very very large international company. Now you say well if you have done that and been there why do you complain about a lousy little hundred bucks? I will tell you why. Be cause it is the principal of the matter. I have spent more than a hundred dollars on a tip for a waiter and I don't even like guys. Sorry boys I still like ladies. So Olympus put their name on this rebate. Why did they give it to a third party instead of doing it themselves? So that people could not sue Olympus with a class action suit. I still know that if we can get say fifty people who want to sign up for it and will offer an attorney at least 43% of the money that is won in the suit that we can get a great attorney to take it on with out spending any money. So Olympus goes out and hires a company to handle the rebate. Not because they didn't know how or want to be bothered they just knew we would give up if a suit would be difficult and they could stand up to all of us and say hey we did not do it. They set the policy up of how to handle anything on the rebate so they are responsible. I am going to leave money to some of my realitives when I die. The only thing they have to do to get it is to keep bad mouthing Olympus till Olympus pays for the money they owe me. So no one is going to like it but you have to admit one thing people. It is my good word and my having principals that is keeping writing these to anyone and everyone who will listen. If you dont like it get Olympus to Pay me the $100 rebate and moeny for my trouble. Plust the CEO can sit down and write to me in long hand no computer generated letter saying they are sorry they are wrong and they will try not to do it again. So is tha ok That is the way it is. thanks dray

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