Rebates 101: What You Should Know About Rebate Check Fulfillment

SALE! Model X-3000, Originally $199.99, Reduced to $129.99. With Mfr Rebate 0f $70.00….FINAL PRICE- $59.99!

Look familiar? We’ve all seen these ads for items that we’ve had our eye on or is on our “wish-list” The ads are almost always the same too. The item is shown, with a MSRP or “Original price” (some high figure that they probably were NEVER able to actually charge) and then the real grabber…the FINAL PRICE- an eye-grabbing low number that is sure to entice. Somewhere in the ad, usually in smaller print, is the qualifier-“after rebate of $xxx” That doesn’t matter, though, because we see that LOW FINAL PRICE and that’s what we remember. If it’s an item you really want or need, you’re probably going to head down to that store and buy it because, in your mind, you’re really only spending the final price amount. When they ring up the full amount on your credit card, you may have a short moment of distress, but you figure if they put it in print, they will honor it, right? Well, if you are reading this article, you’ve likely found out otherwise. Welcome to the not-so-wonderful world of rebates.