Bill > S127

This bill, concerning rebates, amends Chapter 93A of the General Laws by adding a new section that defines key terms like "rebate" (a portion of the purchase price returned to the buyer), "actual selling price" (what a consumer would pay without a rebate), "net price" (the price after a rebate is applied), "clear and conspicuous" (easily noticed and understood), and "redeem" (to fulfill rebate requirements). It establishes that it's an unfair and deceptive practice to advertise a product with a manufacturer's rebate by only showing the "net price" without also clearly displaying the "actual selling price" in the same size and font, and without a prominent notice that a mail-in rebate is needed to reach that net price, unless the rebate is fully discounted at the point of sale, in which case the retailer must handle the rebate redemption. The bill also prohibits refusing photocopies of sales receipts for rebate redemption and mandates that consumers have at least thirty days from the purchase date to submit rebate documents, with submission dates determined by postmark for mail or receipt date for other methods. Violators face a civil fine of up to $500 per violation, and the act takes effect on January 1, 2014.