October 26, 2010 Media Contact: Jenn Meale Phone: (850) 245-0150

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced a settlement with a Delaware company, Systemax, and its subsidiaries, Tigerdirect, and Onrebate, over allegations the companies failed to pay advertised rebates to consumers. Tigerdirect, Inc. sells computers and other electronic equipment, and rebates on purchases are processed by Onrebate.com, Inc. Consumer complaints reported that the rebate program was very difficult to navigate and often led to consumers giving up their rights to rebates.

The Attorney General’s Economic Crimes Division began investigating the companies in April 2007, after receiving numerous complaints from consumers. The original complaint, filed in August of 2008, alleged that Systemax, through Tigerdirect, offered and advertised products with rebate incentives, falsely representing to consumers they would receive the rebates in approximately 8-10 weeks.

The settlement specifically requires Systemax and its subsidiaries to process rebates in the time advertised and to initiate procedures that allow for the proper handling of rebate submissions.
Additionally, pursuant to the settlement agreement, in which the defendants admitted no wrongdoing, the Attorney General’s Office will dismiss the complaint and will be reimbursed $200,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs. Defendants will not only ensure that proper rebates have been made to all eligible complainants, but will also donate $100,000 to the Florida Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. It is intended that these funds be used by local Boys and Girls Clubs to purchase computer equipment.

A copy of the Settlement Agreement is available online at:
http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/MRAY-8ALKF8/$file/TigerDirectSettlement.pdf