Sears Automotive, North Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX - took 2.5 months to get advertised free JVC DVD player for purchasing Michelin tires

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RE: Sears Automotive, North Shepherd Drive, Houston, TX - took 2.5 months to get advertised free JVC DVD player for purchasing Michelin tires

I bought the tires from Sears Automotive on North Shepherd Drive in Houston TX (who as an aside provide excellent service!) and then mailed in a copy of the purchase receipt with an online form - there were also brochures from Michelin on the counter at Sears.

And as an update, the DVD player arrived yesterday - 2 1/2 months later!!

I purchased 4 new Michelin Tires on 9/19/03 in order to obtain a free JVC DVD player as advertised. The paper work was mailed in on 9/22/03, but was not "keyed in" until 10/9/03.

After I heard nothing for 3 weeks I checked the status of my rebate and called the Consumer Relations department and was told I could expect my player in another 3 weeks.

When that time frame elapsed I re-checked the status of my rebate on line and received the following trite message:

Due to the overwhelming response to this promotion, an additional purchase of DVD player inventory was required. The need to replenish our inventory, combined with the fires in Southern California, has resulted in shipment delays. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Your gift will be shipped as soon as possible.

I called the Rebate line and spoke with a representative who again stated I might be able to expect my rebate DVD player in another 3 weeks and redirected me to the Consumer Relations line, where the only thing I was offered was another canned apology and nothing clear that I could expect regarding this rebate.

My complaints with this company and this situation are two fold: un-timely data entry and poor communication from the company - had my information been entered in a more timely fashion, I feel that I may have been receiving my rebate sooner, and had some form of communication been initiated by the company regarding these delays and with a possible alternative offered - such as a cash equivalent or an alternative brand, for those consumers affected by this delay, I would be less disappointed and angry.

In the future I will seriously reconsider becoming involved in any promotion involving this company - I think I would have been better off buying another brand and getting the DVD player with the money I saved.