Wow -- that's REALLY HARD!!!

More like, Ned is incapable of simple arithmetic, so there's one that
won't get used.

Absolutely no ripoff.
Just a small tempest in a tiny teapot.
"Move along, folks.  Nothing to see here."

I have received several of these rebate cards and have never had a problem with them. Even at Wal-Mart I tell them to take whatever is available on the card I will pay the difference with another mean (other card or cash). The computer seems to always know what is available for me. I never have to keep track of what is available. Maybe you are using the wrong merchant.

JAW
 So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
 Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.

 The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.

 Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

 I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

 Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.

 They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.

So pay your Cingular bill with it and use the $50 saved (and not a penny
more <g>) on whatever you want.  Seems simple.

As an employee of BellSouth, the new AT&T, I'm sorry to see that you
have this experience. I myself am waiting for $120.00 in rebates by
the Cingular Visa Reward Card, and having to use such cards in the
past I have never encountered the problems that you describe. Ever
think it's the merchant's fault in causing you this problem?

In God's Grace,
Ric

I tried using the card a few times and it never worked.  By the time I
got around to calling them it had expired.

They were counting on me to let it expire and I supported their sales
model.  Too bad for me.  I'm usually pretty good about those things.
I've never missed out on a mail-in rebate.

Cingular was able to take another $50 as profit but in the end it
could cost them a customer.  I have no brand loyalty.

Next time I buy a phone, any rebate will be considered worth $0 unless
it comes in the form of a check.

-rev

I have used 3 rebate cards down to the penny!  You do need to be aware of your remaining balance when you shop!  I have made purchases and told the merchant to use 10.65 from the cingular card and to apply the balance to another debit card with NO problem.

It is a convenience card so you don't have to go to the bank and cash a stupid check.  
 So I upgraded a phone a few weeks ago and received the $50 rebate in the form of a Cingular Visa Reward card.
 Although the information on the card indicates it is a Visa debit card it doesn't really act like one--and here is where the rip-off is.

 The card can be used only if the amount that you owe the merchant is less than the amount on the card. Despite instructions on the letter that came with the card, if you owe the merchant more than the balance left on the card, you have to first pay the merchant with cash or perhaps another card. But you have to pay the exact amount that will leave you owing the merchant your balance on the Cingular card.

 Which of course means that you have to keep track of the balance.

 I can imagine the discussion in some sleezy Cingular manager's office when this was proposed: "well the customers who still have a few dollars balance will just give up on using the card.

 Forty years ago, AT&T, Southern Bell, Western Electric, etc were all well respected companies. I have had no recent experience with AT&T. But I have nothing good to say about Cingular and Bell South. They have become so driven by the marketplace that they have lost all integrity.

 They seem to have a business mantra of maximizing short term profits by squeezing every last penny out of their customers even if it costs them in the long term.