This post is for my WI readers. This morning I received the following email from Norah:
I just thought you might want to know, that there is a bill in committee today making mail in rebates illegal in Wisconsin. I head about it on 1130 WISN on Bellings show and thought I should pass it on. It seems it will pass out of committee and the legislator seems to want to pass it on party lines. I would encourage people to let their representatives know they don’t want this, or we will no longer be able to participate in rebate programs. Belling has his podcast up where he takes about this. I believe it was the 4 o’clock hour.
You may want to take the time to tune in to the podcast this afternoon and consider voicing your opinion about this. Thanks Norah!
Hi! I am Mercedes and this is my blog Common Sense with Money! Helping other people live better, spend less, and save more is something I am very passionate about. I combine simple frugal living tips and smart shopping techniques to help moms across the U.S. become better home economists. Thank you for visiting my blog.
I don’t live in WI, but if I did I certainly would be making a stink about this. I wonder what are their grounds for legislation?
I was just thinking the same thing. Why does legislature care whether a company offers a mail in rebate, or not???
When will big government stop their stealing from our pockets. I will make the call today…..grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!! My guess, that companies use rebates as a tax break? And Uncle Sam wants that money.
Thats not fair for those families living in WI that are struggling or making ends
meet. The legislature should be concerned about more important issues like
jobs, and the economy than rebates from company.
just checked online regarding bill, it is to stop cell phone rebates, est 25 million….and yes because the government want it to go to them instead of the people ( who paid the bills) another grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!
Go figure…the government “knows” what’s best for us. Again. We’re good enough to get these idiots elected, but once they’re in, our opinions don’t count? Sheesh. The whole reason our country was founded was because ol’ King George was taxing us without representation and taking from our pockets without our permission. Somehow, I see a huge parallel here, and I don’t get why people are too blind to see this…I don’t need, nor do I want, the government to “protect” me. They’ve botched that job a long time ago. Grr!
Sure it may “only” be for electronic rebates, but this sets statutory precedent. I’ve already called my congressmen…
Amen!!! a nation of sheep begats a government of wolves.. enough said, whats free!!
I think everyone should keep an eye on this. If they push it through, which other states may see it as a good idea, too??
You can see the actual bill text here:
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/SB-560.pdf
Does this actually outlaw mail-in rebates, or merely restrict how companies can word info about the price – e.g. they can’t say this gadget costs only $25 (when in fact it’s $50 with a $25 mail in rebate)?
Here’s some more info here:
http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/senate/sen21/news/Press/2010/pr2010-007.asp
I’m sure there’s more out there on this, too.
I emailed my representative. She is also opposed, and said that it was looking as though it wouldn’t get enough support to go to the full senate. She said she would monitor the situation and urge others NOT to support this bill. That made me feel a lot better, I ‘m glad she is trying to protect us consumers. I’d encourage all WI people to email and let your voices be heard!
sue how?? i live in middleton..i want to do something but have no idea how to?? my daughters had christmas thanks to Mercedes, coupons and “mail in rebates
Lisette, go to the Mark Belling link Mercedes has listed. On that page there’s a tab for contacting your state representative. Click on that, then type in your address, and the contract info. will come up. You can choose the email option. Hope that helps!
Thank you Liz, for posting the links to the bill!
If you read the text of the bill, it is not going to outlaw rebates in any way. All the bill is going to do is make instances where companies advertise the price of something as being lower because of a mail-in rebate that is not immediately given at the time of purchase(i.e. this printer is $100 after $50 mail in rebate) to be considered deceptive marketing. These companies advertise the deals this way, and hope like heck you forget to send in the rebate.
Whew! I was worried there for a minute.
I live in Central Northern Wisconsin and trust me, this bill is to protect us (the comsumer) and not the companies. The mail in rebate of what you purchase and send it in to get a few of the money back is not part of the bill.
This is for phone and cell phones companies, builders/house improvements stores, and electronics/office supplies stores who bogus us in believing that you are getting a great deal when it is really not. It really makes me mad when I see a great phone from Verizon, All Tell or Eistein that I really like and it cost say “$35″ but after rebates with 2-years agreements. Yeah its a great deal when the actual price is $135 or more but the sign in contract for two or more years and the rebates is not in form of money or check to be used but a card only to be used with the cell/phone company. Now that sucks! This goes with house improvement stores such as Menards and Home Depot. They have a product that says “Free” or “$1.00″ but it’s after rebates with a separate $10 or more in purchases and the check is only to be use for merchandise in the store. This includes electronics/offices stores are Best Buy and Office Depot, again they do the same things.
It just makes me so mad that I have to spend a lot of money to get their “special” price or deals but to go back and shop more at the store. Now that is a TOTALLY FALSE REBATES!! It’s false advertisement and the stores gain and not the consumers!
The rebates you and I get from manufactures (Kimberly Clarks, SC Johnson, P & G and others… ) that send actual checks or gift cards to be use any else where is not part of the bill. However, if this is to be also included, I will call my rep. and give a good piece of my mind. As yet, I do not think so that is what I think after reading the bill and understanding it.
its the same case in maine!! ill be moving there in a few months and almost all rebates are void in maine! it really stinks
I read the bill and there are no exclusions. It is NOT just for phones, it says “retail merchandise”. That would cover just about every product you buy.
No company is going to offer “on the spot” rebates to the residents of WI only. We will just be an exclusion at the bottom of the form and will have to pay MORE for the items. Call your State Senator!!