Lengthy rebate waiting periods may be a sign something's shady

Q. We bought a piano with a $3,000 rebate promise from CashBack America. The instructions were long and complicated, but we managed to meet all the requirements (including a waiting period of 35 months - or longer - and a 30-day filing window). When we mailed our application for the rebate, it was returned to us marked "Moved, no forwarding address." Of course, by the time we got our application package back, the tiny window for application was closed. Do we any recourse at this point? Was this a complete rip-off? Does the piano store have any responsibility in this?
Mike and Judy Billingsley
Hopkinton

A. CashBack America, as you may have figured, is out of business. It's a lousy situation all the way around, because the stores that offered the rebates actually paid a percentage of the promised amount to CashBack America. So, they also are victims.

Some stores around the country have made good on at least some of the rebates as a goodwill gesture, but they are certainly under no obligation. It can't hurt to contact the piano store and ask if they have made any provisions to compensate customers who bought from them while they were using the rebate as an inducement.

Even before the company closed, the state of Florida, where CashBack America was based, sued the owners in 2007. The lawsuit alleged the company looked for virtually any excuse to deny a rebate and, on the occasion when it did pay one, it was for a fraction of the amount expected.

Because of this litigation, the best chance of recovering any money is by lodging a complaint with the Florida attorney general at www.myfloridalegal.com. That, however, would require the state to win and find some assets from the company and its owners to distribute among the victims.

There's a cautionary tale in this situation. Since reputable stores were offering the rebates, there wasn't an initial warning sign; however, the details of the rebate should have cast a cloud. The long waiting period to file followed by a brief application period, suggested something shady. In general, consumers should be leery of rebates that require long waiting times. The best rebate is the instant rebate.

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