Way back in the September 2008 issue of our print edition, I warned readers about the cash-back schemes offered by some computer retailers. Cash-backs are still proving a concern, according to the latest issue of Consumer magazine. They report that they've received many complaints from people "struggling through the hoops required to get their cash back". One member waited more than six months for a refund -- which they only received after Consumer got involved.

Little changes.

Two years ago I reported on one cash-back that required:

• Buying a qualifying product between two particular dates.
• Registering an intent to claim online before third (in this case before midnight Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time‭!)
• Printing out and posting the relevant paperwork to arrive before a fourth date
• In addition to proof of purchase, you had to supply ‬your name,‭ ‬address,‭ ‬contact details and bank account number.
• You had to join the manufacturer's online club.
• You had to confirm you'd read and agreed to the promotion's terms and conditions, including an agreement that you're a New Zealand resident,‭ ‬but not the‭ "‬spouse,‭ ‬defacto spouse,‭ ‬parent,‭ ‬natural or adopted child,‭ ‬and sibling‭ (‬whether natural or adopted by a parent‭) ‬whether or not they live in the same household‭" ‬of one of the manufacturer's employees,‭ ‬contractors,‭ ‬stockists,‭ ‬resellers,‭ ‬dealers,‭ ‬distributors or retailers.
And you further agreed that:
• No payouts would be made until 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date.
• The promotion could be cancelled at any time for any reason and pay you nothing
• And that‭ ‬though the promoter would hold your personal and financial details for up to six months after the promotion closed,‭ ‬they accepted no responsibility for its loss or unauthorised access.

All that for payout of between $30 and $50.

And it's still going on.

Consumer report that the Commerce Commission are "cautioning retailers selling computers, and computer manufacturers, that they are pushing the boundaries of the Fair Trading Act." In short, they're close to misleading consumers about products services.

Consumer's advice: "Before you consider a cash-back offer, ask yourself if it's really worth hassle."

And mine, from 2008: "‭Items are discounted for a reason,‭ ‬and in the fast-changing computer business that reason is often to make way for new stock and ditch unpopular or end-of-line models.‭ ‬So when it comes to cash-backs,‭ ‬caveat emptor‭!"