Post by: LM1689 on October 14, 2008, 09:00:47 AM
I have used many Brunswick balls with success in the past, but I have heard of problems with some of the equipment since the factory move to Mexico. I was assured that those problems were worked out and decided to purchase the ball solely on the $100 rebate offer. I was told the rebate card would be mailed out very soon after the purchase, I bought the ball.
I filled out the rebate form and submitted the pro shop receipt and the label from the box and within a week received my gas card. However, when I opened the envelope there was no gas card good for the $100, but a registration form from a rebate company. Much to my surprise there were 19 rules and regulations regarding the use of the rebate "vouchers." Long story short, I have to send in the rebate to the company and in return they send me 10 vouchers in return. When I purchase gas I have seven days from the purchase to send a voucher to the rebate company. After that they will send me a $10 check in the mail within 8 to 10 weeks. Futhermore, I can only use one voucher in a thirty day period. I expect to recieve my $100 gas rebate in $10 increments within the next 80 to 100 weeks.
In my opinion this is an abomination by Brunswick to try to sell bowling equipment in hopes that the hoops the consumer has to jump through will stop them from obtaining the rebate. This deal sounded too good to be true from the start and my first instinct should have taken over. Instead I was duped by the ball company into thinking a rebate card was what I thought it was. This won't happen again! There are plenty of quality ball manufacturers out there with great equipment. I will not be back regardless of how great the equipment may be.
Post by: laufaye on October 14, 2008, 05:12:13 PM
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Laufaye
Post by: BrunsNick on October 14, 2008, 05:44:30 PM
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Nick Smith ... A.K.A. BrunsNick
Brunswick -=- PBA 03-08
http://www.BrunsNick.com
http://www.AskTheBowler.com
http://www.BigBapparel.com
Friends don't let friends drink the Kool-Aid!
Post by: 302efi on October 14, 2008, 06:05:40 PM
When someone says "$100 gas card" what does that sound like?
Receive a $100 gas rebate card with the purchase of: (http://"http://brunswick.losasso.com/gas/")
Sure sounds a SINGLE card to me as well...
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quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
Post by: BrunsNick on October 14, 2008, 06:15:18 PM
Just like saying a bowling ball creates 20% more energy. However, with the latter, there is no fine print.
I didn't come up with the program, but it is what it is.
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Nick Smith ... A.K.A. BrunsNick
Brunswick -=- PBA 03-08
http://www.BrunsNick.com
http://www.AskTheBowler.com
http://www.BigBapparel.com
Friends don't let friends drink the Kool-Aid!
Post by: rockerbowler18 on October 14, 2008, 06:16:44 PM
quote:
The terms and conditions are plain as day, found easily on the Brunswick website.It's not jumping through hoops, it is actually pretty simple. Doing what you normally do (buying gas and saving the receipt) then spending $4.20 in stamps to get $100 back.
Amen. I'm not willing to do all that, plus, there's really nothing out by the big B at this time that's super appealing to me, but that's why I used the website. It really is pretty plain to see. Advertisements are often misleading, this isn't the first and won't be the last time something is promised but it's not promised exactly as most people think it is. That is the purpose of advertising.
Buy the ball based on performance, then use the 100 as an extra incentive. Don't buy a ball to get 100 back. That's pointless.
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Righty
High rev rate (400-450 rpm)
Semi-high speed (16-17 mph)
Current Average: 236
For a game based on the principles of science and math, bowling sure does have a bad habit of being illogical.
Edited on 10/14/2008 6:18 PM
Post by: LM1689 on October 14, 2008, 06:28:44 PM
Post by: BrunsBob on October 14, 2008, 10:20:33 PM
Like a few have already stated, the rebate is the perk, but should not be the reason for buying the ball. We tossed around numerous ways to try and get cash back into the consumers hands and this was a way to maximize the value. I'm sorry that your shop was not able to inform you of the rebate plan, but short of visiting with or contacting each shop individually, we gave them as much information as we could to help make this a successful program for all involved. I realy hope you will reconsider your opinion of Brunswick and continue to enjoy success with our products. Are intentions were to provide a great product and attach a rebate with it that helped the customer justify the purchase in these difficult economic times. We plan to do more consumer type rebates in the future for this very reason, so we will study the results of this program and determine how we can do it better.
Seriously, we want you as a customer and really don't want you to feel that you've been "dupped". It is a rough time for many consumers these days, so to ask someone to put out $200+ for a bowling ball can be too much for some, so we hoped that this rebate would help some. By no means did we want to disappoint anyone with this offer.
Regards,
Robert Lawrence
(SW Product Specialist - Brunswick Bowling)
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I'm gettin' old, I'm hurtin', but I've got Brunswick balls.......Color me competitive.
Post by: Verbs on October 14, 2008, 10:22:07 PM
I'm sorry, but I don't see what the problem is. If you don't want to put up the effort to get your $100 that's fine. It's your perogative. But don't come on here complaining that you have to work for $100. I don't see any other manufacturer doing ANYTHING like this to entice consumers
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Larry Verble
Post by: born2bowl2 on October 14, 2008, 10:58:50 PM
Post by: 302efi on October 14, 2008, 11:10:55 PM
quote:
Anyone that want to jump through the all the hoops can PM me with an offer and they can have my $100 gas rebate card.
LOL....See even after Brunswick people explaining it, most peole don't wanna go through the hassle.
Why couldnt you guy just give a cash back rebate or knock $100 off the price of the ball or how about a single $100 gas card ?
Why jump make people jump through all the hoops ?
I'll tell you why, because you know most people won't do and they wont go for the rebate..so you save money and still advertise the offer
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quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
Edited on 10/14/2008 11:11 PM
Post by: 302efi on October 14, 2008, 11:14:43 PM
Whats the process for getting a single card like it says ?
http://brunswick.losasso.com/gas/
Your ad says "card", tell me how I can get a $100 gas rebate card please. Not $10 vouchers, but a card as stated in the ad ?
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quote:
I will head to my local pro shop. Right after I buy it online.
Sport Bowling is a F**king joke
Post by: The Bowlers Edge 2 on October 14, 2008, 11:49:01 PM
quote:
I don't see any other manufacturer doing ANYTHING like this to entice consumers
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Larry Verble
Roto Grip- Drawing for a Free Cell Pearl w/review
Lane 1- See Above
Hammer- 20 sauces
900- New Bounty Program....
Not the same, but companies are offering things.
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The Bowler's Edge Pro Shop
Post by: CharlieBrown on October 15, 2008, 03:23:31 AM
quote:
Okay, it does take some effort to get your $100 ($10 at a time). But, for a little (key word LITTLE) effort, and $4.20 in postage Brunswick will send you $100.
Everybody wants something for nothing these days. I blame MTV.
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I'm a THS hack and a ball junkie.
Post by: sdbowler on October 15, 2008, 04:57:40 AM
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Kyle
Post by: Verbs on October 15, 2008, 06:42:18 AM
quote:quote:
I don't see any other manufacturer doing ANYTHING like this to entice consumers
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Larry Verble
Roto Grip- Drawing for a Free Cell Pearl w/review
Lane 1- See Above
Hammer- 20 sauces
900- New Bounty Program....
Not the same, but companies are offering things.
--------------------
The Bowler's Edge Pro Shop
I should have clarified my statement saying that no other company is offering ALL consumers an incentive to purchase. The above incentives are for a drawing or you have to perform. The Brunswick offer is for everyone who purchases a high performance product instead of being the "lucky" few or be the first one to roll a 300 with one particular ball. All good programs, but luck is involved.
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Larry Verble
Post by: drock300 on October 15, 2008, 08:27:31 AM
quote:
Ok your ad says "receive a $100 gas rebate card"
Whats the process for getting a single card like it says ?
http://brunswick.losasso.com/gas/
Your ad says "card", tell me how I can get a $100 gas rebate card please. Not $10 vouchers, but a card as stated in the ad ?
Hey 302...not to be picky...but my wife got her's in the mail...and it is a card, that I mail in to get her signed up for the program...
Brunswick didn't say a gas debit card or any form of a debit card, it says a $100 gas card...
Just my $.02...
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Daron Hansen
aka Big Daddy D
Post by: mrteach3 on October 15, 2008, 10:44:53 AM
Now, to address the Brunswick rebate. One hundred dollars seems as though it might be a higher return rebate. However, it will not be at all. Consumers see $10 at a time and equate that to being duped, getting ripped off, etc. Those people will not even try to redeem the rebate at all. Then, there will be the people who don't want to jump through the hoops of sending in ten different receipts to get the $100. This is done on purpose by Brunswick, or the company handling the rebates, as a way to lower the number of people who redeem the rebate. Then of course there will be many people who just forget altogether. This will get the numbers down to 10% to 25% of the people who actually follow all the rules to get their $100. In actuality, it won't cost very much to Brunswick at all to offer this rebate incentive comparatively to what it would if one $100 card was offered. Just the facts based upon rebate research.
I am a long time Brunswick supporter, but I was very disappointed in how this rebate program was put together. Not in regards to me, but in regards to my customers, who to fully redeem this rebate would be a pain. I have had several people just say forget it, it isn't worth it. It is a business decision as to how this rebate program was handled. If you one that follows through on the entire rebate rules, I applaud you, however know that you will be one of the minority who actually do.
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Who needs a 300 or 800, when I have a 294 and a 295!?!?!
Post by: Hamburglar on October 15, 2008, 11:06:20 AM
quote:
I agree it sounds misleading...
If it sounds misleading, then it is misleading...
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That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, that which doesn't make you stronger is a waste of time!
Post by: jls on October 15, 2008, 12:40:15 PM
My wild guess, the people bashing this offer drink $5 coffee from Star Bucks.
Give it a rest already.
The info is on the form, maybe they should have read the fine print. Or did they just buy the ball thinking that they would make a fast $100 bucks.
Global has a new deal starting, buy a new Bounty and shoot a 300 and win a share of $25,000. Oh boy, I'll bet the Star Buck crowd won't like this either.
Cause you have to shot a 300 with the ball and fill out the paper work.
They just don't send you $25 grand.
Some people are unbelievable.
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jls Vote for good, not evil.
Post by: BW on October 15, 2008, 03:20:25 PM
Here are a few quotes I posted in the other thread on this topic:
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So you have to send in 10 different receipts, each one 30 days apart, and basically have to wait 10 months to redeem the entire rebate?
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Something is better than nothing, but this seems like a large pain to redeem. I'll be shocked if more than 25% of buyers actually redeem all their vouchers. Or is that the point?
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Sorry, but this is the single most difficult to redeem rebate that I've ever seen
My biggest problem is the fact that you have to send in 10 receipts, separately and 30 days apart, and get the money $10 at a time. I'm sure a lot of people will forget to send them in after the first month or two. Others will send them in all at once, and they will be declared null and void.
I just hate having to read fine print and feel like I've been mislead. The headline on the flyer doesn't say:
"Buy a Brunswick ball and get up to (10) $10 checks, once a month, if and only if you send us a gas receipt and follow a bunch of other rules"
Post by: born2bowl2 on October 15, 2008, 03:47:43 PM
Quote
Give me $10 off on gas once a month and I will gladly pay 42 cents to get it.
Shoot me an offer and you are welcome to have my Gas Rebate card.
Way too much work for me
Post by: Michbowler on October 17, 2008, 06:09:54 PM
quote:
I hate to say it, but this is just like any other company offering a rebate. Rebates are offered as a way to drum up business knowing the company will not have to pay out very much in return. Companies know that in most cases there will only be from 10% to 25% of people who actually redeem the rebate offered. Do some research, it is true. The larger the rebate, the higher number of people who will redeem. Numbers also show the less time someone has to redeem the rebate, the higher the numbers are that indeed redeem the rebate. The longer time required to fully redeem the rebate, the lower the number.
Now, to address the Brunswick rebate. One hundred dollars seems as though it might be a higher return rebate. However, it will not be at all. Consumers see $10 at a time and equate that to being duped, getting ripped off, etc. Those people will not even try to redeem the rebate at all. Then, there will be the people who don't want to jump through the hoops of sending in ten different receipts to get the $100. This is done on purpose by Brunswick, or the company handling the rebates, as a way to lower the number of people who redeem the rebate. Then of course there will be many people who just forget altogether. This will get the numbers down to 10% to 25% of the people who actually follow all the rules to get their $100. In actuality, it won't cost very much to Brunswick at all to offer this rebate incentive comparatively to what it would if one $100 card was offered. Just the facts based upon rebate research.
I am a long time Brunswick supporter, but I was very disappointed in how this rebate program was put together. Not in regards to me, but in regards to my customers, who to fully redeem this rebate would be a pain. I have had several people just say forget it, it isn't worth it. It is a business decision as to how this rebate program was handled. If you one that follows through on the entire rebate rules, I applaud you, however know that you will be one of the minority who actually do.
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Who needs a 300 or 800, when I have a 294 and a 295!?!?!
That about sums it up. I like it when someone tells it like it really is. Only problem is, now you're on the Brunswick DieHard Fans Hitlist. Watch your back.
Post by: BrunsBob on October 20, 2008, 11:04:21 PM
Also, there is no reason to "watch your back" from the Brunswick Diehards Fanlist. LOL. You choose to either participate and offer it to your customers, or you don't and do business as usual. There's no reason for the Brunswick loyalists on here to attack those that don't like the program. We stepped outside the box for a change and this is what we tried. Overall so far, ranks as a success.
RoB LaW
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I'm gettin' old, I'm hurtin', but I've got Brunswick balls.......Color me competitive.
Post by: Dan Belcher on October 21, 2008, 07:41:43 AM
quote:I'm quoting this just to make sure more people see it. Have you ever seen a rebate system that was actually easy and quick? Of course you haven't! That defeats the entire purpose of the rebate system. The company wants you to buy the item believing you'll get money back, but then you don't follow throw with the rebate system and they don't have to pay you back. It gives the company the benefits of an outright reduced-price sale in terms of pushing more product while letting them keep more money since so few people actually follow through with rebates. This is the kind of stuff you learn in Marketing 101 in college.
I hate to say it, but this is just like any other company offering a rebate. Rebates are offered as a way to drum up business knowing the company will not have to pay out very much in return. Companies know that in most cases there will only be from 10% to 25% of people who actually redeem the rebate offered. Do some research, it is true. The larger the rebate, the higher number of people who will redeem. Numbers also show the less time someone has to redeem the rebate, the higher the numbers are that indeed redeem the rebate. The longer time required to fully redeem the rebate, the lower the number.
Post by: Tess7654 on October 21, 2008, 08:01:12 AM
Post by: drock300 on October 21, 2008, 10:32:16 AM
quote:
Brunswick doing this gas deal should just show everyone how bad they are hurting to try and sell balls.
So...are you also saying that 900Global is hurting with their "Bounty" promotion??? Is your local grocery store/supermarket hurting to sell their products since they have coupons in your Sunday newspaper???
It is an incentive...most major retailers use incentives to entice consumers to purchase their products...
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Daron Hansen
aka Big Daddy D