Another aspect to the rebate scam (Score 1)

I would certainly be happy to see the market move away from this nasty rebate trend.

In addition to all the subtle technicalities that have already been mentioned that cause many people to never get their rebates, there is another part of the scam that most people don't seem to notice.

Often, you must forfeit your right to return an item in order to get the rebate. Most merchants allow you to return merchandise within 14 to 30 days for a full refund as long as it is intact in the original packaging. Look close at the rebate deadlines. I find that most of them are so short that you must mail in the rebate within just a few days or maybe a week or two of the purchase date. However, they require cutting out the original UPC code from the box or packaging to send in with it. Of course, once you have done that, you either will not have the option of returning the item for a refund or, at best, will be charged a 15% or 20% re-stocking fee.

If the rebate does not give you more than 30 days from the purchase date to send it in, then you know it is a deliberate scam.