About product rebates...

[Patriarch]

is one of the many reasons that many of us don't like this merchandising method.

Patriarch

[Ed Bennett]

I would be interested in reading the article, but it requires a user name and password. Can you relate the contents?

Thanks, Ed Bennett [e-mail]

of the TS-Aligner

[Leon]

;~) I think the point was, that to simply read an article, you have to sign up and give them personal information.

[noreaster]

This is what you can get if you sign up:

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[noreaster]

one of the topics Tech Talk: Unopened rebate requests found in San Jose dumpster

[Jerry]

Haven't looked at that specific link, but it probably refers to the article I read on one of the national news sites (might have been cnn) this afternoon.

That article was about a small electronics company in San Jose that sells many of their products through Fry's Electronics. When you send a rebate form for one of that company's products that you bought at Fry's, it is processed by that small company. Apparently, somebody working for that small company threw away about 1300 unopened envelopes containing rebate requests, IN SOMEBODY ELSE'S DUMPSTER! Never would have come to light if the business that owned the dumpster hadn't found the envelopes in the dumpster and made some noise about it.

Jerry

[Patriarch]

Jerry wrote in news:1189118132.108556.166420@

19g2000hsx.googlegroups.com:

That's the one. And the flack about how folks absolutely hate the rebate runaround. And the percentages that don't bother to send theirs in IN SPITE OF BUYING!

Sorry about the signup. I've been getting their morning epapers for quite some time now, without ill effect.

Back to your regular programming...

Patriarch

[Ed Bennett]

Thanks Jerry. I believe that it would be viewed exactly the same as if a company accepted orders by mail, pocketed the money, but did not send the goods. It's potentially 1300 counts of mail fraud. Geez, somebody's in for a lot of free room and board!

Well, I think it goes without saying that nothing like this is going to happen in my ...uh...er... "cash back reward program". First of all, I have no employees in charge of (or even remotely involved with) it. Second of all, the local dumpster is shared by everyone in the building ;-)

I've already sent payment for all the rebate forms that I have received so far. I think that I should probably work on the web site and the form some more. I understand why people feel the way they do. It's unfortunate. I'm sure that all sorts of horror stories can be cited to justify those feelings. That said, I'm sure that the program won't be over before I encounter at least one person who, having never made a purchase, and having never sent in a form, will try to collect some money from me. I've had all sorts of bizarre claims over the years so I pretty much expect it. You won't read about it in the papers and it won't dissuade me from being fair and generous with legitimate customers.

Ed Bennett [e-mail]

of the TS-Aligner

[WoodButcher]

Username: [e-mail] Password: noregs2 This one got me in.

Courtesy of

which supplies access info for thousands of sites requiring PITA registration.

Art

[Lew Hodgett]

RE: Subject

I automatically discount any rebate amount by 25%, then consider the net amout to see if it still interests me.

Most of the time it doesn't?

Lew

[Ed Bennett]

OK Folks. All re-done. the "r" word has been obliterated. It is now a "Cash-back Reward Program". Some other changes have been made to alleviate fears.

feel free to give me more feedback.

Thanks for all your help.

Ed Bennett [e-mail]

of the TS-Aligner

[Chris Dubea]

Hi Ed,

I've been a long time lurker here and am amazed at your tenacity. For whatever reason, your posts always seem to create firestorms of controversy and to be honest, I don't know why.

I have looked at you products and being a former small business owner, applaud your creativity and longevity. That takes, talent, hard work luck and luck.

Please keep up what you are doing and don't let the pundits dull your enthusiasm. People like you are the backbone of the rec.

cheers,

=========================================================================== Chris

[Rick]

I'm with Chris on this one. Maybe because I am also a former small business owner and know just how tough it is to succeed in the marketplace. Keep doing what your doing Ed. Finding a means to serve yourself, your dealers, and your customers in one fell swoop is difficult.

Rick

[Ed Bennett]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the encouragement a great deal.

Ed

[Swingman]

Quick, let's all get out our crying towels and wipe away the maudlin tears brought about by this "firestorm of controversy"!!

Seems some are trying to make this sound like a 'pile on' on Ed took place with regard to the "mail in rebate" discussion, and that was simply NOT the case.

Contrary to what was stated, there was no "firestorm of controversy. Instead, there was pertinent discussion that gave the man RESPECTFUL, valuable insight, _from his customer base_ ... something that he could not have gotten from any other source.

AAMOF, I'm willing to bet that Ed will admit to benefitting from the thread in more ways than one. :)

[Maxwell Lol]

Kudos, Ed. I have no need of this as I already own one. But the fact that you as a business man use this forum, and defend your opionins while listening (and adapting) to the views of others earns you a "Top Seller" rating in my book.

[Swingman]

Well done ... upfront, to the point, and honestly and clearly stated.

IMO, this wording works nicely and has the added effect of removing the taint/connation associated with the current retail practice of "mail-in rebate".

Here's hoping you have better luck with a "dealer incentive program" as a result.

[ddakadmc]

I get frustrated with rebates in general because it often seems I just buy the product and the rebate comes out. That happened with my ts- aligner jr. I just got it a week before the rebate came out. If I knew the rebate was coming out, I would have waited and bought the model with a mid-range dial which would have come with a case. I am good at following through on rebates when I do get them.

I am a fairly new woodworker and want to get the best for my shop, while at the same time keeping my costs down (as do most hobbyist woodworkers I would think). I accept that I missed the time line. I feel the product is worth it or I wouldn't have purchased it, I just get a bit miffed as most buyers would.

The TS-Aligner Jr. is a great product. I especially enjoyed the included dvd and the background of the product and visual applications of the product. I bought this because I am (was) having a challenge setting my jointer knives and this product seems the best all around product to do that along with all the other measuring and setting I will need to do.

As an FYI, I have since purchase a plastic case ($4.00) and some high density foam ($6.50) and cut out spaces for the product and saved $26.48.

Doug

[Ed Bennett]

Very true. I appreciated all of the feedback a great deal. There is no other place where people are so eager to share such frank opinions. And, the opportunity was certainly made to discuss the opinions in enough detail to remove any doubt about their sincerity.

Absolutely! Spending time in the wreck is always beneficial.

Ed Bennett [e-mail]

of the TS-Aligner

[Ed Bennett]

Thanks!