Since December 2007, I have been trying to receive my $20 rebate from Bissell with no luck.

I filled out the Bissell Rebate Form, attached my "original" receipt and cut out the UPC label from the box and mailed it all in.

In mid-January 2008, I received a "Xerox" copy of a Bissell form that stated that I had not complied with all their requests in regard to said rebate, and therefore, was not entitled to anything.

Since then I have e-mailed their customer-service department, called their customer-service department, and sent a registered letter to their corporate headquarters only to receive a letter from them stating that they need the "original" receipt and "original" UPC label from the box in order to process my request.

If I were a dog - this would be the time when I felt as if I were chasing my non-existent tail.

Original means "one". You get one original receipt and that's it. Once you send it in - you have no more original.

I think even Bill Clinton would not be able to parse the meaning of the word "original"!!

At this point I have spent more time and money on postage, etc. than I will ever recoup via the $20 rebate - but it's now become a matter of principle for me.

And what makes me even angrier is the fact that nightly on TV the state of Michigan (in which Bissell is located) has employed a professional Hollywood actor to make a plea for that state for business to come there to set up shop because it's a "wonderful state in which to do business".

I agree - especially if you're crooked as the day is long. I'm writing a letter to the Michigan State Attorney General's Office, my state's Attorney General and filing a complaint with the BBB of my state and that of Michigan.

Companies should not offer rebates if they have no intention of honoring them.

And the interesting part is - on top of everything else - Bissell Corporate lied to me when they stated in their letter to me that they had "NO" record of any correspondence from me.

Because their customer service rep made the mistake of telling me that the Model Number I gave him via phone didn't match the "serial number they had on file for me". So apparently they had received my "original rebate form and receipt, etc." and my e-mail.

Has anyone else had this problem with the Bissell offer that was made in December 2007, in which they advertised on TV?

Because I sure hope not for your sake.