Where on earth are you supposed to cash a rebate check? (staples)?

So after 6-8 freakin weeks of waiting for my rebate of 100 dollars off a laptop purchase at staples.

it arrives in the mail unprotected and rain got on the micr code, a bank teller told me that she couldnt cash it because the micr code was smudged also the way the check is, its like a postcard with check form on it so she said it was more of a risk to try to cash it where do i go everyone has turned me away

Where on earth are you supposed to cash a rebate check? (staples)?instant loan

The appeal of rebate programs like this to their issuers is that some people will make their purchase decision figuring in the rebate but never go to the trouble to actually collect it.

The issuers have no incentives to make it easy.

It%26#039;s best to deposit rebate checks in one%26#039;s bank account. That allows for them to be cleared through regular bank clearing channels.

As answer number 1 said, start with your bank%26#039;s manager. Is the check really damaged so much that it cannot be processed?

If the rebate check really was damaged in the mail, you need to get a replacement check. If there are no instructions ON the check as to how to go about that,ask to speak to a manager at Staples. They may be able to help you get a replacement check.

Again, since they%26#039;ve already made their sale, they have limited incentives to help out. Course the retailer does NOT want an unhappy customer so if the Staples manager is unable/unwilling to help you, ask about who in Staples%26#039; management chain CAN help.

Finally, you can try contacting the manufacturer whose goods you%26#039;re getting a rebate on. They do have SOME incentive to help out as they don%26#039;t want an upset customer, and they%26#039;ve probably already been charged for the rebate check that you were issued.

These are the kinds of situations where an attorney or a friendly local news reporter for consumer advocate issues is good to know.

Where on earth are you supposed to cash a rebate check? (staples)?

loan

Go to your own bank. Ask to speak to a manager. Have him examine the check and tell you specifically whether it is a valid check or not.

A valid check requires 4 things:

1) A valid account number (whether it%26#039;s microcoded or not).

2) A valid payee line.

3) A valid amount line.

4) A valid authorizing signature.

If it has all 4 of those, it could be written on toilet paper and it would still be a valid check. Your bank should allow you to deposit it to your own account. The funds will be held (up to 7 days in cases where the check has to be processed manually), but they should accept it.

If they won%26#039;t, there should be information on the check, or online from the store that offered the rebate, about how to apply for a replacement check.

Again, don%26#039;t take the advice of any front-line teller or store clerk - deal with a manager. And write down their names. Nothing makes people nervous like asking for their names and titles, and then writing that information down.

Good Luck!