Having Problems with Paramount Blu-ray Upgrade Rebates?

[vinniesuarez]

Forgive me if this isn't the most appropriate place for this post, but I'm relatively new here. I have seen other users have placed posts in this forum regarding the confusion over Paramount's $10 rebates, and a few have also commented that they received postcards from CMS (the rebate firm with which Paramount contracted to process the rebates) indicating their submissions were invalid for one reason or another.

I'll spare you the details, but in the past few months I have submitted three such rebate requests (Transformers, Godfather and Sweeney Todd). Two of the three have been denied by CMS, yet when I contacted CMS to indicate that I have copies of my submitted materials and that I most certainly closely followed the rebate requirements, I was told the denial was in error and that I would "soon" receive my check. I've still not received any checks.

I know that part of the "game" within the rebate world is to either deny or simply not send a certain percentage of rebates, with the expectation that the consumer will not bother to follow up. Not only does this irk me, but I find it unconscionable that Paramount would be associated with this practice when this particular rebate program involves loyal customers who have purchased the same programming multiple times and who are also positioned (as early adopters) to help promote this new revenue stream. I'm not saying Paramount is responsible, but they need to at least be aware of how these rebates are being (mis)handled and how their presumably loyal customers feel about it. (For example, I have purchased The Godfather films on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD and now Blu-ray and resent being jerked around for my ten bucks.)

In a roundabout way, I ended up finally reaching someone at Paramount who was responsive to the concern. CMS has since been contacted and I received a phone call (!) from CMS stating that my rebates would be fulfilled ASAP. Whether this will happen is yet to be seen, but at least there was a quick and, finally, appropriate response.

The Paramount representative with whom I spoke has asked that future inquiries be directed to the CMS Consumer Care Hotline 1-877-322-8355. Hopefully this will be of assistance to those of you with legitimate rebate requests that are being denied/delayed.