Venting my spleen about S&W rebates

[Pukka Sahib]

Bought a Model-60 last month under the rebate program. E-mailed all my docs. Waited about a month, then asked what was up. They then said the "program was closed". I provided e-mails showing I had submitted what was requested during the proper time-period. "They" (the rebate company), said - "too-late" program closed. S&W customer service now said "sorry-we can't do anything". It's not the $50. I'm upset about, it's the bureaucratic BS. This is gonna cost them a lot more than $50. I will NEVER buy anything from them again.

 

[mgriffin]

I have to be honest, I hate rebates. They should just drop the price of the item you're buying and be done.

 

[Engine49guy]

Rebates are a scam,
the bean counters go if we drop every gun $50 it cost X,
If we offer a rebate maybe 80% will jump through the hoops to submit the forms,
out of that group if we stall for 2 months only 50% will follow up,
Out of those if we send a gift card only half of that 50% will use full amount as they will get lost stolen partially spent etc.

 

[rct269]

I hear tell the first step towards effective communication goes along these lines: "First you have to get their attention!"

I don't know exactly how to go about initiating an action in small claims court against a corporate entity, but it seems like such would get their attention---besides that, it seems like it might be kind of fun.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

The recent S&W Rebate got my attention because the last time I bought a revolver it was on the S&W Rebate 2018 that I got my exceptional 686 Plus.

I looked and looked and I bought a Kimber revolver instead. I am glad I did because Kimber makes a great revolver JMHO.

 

[Funflyer]

I guess I'm one of the fortunate ones that has received every rebate I've ever submitted, and I've sent in more than i can remember.

Closest I've come to being rejected is when my serial number was submitted previously by someone else. Since a picture of the box UPC with the serial number was required, they looked it up and discovered the error and sent my rebate.

 

[Navy vet]

I guess I was one of the lucky ones as well. I think it was in 2020 I purchased a 15-22 Performance Center and got my rebate quick. I would have purchased the gun even without the rebate, that was just icing.

 

[chase45]

Purchased two the last few months and the rebate was painless for me but I did it online

 

[Beju]

My S&W rebate experiences have also been uneventful.

 

[Farmer17]

My last rebate Smith was a M&P 10 mm and signing up for the rebate was quick and easy and got the money in a few weeks. I think it was 100 bucks. The one before that was a Smith & Wesson 9 mm shield and after rebate I paid $199 for the gun. That was a dang good deal in my opinion.

 

[toad67]

15 or so years ago, I bought a Remington 870, with a $50 rebate. I sent in all the necessary paperwork and a check arrived a month or so later. The rebate checks were only good for 90 days and I apparently forgot to cash it. About 6 months after the rebate, I received a letter in the mail stating that they noticed that I hadn't cashed my rebate check and had enclosed another one with the letter.

 

[Jack Flash]

Similar to Toad67:
I was going through old forgotten papers in file drawers and briefcases and found a S&W rebate check for $50 that I had received in the 1990s. Doubt I can cash it now, 30 some years later.

 

[JackM]

I bought a 442UC and a 43C not knowing about the rebate. Once I was aware of it I submitted both on line. The $50 card for the 43C came through within a couple of weeks. The 442UC, no rebate because it was a special run for a distributor, Lipsey, they told me.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Like warranties - rebates are offered to avoid giving the consumer the value of what they are bargaining for.

 

[Fishinfool]

Similar to Toad67:
I was going through old forgotten papers in file drawers and briefcases and found a S&W rebate check for $50 that I had received in the 1990s. Doubt I can cash it now, 30 some years later.

Contact S&W and ask them to re-cut the check. With inflation, it should be at least $100 now...

Larry

 

[Chuck24]

Never bought one new enough to get a rebate

 

[Erich]

I've had good luck with several different companies' rebate programs (including S&W's) . . . but I'm always extremely leery of buying close to the closing period and I am a little nuts about pestering them when I don't hear anything quickly.

Like mgriffin, I'm not a fan.

 

[benf1]

Submitted a rebate online for an 8 shot 627 PC and received a $75 Visa debit card 3 weeks later. They seemed to have streamlined the process over the years, but I'm very careful to follow the directions precisely. Better yet, got the 627 from the LGS for the lowest available online price.

 

[1971mopar]

I've received rebates a few times from Ruger, etc, but never Smith & Wesson. I was ready to buy a Model 63 on April 22 of this year. I had it in the cart and decided to read the rebate over to make sure everything was ok. Well, it wasn't. It said if you order online, the actual date of the transaction is the date you receive the gun from your FFL. Being a week before the deadline, I wasn't positive the gun would get transferred to me by April 30th. So, I didn't order the gun. My last rebate (not S&W) I purchased the gun on the deadline date with no problems. All the rebates I've used in the past were "date of purchase".....This is the exact wording from the S&W rebate....."if the initial order for an eligible firearm is placed online, via
phone, or some other method that necessitates the buyer to receive the firearm from a Federal Firearm
Licensee ("FFL") at a later date, the firearm date of purchase will be deemed the date upon which such
firearm is actually conveyed to the buyer by said FFL and must fall between February 1, 2024 and April
30, 2024 to be eligible for this Promotion.

 

[Magnum_PI]

I don't get excited for the hype of rebates either, as some have stated.

I just find the lowest price, and buy. Usually at or better then the offered "rebate". Plus, no waiting for someone else to cut me a check. I don't like waiting.

I also get that clearly, it's the principle of the matter.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Bought a Model-60 last month under the rebate program. E-mailed all my docs. Waited about a month, then asked what was up. They then said the "program was closed". I provided e-mails showing I had submitted what was requested during the proper time-period. "They" (the rebate company), said - "too-late" program closed. S&W customer service now said "sorry-we can't do anything". It's not the $50. I'm upset about, it's the bureaucratic BS. This is gonna cost them a lot more than $50. I will NEVER buy anything from them again.

Really, I'd keep bothering them until satisfied. It sounds like the customer service rep wasnt interested in actually helping you, they just wanted to give a quick answer and move on to the next caller. They sure could be doing a lot more to keep your business.

Even if the bean counters in charge still wont honor the rebate, they could at least send you $50 in merch, or something. Annoying.

Todd

 

[willtori]

I am out on 2 $150 rebates so far. Got denied on the first on because I ordered it from PSA, paid for it when bought. Had it shipped to PSA in my state, but did not pick it up until january 2025. S&W says it has to be in my possession even though I bought and paid for it in the rebate time frame. Second one never received after sending it in before the end of january 2025. Something about a tracking # that probably went to spam? Dealing with their rebate center without talking to a human is horrible, and S&W hasn't been much help at all. Never again will I buy a new S&W.

 

[photoman]

I certainly understand the OP's frustration. I've seen retailers raise the price just as the rebate starts to cover the amount of "savings." I've also lost rebate dollars due to the extremely short expiration dates on the rebate debit cards.

Consider me not a fan.

 

[russp1]

I guess I was one of the lucky ones as well. I think it was in 2020 I purchased a 15-22 Performance Center and got my rebate quick. I would have purchased the gun even without the rebate, that was just icing.

I've never purchased a gun specifically because the rebate was offered but I have bought two that had rebates; a 686 that had a cash back deal and recently an M&P 2.0 that had a deal for a free optic. No problem claiming either one.

 

[Junglekat]

Just buy a colt,I like the old s&w ,not the new

 

[SVT-THUNDER]

Honestly, my S&W rebates have always been uploaded and usually within 10-12 days, I've received my digital Master Card for x amount every single time. Last rebate was around Christmas on an X frame and I spent the entire card on ammo. It was $100 or $150. Highest rebate offer at that time for S&W Revolvers anyway. I've seen others on here have similar issues as you though OP. Not sure why it's not as simple for everyone. Hate you're dealing with this mess though. Stay on em. Show any screenshots of the deadline and your submission date if you have them.

 

[WardenRoss]

This is a timely thread....

I just purchased a Sig Sauer P365 Fuse. They offer two additional free magazines (worth ~$100).

I submitted the form twice and turned down twice.

I finally called. The Sig guy couldn't understand why it was denied. After some research he found that my Fuse was the LEO version and they are not eligible.

Shucks! Even though they feature the Fuse in the promotional email they sent me.

AND they contacted me to apply....go figure!

 

[41special]

I have bought two that had rebates; a 686 that had a cash back deal and recently an M&P 2.0 that had a deal for a free optic. No problem claiming either one.

How long did it take to get that optic for you your S&W 2.0??

 

[Custom Trigger]

I like rebates. If I am on the ropes for a gun and don't buy it, the rebate is motivation to finish what I initially started. I have never had an issue with rebates. Even for other items.

 

[Navy vet]

How long did it take to get that optic for you your S&W 2.0??

I my M&P 5.7 fell under the same rebate for free optic. Just got it this past week. Took 6 or so weeks after the approval. I purchased the 5.7 not knowing about the rebate. Got an email. I had already put a Holosun 507K on it. Gave the free optic to my son. He is shopping for his first hand gun.