In December, 2004, I ordered a Wintergreen bare bones system from Tiger Direct. It had three rebates: one for $100 from Tiger Direct and two for $20 each from Wintergreen. I submitted the rebates within the proper time period with the correct information and UPC codes. Tiger Direct paid its rebate promptly. A year later, Wintergreen has not paid its rebates.
I contacted Wintergreen and asked them why they had not paid the rebates. Their first response was that I had not included the serial numbers from the CDRW drive and motherboard. I sent them a copy of the rebates clearly showing that I had provided the serial numbers. Then they sent me an email stating that the serial numbers were not correct. I checked the drive and motherboard and the serial numbers are correct.
It is clear that Wintergreen does not want to pay the rebates and is using the “incorrect serial numbers” as an excuse not to pay.
Tiger Direct is still selling Wintergreen products. I contacted Tiger Direct reporting that I have not received the rebate payments from Wintergreen and that in light of the many customer complaints about Wintergreen not paying rebates, if Tiger Direct continues to sell Wintergreen products, it is participating in cheating its customers. A week has gone by and Tiger Direct has not responded to my email.
I have told Tiger Direct that I will not purchase any more products from them as long as they continue to sell Wintergreen products. There are many other online sellers of computer products who provide better customer service. Those sellers can be determined right here on this web site.
I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau of Fort Wayne, Indiana, (fortwayne.bbb.org), the Attorney General of Indiana (in.gov/attorneygeneral/contact/) and the Attorney General of Kansas (accesskansas.org/ksag/contact.htm).
I believe that no one should purchase any product from Wintergreen Systems and that all should refuse to purchase anything from Tiger Direct until they stop selling Wintergreen Systems products.
07/2006
I received a check for $40 drawn on the Attorney General of Indiana's account. There was not a clear explanation of what the payment was for, but since Wintergreen owed me two $20 rebates, totalling $40, I have to assume that this check represents payment for my rebates.
Of course, the expense represented by the time I spent pursuing these rebates was much more than $40, but it's the principle of the thing and I would do it all over again if I have to.
I don't know any consumer who likes rebates, but as long as manufacturers and retailers are going to offer rebates as an enticement to buy, I will do everything I can to see that they meet their obligation or if they don't, that this behavior will be reported to the proper authorities and other consumers.
This review was modified by its author, sknecht, on
8/14/06 6:00 PM.