Open Letter

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Dear Senator Walsh and Representative Scaccia,

I am writing to ask for your support of House Bill 345, relating to consumer rebates. When I purchased a $99 gift for the holidays, I was shocked to learn that I would have to pay $250 at the register, and that I would receive a $150 rebate in approximately eight weeks. Rebates of this sort are unfair and deceptive to consumers for two reasons:

First, the term "rebate" suggests to the consumer that he somehow is benefitting, and consumers may be drawn to stores by what appears to be a sale. In fact, the "rebate" forces the consumer to loan money to the manufacturer for two months. This is particularly troubling for those consumers who make purchases on credit, as they then will be paying interest on money they have loaned to the manufacturer, while the manufacture will be pocketing interest on that money.

Second, as a look at the financial statements of manufacturers who offer rebates will show, the manufacturers offer the rebates knowing that a significant percentage of consumers will never claim the rebates. The law shouldn't countenance businesses relying on their customers' foolishness or laziness to make a profit.

House Bill 345, which would require retailers to provide rebates on the premises and which would regulate the advertising of rebates, is a simple measure that would protect consumers from what I consider to be an deceptive sales tactic. I hope you will support it.

Sincerely,

Ted Folkman
Roslindale, Mass.