I hate rebates-they are not worth the trouble. The last one I sent in was for $50 off a Verizon cellphone. They said my forms were invalid. I've given up since then.

We have done several rebates without problems but mostly from Staples. Never heard about this one. Wonder if it is for real???

I hate rebates! If they can not give me the proper price in the first place, forget about it. Rebates are not worth the trouble, ad causes a lot of make-work. The money spent on hiring staff to handle rebates is likely more than the rebate is worth to the customer.

Sometimes, a rebate is a way to collect data: whose buying, where, addresses, etc.

I was told by a manager at Office Max the reason why rebate checks are delayed, after I complined "why is it - they have a computerized system - could they not issue the checks on time. What's the problem?" He said they could respond much faster, but will not. The payments are automatically delayed by 30 days to 6 wks to prevent a customer from scamming the store. It goes like this: A customer purchases an item with a pricey rebate, mails in the rebate, and then returns the item claiming something is wrong with the item, or complete dissatisfaction. By having an built in delay, the store can accept the return and a cancellation is automatically entered on any rebate for this item. A delay is set sufficient long to foil a fraudlent rebate attemp.

Apparently, businesses have faced this problem often enough to warrant such a plan. It stinks, but the merchant has a right to protect himself. In my opinion, this process makes the rebate worthless.

Personally, I cannot say enough good about Verizon's rebate program. I bought a new phone about a month ago. Waited to mail the rebate for about a week, just to make sure I was happy with the phone. Within days of my mailing the paperwork, I got an e-mail that they'd received it. Got another in a couple more days stating my rebate was being processed. Well, the rebate came last week (only 2 weeks turn around time), and it means my phone cost me a grand total of $3.50 and it's got all the bells and whistles I need (camera, texting, etc). AND the rebate came in the form of a Visa gift card. How convenient is that!

I did follow the salesperson's instructions to the letter for sending in the documentation--she was really good and went over the whole process thoroughly, and printed out 2 copies of everything for me, so I could keep one for my records.

My mom bought a new phone from Sprint. They told her the old one is outdated. New phone was 99.00 but offered a 50 rebate if she purchased a new one. She was out of state on a 3 month trip when phone problems started, she went to a Sprint store. She filled out paperwork and never got her rebate. She went down to the local Sprint store and they told her the rebate was only good for phones 100.00 or more, boy was she mad. She told them she was not leaving store until she got her $50 and would stay there and tell everyone how they took advantage of her until she got her $50.(she is 76) They gave her the money right there in the store. They just always have excuses as to why you don't get your rebates.

Hmmm. They send a letter about a check you recently received... how many would have already tried to cash it?

I tried to do some checking on this but so far not a lot. It does suggest that this is through the Young America processing station which has a history of allegations about not-so-kosher dealings. I usually won't bother with a YA rebate unless it's something spectacular.

Rebates are delayed for a lot of reasons but the primary reason is simple. It's called kiting. Plus there are allegations that a surprising number get "lost" and never sent out, another batch of not acceptable, etc. And most people don't keep track of it and don't keep copies so they don't realize they didn't get it.

When I do rebates for anything other than Menard's, I scan the info into the computer. That way if I need a printout I have it plus a picture of the UPC. When the rebate is received, it can be deleted. Plus considering it costs nearly 50¢ to send it, only the bigger rebates are messed with here.

In fairness, there's legitimate operations and illegitimate ones.

I was on the Canon (camera) web site earlier today, because I'm getting a Powershot SD1100 IS for my hubs and I wanted to see what OEM accessories are available. On the home page, towards the bottom, there is a link for IMPORTANT REBATE INFORMATION. I clicked on the link, hoping to find that I can get a rebate on the new camera... There's a second "click here" link, which takes you to a page that says this:

Important Rebate Info

November 14, 2008.

Dear Valued Customer,

This is an official message from Canon U.S.A., Inc.

The third party rebate processing company that was responsible for processing rebate claims and issuing mail-in-rebate checks for Canon-brand printer and video products (along with many other products of a number of other companies) filed a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy petition earlier today. The funds provided to them by Canon U.S.A., Inc. (and other companies) apparently are no longer available to satisfy the rebate checks such company issued on behalf of Canon and other companies. Regrettably, as a result, you should not cash the refund check you recently received for such products, as it likely will bounce. We apologize for any inconvenience, delay or confusion this may cause. We are doing everything in our power to promptly rectify the situation.

Accordingly, we request that you take the following actions: ÂIf you are holding or receive a rebate check for printer or video products which is dated on or before November 14, 2008, please do not cash the check, as it may bounce. Please look for updated postings on the Canon U.S.A. website on or about November 18, 2008 for further instruction on how to exchange your check for a new check that you will be able to cash.
ÂIf you have not yet mailed in your rebate claim materials, please hold such materials until you receive further instruction. We are making new processing arrangements, with a new mail in address. Please look for updated postings on the Canon U.S.A. website on or about November 18, 2008 for further instruction on where to mail your rebate claim material and how to exchange your check for a new check that you will be able to cash.

Check our web site early next week for further instructions and contact information for any questions you may have. Again, please do not cash any rebate checks for printer or video products which are dated on or before November 14, 2008, as they may bounce.

We are committed to ensuring that you receive your refund as soon as possible and that you will continue to have full confidence in Canon U.S.A., Inc.

We apologize again for any inconvenience.

Sincerely, Canon U.S.A., Inc.