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Beware of Rebate "120 GB WD HD"
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Posted by: TJIRN

I just called and ordered this hard drive... great deal ya right! The sales person said that if the rebate form wasn't in the box with the HD I could get it from Customer Service. When I tried to call customer service about the rebate that won't print they redirected me to the web site, which didn't help at all. Thus, I called back to sales and stated that I changed my mind about the purchase because the problem with the Rebate form. Anyway... the sales person checked on the dead rebate link and came back saying that Western Digital was not honoring the rebate and that it was being marked as an error on the web page. He said this was new information and that they were told earlier that it would be honored. Needless to say I canceled my order. I'd suggest Everyone who ordered... check into this!!!
Tom

Posted by: wallace

I ordered on this deal as I am sure many have and this is interesting information. However, none of us can verify this until working hours on Monday because they are shut down now. I however am thinking that the Sales Rep may have been incorrect as we all know that when it comes down to it, the odds always point in that direction.

Posted by: rexdart

I too share your skepticism as I have been watching this since friday (there are two other threads covering it going on right now). I have also made my order and wait to see if I should cancel.

I would say that if this indeed was an error I would like to think a company the size of Dell would be able to have its web developers correct/disable the page for the item rather than just tell people on the phone "sorry, we goofed" but leave the item up with the rebate.

I also ran into the same circle jerk trying to find out how I can get a copy of the rebate form mailed to me.

With any luck, they will honor the orders placed already by simply discounting the drive by the $100 if the rebate turns out to be a no go. But to be honest, I'm not exactly holding my breath.

It is truly one heck of a deal and I am hoping that everything works out for the best, guess we'll see.

Posted by: jerobi

No worries, I posted the deal on my site and ordered one myself.

Note: There are two versions: Retail and OEM. The OEM is $10 cheaper, but it isn't part of the rebate. Personally, I got the retail version and fully expect to get my money back, either from WD or Dell. Worst case scenario I have to return it.

So many people got in on this deal that Dell will HAVE to make it right...not that there is any real reason to believe that things are "wrong" in the first place. They'll get the rebate posted sooner or later. Let's not forget the powerful threat of 10,000 angry dealsters ;)

Posted by: wallace

Well, the OEM version sais it has a $100 rebate as well. Just go to the page for it and look:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...=0&refurbished=

If that link doesn't work search for item A0009295

Posted by: TJIRN

Ya, guys just stay positive... I hope you do get the HD with the rebate... I really do. I guess it's possible that the Sales Rep just simply did not want to deal with me. I don't know, but I'm just not willing to bet $100 that he's lying either. He checked with his supervisor about the dead rebate link and came back sounding surprised, saying, "I guess Western Digital isn't honoring the rebate... that's not what we thought this morning." It really didn't sound like a BS excuse, but again I could be wrong. Too bad we have to wait till Monday to verify this. I definetly plan on calling them again... they still have the charge pending against my bank account. Kind've funny how quick they'll charge you, but take their own sweet time making a credit.
Tom

Posted by: dmravage

Knowing the quality of Dell's Premier technician support, I have no reason to believe their sales reps deserve to use our oxygen either. I've only gotten a automatic response from them so far, and even the link to their rebate site doesn't work.

Posted by: unixadm

Well, my order says it is expected to ship on Tuesday. I have also read that Dell has claimed that the rebate coupon will be available on Tuesday. Either way, there is no loss here. I have saved the webpages and printed them out with the rebate offer. I will call Dell tomorrow...If it turns out that WD isn't going to honor it, and Dell doesn't step up to the plate and drop $100 off the price, I just cancel the order and all is fine...if they already shipped, I refuse to sign for it and demand my money back since it would be false advertising.

Dell's own refund policy states "Dell offers a Total Satisfaction return policy. You can request to return an item within 30 days from the original invoice date; this includes new Dell systems, parts, or retail peripherals"

So based off of this, I am not risking anything.....worse case scenerio is they have to refund my money and take the product back.

Posted by: gregpr

None of these part #s are showing rebate info :(

Posted by: harrisma

Some comments from www.hotdealsclub.com. Personally, I'm going to call tomorrow morning and see what's up, then decide if I should cancel my order.

Update (10/13): According to Dell customer service, the $100 mail-in rebate will be sent along with the drive because it is a manufacturer's rebate form. Even though I did order this drive for myself, I am still a little nurvious about this because somehow I don't think they will send a rebate form with the drive. Perhaps someone should contact Western Digital to see if a $100 manufacturer rebate does exist.

Update (10/13 4pm): Dell now says that the rebate was valid until yesterday. All orders placed yesterday and before should get the rebate in the mail. Just like all red hot deals, they don't last long. Note that Hot Deals Club members had access to this deal since Friday.

Posted by: JorgeGVB

I found the wording a little different than you did at www.HotDealsClub

Update (10/13 4pm): Dell pulled the rebate offer early, even though their rebate details clearly stated it was valid through the end of day today. Dell is now saying that people who placed their orders before they pulled the rebate details will get the rebate in the mail with the drive. Just like all red hot deals, they don't last long.

Posted by: harrisma

Just called Christopher at Dell Small Business customer service and he said if I'd fax him the rebate web page, he most likely credit my CC the $100.00. I'm not convinced yet, but there's still hope.

Here's the links to saved copies of the web pages referencing the rebates

http://www.slickdeals.net/rebates/wd120gb100rebate.pdf

http://www.slickdeals.net/rebates/wd120gbdell.pdf

Posted by: gatorbait

What number are you calling? I ended up on hold for somewhere close to forever.

Posted by: harrisma

quote:
Originally posted by gatorbait
What number are you calling? I ended up on hold for somewhere close to forever.

800-456-3355

I was on hold for a while too, maybe 10 min.

Posted by: unixadm

I called 877-773-3355

Went through the automated stuff until I finally got to a live CSR.

The CSR was aware of the problem and gave me a case #. She told me that once I receive the drive, to call back with the case # and they will credit my account the $100.

Posted by: wallace

I was told by Dell that as soon as you confirm it has shipped that you can call 1-800-456-3355 ext 68938 and they will credit your account $100.00 for the rebate.

Posted by: harrisma

edit...
removed the line Link to the rebate form that was mentioned above since it was the wrong form. Sorry, just trying to be helpful, didn't catch the wrong product Code

Posted by: Francesco

That form is for the wrong 120 GB drive, the 2MB cache instead of the 8 MB Caviar SE.

I got e-mailed that form by my CSR, too...

Posted by: spankspank

I ordered the WD 8mb retail 120G from Dell on Friday. I have phoned them 3 times today and each response is different. Dell is doing everything they can to weasel out of this deal. Call them and insist they give you a $100 credit once you receive the drive. You'll want the CSR to document this credit in your order log, get a case #, badge #, and call them back once you get the drive.

Posted by: rexdart

okay here's my update:

no mention of a credit but WD is aware of what happened and they will be honoring the rebate.

not sure just exactly how this is going to happen as the person I spoke to was merely quoting an email he had received.

still working on it but I couldn't stay on longer to talk to any supervisors.

gotta run for now but I will help continue the fight later.

looks like the bottom line now is that the rebate will be honored possibly by sending a copy of the invoice straight to WD themselves.

Posted by: badcrc

This is really weird. I called them several times and got a different response each time. First call they said they've never heard of the problem, but I should call back the next day because their computers are offline. Funny how a computer manufacturer can't take calls because their computers are offline.

Second call the guy said he just got off the phone with another guy asking about the rebate, and he contacted WD about the problem. He claims WD said they are aware of the rebate problem -- about the link not working on Dell's site -- and all Dell customers have to do is contact WD to get the rebate form. I thought great, sounds simple enough. I called WD and no one had any idea what I was talking about. They said Dell had misinformed me, and Dell needs to give out the rebate.

Third call to Dell the lady said she has no idea what the last rep I talked to was talking about. She had no memo or any other information that said WD is responsible for the rebate. She did say that there is definitely a rebate on both WD drives, but they screwed up and will have the rebate tomorrow. She said they will email it or give out a URL to the rebate.

Posted by: TiVoPony

quote:
Originally posted by unixadm
I called 877-773-3355

Went through the automated stuff until I finally got to a live CSR.

The CSR was aware of the problem and gave me a case #. She told me that once I receive the drive, to call back with the case # and they will credit my account the $100.

I called the number above this morning, around 9:30am pacific time, and spoke with a nice CSR at Dell, named Randy. Randy had just received an email from his supervisor regarding this, which instructed everyone to call WD about the rebate. I was given a case number with Dell, as well as an 800 number for WD.

I called WD (1 800 275-4932), and spoke with another nice CSR, this time named Doug. Doug was aware of the issue, and a bit bemused that Dell had decided to have customers call WD. He said, "They have the rebate form, all they have to do is send it to you". After taking down all of my information, and confirming that this was the 8MB cache version, and giving me a case number with WD, Doug told me that someone in their rebate department would email me the form. But he cautioned that it may take a day or two.

Cheers,
Pony

Posted by: Dan203

Bob if you get the right form (the one posted before was for the wrong model) will you please e-mail it to me so I can post it on my site? (dan6992@hotmail.com)

Dan

Posted by: deeremj

Drum roll please...

http://support.wdc.com/_DW100802_120GB$100_rev5.pdf

-MJ

Posted by: Dan203

:up: there it is. :)

Dan

Posted by: JorgeGVB

Since there is a legit rebate form, what was the problem to begin with?

Posted by: badcrc

quote:
Originally posted by JorgeGVB
Since there is a legit rebate form, what was the problem to begin with?

Well the problem I have now is I didn't buy that retail model. I got the OEM model, which also indicated had a rebate on their web site. I figured since the rebate was a Dell rebate I could use the UPC off their box. After looking at the rebate form now it only shows the RTL model of the drive. Wonder how Dell is going to handle everyone that ordered that one.

Posted by: Francesco

Didn't the original rebate "page" (not the missing form) always only state "retail packaged?"

Posted by: David Scavo

quote:
Originally posted by deeremj
Drum roll please...http://support.wdc.com/_DW100802_120GB$100_rev5.pdf

Please note that this rebate form (while now for the correct drive - the 8MB cache retail drive) has shortened the submission period to 14 days from date of purchase.

The original form (for the 2MB cache drive) said 30 days as well as the Dell popup page advertising the rebate.

You had better hope UPS gets your drive to you soon.....<tick><tock>

Posted by: unixadm

I checked my order status and it says the following:

"Currently one or more items are not available. Every effort is being made to complete your order."

Since I have an open case with Dell, and they already told me that they would refund my credit card $100 after I receive the drive, then I don't think I will have a problem with the delay....at least I hope.

Posted by: David Scavo

The following was posted on Delltalk message board by a Dell rep (Cathy H)

The rebate form must be postmarked within 14 days from the purchase date which is the invoice date (shipping date) of the drive. If you submit the form for the correct drive and your rebate is denied, please let me know.

If you ordered the correct drive between 10/8/02 and 10/13/02, you will get the rebate. Once you receive your order, please send in either a copy of the packing slip or invoice or both with the form

She also posted the following in a different thread:

When it says "A copy of your purchase receipt dated October 8, 2002 thru October 13, 2002" must be included, this means that the order date must be between these dates. The rebate center will know that the product may ship after the promo dates.

The rebate center will go by the order date listed and not the invoice date. But you do have 14 days from the invoice date to submit the rebate

Posted by: Dan203

quote:
Originally posted by unixadm
I checked my order status and it says the following:

"Currently one or more items are not available. Every effort is being made to complete your order."

I get the same thing, but the delayed til date is the 16th, so it should ship tomorrow.

Honestly I don't really care how fast it comes. As long as I actually get the drive and the rebate, then I'll be happy. :)

Dan

Posted by: David Scavo

quote:
Originally posted by Dan203
Honestly I don't really care how fast it comes. As long as I actually get the drive and the rebate, then I'll be happy. :)

Same here !

Posted by: deeremj

letter from dell today:

Dear MJ,

We are writing to update you on the status of your order # xxxxxxxxxx.
Unfortunately, we are experiencing unexpected delays. Due to these delays,
we have been forced to move the estimated ship date on your order back to
Tuesday, December 31, 2002. We apologize for any inconvenience this may
cause. If you do not want to wait, you may cancel your order by contacting
your sales representative at 1-800-289-3355 ext 61843. Otherwise, we
appreciate your patience, and we will continue working hard to ship your
order as soon as possible. We will be honoring the rebate up to 30 days
after shipment.

Thank you,
Dell Order Notifications

On a lighter note, the rebat link has been fixed to reflect 30 days - ...

http://support.wdc.com/_dw100802_120gb$100_rev5.pdf

-MJ

Posted by: Spire

Interesting. My order is also listed as due to ship on October 16, but it hasn't shipped either. I haven't received any letter from Dell, though.

Posted by: David Scavo

quote:
Originally posted by deeremj
we have been forced to move the estimated ship date on your order back toTuesday, December 31, 2002.

I got the same email yesterday.

Also, the rebate form on WD website has been modified AGAIN and now has a 30 day submission window....

Posted by: unixadm

I got a message on my answering machine indicating the December 31st new shipping date. There is no way the rebate will work by then.

Where did they come up with a 12/31 date? It can't take that long to get in more hard drives. Seems like they don't want to honor the rebate, so they are pushing the date so far back that it isn't worth it to most people.

My credit card was already charged $179.17 from Dell for this part. I am going to end up cancelling the order and getting my money back.

Posted by: Francesco

If your card was charged, then they have shipped.

Posted by: rsnaider

Was your card charged or the amount locked? There is a difference.

Posted by: deeremj

unixadm,

The e-mail I rec'd said that they would honor the rebate for 30 days after shipping, I personally think they are just trying to shake off some of the low hanging fruit, and then they will cancel ALL the orders. In any case, the fact they charged your credit card is bogus...

BTW, they still have man 7200 rpm / 2mb cache drives in 5400 rpm boxes at cc in ledgewood, NJ - I am keeping my eye out for them to go on 'clearance' and hope to get a few for future use. They have the 'old' 3 year warranty, and even though I have used the 8mb cache drives with great success in workstations and TiVo, I think the 2mb would be not much slower.

-MJ

Posted by: deeremj

Got Mine, Just now, Sparta NJ, 10/29/2002 6:30 PM via ups - GO Big Brown! -

Truly he deal of the year...MJ

Posted by: Dan203

Did you receive any kind of shipment notification, or did it just show up?

Dan

Posted by: deeremj

Dan,

Also got the shipment notification today, 12:30 pm USPS...both the notification and packing slip were dated 10/24/2002 and both arrived today 10/29 - MJ

Posted by: Dan203

I haven't gotten anything yet, and the Dell site still says "Delayed". :(

Dan

Posted by: deeremj

Dan,
I would guess it will show up within a few days, (hopefully)...These drives still do not appear anwhere on Dell's site, so it appears that they are just trickling in, and they are filling backorders and not taking any new orders....I guess we will see how many others get the drives today/this week -The bottom line good news is that at least they are starting to fill the orders!

-MJ

Posted by: Dan203

I just checked my order status at Dell, and to my surprise my drive shipped last Friday and should be here by Thursday. :up:

Dan

Posted by: badcrc

I got the OEM version from Dell, and the drive shipped and should arrive tomorrow. I also got a $108.50 credit on my credit card, bringing my total cost to $63. Everyone who got retail, have fun filling out rebates and waiting 2+ months :).

Posted by: rsnaider

I was one of those that got extremely lucky. Ordered OEM 120's on 10/8, received them on 10/10. Found out about the rebate fiasco, and each drive only cost me $108.50. Called on 10/14 and $100 credit was issued without having to argue.

Posted by: jerobi

Got mine.

Posted by: scooby_doo

ordered retail version and delivery is 11/7 - almost 2 month earlier then the last email from Dell indicated - wonder if that email's purpose was to make people cancel ;)

Posted by: badcrc

quote:
Originally posted by rsnaider
I was one of those that got extremely lucky. Ordered OEM 120's on 10/8, received them on 10/10. Found out about the rebate fiasco, and each drive only cost me $108.50. Called on 10/14 and $100 credit was issued without having to argue.

$108.50? Where'd that price come from? Mine is only $63 after my credit.

Posted by: rsnaider

quote:
Originally posted by badcrc
$108.50? Where'd that price come from? Mine is only $63 after my credit.

I ordered two drives for around 187 each less 15%, with free shipping and no sales tax. Your 63 is for one drive, my 108 is the net cost of each of two drives ordered. If I only ordered one then my cost would have been $58.50.