Western Digital WD Elements SE USB 3.0 Portable Hard Drives: 500GB $39 after $30 rebate, 1TB $59 after $30 rebate

Quote from MeatCatalog : Wasn't this $39.99 AR shortly after black friday for the 1TB drive?

It was around $48 I believe after $30 rebate I got one and with 6% cb came out to like $44 or so. Def a good deal

Quote from George_II : So far, I received one TD $30 rebate and had I've had one $30 rebate declined due to not mailing in the UPC label (which I did - attached with 2 pieces of tape in the marked box). Of course, once you mail in the UPC label, you don't have another one to send in. I'd pass on TD rebates and buy from Amazon or Newegg. It's well worth the few extra bucks.

That's why you make copies. I mailed the wrong UPC in last month, denied, re-submitted (you have 30 more days to send the right stuff or proof you sent the right stuff) and now it is pending.

Quote from lwkeung : Do you have another method of backing up computer files? If you don't, I recommend getting one and backing up asap. You never know when something bad can happen. I use it to store lots of music, videos and picture files to clear up my computer's HD.

If you moved them to the "backup" drive and then removed them from your computer to clear up space you didn't make a backup, you made a new primary drive, just as dangerous.

Quote from Mechfire : Those interested in these drives might also consider the Newegg Shellshocker - Seagate Expansion 750GB USB 3.0 Black Portable Hard Drive STBX750100 [newegg.com]. It's Seagate, but it's the smaller 2.5" form factor and it runs off of USB power (which is convenient). .

Western Digital WD Elements SE USB 3.0 is usb powered - self powered. what you talking about?

Thanks OP in for a 500GB to fill with music.

Quote from TDMVP73 : Yes, that's what I'm saying. They have the USB connections soldered onto the HD instead of the typical SATA interface, which is what you would need to make it into a laptop hard drive (2.5" drive). If you want to rip apart an external drive, I recommend sticking with Seagates, Toshibas, or most Hitachis. However, Hitachi was bought out by Western Digital, so they might start doing the same thing soon.

I'm looking at a YouTube video of a guy taking apart the same external hard drive from the casing and I see no such thing. Where did you heard it was soldered. Do you have one and check and see?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kltxX_vPrsA

Quote from lightfoot3b : That's why you make copies. I mailed the wrong UPC in last month, denied, re-submitted (you have 30 more days to send the right stuff or proof you sent the right stuff) and now it is pending.

I truly doubt that www.4myrebate.com would accept a copy of the the paperwork previously mailed in. I agree that some rebate centers would do that, but I'd be surprised if anyone was successful with 4myrebate. If anyone has been successful with www.4myrebate.com on copies, please let us know. Not only is the rebate process for TD a major pain in the xxx, it makes it so you can't return an item once the UPC label has been removed. So they make out like bandits. They don't have to pay you the $30 and they don't have to worry about you returning the product. I feel like I'm buying a watch from a guy on the corner whenever I visit the TD website. I'll never buy from TD again.

Or if you have a $25 off $75 Staples coupon, you should be able to get the 1TB for $90 - $25 coupon - $30 rebate = $35.
http://www.staples.com/Western-Di...uct_867768

Could someone confirm my hypothesis?

Quote from George_II : I truly doubt that www.4myrebate.com would accept a copy of the the paperwork previously mailed in. I agree that some rebate centers would do that, but I'd be surprised if anyone was successful with 4myrebate. If anyone has been successful with www.4myrebate.com on copies, please let us know. Not only is the rebate process for TD a major pain in the xxx, it makes it so you can't return an item once the UPC label has been removed. So they make out like bandits. They don't have to pay you the $30 and they don't have to worry about you returning the product. I feel like I'm buying a watch from a guy on the corner whenever I visit the TD website. I'll never buy from TD again.

I truly doubt that you're correct in your assumption.

And why do you want people to "let you know"? People have already let you know that the rebates are legit...and you just said you would never buy from TigerDirect again anyway.

I wonder how long ago you last purchased something from them.

Quote from mojoblow : I'm looking at a YouTube video of a guy taking apart the same external hard drive from the casing and I see no such thing. Where did you heard it was soldered. Do you have one and check and see? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kltxX_vPrsA

It says on the video that if is a micro usb it is soldered. So apparently that is not the case for mini usb which I did not know. Thanks for posting the video.

Quote from mojoblow : I'm looking at a YouTube video of a guy taking apart the same external hard drive from the casing and see no such thing. Where did you heard it was soldered. Do you have one and check and see? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kltxX_vPrsA

Yes, that is a WD Elements drive, but that is the USB 2.0 version of this model. As he said in the video, "make sure to look for the version of the drive with a mini USB port on the enclosure as that means the port is soldered to the mainboard so you can use the drive outside of the case."

This version is the USB 3.0 model, with a mini USB 3.0 port, which is different than the one in that 2 year old video. Almost all WD portable HDs are now soldered to the drive itself.

The change took place around the same time USB 3.0 was introduced.

Quote from George_II : I truly doubt that www.4myrebate.com would accept a copy of the the paperwork previously mailed in. I agree that some rebate centers would do that, but I'd be surprised if anyone was successful with 4myrebate. If anyone has been successful with www.4myrebate.com on copies, please let us know. Not only is the rebate process for TD a major pain in the xxx, it makes it so you can't return an item once the UPC label has been removed. So they make out like bandits. They don't have to pay you the $30 and they don't have to worry about you returning the product. I feel like I'm buying a watch from a guy on the corner whenever I visit the TD website. I'll never buy from TD again.

Actually, I very much doubt you know what you're talking about, because they definitely accept a copy of your paperwork in the event something is wrong with your submission. I know others on SD who have had to fax or mail copies to the resubmissions department, but usually they are willing to work with you. TigerDirect even has a rebate assurance program where they step in if you've made a reasonable effort to send everything in.

If you don't make copies and there is a problem... that's on you. Things happen, especially around the holidays, when I'm sure 4MyRebate hires a bunch of temp workers to scan in the thousands of rebate submissions they have to process.

As for the 4MyRebate process being a "major pain in the ass", I dont know how you figure. I think its probably one of the easiest and most efficient rebate systems I've dealt with and I do hundreds of rebates annually. The hardest part about the process is following directions, and if you can't do that, maybe you shouldnt be doing mail-in rebates in the first place.

Not only are 4MyRebates trackable, but they show you a scan of everything they received. They also update you when the documents are received, and when it is approved. I don't know how you could be more transparent than that.

And of course they are going to make you remove the UPC. If you didn't have to, you could buy the item, fill out the rebate, and return it... especially since they had an extended holiday return period in effect. It may not seem like much on a $10 rebate, but if it was a $50 or $100 rebate... You can bet people would try to game the system.

Quote from TDMVP73 : Actually, I very much doubt you know what you're talking about, because they definitely accept a copy of your paperwork in the event something is wrong with your submission. I know others on SD who have had to fax or mail copies to the resubmissions department, but usually they are willing to work with you. TigerDirect even has a rebate assurance program where they step in if you've made a reasonable effort to send everything in. If you don't make copies and there is a problem... that's on you. Things happen, especially around the holidays, when I'm sure 4MyRebate hires a bunch of temp workers to scan in the thousands of rebate submissions they have to process. As for the 4MyRebate process being a "major pain in the ass", I dont know how you figure. I think its probably one of the easiest and most efficient rebate systems I've dealt with and I do hundreds of rebates annually. The hardest part about the process is following directions, and if you can't do that, maybe you shouldnt be doing mail-in rebates in the first place. Not only are 4MyRebates trackable, but they show you a scan of everything they received. They also update you when the documents are received, and when it is approved. I don't know how you could be more transparent than that. And of course they are going to make you remove the UPC. If you didn't have to, you could buy the item, fill out the rebate, and return it... especially since they had an extended holiday return period in effect. It may not seem like much on a $10 rebate, but if it was a $50 or $100 rebate... You can bet people would try to game the system.

Quote from 22chamkila : How is TigerDirect for rebates?

I have not get my rebate so never trust them again

Nice!!