AmazonWal-Mart jump on the HD DVD rebate bandwagon
Published by Admin on 22.4.08 at 4/22/2008 08:16:00 PM.
As the smoke clears from the former battlefield of the HD format war, multiple retailers are reaching out to customers who ended up on the losing side. The particulars and restrictions of the various rebate/refund offers vary, but all of them are aimed at helping customers who recently bought HD DVD players make the jump to Blu-ray. An earlier version of this post ran several weeks ago; this version has been updated with new rebate information, while old rebates that were no longer valid have been expunged.
Related Stories
* Best Buy, Netflix join HD DVD dogpile
* Retailers offering credits/refunds to early HD DVD adopters
* Wal-Mart, Fuh Yuan deny $299 HD DVD player deal
* HD DVD and Blu-ray deadlock to continue into 2009... at least
Canadian-based Future Shop's offer has since expired since we first covered the HD DVD rebate question, but Amazon has just launched its own rebate program, and again, the terms are generous. Amazon is "rewarding" all customers who bought an HD DVD player before February 23 with a $50 Amazon.com credit, no strings attached. The deal isn't mentioned at Amazon.com, but the company has reportedly e-mailed all qualifying customers with details on the rebate. An Ars reader sent us a copy of the e-mail, which wryly notes that "new technologies don't always work out as planned."
Wal-Mart has also launched its own program, though again, details aren't being advertised on the company's web site. Any Wal-Mart customer who bought an HD DVD player on or before November 1 is eligible for a refund for the full purchase price. Original packaging is not required, but you must have a receipt for the purchase, and the offer expires April 30.
Best Buy is offering its customers a consolation prize, and the retailer's offer is fairly generous. Any customer who bought an HD DVD player from Best Buy at or before 11:59 PM CST on February 22, 2008, is eligible to receive one $50 gift card per player purchased. Eligible models include the Toshiba HD-A1, A2, A20, XA2, A3, A30, and A35, as well as the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive. Dual-format players and computers equipped with HD DVD drives do not qualify. Unlike other stores, Best Buy is not asking customers to return the HD DVD player; if you qualify for the gift card program, Best Buy is essentially paying you $50.
Customers who bought HD DVD players at other stores are also welcome to take advantage of Best Buy's Trade In center, though the company isn't exactly paying hand-over-fist for used HD DVD drives. A top-of-the-line A35 player from Toshiba ($499 MSRP in September, 2007) is only worth $95, but it's better than nothing. You can find the value of your trade-in here.
Best Buy's rival, Circuit City, has its own HD DVD trade-in program, though the company isn't advertising it. Customers who purchased an HD DVD player within the past 90 days may return the devices for store credit, or towards the specific purchase of a Blu-ray player (cost difference to be paid by the customer). Simply contact your local store. Link
Related Stories
* Best Buy, Netflix join HD DVD dogpile
* Retailers offering credits/refunds to early HD DVD adopters
* Wal-Mart, Fuh Yuan deny $299 HD DVD player deal
* HD DVD and Blu-ray deadlock to continue into 2009... at least
Canadian-based Future Shop's offer has since expired since we first covered the HD DVD rebate question, but Amazon has just launched its own rebate program, and again, the terms are generous. Amazon is "rewarding" all customers who bought an HD DVD player before February 23 with a $50 Amazon.com credit, no strings attached. The deal isn't mentioned at Amazon.com, but the company has reportedly e-mailed all qualifying customers with details on the rebate. An Ars reader sent us a copy of the e-mail, which wryly notes that "new technologies don't always work out as planned."
Wal-Mart has also launched its own program, though again, details aren't being advertised on the company's web site. Any Wal-Mart customer who bought an HD DVD player on or before November 1 is eligible for a refund for the full purchase price. Original packaging is not required, but you must have a receipt for the purchase, and the offer expires April 30.
Best Buy is offering its customers a consolation prize, and the retailer's offer is fairly generous. Any customer who bought an HD DVD player from Best Buy at or before 11:59 PM CST on February 22, 2008, is eligible to receive one $50 gift card per player purchased. Eligible models include the Toshiba HD-A1, A2, A20, XA2, A3, A30, and A35, as well as the Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on drive. Dual-format players and computers equipped with HD DVD drives do not qualify. Unlike other stores, Best Buy is not asking customers to return the HD DVD player; if you qualify for the gift card program, Best Buy is essentially paying you $50.
Customers who bought HD DVD players at other stores are also welcome to take advantage of Best Buy's Trade In center, though the company isn't exactly paying hand-over-fist for used HD DVD drives. A top-of-the-line A35 player from Toshiba ($499 MSRP in September, 2007) is only worth $95, but it's better than nothing. You can find the value of your trade-in here.
Best Buy's rival, Circuit City, has its own HD DVD trade-in program, though the company isn't advertising it. Customers who purchased an HD DVD player within the past 90 days may return the devices for store credit, or towards the specific purchase of a Blu-ray player (cost difference to be paid by the customer). Simply contact your local store. Link