Drugstore ads deceptive because they omit the cost of postage for mail-in rebates.

Consumer Protection Dept.

Federal Trade Commission

Pennsylvania Avenue at Sixth Street NW

Washington, DC 20580

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

This is undoubtedly a small matter, but one that irritates me as one who tries to be a thrifty consumer. National chain drug stores run ads most every week suggesting that you will save a certain amount of money by buying certain products and mailing in their store rebate coupon and form. Unfortunately, these ads are deceptive or fraudulent in the amount of money that you will actually save because they invariably do not include the thirty-seven cents (37¢) postage that is required to mail in the rebate offer and form. I realize that it would be absurd to also require that the cost of the envelope, and the time spent filling out the form and walking to the mail box or the Post Office be included in these calculations.

I would like to see the Federal Trade Commission issue a general order to the several national chain drug stores requiring that they include the cost of postage in actual consumer "savings" gained by the purchase of a certain advertised product. Please see the enclosed Longs Drugs ad for August 10 -16, 2003 for Alameda County, California. Alameda County lies just east of San Francisco and includes the City of Oakland.

I purchased the bottle of Ultra Ivory Dishwashing Liquid for $1.99 plus sales tax. After spending thirty-seven cents (37¢) postage, the rebate was actually only sixty-three cents (63¢), and thus the "Final Price After Rebate" was $1.36 and not the advertised 99¢.

Yours truly,

James K. Sayre

12 August 2003