Canon's Bait and Switch Rebate: Caveat Emptor!!!!!!

But Fred, we only have your words that Canon is being "lacadaisical" regarding the rebate.

If you spent 1/10 the time you have spent on this forum to write Canon, you'd probably have your 1GB drive by now.

But since you refuse to give out your actual email address and listed a phony one, I tend to think I will stick with Canon's reputation which is considered quite high by most pros (both Nikon and Canon users) than take seriously your accusations.

Roger

Fred said:

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Roger, i rarely meet people that are more paranoid than me, but you seem to fit the bill. All I want is what is justly mine. All that Carroll wanted was her 1 gig drive. She was not upset either until Canon slapped her in the face and told her to wait another few weeks and pay for shipping and insurance to return the drive. Any company worth its weight would have take responsibility for this "mistake." Dell would have immediately overnighted the part and sent packaging and shipping label for the return. This is class. This is customer service. This is mistake. Everyone that has been a Dell customer realizes this. Roger, if this is a systematic effort by Canon to dump more 340 drives we will know about it in a week or so. There will be many posts about this problem. Then you can start eating crow. That is unless you believe I am staging a plot to destroy Canon and am posting the many complaints myself. I hope that Carroll is reading these posts and realizes that you are calling her a liar as well. Thanks Fred.

Roger Levit said:

By the way, what about the other goodies you were supposed to
receive in the rebate offer, you don't mention them. And why would
Canon be as good as "Nikon" and "Dell" if they admitted their
mistake? If they tried to cheat people why would admitting it make
them as good as companies that were honest to begin with?

And how do you KNOW that Carroll received a 340MB drive as you
state below or could it be that you know each other?

Fred, or whatever your real name is, just fax Phil a copy of your
D30 sales receipt and a copy of your rebate form. I will be happy
to "eat crow". Burt your story doesn't ring true.

Roger

Fred said:

Roger Levit said:

Roger

Chris Epler said:

I'm not 100% sure here but it's my understanding that if a company
sends you something you did not order/request, it is yours to keep.
You did not order or request a 340 meg drive so thats very nice of
Canon. Now, wheres that 1 gig drive mentioned in the rebate?

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Both Carroll and I were both informed to send the drive back at our expense. I spoke to Jermaine at the Presales Dept. and to William at the Tech support dept. if you care to check. No attempt to send the 1 gig drive in the meantime or to offer to pay for shipping, which should not be my burden. This is lacadaisacal. This is a poor response to a so called isolated mistake. If Carroll and I are the only mistakes, this would cost them peanuts. I will contact Canon tommorrow and talk to a supervisor to see what their managerial level people say. I did call them quite late tonight and they may have been caught off guard. Being supervisors, and realizing the customer relations angle, they may jump into high gear and take responsibility for the mistake and offer to send my 1 gig drive ASAP and offer to pay return shipping. But, I am not overly optimistic as I purchased a bad D30 and had to pay the return shipping on it that cost me an addtional $25. If Canon jumps into action and does right, I will post this which is only fair. If Canon is willing to trash thier customer service appearance over a mere bag of shells (to them), this speaks volumes. Thanks, Fred.

Roger Levit said:

If you spent 1/10 the time you have spent on this forum to write
Canon, you'd probably have your 1GB drive by now.

But since you refuse to give out your actual email address and
listed a phony one, I tend to think I will stick with Canon's
reputation which is considered quite high by most pros (both Nikon
and Canon users) than take seriously your accusations.

Roger

Fred said:

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

What really needs to be understood here is that rebates are peformed by "fulfillment centers", hired by companies to handle rebates. The forms are sent to a PO Box or some other address with the Canon (or CompUSA, Maxtor, Minolta, etc) name in the address and minimum wage workers shuffling papers and shipping whatever the rebate warrants. If both rebate forms are being sent to the same address a mixup is very possible.

duane

My rebate was processed fine and in about 6 weeks.

I also had to send my camera in for repair - 10 day turn around, real simple to deal with their support.

Time will tell if this is an isolated incident.

Oh, I also got my rebates on lenses with no problems.

Be nice to those people in the middle, they are doing their job.

If the people in the middle were doing their job, i would have my 1 gig microdrive and so would Carroll. I also sent in a rebate for a Canon lens over 2 months ago with no results. I also got a defective Canon D30 which I had to pay $25 to return. I may also have to pay an addiitional $20 to return their latest mistake. This is not good this is poor customer support and service. This is the only experience I have had with Canon and it does not bode well for them. Thanks, fred.

John Mason said:

My rebate was processed fine and in about 6 weeks.

I also had to send my camera in for repair - 10 day turn around,
real simple to deal with their support.

Time will tell if this is an isolated incident.

Oh, I also got my rebates on lenses with no problems.

Be nice to those people in the middle, they are doing their job.

Click to expand...

Roger Levit said:

By the way, what about the other goodies you were supposed to
receive in the rebate offer, you don't mention them. And why would
Canon be as good as "Nikon" and "Dell" if they admitted their
mistake? If they tried to cheat people why would admitting it make
them as good as companies that were honest to begin with?

And how do you KNOW that Carroll received a 340MB drive as you
state below or could it be that you know each other?

Fred, or whatever your real name is, just fax Phil a copy of your
D30 sales receipt and a copy of your rebate form. I will be happy
to "eat crow". Burt your story doesn't ring true.

Roger

Fred said:

Roger Levit said:

Roger

Chris Epler said:

I'm not 100% sure here but it's my understanding that if a company
sends you something you did not order/request, it is yours to keep.
You did not order or request a 340 meg drive so thats very nice of
Canon. Now, wheres that 1 gig drive mentioned in the rebate?

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hey Roger I don't know who the hell you are and frankly I don't give a damn. I don't have to prove who I am to you or anybody here. I did receive yesterday and incorrect shipment, I got the 340 instead of the 1 gig. You want to accuse me of lying do it to my face - my home phone number is 573 431-1118 or 573 518-039.

Carroll Wood (Woody) said:

Roger Levit said:

By the way, what about the other goodies you were supposed to
receive in the rebate offer, you don't mention them. And why would
Canon be as good as "Nikon" and "Dell" if they admitted their
mistake? If they tried to cheat people why would admitting it make
them as good as companies that were honest to begin with?

And how do you KNOW that Carroll received a 340MB drive as you
state below or could it be that you know each other?

Fred, or whatever your real name is, just fax Phil a copy of your
D30 sales receipt and a copy of your rebate form. I will be happy
to "eat crow". Burt your story doesn't ring true.

Roger

Fred said:

Roger Levit said:

Roger

Chris Epler said:

I'm not 100% sure here but it's my understanding that if a company
sends you something you did not order/request, it is yours to keep.
You did not order or request a 340 meg drive so thats very nice of
Canon. Now, wheres that 1 gig drive mentioned in the rebate?

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hey Roger I don't know who the hell you are and frankly I don't
give a damn. I don't have to prove who I am to you or anybody
here. I did receive yesterday and incorrect shipment, I got the
340 instead of the 1 gig. You want to accuse me of lying do it to
my face - my home phone number is 573 431-1118 or 573 518-039.

Click to expand...

I forgot to sign my name - thats the next thing I'll be accused of.

Carroll L Wood (Woody)
President - Baseball Operations
American Amateur Youth Baseball Alliance.

Fred said:

John Mason said:

My rebate was processed fine and in about 6 weeks.

I also had to send my camera in for repair - 10 day turn around,
real simple to deal with their support.

Time will tell if this is an isolated incident.

Oh, I also got my rebates on lenses with no problems.

Be nice to those people in the middle, they are doing their job.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Okay for the record ... the name Carroll, I know, I know, is not always a girls name ... I am not a woman. Change the she's and hers in your posts to he's and his! Laugh of the day.

Called Canon this morning and I'm still getting a run around. Obviously several people here have differing opinions. As for me, I have been riding the fence regarding Canon and Nikon ... the 1 gig isn't all that big a deal to me but the principal this situation represents is. If Canon doesn't step and do whats right, they will lose my business and I will be noisy with my exit.
Carroll L Wood (Woody)

Trevor, Chris and others suggesting that Fred should keep the 340MB drive, even that he shouldn't tell Canon about it--this is dishonest. Someone suggested that Canon (a japanese co) is being unamerican. PErhaps folks here are also suggesting unamerican acts.

Canon should be made aware of the 340 switch. Perhaps they have an employee handling the rebates doing the switch and stealing the 1 gigs. But without the proper info, they might not be able to catch the perp.

So FRED and CARROL do the right thing, be persistent, talk to supe and managers and whoever you can. But please tell the truth. Demand that they fix the problem smoothly. And tell them that a lot of us planning to buy the D30 (yes, me included, probably) are watching dpreview.com forums for your resolution.

Thanks for fighting this fight...

Hi Carroll,

If you re-read my statement below you will find that I do NOT in any way state that your post was not true. I ASKED Fred how he KNEW it was true. When someone writes in a forum such as Phil's using a phony name and address as "Fred" does I do not feel one can put much credence to what is said.

If you reread "Fred's" remarks in his various postings, he went quite a bit further than you did by stating this was a plot by Canon to deliberatly send out 340 MB drives hoping, I guess, that no one would notice they weren't 1 GB drives. This is absurd on its face.

Your posts, on the other hand, are quite reasonable in assuming that a honest mistake may have been made.

Roger

Carroll Wood (Woody) said:

Carroll Wood (Woody) said:

Roger Levit said:

By the way, what about the other goodies you were supposed to
receive in the rebate offer, you don't mention them. And why would
Canon be as good as "Nikon" and "Dell" if they admitted their
mistake? If they tried to cheat people why would admitting it make
them as good as companies that were honest to begin with?

And how do you KNOW that Carroll received a 340MB drive as you
state below or could it be that you know each other?

Fred, or whatever your real name is, just fax Phil a copy of your
D30 sales receipt and a copy of your rebate form. I will be happy
to "eat crow". Burt your story doesn't ring true.

Roger

Fred said:

Roger Levit said:

Roger

Chris Epler said:

I'm not 100% sure here but it's my understanding that if a company
sends you something you did not order/request, it is yours to keep.
You did not order or request a 340 meg drive so thats very nice of
Canon. Now, wheres that 1 gig drive mentioned in the rebate?

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Hey Roger I don't know who the hell you are and frankly I don't
give a damn. I don't have to prove who I am to you or anybody
here. I did receive yesterday and incorrect shipment, I got the
340 instead of the 1 gig. You want to accuse me of lying do it to
my face - my home phone number is 573 431-1118 or 573 518-039.

Click to expand...

I forgot to sign my name - thats the next thing I'll be accused of.

Carroll L Wood (Woody)
President - Baseball Operations
American Amateur Youth Baseball Alliance.

Click to expand...

You give up too easily Roger. It seem obvious to me that 'Fred' was invented by Carroll to give his public outcry a bit more 'pop'. Don't you think it is odd that two people have exactly the same thing happen on exactly the same day? Not to mention that 'Fred' came into existence only yesterday.....

Valencia said:

Trevor, Chris and others suggesting that Fred should keep the 340MB
drive, even that he shouldn't tell Canon about it--this is
dishonest. Someone suggested that Canon (a japanese co) is being
unamerican. PErhaps folks here are also suggesting unamerican acts.

Canon should be made aware of the 340 switch. Perhaps they have an
employee handling the rebates doing the switch and stealing the 1
gigs. But without the proper info, they might not be able to catch
the perp.

So FRED and CARROL do the right thing, be persistent, talk to supe
and managers and whoever you can. But please tell the truth.
Demand that they fix the problem smoothly. And tell them that a
lot of us planning to buy the D30 (yes, me included, probably) are
watching dpreview.com forums for your resolution.

Click to expand...

Okay here is the latest. They claim it was just a mistake, they want me to ship it back out UPS and include a note explaining the problem. I argued that the error was theirs and if they wanted the 340mb before shipping the 1 gig it was their responsiblity to get UPS out here. I also said that theyshould OVERNIGHT the promised 1 gig to me ASAP. Her answer totally expalins the problem ... they don't have them in yet or they would ship one today. So, my take is that they hoped some of us would SETTLE with the "problem child 340" ... they are wrong. When this all started I wasn't upset, I just figured it was a mistake. They way this was handled has damaged my relations with Canon. Though I am fairly new to Canon Digital cameras I have well over $100,000 in Canon video equipment ... I feel I am a sizeable customer and am marveled at how I was treated, obviously my business isn't important to them and I will definitely keep this in mind when considering future purchases. Anyway, the long and short of it is that they are sending UPS to my home to pick up the 340 and they will ship me the 1 gig SOMETIME in the next 4 weeks when they receive their supply of 1 gigs.

If anybody else experiences this problem you need to call:

1 800 872-8893 extension 836 (I dealt with Erica).

Carroll L Wood (Woody)

'bob' said:

You give up too easily Roger. It seem obvious to me that 'Fred'
was invented by Carroll to give his public outcry a bit more 'pop'.
Don't you think it is odd that two people have exactly the same
thing happen on exactly the same day? Not to mention that 'Fred'
came into existence only yesterday.....

Click to expand...

Bob,

Now I have invented the problem? ... I don't know Fred, I don't read this board enough to know much of anybody. I purchased my Camera on Sepember 3rd and was directed to this site for helpful information. By trade I run a large amateur sports organization and a video business.

I did receive an incorrect microdrive which in itself wasn't all that big of a deal but the run and hide approach utilized by Canon didn't thrill me. I have been a very loyal customer of Canons, mostly on the video side and have spent in excess of $100,000 with them. So I feel I mor than deserve a straight answer from Canon. I am new to the photo side and because of how well I have been treated by them in the past I choose to go with Canon over Nikon for that reason.

I am absolutely amazed at the two of you accusing me of false posts ... most people who post falsely do so under a name like "Bob" without much of a profile listed. Mine directs you to my web site, includes first and last names, list my email and phone numbers, and I have listed the phone number, extension, and the persons name who finally did help me at the Canon customer service/ rebate office.

Bob, you really should keep your mouth closed when you have no idea of the actual facts involved. I assume this site is like most forums and that IP numbers can be traced for those using ficticious names. I, my friend aren't one of them.

You feel the need to speak to me further you can do so at 573 518-0319 or by email at [email protected] as I am sure others on this board would rather not have to read this garbage.

Carroll L Wood (Woody)

Sorry to doubt or question you but I was under the impression that the rebate offered was in fact a 340Mb drive.....at least that what was offered to me when I was phone shopping in the USA...(I subsequently purchased my D30 in Australia where no such rebate was offered).

If it is any solace to you the 340Mb drive has proven to be more reliable....

Ian Schutt

I was under the impression that it was the 1Gb drive that was reliable, at least in regards of the poll that someone started in this forum...

Mirar

Ian Schutt said:

Sorry to doubt or question you but I was under the impression that
the rebate offered was in fact a 340Mb drive.....at least that what
was offered to me when I was phone shopping in the USA...(I
subsequently purchased my D30 in Australia where no such rebate was
offered).

If it is any solace to you the 340Mb drive has proven to be more
reliable....

Ian Schutt

Click to expand...

Fred62333 said:

Just received my rebate from canon. I had a receipt for a D30
purchase in Sept 01. They sent me a 340 microdrive and not the 1
gig as was offered in the rebate. Any recommendations on how to
deal with this mess? Thanks, Fred

Click to expand...

Are you sure the promised drive was 1 gig? I have seen press releases mentioning only 340 mb microdrive when D30 is bought from them.

Ahto

The Canon rebate center is 1 800 872 8893, ext. 836. I had a defective 340mb drive and got my replacement via this number. Good luck.

Fred said:

Carroll Wood (Woody) said:

Peter Sills said:

Peter

Fred said:

Just received my rebate from canon. I had a receipt for a D30
purchase in Sept 01. They sent me a 340 microdrive and not the 1
gig as was offered in the rebate. Any recommendations on how to
deal with this mess? Thanks, Fred

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Fred,

I today also received my rebate ... it also was a 340 microdive
instead of the 1 gig. I don't buy the mistake thing ... but I'll be
on the phone in the morning to find out!

Woody

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Ahto Tanner said:

Member said:

Just received my rebate from canon. I had a receipt for a D30
purchase in Sept 01. They sent me a 340 microdrive and not the 1
gig as was offered in the rebate. Any recommendations on how to
deal with this mess? Thanks, Fred

Click to expand...

Are you sure the promised drive was 1 gig? I have seen press
releases mentioning only 340 mb microdrive when D30 is bought from
them.

Ahto

Click to expand...

Ues I'm sure the1 gig rebate replaced the 340 mb rebate beginning September 1st. Here is the link:

http://www.usa.canon.com/rebates/camerapromo/index2.html

Sounds to me like someone (minimum wage?) picked up an old box of 340's instead of 1gig's and in a somewhat robotic fasion, just mailed them out to rebate customers. I had a defective 340 (sigh) rebate for MY D30 and they FedEx overnighted the replacement to me (alas, with the wrong zip code, so it took much longer than 1 day). Again, call 1 800 872 8893, ext. 836. That's the Canon rebate center number. I also dealt with Sue Turner at the Canon Camera division, 1 Canon Plaza, Bldg A, Lake Success NY 11042. Call long distance directory assistance and get that number and call Sue Turner there. It worked for me.

Fred said:

Trevor Ash said:

Hey Fred, I feel for you but you need to get a grip on yourself.
Bad attitudes (no matter how just they may be) rarely get you much
of anything. People do NOT want to deal with pissed off people and
in writing it sounds just as bad.

As a side note, I sent in a rebate card at least 2 months ago and
am still waiting on my rebate for a lens and power booster that I
bought.

Rebates are ALWAYS a hassle. And though it's not right that people
have to have this attitude, but I NEVER use the rebate offer as a
consideration to a purchase......there are just way too many
factors to apply. All they have to say is that they never got
it.....what can you do?

Anyway. I do understand how you feel, I dont think you should keep
the 340 drive, but you should get the 1G that your rebate
promised.....and they can't say that they didn't get the rebate
card you sent right?

Things like this are bad, but I highly doubt that the "company" did
it on purpose. Things like this can probably be attributed to a few
people within the company though and hopefully, if it is something
other than a few isolated instances they get what they deserve and
so will their customers.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...