Tobiasly’s Blog

I often get asked by people what they should send in care packages to soldiers who have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when deciding what to send.
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I recently made quite a few purchases at Office Depot after seeing a sales ad of theirs offering some very good prices after completing mail-in rebates. Although most of these rebates allow up to a month (or more) to send in the rebates, one of them had a time period of only two weeks, which I overlooked.

The rest of them I sent in were rejected after they claimed that I made the purchases outside of the allowed timeframe. Luckily, I kept photocopies of the rebate forms, sales receipts, and UPC codes. I spoke with their phone reps who had me re-fax the receipts (only one was to a toll-free number; I had to pay for the other calls). I now am supposedly going to receive the rebates in another “4 to 6 weeks”. If I hadn’t been so diligent in keeping photocopies of everything, I’m sure I would have had no recourse when they falsely rejected my rebate.

When these companies offer great prices on stuff “after mail-in rebate”, it is in their interest to make the process as difficult as possible. They count on a certain percentage of purchasers failing to meet the rebate requirements, and when they do make a mistake, they make it difficult for you to dispute it. So, be sure to:

• Read all rebate terms and conditions and follow them to the letter. You will not be given any leeway if you miss the postmark deadline, send a photocopy when they ask for an original, etc. Remember, Office Depot and others want you to screw up and give them a reason to keep your money.
• Keep photocopies of all rebate forms you submit (mail-in form, receipt, UPC codes, etc.).
• Write down when you mailed them in.
• Record the time, date, and name of anyone you speak with in regards to the rebate (such as disputing their rejection).
• Keep all records regarding pending rebates in one place, and as you receive the checks in the mail, check them against your records.
• Always follow-up on rebates when you don’t receive them in the time specified.

All rebate forms have a phone number you can call with problems. You will usually be placed on hold for quite a while (again, to try to get you to give up) but eventually you will speak with someone about your problem. Remember, Office Depot and others want to make it so difficult to get your money back that you give up and say “forget it, it’s not worth the ten bucks to go through the hassle.” Don’t let them get away with stealing your money!

I had disabled comments on my website for a while due to a flood of comment spam. I’ve added a temporary check for spam that I consider a stop-gap solution until I can figure out something more permanent. So, comments are once again allowed unless I find that my current solution doesn’t work.

I must admit that I wasn’t putting much faith at all in the Iraqi elections as a “turning point” in that country’s return to stability. I was afraid that too much of the population would see the elections as an American-engineered attempt to cement our influence on that country. I knew that elections were an important step, but I didn’t think that event in itself would really bring much of a change in attitude to ordinary Iraqis.

I was indeed very happy to read on Jan. 31 the glowing reports of the process which went off much better than it could have (or than was even generally expected), with throngs of voters literally risking their lives to take a part in democracy for the first time in generations. For once, the media actually seemed to be concentrating on the positive work we are doing in that country instead of presenting a one-sided story of death, destruction, and chaos. But I still didn’t think that one day would really have a lasting effect on the general population and their disillusionment towards their situation. There are still huge problems with the infrastructure (such as delivery of gas and electricity) that affect people’s lives each day.

However, MSNBC is reporting that there may very well be a sea change in attitudes since that day. Citizens now view the emerging police and national guard forces more favorably and have been providing better tips which have led to more arrests. A renewed sense of national pride has helped to dispel support for the insurgency and moderate some of the anti-American sentiment. And an Iraqi policeman named Abdul Amir, who gave his life to thwart a would-be terrorist bomber from attacking a crowd waiting to vote, has emerged as a new national hero.