One more thing (Score 1)

Companies use rebates for one thing, to make money. Especially for computers, after rebates the products end up being well below cost. They use the origional rebate money to collect interest on short term investments, plus adding in the money they dont pay to people who dont file ends up making the retail store money. If the retail stores took the rebate money off at the register, then they'd have no way to combat the people that just walk in, buy a tower and nothing else, and leave. Trust me, computer retail can lose money very quickly on junkies like us who doesnt need anything other than the basics, and rebates are one way to help curb that. Think about that next time you go in to buy things without any of the extras. Everyone has to make thier money somehow.