[BC] rebates ... was apple something

[Jerry Mathis]

>From: Barry Mishkind <barry at oldradio.com>
>Reply-To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Subject: [BC] rebates ... was apple something
>Date: Wed, 16 Nov 2005 17:23:58 -0700
>
>At 04:37 PM 11/16/05, davidgarland wrote
>>I wonder if the FTC has ever done a study of rebate practices...
>
>         The rebate problem has been researched,
>         and sadly, many companies that offer them
>         don't know there is a problem until you
>         get to someone in authority at the company.

The problem with that scenario is, by the time you're getting complaints, 
you're losing customers. I wonder what the relationship of frustrated 
customers to actual complainers is.

And if the company was worth its salt, they'd MONITOR the performance of the 
rebate company to avoid these problems. Too many problems, word gets around, 
and the perception is, the company is no good. And as we all 
know......perception IS reality.


>
>         The usual deal is that Company X hires
>         Company Y to handle ALL their rebates
>         on a product for $Z
>
>         Company Y makes money by turning
>         down the rebates, or failing to actually
>         mail out. Knowing less than 20% actually
>         even file in the first place, they use
>         the actuarial tables to set their pricing.

so in other words, you're saying they're out to cheat you from the get-go. 
An even better reason to not do business with companies that rely heavily on 
rebates.


>
>         If Company Y gets more rebates than
>         they planned, they can actually go
>         "in the hole" and lose money on the
>         contract.
>

That's THEIR problem, not mine.



Jerry Mathis
Clear Channel Radio, Tupelo & Meridian MS