the deal with dell mail in rebate?

hi all!

what's the deal with dell mail in rebate?

I'm putting together my notebook atm and they offer a "SAVE $150 (After mail in rebate) " (which comes with the gold bundle I took).. but it's not taken off the subtotal amount (of approx. $1700)

now, how does this work? can I use the mail cupon on the actual costs of this notebook (to only pay $1700-$150 = $1550), or can I only use it on other stuff I may buy later on dell?

 

when you receive your laptop, you should receive a piece of paper which you'll have to mail back in and you'll receive a check for 150 bucks. You'll have to pay the full cost (1700) of the laptop right now though.

The 150 bucks will be cash, so you can use it on whatever you want.

 

ah okay, cool thanks!


but uhmm... why does dell do it that way and not directly deduct the money off the notebook costs? I mean, even if it takes a couple of days for the check to arrive, this will be less interest money made than the mailing costs ^^ orrrr are they speculating that a certain percentage of the ppl eligble for mailing that rebate thing, won't do it/do it too late and therefore lose the entire $150? nasty

 

a lot... and I mean A LOT of people forget to mail in the rebates, plus you never know when the mail might lose your rebate thus losing 150 bucks.

 

^ We learned that in economics 101, it's the hurdle method of price discrimination, meaning a seller offers a discount to all buyers who overcome some 'obstacle'. The rebate coupons are used to target a discount towards buyers whose reservation prices are low and who might not buy the product if a rebate was not offered. But ya, some people don't take the trouble to mail in rebate coupons...their loss.

 

Oh i know, i used to sell computers with a major retailing chain... i got to hear about it for hours a day.

 

Plus, Dell isn't "suppose" to be doing this anymore. I put that in quotes because they changed their pricing strategy and determined that it was too difficult for consumers since there were so many coupons. This was one of the things that was suppose to be elminated.

 

lol I love "evil" companies will order my DELL tonight hehe

 

Its supposed to be eliminated, but they said that the new pricing plan will be implemented over time. In a couple months we wont have mail in rebates, but for now, some of us have to suffer through them.

 

Rebates aren't as bad when they're done like Staples does it (Online rebates, no mail in).

 

I wish they would have "fight-a-klingon-and-win-then-send-in-his-batlet-for-proof"-rebates .. talking about obstacle-marketing hehe still would be fun though