State gives out more appliance rebates than expected
Federal energy efficiency program brings $62 million in sales for Florida merchants
State officials and retailers on Monday declared Florida's cash for clunker appliances program a success, with Floridians reserving about 72,700 rebates — almost 4,700 more than originally anticipated — before the $17.5 million in state funding ran out Saturday night.
Brenda Buchan, the chief analyst for the Governor's Energy Office who's managing the federally-financed program, said the state was able to hand out more 20 percent rebates on energy-efficient appliances because the average cost was less than expected. "There were some really good deals out there," she said.
The money also lasted almost a day longer than projected.
South Florida merchants were delighted with the response, with state officials saying the program generated at least $62 million in sales and $4 million in sales tax. Bobby Johnson, senior vice president for South Florida-based BrandsMart USA, said customers continued to buy appliances on Sunday even though the rebate funds were gone.
Now consumers' anxiety is shifting from snagging a priority number online, which helped guarantee them a rebate, to getting their appliances delivered in time to qualify. Rebate applications must be mailed by May 10, and customers need the serial numbers off their new products before they can complete them.
"I'm hoping the government gets enough complaints that they extend it," said Virgina Stewart, of Dania Beach. She bought a $1,700 refrigerator Friday at Sears store in Fort Lauderdale and wrangled a priority number, only to discover she might not be able to get her appliance until May 11.
Sears spokesman Larry Costello said he hadn't heard of similar complaints. "We've been preparing for almost a year … It's to our benefit to make sure customers get their products in time," he said.
When sending an application, include the original sales receipt and proof of recycling your old model from your installer for an additional $75, and make sure your priority number is on the application. Make photocopies of everything for your records.
Applications will continue to be accepted without a priority number but placed on a waiting list. For information, go to: http://www.rebates.com/florida.
Diane Lade can be reached at dlade@SunSentinel.com.
Brenda Buchan, the chief analyst for the Governor's Energy Office who's managing the federally-financed program, said the state was able to hand out more 20 percent rebates on energy-efficient appliances because the average cost was less than expected. "There were some really good deals out there," she said.
The money also lasted almost a day longer than projected.
South Florida merchants were delighted with the response, with state officials saying the program generated at least $62 million in sales and $4 million in sales tax. Bobby Johnson, senior vice president for South Florida-based BrandsMart USA, said customers continued to buy appliances on Sunday even though the rebate funds were gone.
Now consumers' anxiety is shifting from snagging a priority number online, which helped guarantee them a rebate, to getting their appliances delivered in time to qualify. Rebate applications must be mailed by May 10, and customers need the serial numbers off their new products before they can complete them.
"I'm hoping the government gets enough complaints that they extend it," said Virgina Stewart, of Dania Beach. She bought a $1,700 refrigerator Friday at Sears store in Fort Lauderdale and wrangled a priority number, only to discover she might not be able to get her appliance until May 11.
Sears spokesman Larry Costello said he hadn't heard of similar complaints. "We've been preparing for almost a year … It's to our benefit to make sure customers get their products in time," he said.
When sending an application, include the original sales receipt and proof of recycling your old model from your installer for an additional $75, and make sure your priority number is on the application. Make photocopies of everything for your records.
Applications will continue to be accepted without a priority number but placed on a waiting list. For information, go to: http://www.rebates.com/florida.
Diane Lade can be reached at dlade@SunSentinel.com.
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