Illinois’ appliance retailers get their own “Cash for Clunkers” program

The State of Illinois has received slightly more than $12 million in stimulus money to fund a rebate program for purchasers of select new ENERGY STAR appliances and water heaters. Certain HVAC equipment will be eligible for rebates through contractor sales only. As a retailer, you will be eligible to participate in the program by offering these rebates to your customers if you sign an enrollment form and agree to abide by the rules of the program. The details of the program are provided below and cover the following: which products are eligible for the rebate, how the rebates must be administered, the amount of the rebate, required promotion of the program, how to invoice the State and recycling incentives. If you have any questions about the information provided on this form, please call the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) office at 312.726.4600 for more information.

RETAILERS: All “brick-and-mortar” Illinois retailers are eligible...no Internet sales or operations are allowed.

CONSUMERS: Most consumers are eligible. Customers paying with a corporate credit card, corporate check or corporate buying accounts are NOT eligible. There is a limit of one appliance of a specific type per visit (example: a customer buying two qualifying refrigerators would only receive one discount). Finally at point of purchase the retail associate will enter the customer’s zip code into the system in order to qualify...but any zip code will be allowed (even out of state).