The traditional mail-in rebate system is on its way out, giving way (like many consumer mainstays) to online rebate submission systems. Typically, the mail-in rebates for items like printers and computers required not only the cumbersome task of mailing all appropriate documentation but a waiting period of up to 10 weeks, typically six to eight weeks. The new online rebate systems, however, offer quick rebates, easier submission of supporting materials, and a tracking system similar to that of UPS (www.UPS.com) or FedEx (www.fedex.com)with a lag time of one day. The best part, however, is that rebate checks only take two weeks to get to their destination, which makes the rebate process much more efficient for consumers. The streamlined rebate process makes it possible for holiday shoppers to purchase electronic and consumer items around Thanksgiving and receive their rebate checks in time to pay off post-holiday credit card bills.


Companies that Offer Online Rebate Submission

There are a wide variety of companies that offer online rebate submission for their products. The electronics retailer Best Buy (www.bestbuy.com) has taken the lead in online rebate submissions by recently combining instant rebates on more products that formerly had Best Buy rebates and an efficient online system that requires little effort. One of Best Buy’s competitors, CompUSA (www.compusa.com), has also gotten into the act by offering online submissions both from home and at in-store computer consoles. In the retail market, the popular wholesaler Costco has stayed ahead of its competitors by offering a simple online rebate submission process.

In addition to retail online rebate processes, many manufacturers offer easy to use online submissions for their particular rebates. The list is quite extensive, but companies like computer manufacturer Hewlett Packard (www.hpshopping.com), printer and copier maker Lexmark, and internet phone company Vonage are working at the front of the class in online rebate submission processes. These companies are under more pressure to have online submissions for rebates than the retail stores that carry their products because ultimately they are accountable for the efficiency of their customer service. However, most of these manufacturers still require physically sending in the appropriate rebate materials as definitive proof of purchase, which can make the process a bit cumbersome. Nonetheless, the combination of mail-in and online rebates for this company allows the rebate process to go a bit faster than in the past.


Online Rebate Tracking

There are several pieces of information that are universally needed for the online rebate tracking process. One piece of information is the store receipt, whether submitting to a retailer or to a manufacturer. This is the most definitive proof of purchase for mail-in submissions and there is usually a service or receipt code for online purposes. Another important piece of information in the rebate process is the UPC number, which can be found on the back or side of a product’s box. The UPC allows the retailer or manufacturer to keep track not only of the amount of a product sold, but also the effectiveness of their rebate system. With mail-in rebates, people would normally cut off the UPC and send it in with their materials. However, simply entering the UPC number on an online form can bring up the product description and is critical to identifying the purchased product. There are also typically a special rebate code or special rebate instructions for online forms which can expedite the rebate process and can also act as a tracking number for the rebate check. Finally, the usual fare of consumer information, including address and phone number, are needed for online rebate submissions to ensure speedy rebate payment and in case of any problems during the rebate process.


Most Flexible and Helpful Companies for Online Rebates

The most flexible companies in regards to online rebate submissions are companies like Best Buy and Costco (www.costco.com), which offer a clearinghouse for their own store rebates and manufacturer rebates. Best Buy has great customer service in terms of dealing with rebates and their rebate website includes links to rebate forms for all the manufacturers within their inventory. Costco offers a wide variety of both in-store and manufacturer rebates and its online rebate website is quite functional for those who aren’t internet savvy.

The least flexible companies are typically the manufacturers, who require mail-in rebates whether a customer uses their online rebate system or not. While it is the nature of the beast for manufacturers, it is a rigid system that can be frustrating to consumers who have purchased a large amount of items like computer accessories and want to get rather sizeable rebates as soon as possible. However, even manufacturers have started to show the influence of Best Buy and other retailers by offering instant rebates on bigger ticket items. Dell Computers (www.dell.com) is a good example of a manufacturer that has adopted a more responsive rebate system that has pretty much supplanted the old mail-in rebate format.