I finally remembered to call ATT customer service (a misnomer if there ever was one) and requested my rebate card, with $38.30 still unused, be reactivated. Quick answer? No joy.
Essentially, ATT’s rebate program rules say NO to getting all your money out of their rebate credit cards. I’m out of luck, and so is Anna who commented on my earlier post about this customer-hostile ATT rebate program.
Four years ago, I did four columns called “Beating the Rebate Runaround” for my Network World Small Business Technology newsletter. The third, linked to the title, includes reader stories. There’s also links to the first two columns outlining the rebate problem with Dell, and how they bungled customer services themselves.
ATT didn’t tell me my rebate would be in their funny-money credit card. Worse, ATT won’t let you get cash from this card. Companies use rebates to keep some of your money, and the rebate card takes their thievery to a new high. Rather, they sink to a new low in ways to cheat you and me.
I think it’s time Network World and I looked into current rebate practices. With money as tight as it is today, every dollar a rebate program steals from you hurts.
Technology Is Broken 
I was just readingthe post regarding ATT rebates.I fund that site after doing a search to see if there are any others that feel as I do regarding the method used to so call pay rebate funds.ATo my surprise,here it is.The same old stuff.I’m wondering if you can pay a bill with it,use it for gas or something.
I was just readingthe post regarding ATT rebates.I fund that site after doing a search to see if there are any others that feel as I do regarding the method used to so call pay rebate funds.ATo my surprise,here it is.The same old stuff.I’m wondering if you can pay a bill with it,use it for gas or something.Like the other “poster”,I think I’ll stay away from folk that offer rebates.I am STILL waioting for one from Circuit City for a printer.This has been about 4.5 momths now.
If you’ve been waiting over four months, they lost your rebate, either on purpose or accidentally. Start hounding them again.
Let me know what happens.
I RECENTLY GET INTERNET ACCESS THROUGH AT&T AND WAS SUPPOSED TO GET A $100 REBATE WHEN IT FINALLY CAME IT WAS ONLY $50. WHEN I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHY I WAS GIVEN THE “SUFFLE ROUND” . THEN I WOULD USE THE CARD AND IT KEPT CAUSING A LOT OF REFUSALS. I FINALLY GOT IT DOWN TO $4. BUT CANT GET IT OUT SO NOW I USE IT TO SIGN UP FOR ONLINE SCAMES WHERE THEY WILL NOT CARGE ME FOR THIS OR THAT. BUT AT&T HAVE HIT A NEW LOW AND I TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THEM. BUT IT SEEMS TO BE THE WAYN OF THE FUTURE. TAKE PAYPAL FOR INSTENCE (OR ANY ECHECK COMPANY) THEY HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND CAN AND WILL WITH DRAW FUND WITHOUT NOTICE.
I mean no harm, however a rebate is essentially “free money”. It’s an incentive to buy something. It’s NOT a right to receive this. YOU are being cheated out of NOTHING. You purchased an item YOU WANTED, the company said, “thanks for buying this from us” by offering you a rebate. YOU STILL HAVE AND USE THE ITEM YOU WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE! Boo Hoo, you had to pay for what you wanted and didn’t get it for free. Too bad! And if you don’t use the rebate in the allotted time, that’s YOUR FAULT! You have at least 120 days to spend your little $50 or $100, so use it the next time you buy something! It works like any other card with the Visa logo with the exception of being able to get cash! Take responsibility for YOUR INACTION and STOP blaming everyone else! Be glad the companies even offered you something that THEY DIDN’T HAVE TO.
i just wnat to know can i buy gas with this freaking card?
Yes, I think that’s allowed, but you’ll have to check with AT&T to be sure.