Additional Coverage:
- Costco shopper buys an item eligible for a $40 rebate — then he faced an unexpected problem (marketrealist.com)
Local Man’s Dehumidifier Dilemma Ends with Double the Rebate and a Happy Wife
New Jersey Man Navigates a Maze of Rebate Confusion, Ultimately Scoring Big
Costco is often hailed as a shopper’s paradise, renowned for its generous return policies and enticing deals. However, even in this retail haven, a simple purchase can sometimes lead to an unexpected odyssey, as New Jersey resident George Rahey recently discovered.
His quest to fix a damp basement led him to a Midea dehumidifier at Costco, a seemingly straightforward $149.97 purchase with a promising $40 rebate sticker. What followed was a two-month-long bureaucratic tangle that ultimately ended with Rahey not just getting his rebate, but double the amount.
The dehumidifier, an Energy Star-rated appliance, clearly boasted a green, white, and blue sticker with the JCP&L logo, directing Rahey to a website for the rebate application. “There is a sticker on the box indicating a $40 rebate is available,” Rahey recounted, as reported by NJ.com. Yet, his initial attempts to claim the rebate were met with a surprising denial: JCP&L claimed the unit was not Energy Star-rated.
Confused by the conflicting information, Rahey turned to Costco, who informed him that rebates were a matter between the utility and the manufacturer. His next stop was Midea, the manufacturer.
After several calls and escalations, a Midea representative confirmed on November 12 that the dehumidifier was indeed Energy Star-rated. However, they then directed him back to JCP&L, creating a frustrating loop.
“So someone owes me the rebate,” Rahey expressed his exasperation. “Costco says it’s not their problem.
The power company says no. And Midea is telling me to go back to the power company.”
The back-and-forth continued. On November 19, Midea again verified the Energy Star rating, but suggested the unit might not be listed on the Energy Star website because it was a Costco-specific model.
Finally, a breakthrough. Costco, recognizing Rahey’s prolonged ordeal, stepped up and offered him a $40 gift card. A representative acknowledged the “hassle around the utility rebate,” explaining that “The EPA changed requirements for Energy Star certification in October, which made our unit (and others) non-compliant.”
Not long after, JCP&L also extended an apology. “We know this is a frustrating situation, and since the Energy Star sticker was still on the box by mistake, we’re honoring the rebate,” stated spokesman Christopher Hoenig.
With both Costco’s gift card and JCP&L’s honored rebate, Rahey found himself with a cool $80. When asked about his plans for the windfall, he quipped, “Really, I am going to give the money to my wife because she has been hearing me complaining about this for almost two months now.” It seems a little extra cash and a lot of patience paid off, making his damp basement a distant memory, at least for his wife’s ears.