Smith-Wesson Rebate Program Needs a lot of work.

Breakaway500 said:
For the life of me..I can't understand WHY not just run a "sale", and take the "rebate" amount OFF right at the register? Is that just too simple??
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It may have something to do with the arcane way guns are sold - through distributors, rather than directly by gun companies to the actual stores. Maybe it is just easier to account for the cost if S&W does it directly through the rebate system.

But it is easy to see that the rebates are frustrating some folks because it takes a while to get them. And every now and then, someone gets turned down for the rebate or the paperwork gets lost, etc.

Maybe S&W (e.g., American Outdoor Brands Corporation) should have its own credit card, and we could get "points" if we use it to buy a S&W product.
 
Bought my FDE 2.0 mid September and i just got my $75 2days ago. Basically 4mos.
 
It took 4 months for my Shield $75 rebate to come in... The way they work is the company that handles the rebate gets the $75 from Smith and wesson for every gun that is registered under the rebate. They bank the money for 3 months and collect interest on it, then process the rebate and ship it in another 14 days, so they collect interest on Smith and Wesson's money for doing nothing more than handling registration forms and cutting rebate checks. At least im 99% sure thats how it works... Thats how "debt settlement" companies work too - unfortunately I found that one out the hard way...
 
Breakaway500 said:
For the life of me..I can't understand WHY not just run a "sale", and take the "rebate" amount OFF right at the register? Is that just too simple??
Click to expand...

It's all about marketing. usually it's auto makers that offer instant rebates to entice customers into the dealers. Other companies use rebates to "price protect" certain product lines by being selective in which models or brands to be discounted. This allows retailers and manufacturers to move some product at lower cost while maintaining prices of successful models. Some companies can earn interest on the money. And then some corporations use rebates to data mine consumer buying habits.
 
I bought an R8 revolver in December and received an email today that my $50 Mastercard has shipped.
 
Its because of their lousy rebates and a run in with their customer service that S&W is non-existant to me. I will never own one of their products again. Once mine are sold off, thats it.

Sent from my SM-T580 using Tapatalk
 
RE: S&W Nation's Finest Rebate Program

In response to my e-mail inquiry to S&W customer service, I just received this S&W e-mail reply: "This program has been extended into 2018 until further notice."

I can't find a 2018 version of the rebate form or link anywhere on-line though.

Has anyone on this forum successfully submitted and received any rebate for 2018 from S&W for this program?

***
Updated:

I received this email from S&W customer service today with more Nation's Finest rebate program info for 2018:

QUOTE
Reference number: LTK1114701569668X Please use this ticket number in any correspondence with us.

Subject: no subject

Dear John,

We have (for now) have extended the Nations Finest program into 2018. You will still need to use the 2017 forms.

Smith&Wesson values its customers and we are happy to have served you today. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you require further assistance.

Regards, Steve

UNQUOTE

It works for me, but then I'm retired military.
 
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It took S&W six months to get my Shield 45 rebate package to me, and when they did I received 9mm magazines and ammunition. I didn’t even bother pursuing it further, life is too short.
 
Breakaway500 said:
For the life of me..I can't understand WHY not just run a "sale", and take the "rebate" amount OFF right at the register? Is that just too simple??
Click to expand...
I've worked with marketing companies. As someone stated earlier, rebates are usually contracted out to a 3rd party. If they run a sale, every item gets discounted. Rebates don't always get paid out. It's a perceived sale price but you have to jump thru hoops and do everything right or you don't get your rebate - Smith keeps the cash. I would bet that less than 50% of the weapons sold with a rebate actually get the rebate. Either someone didn't know about it, didn't care about it, or didn't follow the directions. Also, a lot of times those checks come in looking like junk mail and a lot of folks toss them. So a $50 rebate sounds a lot better than a $20 sale but I'm guessing it's the same dollar-wise to Smith. This is all marketing. It sucked me in on my Shield 9. Took 2.5 months but I did get my $75. $240 for a new Shield 9 with their lifetime warranty (good or bad) is a bargain.
 
lhump1961 said:
Sorry some of you have had trouble. I have participated in a couple of rebates from Smith with good results. Plus if it's like other companies I bet Smith doesn't even handle the rebate process but rather contracts it out...not sure but it's common practice. I hope they get you taken care of quickly.
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Rebates are handled by a contract company that work other contracts at the same time. I have sent and received rebates for different companies at the same address. Hard to understand why some customers think they are deserving of special consideration considering the volume of rebates being processed. People are complaining on all the popular boards I visit. If you want to deal directly with the company, buy HK. Those guys got the rebate process figured out...
 
I don't think anybody is asking for special consideration, I think we are saying 6 months waiting time is ridiculous, and sending the wrong magazines and ammo is ridiculous.
 
As in everything, we get one side of the story. As someone who works customer service, a very large group of people always blame an organization when it's their own fault something didn't work. Not in any way saying the organizations don't make mistakes but a large percentage of complaints are usually not credible.
 
I bought a Springfield Armory pistol Saturday that has a three mag "rebate".

Filled out the forms, and have a notice from last night that they ship today.

It can work.
 
fallhunter said:
Its because of their lousy rebates and a run in with their customer service that S&W is non-existant to me. I will never own one of their products again. Once mine are sold off, thats it.
Click to expand...

clarkstoncz said:
No more new S&Ws for me either.
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I guess I've owned handguns from just about every major gun maker, at least those represented in the US market, and some minor ones too. The companies that have been heads above all the rest are S&W, Ruger, and Springfield. They make good products overall, and they have good service overall....a few obvious examples to the contrary...and they take care of their customers longer and better than any other gun companies.

There are major companies who have very limited warranties, and/or very poor service...and even some whose products and service are very poor. I'm not just a "fan" of S&W, but my opinion is based on long experience. I don't have any concerns with buying a S&W gun...if it isn't right, I have every confidence they will make it right. Same thing with Ruger.

It's up to you to decide what you want to buy and from whom...but it just seems silly to deny yourself good guns over something as silly as a rebate program. In any case, good luck with whatever you choose to do.
 
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