No More Rebates. Ever.

I've fallen for the last one. No more rebates. I will purchase no more technology products or merchandise from vendors offering a rebate.

After spending the better part of a day (I bought new software and pieced together a new computer) cutting UPC tags off cardboard boxes, peeling proofs-of-purchase off box lids, copying original receipts and printing special PDF forms, I'm now receiving postcards and e-mail messages stating my rebate request is being denied. The reasons differ, and they're all bogus.

My favorite rebate snafu as of late? Compaq. The company requires that the original packing slip be included with the rebate submission. I looked all over the box. I tore through my (skimpy) documentation. It was nowhere to be found. I checked all my order confirmation e-mails. Nothing. So I called Compaq. I navigated the IVR. I waited, then I talked to a fellow who informed me that packing slips are no longer included in the box. You have to go to a special Web site, complete a form, then print your own packing slip.

No more. Ever. If you want my business (and as a technology consultant I buy lots of hardware and software every day), don't lure me with rebates. Run a sale instead. Otherwise, I'm walking.