Personal Finance and Investing

The Cash for Appliances Rebate Program that launched in most states in March and April has received mixed reviews from consumers ranging from excitement to stress, success to disappointment, smooth-sailing to a hellish ride. The federal stimulus program offered $300 million dollars in rebates from as low as $50 up to hundreds of dollars on purchases of energy-efficient appliances. Uncle Sam gave states the flexibility to create and implement their own rebate programs within general federal guidelines, which lead to a spectrum of consumer reactions.

Some states opted for fatter rebates of $200 and up, other states spread the money to a wider pool with smaller rebates of $50. According to location, some states included such appliances as heaters or air-conditioners according to climate, other states focused on the most energy-efficient appliances.

Program implementation and success varied wildly between states. In Iowa, $2.8 million in federal cash rebates launched at 8 am was gone by 3:45pm the same day. Michigan’s rebate program, with a $9.6 million pot, was launched in Feb 16 and has given away only $1.5 million thus far, and expects to still have rebates available into summer. Texas’s program was called the “government handout from hell” because the $23 million in rebate reservations hit so many snags, including 1,000 phone calls per minute and 2,400 computer hits per second, that waiting consumers were disconnected and walked away both empty-handed and angry. Massachusetts rebate reservations system went over smoothly and doled out its maximum amount in 2 hours flat. Website server crashes and plugged phone lines across many states accounted for much consumer frustration. A handful of states have spent all rebates: Texas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Rhode Island and South Dakota.

If rebates are still up for grabs at your state, check out tips from CBS News on the Appliance Rebate Program: How To Cash In.

1. Know the details of your state’s plan, down to the rigorous requirements.
2. Make sure the retailer you plan to visit in participating. Some states don’t allow online purchases.
3. Learn the precise amount of the appliance you’ll buy.
4. See if you’ll get a recycling bonus, a $25-$75 rebate boost some states offer for recycling old appliances.
5. Ask about additional deals, like a manufacturer’s rebate or store promotion.
6. Apply for the rebate as soon as you can. After all the website server crashes and backed-up phone lines other states experienced, be as quick and efficient as you can applying for your rebate.

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