Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Skydive]

Come on...

You're doing nothing but making yourself look silly.

The trouble you're having is not with TireRack. It's with the rebate fulfillment company, the gasoline merchant, and the tire manufacturer. Tire Rack is merely distributing a rebate provided by the manufacturer via a contracted rebate fulfillment company, which has actuarial tables that bet against your being able to use the rebate. That's why it's a debit card as opposed to cash or check back... Everything is set up to make it difficult for you, because as long as the funds are not used, they are in the coffers of the rebate fulfillment company.

Hypothetically, if the tire manufacturer sells enough eligible tires to account for one million dollars in rebates, they will pay the rebate service company a lesser sum... say $900,000. The manufacturer has saved $100,000 and the rebate fulfillment company bets that $800,000 of rebates will actually be redeemed. They make $100,000. It's in the best interests of the rebate company to discourage redemption. That's why these gift cards seldom allow you to check balances and the like. (...because if you try to purchase something for even one penny more than your remaining balance, your entire transaction will be declined.)

Watch your credit card when you use it at a gas station. Typically you'll see an authorization for $1.00, and then a completed transaction for the full amount when the batch is closed hours or days later. Gift cards are difficult because you could theoretically authorize a dollar, then pump more than your remaining balance pretty easily, so many gas retailers accept gift cards only within the brand. (ie: A Chevron station takes its own gift cards, but not unbranded ones.)

Your beef is a good one, but it's misdirected.

-Michael