Rebates

I hate rebates, and I usually avoid making a purchase just because a rebate makes the price attractive. Rebates make money for the vendor and manufacturer because they count on not having to pay for a large percentage of them. I used to think no problem, I love to send this stuff in. But my experience is that it takes on average 4-6 week to get the rebate, by which time you have probably forgot about it. So even if you send in all the forms you are supposed to, screw ups at the low paid rebate processing center, which is never the same company as the one offering the rebate, will go unnoticed because you have forgotten you sent in the rebate in the first place.

With all this in mind, I bought a Canon L-glass lens and a external Speedlight flash. Total rebate coming my way: $130. So I was understandably pissed when I got a check for $50, and the rebate web site said I had not sent in the receipt, warranty card, or UPC code for the flash. I know I had done it all right.

During the follow up call to the rebate center, a polite woman informed me that I had not sent in the UPC for a flash unit, but rather a 30D camera. I explained this was impossible and must be a mix up at the processing center, or perhaps from the internet store I where I made my purchase. After going back and forth I realized I was getting nowhere with this representative who was under strict orders to be stubborn on these matters. Then it occurred to me to ask for the rebate for the 30D camera instead, which apparently was no problem. After four minutes of holding I was told that $200 would be sent to me in 4-6 weeks.

Now I try to be an honest person these days; no need to do otherwise at this point in my life. But I realized that this was the only way I was going to get the rebate I deserved, and I think my customer service representative was doing me a favor that was easy for her to do. Assuming she thought I was being honest, there was no way she could have authorized the $80 I was requesting, but she could authorize the rebate for the more expensive UPC code they thought I had sent in. Maybe the difference should go to feed the homeless or something similar.

Some old audio gems

Dug these up today. In lieu of publishing any good writing, I post these.

harddrive.wav

rock.wav

Relatively Dangerous

There is an article entitled "Relatively Dangerous" running in today's Willi Week that talks about my accident.

Looks like it on the web too:

http://www.wweek.com/editorial/3317/8639

Enjoy...

Bru-sket-ta

I learned last night that we often mispronounce the word bruschetta.

http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=bruschetta&submit=Submit

Who knew?

Don't eat raccoon poo

Deadly Dung.