I am so annoyed at Winchester I could just.....

Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

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Last weekend I purchased a case worth (10 boxes) of Winchester AA 20 gauge shells at an Academy Sports store while I was in San Antonio. Winchester is currently having a brief window (11/18--11/28) where they are offering a $2 rebate on each box of AA shells. That is not why I bought the shells, but what the heck--I purchased them during the eligibility window so I'm entertaining jumping through the hoops for my $20 rebate. And hoops they are!

Like most rebates anywhere, Winchester requires the original receipt of the purchase. Absolutely no photocopies. Not a problem--I've got my date-qualified receipt listing all ten boxes of AA in my fat little mitt as I type this. But, they also (quite unnecessarily) require you to cut out the UPC code from each individual box of shells. Because of the location of the UPC code on the low side of the box, you actually have to dump out the entire 25 shells from each box to cut out the UPC info. In addition to the original receipt, of which there can be just one so it eliminates a frauded duplicity, Winchester wants to also see proof from every individual box.

When I tried to contact Winchester with a question about the required form to send with my rebate entry, I found there is no phone number whatsoever. You can fill out a "contact us" form with all your personal info and they'll "get back to you".
I mean street address, email, phone number, etc.

I really feel Winchester chooses to make this rebate such a hassle that most folks, although eligible, will not submit for the rebate. And that is real chickenspit in my book. And a company as large as this that will not take a call really lets me know what they think of us.

No doubt some of you will rush to Winchester's defense, and that is fine. I don't hate them by any means. But I've been around the block, and I know when I'm getting played. So, for today, fooey to you, Winchester!
 
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It's not just Winchester that does this . Every company I've tried to get a rebate from did the exact same thing. They're just trying to eliminate the "fraudster's".
Send them an email I'm sure Winchester isn't going to sell your personal info ....if you want the rebate you gotta play the games.
The rebate "hassel" isn't that bad . How many times have you ordered things online and given all that information and a credit card number to boot. It will be ok , Winchester has a decent reputation.
Gary
 
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You forgot to mention that when you remove the bar code, it leaves a big hole in the box which compromises its structural integrity and allows shells to spill out. If you want to keep using the box, you need to tape a patch over the hole. :mad:

My husband and I maxed out the rebate for the last couple of years. Its a pain but it lowers our ammo cost 30%.
 
Most rebates are handled through third-party agencies, not the manufacturer. Rebate agencies get a small slice of the pie from manufacturer's profits, allowing the manufacturer to sell a larger quantity and still make quite a decent profit. It's called marketing.

These third-party rebate businesses couldn't care less where the UPC code is on a box.
 
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:mad:I avoid mail in rebates like the plague! When you are lucky enough to get the rebate (4 or 5 months later) it's usually in the form of a debit card or store credit and many times they try to limit where you can spend! I'll spend a little more and save the hassle, the older I get the less time I have to waste!:mad:
 
I am always shocked when I finally get my rebate checks. It takes so long , I usually forgot all about them, and yes you have to jump through hoops.
 
gwpercle said:
It's not just Winchester that does this . Every company I've tried to get a rebate from did the exact same thing. They're just trying to eliminate the "fraudster's".
Gary
Click to expand...

Yeah, Gary, but isn't the ORIGINAL receipt enough to show a legitimate purchase was done? Even if a crook broke into my house and stole my receipt and then he submitted for the rebate, that keeps me from being able to also submit. Thus, Winchester only has to pay out once, regardless who the recipient is.

ON SECOND THOUGHT

I suppose someone could mail order several cases online and submit their rebate papers with their receipt and then go back to their online merchant and request another receipt be sent because the dog ate the first one. And then have their friend re-submit. Maybe Winchester has to have a second line of defense.

I'm trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I still don't like it. I'm gonna like it less when I have 250 shotgun shells dumped in the middle of my bed so I can start ruining my boxes. :(
 
Ptarmigan said:
I'm gonna like it less when I have 250 shotgun shells dumped in the middle of my bed so I can start ruining my boxes. :(
Click to expand...

Might seem silly, but I'll share our UPC removal system with you.

I use a small triangular cake spatula for a shield, and slide it between the shells and the side of the box where the UPC is. Then slice the code out with an Exacto knife, and patch the hole by taping a piece of paper over it. Hubby helps so it goes fast and you don't empty the shells.
 
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Rebates and store "memberships" are first and only about advertising. They get your contact information for a small price (rebate or discount) and then have full authority to direct an onslaught of advertising in your direction. Just say NO thank you!
 
Peak53 said:
Rebates and store "memberships" are first and only about advertising. They get your contact information for a small price (rebate or discount) and then have full authority to direct an onslaught of advertising in your direction. Just say NO thank you!
Click to expand...
It seems even more so with Winchester. After trying for 15 minutes today to find a contact phone number for just a front line customer service person, I found out that they won't even take an online message from me on their website without me providing full name, full mailing address, full phone number and full email address. Every field is required to even submit your message. I hate that.
 
bigwheelzip said:
Might seem silly, but I'll share our UPC removal system with you.

I use a small triangular cake spatula for a shield, and slide it between the shells and the side of the box where the UPC is. Then slice the code out with an Exacto knife, and patch the hole by taping a piece of paper over it. Hubby helps so it goes fast and you don't empty the shells.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, Zip. It would have taken me until the fourth box to realize I could have done the same thing. Of course, the bed would have been full of shells regardless. :D
 
Every rebate I've ever sent in needed the original receipt and original bar code. Really a none issue to me since I don't save boxes. This also ensures that you don't apply more than once. Worst case i can put the shells in a bag or another box or something.

They may send advertising but I don't pay too much attention to this. I have two piles of mail. One that are bills and get paid and the other goes in the trash. Makes no difference if it's one piece or one thousand pieces of mail.

BTW, you're still paying tax on the original amount. Just an FYI....

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
The big Remington rebates are exactly the same.

I use the xacto knife approach, but because there is a tray for the pistol ammo, you don't have to break the box (most of the time). Just got through peeling out 8 labels.

Think about those guys that were dragging down 40 boxes of pistol ammo this weekend ....

It also makes the boxes more difficult to resell if you are one of those who buys at WM to resell at an inflated price - folks can see what you're up to. I like that part of it.
 
rwsmith said:
Eliminate fraudsters, sure, but I think their other motivation is making it so difficult that a lot of people will give up and never get to the point where they can actually get their rebate.
Click to expand...

Is it really that difficult to cut out bar codes and stuff them in an envelope (or whatever) along with a receipt and mail it in? I realize it's not instant but cutting cardboard isn't exactly an exhausting chore

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
I had a construction company while I was raising my children. I bought many items that offered rebates. I let my children apply for and receive the rebates. They dealt with the hassles but got a bonus when the arrived. I bought some COOPER tires a few years ago that offered an $80 rebate. I bought them in the middle of the offer time frame. I sent in the rebate form and was advised my tires only had a $60 rebate and I was too late to apply. We emailed each other several times but I never received my refund. I bought COOPER tires for years when I was running the company as they were made in the USA. For several years I refused to by any other COOPERS, but this year I needed new snow tires on my plow truck and the only made in the USA tires were COOPERS, so I bought them. They had a $70 rebate offer. This time I got my $70 gift card from Cooper promptly which I gave to 2 young ladies schoolgirls. that are family friends, who live on limited funds.
 
Ptarmigan said:
I really feel Winchester chooses to make this rebate such a hassle that most folks, although eligible, will not submit for the rebate.
Click to expand...

That is exactly the intent of making the rebate process such a hassle - the 20% off (or whatever it may be) sounds good in the store so the buyer loads up on shells, then, when he gets home it is such a PITA the buyer puts off submitting for a rebate until it is too late. Voila! Winchester just sold more ammo than it would have and at full retail price to boot.

Pure marketing genius, and evidence that the company doesn't mind preying on its own customers.
 
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shinbone said:
That is exactly the intent of making the rebate process such a hassle - the 20% off (or whatever it may be) sounds good in the store so the buyer loads up on shells, then, when he gets home it is such a PITA the buyer puts off submitting for a rebate until it is too late. Voila! Winchester just sold more ammo than it would have and at full retail price to boot.

Pure marketing genius, and evidence that the company doesn't mind preying on its own customers.
Click to expand...

Some lazy and unmotivated people

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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I can cut out barcodes and even tape the holes. I can save receipts and even put stamps on envelopes to mail in the rebates.

What gripes me is when i buy a "brick" of Winchester .22's and find the box is less than the 555 advertised and there are several primed but empty cases in the box. And not once, but 2 bricks 2 months apart. To add insult to injury, some of the rounds didn't fit in the chamber.

If your shells worked, don't complain.

Win is now on my shiplist along with remington...
 
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