Comments for The Laziest of Webs

The Laziest of Webs

2004-02-23T22:37:05Z

Okay, there are services that handle eBay for me if I'm too lazy to sell my junk. Which I am. But what I need is a service which will handle Free After Rebate products for me. I'd trust them to be my purchasing proxy, perhaps with one of those single-use credit card numbers, in exchange for a guarantee that they'd process the rebate claim form.

Even with a one or two dollar processing fee per rebate, I'd still come out way ahead, and someone could build a decent service business. Anyone know someone who's offering this?

Comment from Rajan on 2004-02-24

2004-02-24T17:54:08Z

I believe rebate-tracker.com is a good service, but they only provide a centralized point for you to track your own rebates. The flop on this rebate business model is that most rebates come 1 per household and no PO boxes, so setting up that business would be a toughie...

Comment from sjhiij on 2004-02-24

2004-02-25T00:27:46Z

Ahhh, no day is complete without Meri apologizing for someone being a homophobe (Via Yesterday). That's quite a niche you've carved out for yourself there, Meri....

Comment from JMeyers on 2004-02-24

2004-02-25T03:46:05Z

I would do that for you if we could figure out a feasible way to do it. I'm a stay-at-home mom and it seems like a really great idea. I have the time to track the paperwork and a 10% fee is reasonable...

Comment from Charles on 2004-02-25

2004-02-25T22:31:54Z

www.rebatestatus.com is supposed to be a free site containing a central database of rebates, though I've only had limited success with it (about 75% show up.) They don't process the forms or anything, they just keep tabs on the status. I got fed up with "rebate offers" and won't buy anything anymore that is "free" or cheaper after a rebate. Generally it's just more trouble than the money you're supposed to save.

Comment from Mani on 2004-02-26

2004-02-26T09:58:42Z

Persian Top Weblogs Competition Winners-2004

Comment from Anonymous on 2004-02-26

2004-02-26T10:00:19Z

http://www.topweblogs.com/view.php?page=winner1_82

Comment from SC on 2004-02-26

2004-02-26T17:46:00Z

I want share a funny story with you. Have you heard about http://www.cyberrebate.com ? Their business plan was, buy stuff for ridiculously high prices, but the product will be free after the mail-in rebate. We will take care of the mail-in rebate for you. You will have your product now and get all your money back in 2 months. So, people went crazy and bought DVD Players for $2000, Watches for $4000 and so on. IT worked fine for sometime. But one fine morning the homepage for the site was replaced by "CyberRebate filed Chapter 11". And a lot of people didn't get their rebate back.

(I know so well because I bought a DVD for $100 )

Comment from spygeek on 2004-02-27

2004-02-27T19:38:20Z

Have you looked into Rapid Rebate?

https://secure5.bkrstudio.com/rapidrebates/

They supposedly give you the rebate money within 24 hours of filing and you can use direct deposit.

Comment from Hot Abercrombie Chick on 2004-02-28

2004-02-28T21:00:24Z

I should use the Ebay seller place--I'm also lazy and overloaded with junk.

Comment from Cheapbastard on 2004-02-29

2004-03-01T03:40:44Z

This is going to destroy the rebate biz! Ha, maybe not.. Most people are too lazy to fill out the rebate forms, and end up stuck with the product.

Comment from Stan on 2004-03-01

2004-03-01T16:55:39Z

I deposited a rebate check this morning, and I noticed the fine print on the check saying that it will not be honored if you sign it over to anyone.

Wonder if they're combating, or at least anticipating, exactly what you suggest?

Comment from Michelle R on 2004-03-01

2004-03-01T21:41:36Z

What are single use credit card numbers? Where can I get one?