Yes, Adobe has been pulling these rebate frauds for years. I just got my denial card for Elements 7 rebate stating that my postmark was too late. I sent it in over four monthes ago, the same day I received the software. This is my third Adobe rebate denial in 5 years - always a different excuse.
Poor Adobe, no matter how much they overcharge for their obsolete crapware, they still can't seem to make enough money to operate with an ounce of integrity.
This will be the last Adobe product I buy - really, most Adobe products are long obsolete and easily replaced with open-source options available for free.

Purchased Adobe Elements 7, on 7 December 2008. Mailed ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS ETC. on 12 December 2008.
Followed up only to learn the company processing the rebates went bankrupt. Spoke to someone by phone in Texas who told me they were now looking after the rebates and to check back in two weeks. Well, in the last three months I've checked the web site half a dozen times including today. Typed in my tracking number and again it stated my rebates was being processed. Just how busy can they be? It's now not an issue of money but one of corporate integrity, or lack of by Adobe.
Tom B

I would like to contribute to this list of victims of the Adobe Elements 7 $30.00 rebate scam! I ordered Adobe Elements7 from Amazon on March 8, 2009 and received it by mail on March 16. I went thru all the required steps: a. The rebate form b. TAB #1 c. Copy of sales receipt and sent off to US Submissions: Dept108874. Adobe Photoshop Elements7 & Premiere7 Bundle $30.00 rebate, PO Box 52900, Phoenix, Az.85072-2900 on March 17,2009. I waited almost 10 weeks before I tried contacting Adobe by phone at the # listed on the rebate form 1-888-788-4920. I was re-directed to the # they now have listed in El Paso, Tx. 1-866-599-3906 and I too was told by a representative that the original holding company for this rebate had gone bankrupt, and I would have to re-submit my rebate forms. When I mentioned I had already sent the "TAB #1" with the original I was told that would be no problem. So on May 13, 2009 I sent my re-submission forms to the Claims Office in El Paso, Tx.
Saturday, June 27 I got a card back from Adobe Systems INC. Resubmit Offer #485-3, PO Box 740913, El Paso, Tx. 88574-0913 informing me "Your submission was not postmarked within 6 weeks of the purchase date"! When I called today June 29, I was first told by someone, whom I could barely understand, that I was denied because I didn't send "TAB #1" with my submission. Needless to say I lost it so she put someone else on the phone with me who again hasn't mastered the English language yet, and this one, after putting me on hold for 5 minutes, came back on and told me she had found records of my first submission, but because she couldn't find any other info on their "Database" my submission was denied! I won't post my reply to her on here, as children might be reading this!
I for one am not going to let this die here...copies of this post will be sent to Amazon, Facebook, MySpace, the FCC, Missouri BBB, the local TV stations here in Springfield....and ADOBE!
I agree...who would have thought that Adobe would pull such a scam??

I was also stiffed by Adobe on this one. I hate rebates with a passion and usually avoid them like the plague, but this time I let my guard down. Never again. I was once burned with the same scenario previously posted, where the UPC that was supposedly not sent was sent back in the envelope along with the denial. With this rebate, I actually stapled TAB#1 to the rebate form. I read all the fine print and followed the instructions to the letter, rereading and rechecking everything in addition to making copies of all.

When the rebate didn't show, I went to adobe.rebatestatus.com and sent them a pdf of the copies I made per their procedures. I expected maybe an automated email acknowleding that my request was received, but nothing.

Now, adobe.rebatestatus.com appears to be a completely different site... and of course there is no status that my rebate existed. That clinched it for me. I'll never buy another product from Adobe again.

Well, I wished I had read this blog before I got duped by Adobe. I too let my guard down from previous experiences with various businesses.
As for crapware, Elements 7 bundle IS IT! Too many problems to list here. I'm done with them, and my $30 gets a big KISS GOODBYE. I don't have time to fool with it and that's exactly what they are banking on!

Just submitted the second submittal with tab 2 as instructed. They claimed that they had a rebate company go our of business and therefore they had no record of my submittal no. 1 with tab 1 that I submitted in March. I had called several times with no success. I hope this time I will be successful. Its a problem. I purchased the photo shop and photo elements at Staples. I think they should support the customer and go after Adobe to live up to their promised rebates. They advertise the product with rebate of $30.00. What do the rest of you think about that.

I've run into Adobe's stone wall on rebates, too. Seems their rebate processing contractor went belly-up, and all of the rebate forms mailed to that address are "lost". I've opened a claim with Adobe's Customer non-Service, but they keep advising me that the issue is resolved, and closing the case. Well, I still don't have my check, so I don't think it's resolved. The most recent is that they sent me a link to a claim form - only the link doesn't work. Sounds like a run around to me!

I sent my $20 rebate 'package' to the AZ site ... it was
returned to me on 10/29/09 marked as undeliverable ...

Adobe ripoff-con artists ...

I to submitted a rebate for $30.00 this summer and it was never received. I contacted Adobe and found the PO Box that was on the rebate form had been closed and the mail was not forwareded (granted this rebate was good for another aprox. 3 months). I was told by the customer service rep that some rebate forms had the wrong address printed on them. She informed me to re-submit and I would get my rebate. I instead received a nice note in the mail that said that it was denied due to I submitted it to late. I called Adobe and they again "apologized" and asked me to submit it electronically and I spent over a hour on the phone with them. I submitted it electronically and waited for my rebate. I got a nice e-mail saying my case was closed and never got the rebate so I called again. They said that they never got my electronic copy of my forms and asked me to re-submit. I told them I was not going to waste my time again. I am very computer literate and knew that they received my form and they were just making excuses again. Rebate fraud?

I purchased Adobe photoshop Elements 8 because of the $20 rebate but although I was very careful to send them all required documents, they have rejected my rebate. First they said that I did not send them the correct receipt nor did I send the proof of purchase Tab 1. I called Adobe and explained that I purchased the software over the internet via Amazon and sent them the receipt that I printed from my Amazon website account. I also informed them that I stapled the proof of purchase Tab 1 to the claim form. The first person, Bill, told me that someone keyed the information in wrong and did not scan the receipt correctly so I should to call back when I receive the denial letter. After receiving the official denial I called back and spoke with Virginia.
I again explained everything to her and she told be to send a copy of all the claim form, the receipt and the proof of purchase tab 1 the to re-submission dept. Luckily, I copied all of the documents so I did so. Well, I never received the rebate so I will probably need to make another phone call. This does not reflect well on Amazon and they should be concerned about these unfair practices. As for Adobe, they are off my list of desired software.

Same thing here. Sent it all in, including tab 1 and denied for no tab 1. did not make copy so am hosed. Something should be done

Same problem here. My husband purchased Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 for me for my birthday the first week of October 2009. The program is an upgrade from Elements 5 for me. My husband actually called Adobe to order it for me because it was cheaper (bought it the day it came out actually). Well, here it is, January 10, 2010 and I STILL have not received a rebate. I received an email on December 15th (2 months after I mailed it) that they are had received my rebate request and now I needed to wait 8 weeks for processing! GOOD GRIEF! So, it takes 10 weeks for them to even get the rebate and then another 8 weeks to process it! That's insane! I sent off a rebate for my husband Verizon Wireless cell phone just last week, I've already been notified that they received it and I bet I'll have the rebate in my hands within the next week or so! I keep checking the status of my Adobe rebate daily to see if there are any changes....I've never waited for a rebate this long in my life!

I am dealing with Adobe now on a denied rebate for Photoshop Elements 8 for Mac. They say I did not include tab #1, which of course I did. They say that if send a photocopy of the tab (which proves nothing, by the way) they will honor the rebate. I did not photocopy the the tab.

So...if anybody out there did make a photocopy, please post an image online so those some of us being denied by Adobe can resubmit our rebate forms.

Just got my postcard today also saying that I didn't submit a proof of purchase. Having been burned before with another rebate scam, I actually had photocopied the rebate form I sent with the proof of purchase STAPLED to it (don't know how it could be lost). I suggest everyone who's been burned file a complaint against Adobe with the Better Business Bureau. http://www.bbb.org/us/i-am-a-consumer/ It's pretty simple. I realize Adobe isn't running the rebate program, but it is their name attached to it and they are benefiting from incremental sales because of it, so they are liable. Who knows, if there's enough complaints some lawyer may pick it up and file a class action suit on all our behalf.

I just bought 2 copies of Photoshop Elements 8. Where is the heck is the 'original rebate form'? Am I missing something here? I was chatting with Sidharth (Adobe's cust svc) and he just kept sending me a link to a non-existent webpage. So much for personal service.

Dear victim friends,
My story is the same as yours. Adobe Elements, $30 rebate attempt, was informed I didn't submit that stupid 'tab 1' which I did by securely attaching it to the stack of documentation.

I've lodged a complaint with Better Business Bureau of Silicon Valley. I found it very easy to fill out the form, and they do get back to you promptly. I think we should all open up cases with BBB of Silicon Valley and make sure we complain against "Adobe Systems Inc of San Jose CA (there are multiple listings for Adobe Inc., so make sure you list the correct one.)

Here is a copy of my complaint.

Thank you for filing your complaint. As you requested, below is a copy of your complaint.

Within the next business day, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the complaint. That acknowledgment will also give you information on how you can track the status of your complaint through our website.

Complainant Information

Mr. John



Fax:

Company Information:

Adobe Systems Inc
345 Park Ave
San Jose, CA 95110
Website: www.adobe.com
Phone: (40 536-6000

Complaint Text

Adobe Photoshop Elements is a software package developed by Adobe Systems Inc. The current release of this software promised a $20 mail-in rebate. I sent in the required documentation within the allowed time frame. I received a card letter stating that "Your submission did not include an original Adobe Proof of Purchase Tab 1". I made sure to enclose all the required documentation and affixed a paperclip to the paperwork. I searched online for issues of a similar nature, and as it turns out there are many individuals who, for years, have experienced the same precise situation. It appears the mail-in rebate that this very large nd reputable company is offering is a complete scam. A blog website of the same complaints is found here http://www.brianhouser.net/bri...ate-fraud.

Resolution Sought: If the problem were isolated to just me, I'd simply ask Adobe to issue me my $20. Since the problem seems to be part of a scam, legal action should be taken against this company.
Date Problem Started: 9/7/2010
Date of Transaction: 8/15/2010
Amount in Dispute: $0.00
Invoice Number: DCJM-7588-411
Complaint Type: Refund Promised
Product or Service:

If you have any questions regarding your complaint, please contact the Complaint Dept. at (40 278-7400 or email \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Complaint Department

BBB of Silicon Valley


Let's hit the BBB with all of your complaints at the same time. This should generate some action against Adobe on our behalves, collectively.

Thanks to the original posters to this blog. Were it not for your whistleblowing here, I would not have known there were others in the same boat or to appeal to the BBB to register a complaint. Good luck with all of your situations.

I bought the Photoshop Elements 8 and at the time of sale they were advertising a $20 rebate. Fry's had a URL on the receipt for the rebate form. I tried to access the rebate form in my browser but nothing showed up. Then I went looking on the web for the form. I found a couple of places (Apple, Amazon) where you could purportedly download the rebate form. I can see the form in the PDF plugin but it refuses to print and makes the browser unresponsive. I tried doing this using Mozilla, Chrome and Internet Explorer using Windows 7, XP and Vista. Same results everywhere. The only thing I can think of is that since Adobe controls PDF, they've somehow managed to screw up the PDF rebate form to the point where you can't even print it out. If you can't print it out you can't send it in. Therefore, no rebate. This is pure genius.

i too bought a bundle of the premier adobe for pictures and for video. i sent in the tab and the rebate slip which had to be submitted prior to october 2010 deadline. i got the post card yesterday denying the claim because the rebate time had expired. it is postmarked september 2010. yeah, i am going to call. and i hope to get the rebate. what a pain in the butt to go through that!

Dear Victim Friends,

This is an update to my post from September 8. Success. So, I filed a complaint with BBB of Silicon Valley and within a day I got a email response. Here's what I got:

Hi John,

I am a customer support consultant at Adobe. I am writing in response to your BBB case #16XXXXX. I understand that you sent in all of the required documentation for your Photoshop Elements rebate, but that you received a reply from our rebate center stating that your rebate was rejected because you did not include Tab 1.

I will contact the rebate center on your behalf and ask them to process your rebate. Please note that it will take approximately 4 weeks for the rebate to be processed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

[Name and telephone number removed by request -admin]
CUSTOMER SUPPORT CONSULTANT| TECHNICAL SERVICES | NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE
Adobe Systems Incorporated - 343 PRESTON STREET, OTTAWA, ON K1S 1N4 | CANADA
Follow us on Twitter @Adobe_Care


Ok, then 20 days later, on September 29th I get this email saying my Rebate was processed:


JOHN,

Congratulations!

Your submission for the Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 or Adobe Premiere Elements 8 - $20 Rebate has met the requirements as stated on the order form. Your request was mailed on 09/29/2010.

Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for delivery. If you would like to track the status of your rebate submission, please visit us at: www.web-rebates.com/adobe

For details on Adobe Systems Inc. privacy policy, please visit www.adobe.com


PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE.
This is a system-generated e-mail that will not be forwarded for handling.



I received my check in the mail about a week later. So, that's what you gotta do to get your rebate check. Sad the consumer has go through all that just to make this company honor their promises. Good luck with your individual scenarios.

i followed the intstructions to the letter to receive a 30 dollar rebate on a bundle purchase. then a post card came in the mail denying payment due to "date of offer expired" which wasn't for another 3 months. i called. the woman said she couldn;t verify the receipt because their scanner missed the date of purchase which is impossible if she knew it was staples because the date is right below that. i spoke with her supervisor who said the rebate would be issued after all. its been 2 months and nothing. i will never purchase another adobe product again.

i too followed up with a letter as the blog recommended to the BBB and received the rebate check. adobe: in the future, pay attention to the bloggers.

I just submitted a complaint to the BBB because Adobe denied my $30 rebate claim for Photoshop Premier and Elements bundle offered through Costco online. The Adobe rep says I sent (the teeny tiny) Proof of Purchase tab 2 instead of Tab 1. Are they kidding? I am so glad I found this blog! Thank you.

Man, I can't add much to all the above comments except to say that Adobe continues its fraud here in July, 2011. In the same online session that quoted the price with rebate, I downloaded PSE. As usual rebate was rejected because my request date is not within offer period. Non-compliance they say...and all this time I thought Adobe was a reputable company.

On AUGUST 26, I ordered Elements 9 from Amazon, which prominently advertised Adobe's $20 rebate, touting the "final cost after rebate."

When Elements 9 arrived, I discovered that the Rebate Form said that to qualify, I had to purchase the product between SEPTEMBER 21 and DECEMBER 31.

Apparently, I purchased too early.

So why were they advertising the "final price after rebate" back in August?

I too sent in for the $20 rebate. I sent the enclosed form, which of course you can't get unless you purchase the software, because the form is inside the box. I completed the form and sent it along with the UPC code as proof along with the receipt. Stupid me could not figure out what "tab" they were talking about because you can't find instructions anywhere. I registered with Adobe, set up an account with them, etc. I guess the UPC code from the box, receipt, registering the product, and enclosed form are not enough proof of purchase because they refused my $20 rebate. In the meantime, my husband threw the box away, since I only need the plastic box and software to keep, so I guess I am not getting the rebate. I still can't figure out what "tab" they are talking about. I will think twice about buying this product in the future.