Curse

genghiskhen · Jul 07, 2005, 04:57 PM // 16:57

I purchased a NetGear WGR614 G router and 2 WG111 USB to wireless adapters on March 30 and March 31, 2005. I used them to attach my two TiVos to my home network. They installed fine and are working great over 3 months later. Obtaining my advertised rebate has been another story.

I meticulously filled out the rebate form following all directions flawlessly. I even wrote my customer information in by hand TWICE on the same form as required by the instructions. The NetGear Promo Center received my rebate form on April 23, 2005 and I was told my $50 check would be mailed in 6-8 weeks. Sometime in May I checked the status of my rebate and it was rejected. I placed a telephone call to the NetGear Promo Center and my rebate was quickly accepted. In June I checked back and the website said my rebate check was mailed on June 1, expect delivery in 20 days. Twenty days? In July I checked back again and my rebate status had reverted back to “Your rebate is valid. Please allow up to 30 days to receive your rebate.” I again contacted the NetGear Promo Center and complained. I informed them that I expect some sort of compensation for how poorly they have handled my rebate request. They replied by telling me my rebate check will be issued in the next 15 days, but they completely ignored my request for restitution.

I have already earned my $50 through effort and stress. Now it is a matter of principle. I believe that NetGear is purposely denying and stalling my rebate in hopes that I will forget or give up. I would like to file a class action lawsuit against NetGear. If you have sent a rebate to NetGear and not received it or have been given the run around like I have, and you would like to participate in a lawsuit, please contact me. To be clear: no lawsuit has been filed yet but if I can establish a pattern of stall tactics and faulty rejections, I will have one filed. It is time somebody put a stop to these shady rebate deals. I need your help.

[email protected]
July 7, 2005

Sekkira · Jul 07, 2005, 05:04 PM // 17:04

Uhh, okay? Go ahead, file the lawsuit. However I really don't think you'll get much out of it, in fact I think the problem is you probably have a lot to lose from it. I suggest going to something like the department of fair trading, or the like if you have it over there. That usually hits harder than any lawsuit could. Over here anyway...

Speedy · Jul 07, 2005, 05:21 PM // 17:21

If you think something like this is happening, you might also want to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

genghiskhen · Jul 07, 2005, 05:52 PM // 17:52

I have already filed with the Better Business Bureau of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose CA. I have also posted this same message in business rating forums (reselleratings.com, bizrate.com, etc) all over the internet. I don't want anything out of it. I don't even care very much about the $50. It is much more a matter of principle. I am sick of companies building business models on people not sending in rebates. I believe they have a number worked out of how many people will give up if their rebate is wrongfully denied. If I am the only one having a problem with NetGear, so be it. I think I am not alone and I would like to prove it. It doesn't hurt that my best friend just got his first job as a lawyer either.

Sekkira · Jul 07, 2005, 06:08 PM // 18:08

I dunno how my advice can help then. I don't live in the US, the laws are different over here and I have never heard of NetGear.

Over here, filing a report to the department of fair trade (I'm guessing it's the same as the better business bureau over there) will get action taken against the company for you. Capitalism isn't as prevelent in this country as we have things like that keeping things in line so it doesn't get to a state where corperations can become powerful enough to control laws and not be touched by others.

If the offense is bad enough by the company, it doesn't matter how big they are, they can literally be shut down by the department of fair trade entirely and the workers given compensation immediately from centerlink. On top of that, we also have Unions backing up the employee that filed the report. Any sort of business stepping out of line can have a huge backlash on it.

As far as I know in the US, there are no departments that have the power to do this and thus corperations can pretty much run rampant.

genghiskhen · Jul 07, 2005, 06:31 PM // 18:31

Over here the evening news is more powerful. If a company gets enough bad press they will usually take action. I just checked NetGear's rating on www.bbb.com (Better Business Bureau) and it is not good.

If I find 5 people who have been screwed over by NetGear it will probably end there. If I hear from 50, I probably have a lawsuit. Right now it is an interesting social experiment, a way to vent, and a way to warn potential NetGear customers.