Back in December, I wrote about a great-looking Milwaukee rebate offer. Buy $50+, $100+, or $200+ in Milwaukee Sawzall reciprocating saw blades or Hole Dozer bi-metal hole saws, get some free tools.
Naturally I took advantage of the offer.
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Milwaukee usually isn’t my first choice in reciprocating saw blades. For hole saws, I own a Milwaukee set that I ordered from Amazon a while back, but I usually reach for my Ridgid set.
The free tool offers looked attractive – spend $50 and get a tape measure, a wire stripper multi-tool, a pouch, and an Inkzall pen. Spend $100+ and get a free corded Sawzall reciprocating saw. Spend $200+, get an M12 Fuel brushless Hackzall reciprocating saw kit.
I could use a bunch of new Sawzall blades to compare different reciprocating saws against each other, and was particularly interested in the new carbide blades.
As for hole saws, I picked up a few promo sets from HD, for tool-testing purposes, and a large set from Acme Tool for project use. It was at a good promo price and had larger sizes that I tend to need. The case arrived with internal damage, but the hole saws seem fine.
So… where’s my stuff?
I’ve asked this, and readers have been asking me.
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I emailed Milwaukee after waiting the 6 weeks they said it would take. In fact, after you sign up, it says that fulfillment will take 6 weeks. After that, contact them.
So… where’s my stuff?
After a few weeks I emailed again. I was told my items would be on their way and the order was being processed.
On Feb 11th, they said:
Please accept our apology for the delay on this matter. The mentioned rebate was processed. Our D.C. picking and preparing your order for shipment. Tracking information will be available shortly.
I emailed again 5 days ago, since I hadn’t received anything yet. No response, but I did receive the hand tool package yesterday!
Since I was curious about my own rebates, and emails from readers had been increasing, I asked our Milwaukee contact to cross lines and see what’s what. (Thank you!)
Thank you for reaching out about this. After looking into it with the appropriate people I learned that there was an overwhelming response to the rebate and it has been taking longer than expected to process everything.
With that said, Milwaukee sincerely apologizes for this unacceptable delay. We now have a dedicated team committed to processing the remainder of the rebates in the next week.
So, please be patient. I know how frustrating rebates can be – not knowing whether there’s a problem with the redemption, or knowing when the items will arrive.
This will be my first rebate experiences with Milwaukee Tool, but I have faith that they’ll do everyone right.
If you took advantage of the offer, have you received your items yet? If not, sit tight, they’re working on it. If, like me, you have ants in your pants, try emailing them at MET.Orders AT milwaukeetool.com. You did print or write down your confirmation codes after submitting the rebate(s), right?
Hopefully the overwhelming response doesn’t discourage Milwaukee from running similar rebates in the future. I think it’s a great incentive to try out new consumables. We all have our favorites and preferences, but sometimes monetary incentives are too good to pass up.
Update: My Hackzall and Sawzall arrived today (3/1/17)!!
JMG
I personally dislike rebate style offerings, especially the type that send you a check in the mail. Maybe I am a product of the instant gratification crowd, but if an item requires hoops to jump through, I generally ignore the offer as being not worth the time it takes to chase it down.
Diamond Dave
It seems the tactic with rebate checks (from most companies) now look like junk mail so it is easy to throw them in the trash not realizing they are in fact a rebate check. I am sure this is on purpose through research and saves a bunch of money for the companies.
As far as free tool rebates, I am with you as I don’t want to have to jump through hoops to get one anymore than standing in line on Black Friday to save a few bucks.
Corey Moore
Remember when a coke lid said “you win!” And you would turn right back around and trade it for another coke? Lol
Scar
I’ve received the measuring tape so far, but not the rest of the items. I also received the stubby 8 in 1 screwdriver, which I filed about the same time (was for buying driver bits).
Scar
Actually when I got home today the measuring tape, pliers, canvas bag, and pen were all waiting on my porch. Coincidence? Yes, clearly.
fred
Toolup is having a 48 hour deal $20 off on $100 or more of anything Milwaukee – use code “CHOP20”
Jonathan
Talking with my local Milwaukee store rep (covers a few HD). and also speaking on phone with CS they just switched over to a new /updated computer system and ran into an issue that is causing the delay.
Adam
They may have been updating a computer system, but that didn’t prevent them from sending out a blanket email stating we are overwhelmed, and it will be XX more weeks. If you call, they say the expected time is 6-12 weeks, but that 12 weeks is no-where mentioned when you submit the rebate. 12 weeks is fine, but at least be up-front about it, whatever the reason may be
Aside from that gripe, I wouldn’t hesitate to to do another rebate. I did do one last year for my heated jacket and that was quite smooth, though they weren’t also offering 15 other popular rebates con-currently.
I received 4 tape measures 2 weeks ago, and 2 Fuel Hackzalls last week. Just waiting on pouches & inkzalls at the moment (how do you run low on the pens?)
Jim Felt
Thanks, Stuart.
I registered online for the little corded Sawsall in late December and have not seen nor heard anything since.
I was (am) going to donate it to Habitat as I personally have no need for this smaller version. But still… not even an email explaining where they are in their Rebate process? Groan.
Jim Felt
Aha! My “Rebate” Sawzall arrived yesterday! I was traveling and did not know.
So good on them from Portlandia. (And as another very longtime Sawzall and HoleHawg user.)
nigeldh
Thanks for checking Stuart. I did get a tape measure a couple of weeks ago. Waiting to see what the Easter Bunny brings, or maybe at this rate, The Great Pumpkin. grin
One can see what the current rebates are: milwaukeetool-rebates.herokuapp.com/#/home/ecommerce
RC Ward
It is already a fail, rebates are a scam for the most part , this sounds no different . They never work as discribed in the proper time frame
Adam
Funny how often they do work for me, as long as you follow the directions. I’ve done thousands in rebates, over a $1000 in test drives, and rarely run into problems, aside from taking longer than we all would hope.
Some companies do make it easier. Staples is the first that comes to mind. I always receive those promptly, and nothing to send in. There are rebates I won’t touch, such as ones that require you to cancel a subscription later on or need a CC# (this is mainly directed at mcAfee & TigerDirect in recent years).
Adam
Just received my 3rd hackzall. Wasn’t expecting that for at least 2 more weeks. That’s 7 week fulfillment, vs the 11 or so on the first 2. So seems like they are really catching up, and only held back by inventory (no pouches or pens yet)
ktash
I got all four of the $50 rebate items last week. I’m quite happy with the items they sent, worth more than the $50 I spent. I’d do this again.
JeffC_VT
I submitted my form on Dec 31st and my hackzall arrived yesterday. It was even the kit with XC battery, charger and a bag. Used it for about 15mins yesterday afternoon, I’m excited to work it into my rotation! Still waiting for the M12 battery rebate I sent the same day for my heated vest.
Chris
I just got my items today from a 1st week of December submission. It’s taken a while, but I’m happy now.
Chris
Hmm. I stand corrected. They sent me the wrong things entirely. I don’t have much use for these.
Adabhael
Same thing happened to me. Just arrived yesterday but they sent the wrong items.
Ryan Price
I received two 3.0ah batteries about two weeks ago, still waiting on my fuel hackzall kit
Eric
I submitted rebates for:
(1) 3.0 ah m12 battery
(1) 2.0 ah m12 battery
(1) Fuel Hackzall
So far I have received (2) 3.0 ah batteries, (1) 2.0 ah battery, and no Hackzall. So yes, they sent me an extra 3.0 ah battery. All 3 batteries came on different days in different boxes.
I’m hoping they simply duplicated one of my battery rebates and didn’t mix up my Hackzall rebate. I would be happy with an extra battery but am more anxious to get the Hackzall.
Harrolldean
I also submitted for a 3.0 M12 from buying heated gear. I got it a few weeks ago… then got a surprise 2nd 3.0 battery last week. Have no idea why, maybe a duplicate processing of the request. Thanks Milwaukee!
Tom Weir
Got mine in the mail yesterday.
Paul
I received my sawzalls yesterday and 4 tape measure/stripper/pouch markers today.
Looking back I wish I got the hackzall
Thanks for posting about this rebate!.
Jerry
Bought a nice HoleDozer set in Dec and qualified for the free SawZall. It showed up yesterday. Today, two more showed up (I only qualified for one). I called the 800 number on the ticket and got a hold of a couple very nice people who explained that they had a bunch of the promotions ‘disappear’ in the update when they compared shipped promotional items to the hard copy they printed out, so had people going over the list to be sure everyone got their items (part of reason it took so long). Anyway, their best guess as to what happened was that my item was shipped, but didn’t show up that it had, so they re-ran my application through. Somehow when they did it they duplicated the order. They are sending out shipping labels and a FedEx truck so I can return the extras. The lady I talked to said they were processing a lot of requests from people who hadn’t gotten their items, but someone calling with two extra to send back was new to them. Anyway, it sounds like they had a major computer glitch, but the people I taped to wered extremely nice and really wanted to get everything straightened out. The one lady even went so far as to double check to see if I qualified for multiple promotions, to be sure I wasn’t sending back something I could keep.
Adabhael
Jerry, I just want to thank you for your honesty and doing the right thing. I hope they send you a little “thank you” bonus along with those FedEx labels.
Jerry
No way would have I been able to keep what wasn’t mine and sleep at night.
Jeffy
I had the same problem waited and waited called and emailed then I received my free corded sawz all Monday the only problem is the sent me three extra ones maybe I’ll get more tomorrow
Jim Felt
Wow. I only got one. Darn. Do you have a Habitat for Humanity or similar honorable place to donate them? And maybe get an ice tax write-off if you itemize your return?
Jim Felt
Wow. I only got one. Darn.
Do you have a Habitat for Humanity or similar honorable place to donate them? And maybe take an nice tax write-off if you itemize your return?
Jerry
Similar happened to me. They told me the extras were sent in error. If you call the 800 number on the invoice they will arrange for return of extras at no cost to you.
Phi Nguyen
I got all three of my rebate packages delivered last week.
Jonathan
From reading the comments, it seems that the most delayed item is the M12 Fuel Hacksaws, I submitted mine on 12/5/16.
I also have to agree with Adams comment about rebates, I’ve had issues in the past, but I started taking digital pics (pre smartphones) and I take screenshots and a put calendar entry in to google calendar as an email reminder to follow up after the due date, if needed. Yet the devil’s in the details and the biggest reason that rebates are denied ilikeor never show.
I also agree that some rebate companies are to be about like the plague and anything you have to call to cancel is not worth it unless you were planning on using anyway (i.e. Audible for business books).
I also dont even bother with any rebate less than $20 its not worth my time or test drive less than $50 unless it is the off season.
Jonathan
UPDATE: My Fuel Hackzall was just delivered.
Joshua
I’m still waiting for my Hackzall. We actually moved about a month after I submitted it and I’ve called about 6 times by now to have them change the address. Every time they submit it but so far every time I call it’s unchanged. Hopefully I get it eventually (we didn’t move far so I’ll check with the landlord once it’s shipped so I can pick it up). I submitted my order on 12/3/16.
RAFAEL
I did receive the 3.0 m12 battery at 7 to 8 weeks, wish they would have sent an email that the order was backed up or something, because I never did get a response from them.
WIlliam Butler
I placed an order in early november to get this rebate. I got all three of my packages within 3 weeks.
Jerry
Milwaukee is my first choice , and only when buying a Sawzall
Andrew
No problems here except for them forgetting the pliers. All of my stuff came back in mid-February, while I was out of town on assignment. But I have to say, for as much as I like Milwaukee’s gear, they sure aren’t very efficient when it comes to packing. Two batteries, and the linear edge set.. six boxes. Big ones, too. (Which is OK, as I have to move soon.)
David Meyer
I am still missing my Hackzall, but I got everything else for the rebate from my M12 Propex purchase.
Travis Gulick
Very unsatisfied with Milwaukee after twice the amount of time I was told I would receive my rebate and multiple calls to the company I receive the wrong tool not only is it the wrong tool but I have no need for the tool I received the customer service rep told me I picked out the wrong tool and proceeded to tell me that I filled out a form when in fact I told the service provider the I bought the combo kit form what I wanted never did I fill out any paperwork. Needless to say I won’t be buying anymore tools from this company nor will I buy any more millwakee anything if this is the way there customers are treated .