Rebates have become increasingly popular in the last few years on many items and certainly on electronic items and computers. Rebates of $20, $50 or $100 are not uncommon. I’ve even seen items advertised as “free after rebate”. Do these rebates come under the heading of “too good to be true”? Some of them do and there are “catches” to look out for but if you’re careful, rebates can help you get some really great deal.

The way a rebate works is that you pay the listed price for an item then mail in a form and the bar code to the manufacturer and they send you a refund thus reducing the price of what you paid for the item except with a time delay of several weeks.

Rule #1. Rebates from reputable companies are usually just fine.

 You’ll be able to be pretty sure you’ll get the promised rebate from Best Buy, Amazon or Dell but you should probably not calculate getting one from a company you’ve never heard of. If you really want the product and are OK with paying the price listed then buy it but don’t calculate actually getting the refund.

Rule #2. Check rebate expiration dates.

Many times products will continue the shelf of a retailer after the date for sending in the rebate offer has expired so check that date carefully.

Rule #3. Be sure you’ve all the forms required to file for the rebate before you leave the store.

Rebates will almost always require a form to be eked out, a receipt for the purchase and a Universal Product Code.

Rule #4. Back off  your rebate claim.

Make copies of everything you send in to get your rebate including the Universal Product Code. Stuff gets lost in the mail all the time and if the rebate is for $50 it’s worth the trouble to back off your claim.

 

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