Complaint Review: E-Machines

I purchased an e-Machine last year that came with a $75 rebate. I immediately sent in the UPC and required form. Two months later I received a request for additional information that stated the UPC was not enclosed and was required for processing. The box had duplicate codes, so I sent another.

Another 8 weeks later, I called to follow-up on the status and was told that the submission had come in after the deadline. As I had submitted this before the deadline, I asked to speak to a supervisor.

As it turns out, the supposed missing UPC had delayed processing and a request for another UPC was not sent out until after the deadline. I spoke to a supervisor who looked into the situation and agreed to process the rebate based on the original submission date; however, as the rebate program was now closed, processing would have to wait until the program was offered again - which was set to begin in a month.

Once the program reopened, I called again. Again I was given a song and dance but ultimately told my check would be processed 2-4 weeks. It wasn't. More calls produced more song and dance routines. In one call to the e-Machines rebate processing contractor (e-Machines does not disburse the rebates so you get the added fun of bouncing from one company to another), the supervisor admitted that they had many e-Machine customers who had submitted their rebate information according to the requirements but had not received a rebate for situations similar to mine.

Bottom line: If e-Machines is running a rebate offer DO NOT let it influence your decision to buy as, chances are, you will never receive the rebate.