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Sucker for Online Rebates

Sat, 12/02/2006 - 10:59 — admin

I already have enough clutter, why the hell would I be buying more *junk*?

This is what I think the very moment I click "APPROVE" or "CHECKOUT" on all these online stores. Where did this impulse buying come from and why do I continue to do it? There's two simple answers to that.

  1. I'm cheap
  2. My Mother

I'm cheap out of necessity. I would love to be able to surround myself with top-of-the-line, state-of-the-art, televisions, cameras, computers, and other digital devices. Unfortunately, an uncompleted college education and the massive amounts of loans from that experience are putting a damper on attaining such personal luxuries.

My mother. I'm not sure if it's nature or nurture that I so eagerly accepted my fate of impulse buying. One thing is for sure, I definately have it.

The suppliers to my addiction.

eCost - eCost has been the most aggressive distributor for my impulse buying. On a daily basis I am recieving at least 1 e-mail that is hussling me for my money. The goods they are pushing my way seem almost to hard to resist. A majority of the items in thier emails come from thier bargain countdown, which are items that they are trying to liquidate. You get products that are "so last season" but the prices can't be beat.

So far I have purchased the following from eCost:

  • USB Color Web Camera with Built-in Audio Microphone
    • This was an item I have been looking to upgrade for sometime now.
    • Overall I'm pretty satisfied with the quality. Here's a sample of image quality.
    • No Rebate
    • Final Price $9 + shipping
  • 1GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive
    • This item was added to my web cam order so that I could break $30 and be able to get the $10 Google Checkout discount.
    • I've needed to replace the flash drive listed below.
    • $25 rebate.
    • Final Price $9 + shipping
  • 512MB TRIO MP3 Player / USB Drive
    • Needed a flash drive, the added MP3 capability was only a bonus.
    • Immediately gave it to some chick just to see her happy.
    • $18 rebate
    • Final Price $9 + shipping
  • NEW Bluetooth Headset (C-Style) (Model HS-777)
    • Again another item I have been wanting to own, finally found one in my price range
    • Used it for a week, it works, sounds good. But the novelty wore off quickly.
    • Saw how small the new ones are in comparison, became embarrassed to wear in public
    • $11 rebate
    • Final Price $9 + shipping

Newegg - Newegg.com may not always (but usually) the lowest prices on computer parts. The thing that most attracts me to buy from Newegg.com is thier speedy delivery and customer support. An item being shipped all the way from California still manages to make it to Pennsyvania within 3 days or less. Do not pay the extra $4 to have your item rushed. I did it once and the item took longer than normal to get delivered.

So far I have purchased the following from Newegg.com:


chiefValue - chiefValue also sends me emails daily. I have never purchased from them yet. Newegg or eCost usually beats these guys to the punch with a better price. I see good things in the future if this company is able to jump the gun a bit sooner and be more aggressive with thier pricing.


PriceWatch - Pricewatch.com is not really a store. If anything it is the Froogle of 5 - 6 years ago, mainly focusing on tech gadgetry. If you are building a computer system from the ground up and you want to pull the best prices from here and there then this is (was) the way to go. Once again, it would probably save you a lot of time and money if you ordered everything from Newegg.com and paid a single shipping cost.
ebay - Sometimes and I do mean sometimes (rarely) are you able to find a huge steal on ebay. Though it's main purpose for me has been to sell any *junk* that I have stupidly bought from all the sites listed above.

So now the real question is: Is it worth it?

The answer is YES and NO. How cliche is that?

Yes, I'm fairly happy with the items I have recieved. For the prices paid you cannot expect the best results from tech equiptment. If I'm ever unhappy with the product, there is always someone else out there as cheap (aka broke) as I am who is willing to buy *junk* from someone like me.

No, I'm not happy with the items I have recieved because, after 1 or 2 weeks the items either gets buried away, never to be used again or it just becomes something that I can brag to my friends about owning. ( how lame is that ) It makes me look really cool ( aka dorky ) when I get to show TV on my computer, send a mediocre image across the web using my web cam, or burn a DVD to give to a friend.

Finally, rebates. This is the biggest joke of it all. I think out of 5 rebates that I sent in and have been banking on. I've recieved 1 rebate for $15. I completely understand the 6 - 8 weeks waiting time, but it has been much longer than that for some and I still haven't gotten anything.

What we've learned.

  1. A $10 item is irressitable no matter what it is or how out of date it has become. At least this is the feeling when viewing it online.
  2. Using combined items to get additional discounts makes me a big time sucker.
  3. Sending daily emails with last minute bargains is a really good thing for online retailers.
  4. Offer rebates at all times, even if you or the manufacture doesn't plan on honoring them.
  5. Don't blame your mom for all you bad habits.

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