Jim Richmond

Why Is Systemax Fishy About Its Rebate Business?

Mr. Left is definitely onto something here...

This doesn't pass as a scientific analysis, but the evidence from my own personal experience suggests that they're either grossly incompetent or they're intentionally committing rebate fraud. I have no way to know which it is.

I have been due a rebate from this company for around 8 months and despite complaints to the BBB, the FTC, and the AG's office, the company hasn't paid it. The BBB closed out my case against them due to the company's "failure to respond" to the BBB inquiries.

Their OnRebate.com rebate processing site shows my rebate as approved and pending payment, as it has for around 8 months. You can see it at this link:


Before I started with my complaint process, I attempted over a dozen times to call and email OnRebate and TigerDirect. In each case where I was able to get through to a representative, they apologized for the mistake and promised me a check asap. The checks never came.

You'll have to make your own judgment about Systemax. I'm definitely in agreement with Mr. Left that there's something fishy going on over there.

Jim

Red Flags at Systemax: Accounting, Inventory, Customer Service

Here's my personal experience with TigerDirect and OnRebate. Frankly, I'm amazed they are still operating...

I sent in 4 rebates for purchases made at TigerDirect and PC Connection. Within 2 weeks, the OnRebate web status showed that all 4 rebates were correctly submitted and accepted by OnRebate. Next, I waited for payment.... and waited ...and waited.

After 5 months I had received 0 of the 4 accepted rebates. After several calls and emails to OnRebate, I was able to get one of them paid ($20 - the smallest).

Next I contacted PC Connection to request a refund directly from them. To my surprise, they refunded the $100 for the missing rebate and apologized for the trouble (the rep said this is all too common with OnRebate).

For the last 2 rebates which were for items purchased from TigerDirect, I'm at a dead end. Frankly, I simply can't believe a company that's traded on the NYSE could be engaging in such open and outright consumer fraud.

Given how willing Systemax is to defraud their customers, one has to wonder how honest they are in their reporting financials to their shareholders.