Marilynne's World

A new washer!

If you look at it in terms of the purchase power of the general public, I am fortunate this week to have ordered a new washer and dryer. I was even happier to find that it came with a rebate for delivery and removal of the old machines. Great!

Except that I prefer to send my old machines to be recycled. I know a firm that will pick up my old machines, recondition, and re-sell them. In effect they’re recycling them so I was happy to pay them to pick up my machines.

So, what will that do to my rebate? I’m not sure. Technically they should pay the cost of the people who are going recycle my machines. But who knows. The world of rebates is a crazy world.

About half of the rebates I apply for are never paid. That’s a lot. Most of the ones who don’t pay are small software companies. A large company like Sears has its reputation at stake. I believe they will pay the rebate.

However, their own-line rebate forms were a little difficult. When I thought I’d made a mistake, the “help” didn’t put me on the right track.  It just kept insisting that I do this step. This led to me download a mail-in form twice (I thought they needed it online) and re-enter their form about four times. By the fourth time I was frustrated enough to YELL at them through “Contact Us.” Kudos to them for having that link. Many companies now days do not.

I took the mail-in form they had given me at the store only to find they had written on it – and I had written a password on it. Not good. I was looking for the online form when I decided to try online once more.

The fifth time was a charm. What they were asking for finally made sense and I was able to complete the rebate.

We’re talking about a half hour here. A half hour to complete an online form. It should have been easier.

Now, if they’ll be able to fit my new machines through the door, I’ll be a happy lady. (I have an old house with creative sizing when it comes to doors.)

Marilynne