Is anyone still waiting to receive the $500 card? I'm writing in mid-November.

I am going to get it soon. I never received the option letter until I demanded it from Mazda themselves. I also could not return my vehicle because I took possession of my 8.

Nothing yet, but I know I'm in the computer (for whatever that's worth). Gonna call again 11/17.

The rep said I should recieve mine mid to late November.

Originally posted by SCiMMiA
Nothing yet, but I know I'm in the computer (for whatever that's worth). Gonna call again 11/17.

Yea, me too. Nothing yet. Will also call 11/17. Especially since I'm due for an oil change and tire rotation.

Nothing yet. When I called, they said I was in the system, and it would be late November.

me too

ditto...late nov or early dec delivery according to customer service

I'm still waiting, though I called and they said that I was entered into their system, which means that the dealerships will see that I am part of the program, and will acknowledge the free maintenance program.

She said to wait another couple of weeks before calling back, but said the cards are supposely going out in the order the requests were received.

I have already received the $500 card, but am still waiting for the free scheduled maintenance card.

No nothing, yet. No cards of either sort. I want that $500 card... I need to go Christmas shopping!

I just got my (warrenty) card yesterday 11-18-03. if that means anything. I never saw my American Express debit card, and it said if I had not received it to call a phone #. They said it was sent out on a certian date, but it never showed up, she cancelled the old card, and has reissued me a new one. I should be getting it in the next few days.

Told me they're doing 'em separately in waves; next mailing of Amex cards Nov. 24. Confirmed receipt of letter and said dealers already have the info whether or not you have the service card.

Told me they're doing 'em separately in waves; next mailing of Amex cards Nov. 24. Confirmed receipt of letter and said dealers already have the info whether or not you have the service card.

Still waiting... haven't inquired about delivery.

This is freakin' ridiculous. We all submitted our letters in Sept; I was told it would take 4-5 weeks to get the debit card; here it is 9 weeks later. Only one person in this thread says he got his card. I just called, Mazda and now they're saying Dec 9-16 I "should" get the card. The weenie on the phone (Doug, extension 1144) said AMEX "ran out of cards." I raked him over the coals for that inane remark, then asked to speak to someone who knows something. He said a supervisor would call me in 24-48 hours. When I pointed out in 48 hours it would be Thanksgiving, he said well maybe sometime after Thanksgiving. This is so utterly freakin' ridiculous, the company is sitting on OUR money; earning interest on OUR money; they have failed to conform to the terms of our settlement and I'm starting to think maybe perhaps the settlement is no longer satisfactory.

Sorry about the vent. I hate incompetence and I hate lying corporations hiding behind minimum-wage phone operators that you can't get past.

Do you happen to have the letter from Mazda that spelled out the terms of the agreement? I'm at work and my letter's at home. I too have not yet received the Amex card, and was told a similar story when I called Mazda last week about "American Express ran out of cards". I was told then, however, that another mailing of cards was due to go out on the 21st of November. Apparently that did not happen, judging by your conversation with them today.

Anyway, I was just trying to remember if there was any sort of promise made in the letter to have the card to us within a certain period of time. My Christmas shopping is falling way too far behind, y'know?? I'm ready to raise some heck with one of those min.-wage workers m'self.

Sorry, but AMEX does not "run out of cards." That is just lame. It is like saying McDonalds ran out of burgers.

I just sent this email to Mazda; maybe a little over the top but I'm just steamed right now. I just feel like we're being strung along, which hurts more than the actual loss of spending power from the missing card.

"I am one of the early RX-8 owners entitled to the settlement due to reduced horsepower. I was told in late Sept to expect my $500 debit card in 4-5 weeks. It has now been nine weeks, and no sign of a card. I am increasingly unhappy. This is not hard, and if there is one thing AMEX is good at it is issuing cards. I just spoke to "Doug" at your help line (ext 1144.) First, he tried to tell me AMEX ran out of cards. That is utterly the most stupid thing any reputable company has ever tried to tell me. Then he told me around Dec 9-16 I should get my card. This is unacceptable. If you don't feel compelled to comply with our agreement to issue a card by an agreed-upon date, then I should not be constrained by the deadline date to return the car for a refund of all costs. If you do not care to issue the card as promised, then please tell me where I can return the car so we can at least come to a final resolution of this settlement.

Please do not try to lay the blame for this on AMEX. My agreement is with YOU, MNAO, not with AMEX. You choose to bring them into this process instead of just writing me a $500 check. That was your choice; it does not absolve you of your obligations. I would like a call immediately from a supervisor explaining why MNAO cannot meet its fidicuary obligations and an explanation of how you intend to resolve it. "Hoping" AMEX will somehow come through does not cut it. As far as I'm concerned it's time for you to sweeten the pot in recognition of your failure to live up to your promises. Don't forget: You are dealing with your most loyal customers here; those who ordered your new car sight unseen; paid good money months in advance to reserve it; now we feel like we're being hung out to dry. If this is how you treat your most loyal customers, I shudder to think of how you treat those on the fringes."

Hey, I like that e-mail. Let's just hope someone with any kind of decision-making authority gets around to reading it before the place shuts down for the long weekend.

I found the letter posted in this thread (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9549&highlight=letter+and+from+and+Mazda+and+%24500). No mention in it of a specific time for delivery of the card, but I do recall being verbally informed when I called the first time that the card would be coming within a month or so. It's certainly been longer than that.

Good luck... I hope someone responds to you soon. If they keep stringing us along we could organize a sit-in in MNAO's lobby in Irvine, y'know. ;)

Originally posted by Aratinga
If they keep stringing us along we could organize a sit-in in MNAO's lobby in Irvine, y'know. ;)

Great idea. "Doug" told me MNAO would be open the day after Thanksgiving. We should stage a rally from their parking lot on Friday, but start out with a little march through their lobby. Bring turkey sandwiches for a picnic lunch!

There is hope! Got my $500.00 card (spent it on snow tires... ) and also received, about a week ago, my Maintenance Card. All set, no problems and no complaints!;)

Glad to hear it, wasy. So... how many snow tires can you buy for $500? ;-)

What number are you guys calling....I dont want Doug

Here's the meat of an email that I got today. It's in reply to my reply to their reply to my email that I didn't receive either card....this pretty much has a rotten odor to it...


Hello Bill,

I wanted to respond to you on behalf of Lisa.

I have investigated the delay of your $500 American Express card. The
order for your card will be sent to American Express today, November
25, 2003. It will take about 14 to 21 days for them to process the
card and then it will be sent to you. The reason for the delay is
two-fold. First is the sheer volume they are dealing with and second
is they have to make each card individually for each customer.

I ask you to please be patient as we are trying to do everything we can
to expedite the process.

Just for a heads up, there is a delay for the maintenance cards -
between 28 and 42 days. Fortunately, if you need your maintenance
done, the dealers are aware of everything and they would be happy to
assist in the maintenance of your 2004 RX-8.

I hope this clarifies the delay.

Originally posted by Sin
What number are you guys calling....I dont want Doug

Hate to tell you, but he's the smart one.

Nah, I shouldn't rag on Doug; he's following a script and I'm sure his bosses are very pleased with his performance. It's the people up top who are the real problem. If my boss told me to get a product out in 4-5 weeks, and at 9 weeks I was saying "Give me another month" I'd be out on the street. Esp if the product was nothing more than a plastic card, of which about 1,000,000,000,000 had been issued before.

btw, sin, have you found your eu yet? Sorry, bad joke.

Originally posted by Racer X-8
Here's the meat of an email that I got today. It's in reply to my reply to their reply to my email that I didn't receive either card....this pretty much has a rotten odor to it...


thanks for sharing this, Bill. It is such a lame excuse. How many cars were eligible for this debit card? Maybe a couple thousand, i dunno. Either way, no way can they say we "overwhelmed the system." Hire a coupla temps to type up our data (name & address oughta just about do it); email to AMEX who are masters of issuing cards; they oughta get 'em all out the door within 5 working days. No way can I see this taking longer than 31 Oct at the outside for those who responded by Oct 1.

THe one I sent in 9/2/03 was lost. I faxed them a copy 10/31/03 which they lost. I just re-faxed again 11/24/03 to the dept. mgr., still holding.

Originally posted by khoney
Still waiting... haven't inquired about delivery.
thats me 2

still waiting. Been trying about 2 weeks now to talk to my former 'contact' at RX-8 orders/ customer service. She's apparently less able to actually call me back concerning this particular issue. She has called a couple times - but it seemed easier to get calls before the buy back offer.

Guys, I've searched by I can't find that damn phone number I'm supposed to call to check on the status of my AMEX card. Can somebody help me out???

Nevermind. Found it. Just in case anybody else is still up in there air, I talked to Mazda today and was told that I should be receiving my acceptance letter next week and the debit card between Dec. 9 & 15.

Interesting thing about this card. Normally, when you get a credit card you have to call an 800 number to activate it. When you get a debit/ATM card they mail you a PIN separately. None of those precautions are taken with this card. It comes in the mail "live" and anyone finding it can use it at will; it is totally untraceable. Of course, if you report it lost they will deactivate it and send you a card with the remaining value. But how do you know it is lost if you have't even received the darn thing yet. Pretty squirrelly if you ask me.