HELP! Have I just lost $140 ??

[Pipanella]

I can't believe it. I was going through my charge statements from last year, and lo and behold, I discovered my $140 rebate check from my GE Rewards card still attached to my statement. It was dated 6/16/2000 and said Void If Not Cashed in 90 Days.

I called Customer Service to inquire as to whether another check could be issued, and she calmly told me no, that I had lost it. I told her I didn't understand why, if I returned this check, that another couldn't be issued. I earned the rebate, they still have the $140 in their account. It just says this particular check is void. I then told her that if I couldn't get this $140, then I would like to cancel my account. She transferred me to someone that could do that. I talked with that person, and she asked me why I wanted to close my account. I told her, and then asked if it would do any good to talk to a supervisor. She said possibly, and gave me a FAX number and an address to write to, to plead my case. (Which I definitely will do.)

Has anyone ever had this happen to them? If so, what was the result?

I'm upset with myself for overlooking the check, and upset with them for not taking care of this with a good long-standing customer.

[Infomom]

I'm not sure if this information will help, but I recently came across a website that will try to resolve problems such as you are having. I don't remember if there was a fee - but here's the link in case you're interested. Good luck!

[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]

[Pipanella]

infomom~

Thanks so much! I am gathering 'ammunition' (LOL), and will add this to my arsenal.

I just e-mailed customer service about it, and plan to send a letter through snail mail as well. I may use Planet Feedback, as I have gotten good results from that service before.

I have been a good customer for many years with First Card USA, and I can't believe that they wouldn't want to take care of me and not lose me.

I'll let you know if this gets resolved. (or not!)

[hmsram]

I know this is somewhat different a situation but I had
something similar happen to me on a rebate that I should of
gotten from the purchase of my 650 dollar washing machine I bought ..I overlooked the date on the form by 1 day of having it post marked (seems I am always a day behindLOL)
Well I sent the form off and sure enough they refused me the 50 dollar rebate I called and told them I had bought many items from there company and cant understand why they would not honor it over one day . All the so rude customer service manager would say is "I am sorry that is our policy"
OHHHH I was so mad..
I wish I would of thought at the time to go thru the email process, but then at that time I wasnt online..
Good luck and dont give up... Its rightfully your money

[devlina2u]

I don't know much about this situation but I do hope that you can get your money back......and can't you try [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] .....have heard a lot of great reviews and I hope that they can help you.

Good Luck.

[Pipanella]

Thanks, Devlina. Yeah, I've got that listed as one of my resources as well. If I don't get a satisfactory response from customer service by Tuesday (they said to allow 2 business days for a response), then I will go the other routes.

[Pipanella]

Well, no response from customer service today. Maybe tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then I go to Plan B.......

[Pipanella]

Well.............I got a response from First Card USA. Now, you tell me, should I really give them 45 days to resolve this? I'm not sure if I should go ahead and call them again about it or proceed with Planet Feedback or UGetHeard. Here's the response:

"We are writing to assure you that we are researching your recent inquiry concerning your credit card account.

Some matters may take up to 45 days for processing. We will write to you as soon as we have an answer.

If we can help in any other way, please call us at 1-800-955-9900.
Serving you is very important to us, and we appreciate your business.

Sincerely,

Financial Service Advisor
Cardmember Service"

No name to the advisor, so I wonder if this is just a generic response letter.

[hmsram]

I would probally call them .
It is most likely a letter they send to
every one.
Even if they are looking in to the matter it wont hurt
to call again.
And why 45 days to decide that seems like a long time
for them to decide whether or not to issue another
check.
Good luck

[webshopper]

Thanks I am not in your place. But from my all past experience, the best ting is to keep calling again and again. Finally, you gonna talk to somebody who would help you.

If a representative does not help you, tell them you wanna talk to his/her supervisor (not to the fax machine). They "always" have some supervisor but time they lie. Keep going up and up, I mean superv. of superv and so on. I think it really helps when you talk aggresively and clearly that you want your money back (plus they are not giving you totally free). And don't give up.

[Pipanella]

Just in case you were wondering how this turned out...

About 2 weeks ago, I had to call First USA because there was a yearly membership fee of $22.50 charged to my account, and I didn't know what it was for. They checked it and said that it had been charged to my account BY THEM, by mistake! They immediately took the charge off. The customer service rep then asked if there was anything else he could do for me.

And of course, I told him about my problem with the overlooked rebate check. You won't believe it. He said, "Sure, I can take care of that. I'll put in a request for a reissue of the check. You should hear from us within 2 weeks, possibly requesting that you send the check back to us, or you may just receive a new check. They also may just credit your account with the $140." I couldn't believe how easily he handled this.

So, today, I got my monthly statement, and THERE IT WAS! A credit of $140 for my "2000 Rewards Rebate." I am one happy gal right now. And believe me, when June rolls around THIS year, I'll be very careful to find and cash my rebate check!

Kudos to First USA MasterCard for making this right!!!! (Though they should train their customer service reps to check things like this out thoroughly before telling a customer what CAN'T be done.)

Thanks, also, to all of you who gave your moral support and suggestions!

[Infomom]

I am SO happy for you! Congratulations on getting your much deserved money back!!!!!! Hurrah for persistence!!!!!! Do something nice for yourself now!!!! $140.00 is a nice chunk of change!!!!!!