Rebates Offer Great Discounts to Smart Shoppers

Mail-in rebates are one of product manufacturers' favorite ways to convince customers to buy their products. Imagine this scenario: you're considering buying a piece of computer hardware for $200. Maybe it's a bit out of your price range, or you just aren't sure it will be worth the investment. Then, the manufacturer offers a $100 rebate on the product. They know that you're likely to jump on that deal.

Rebates can indeed lead to real bargains, if you're a smart shopper with the right temperament. Some products are even available with a 100% rebate - in other words, they end up being free after rebate.

A good friend of mine is precisely the wrong person to rely on rebates: his kitchen table is littered with unopened mail. His to-do list would be a mile long - that is, if he were organized enough to make a to-do list. I would never recommend that he buy a rebate product, because he probably wouldn't get around to redeeming it.

He is, in fact, exactly the kind of customer that rebate marketers love. They know that the majority of people don't actually mail in a rebate, or don't manage to do it correctly. The smaller the amount of the rebate, the less likely it is that people will bother to redeem it. Complicated rebate instructions can make it more difficult to do the job right.

On the other hand, if you would describe yourself as detail-oriented (or even anal- retentive!) rebates are for you. Print out or obtain the rebate forms as soon as you buy or order the product. Fill them out immediately. Most importantly, mail them in as soon as you receive the product - before you lose the proof of purchase or simply forget because you're too busy playing with that new gadget.

When you file for a rebate, read the fine print carefully and follow the submission instructions to the letter. You only get one shot - so take care to do it correctly. Fill out the submission form completely. Oftentimes, you'll have to submit a UPC code or other proof of purchase as well as a sales receipt. Unless the form explicitly says that you can submit a copy of the receipt, send the original. Always, always, keep a copy of all the materials that you submit, including the form and receipt. If there's a problem with the rebate, you'll have contact information for the company and proof that you met the rebate requirements.

Many rebates take six to ten weeks to arrive: the time range will be shown on the rebate form. By law, the company is required to send the rebate within the time period specified, or 30 days if they don't give a time estimate. (They practically always do give that estimate.)

To marketers, rebates are simply discounts that they only have to provide a small percentage of the time. Although you may occasionally hear of buyers who fail to receive rebates they rightfully deserve, most companies that offer rebates are legitimate, upstanding firms that will honor your rebate if you hold up your end of the bargain: submitting the rebate form correctly and on time.

Copyright 2005 by Kevin Savetz.

Kevin Savetz is a freelance technology journalist who has written for more than 80 publications. He is the co-founder of Free After Rebate which features computer gear, consumer electronics, office supplies, and more -- often 100% off the original price after rebate. You can keep up-to-date on the latest deals with the site's free newsletter.

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