The new problem, long receipts

[JackTucky]

I bought a camcorder battery and blank tape yesterday at circuit city, two items, total cost, $84.78.

I paid with American Express.

The receipt, is 20 inches long, and 4 inches wide.

Two weeks ago, I bought 2 boxes at a storage place.  The receipt was two feet long.

Can't these computers realize that when I purchase a camcorder battery, I don't need information on returning PC's or Satellite Systems, I don't care about in-home installation, and I don't give a crap about Delivery!

meh, that's enough.

Art

[zaphod]

I've always laughed at CC's waste of paper on their receipts.  A bit of programming and they could easily print only the relevant return information.

A related remark: Although I have some problems with Best Buy at times, I think the way they handle rebates and the corresponding  receipts is great.  As more and more items have rebates (a practice I dispise, I might add), having the rebate AND the copy of the receipt print at the register is a tremendous time-saver for me.  I am sure many other stores do this, too, but BB is the one I'm most familiar with.

[DaveJ-UK]

What is it with rebates in the US?

I must have bought a dozen bits and pieces when I've been on holiday in the US (MUCH cheaper than here in the UK) and I have NEVER ONCE actually received the rebate. Don't you guys have something like trading standards?

It's not even a rebate then is it? A gamble is probably nearer the mark! I've never even seen a rebate in the UK or anywhere else for that matter.

[zaphod]

When did you holiday?  I have received every rebate I ever sent in, although I have waited as much as six months on a couple of them.

I agree with you: rebates are a scam.  Look at all the rebates during the holidays.  They know much of the product purchased are for gifts, and that precious few buyers are going to ask the recipient for the barcode from the box.  So they get to advertise a low price after MIR but get essentially full price.

[rsoandrew]

The best rebate ever - Costco!

I bought something at Costco that had a rebate. On the receipt it gives you the option to send it in or apply for the rebate on-line. When you do it on-line all you have to do is key in your name and some store and register details from the receipt. Nothing to mail in.

No fuss no muss.

[mmmPeanutButter]

What is it with rebates in the US?

Apparantly this is the deal with rebates:

50% of people don't even send them in.
of those that do, 50% don't qualify (not the right upc, no receipt, etc).
So now the companies only need to pay out for 25% of the people.
and probably 99% of the people bought the item cause of the rebate in the first place.

I have a feeling that they further reduce this number arbitrarilly.  On several occasions I have not received a rebate, called to complain, and they simply issue it.  I think they have my name in the computer with a note next to it that says "this guy qualifies, but we're not sending his check unless he complains so if he does complain, send it out"

TIP OF THE DAY: keep track of all of your rebates, photocopy what you send in and FOLLOW UP!

[pointdablame]

Companies would be fools not to offer rebates though for the reasons just mentioned above.  Plus, the best is, think of all the interest that is generated for the company from the rebate money.  Many companies dump that money into an interest-yielding holding knowing that they have to pay back money.  Then after the 12 weeks some companies take to send out the rebate (which is so absurd) they've made even more money.

[TalkingOctopus]

I find that grocery stores are especially guilty of this crime.  When I buy $10 worth of food, they give me a receipt that is 3 feet long.  But at least it has coupons on the back.  Block Buster is even worse at receipts.  They always give me three receipts - 1 for my purchase and then 2 that are advertisment decoys.

When I worked at Best Buy, we were supposed to use receipt covers.  Those receipt covers made a lot of people really angry.  So did asking for zip codes.  So after a while I gave in to customer demands .  I  stopped using the covers and stopped entering zipcodes.  To the managers dismay, I single handily was responsible for causing our store not to reach their zip code quota for one month (they had stats on absolutely everything - it was rather rediculous).  

[JackTucky]

When I worked at Best Buy, we were supposed to use receipt covers.  Those receipt covers made a lot of people really angry.  So did asking for zip codes.  

Receipt Covers!  "For your protection"

When I worked at Radio shack we had to ask for addresses.  Talk about angry.

ARt

[zaphod]

When I worked at Best Buy, we were supposed to use receipt covers.  Those receipt covers made a lot of people really angry.  So did asking for zip codes.  

When I worked at Radio shack we had to ask for addresses.  Talk about angry.

ARt

123 Main Street
City of the Day, Generally my state
5 random numbers for the zip

The only time I ever give my correct zip is if I'm not paying attention.  Same with phone number.  A Circuit City employee actually got mad at me for giving 555-1212 as my phone number for a simple DVD purchase.  Then she handed me my eight foot long receipt.

[GadgetGeek]

Whenever they ask me for a phone number, I just tell them no.  Really confuses the new help.  Zipcodes...sometimes.  Depends on my mood.

[JackTucky]

Whenever they ask me for a phone number, I just tell them no.  Really confuses the new help.  Zipcodes...sometimes.  Depends on my mood.

I always say, "Why?  I'm married".  Really freaks everyone out, especially the dudes.    

Art

[abrannan]

Whenever they ask me for a phone number, I just tell them no.  Really confuses the new help.  Zipcodes...sometimes.  Depends on my mood.

I always say, "Why?  I'm married".  Really freaks everyone out, especially the dudes.    

Art

*Laugh*  That's great!  May I have your permission to use that line?

[JackTucky]

*Laugh*  That's great!  May I have your permission to use that line?

Sure.   If you get smacked, not my fault.  

Art

[DrewKaree]

Sure.   If you get smacked, not my fault.  

I could use a good smacking (to go with my lawsuit for an 80" for my showcase cab)...can I too use this gem?

p.s. do you think I'd win my lawsuit if they smacked me THIS silly?

[TheTick]

What is it with rebates in the US?

I must have bought a dozen bits and pieces when I've been on holiday in the US (MUCH cheaper than here in the UK) and I have NEVER ONCE actually received the rebate. Don't you guys have something like trading standards?

It's not even a rebate then is it? A gamble is probably nearer the mark! I've never even seen a rebate in the UK or anywhere else for that matter.

Did you put your UK address on the rebate form? If you read the fine print the rebate probably said only valid for addresses in the US and Canada    There is usually seperate forms for US and Canada.