Well, as you may know, in the US, there is a strange way to have such a cheap deal, MIR -- Mail-In Rebate. Stores aren't likely to give you an instant discount to make a real good deal, so mail-in rebate is for filling that missing link. Basicly, when you buy stuffs, you have to cut off UPC, barcode on the box, to make sure that you cannot return, fill out the form, and mail all these to a company--rebate processor company. Then, wait. Some companies take only about a month, some companies take almost 4 months--believe me, that happened to me once. However, average wait time is about 2 months or so. It's mostly just wait (and pain arguing about denial of rebate.) Nowadays, you might have to be aware much more than that!!
With the period of US economy collapsing, many companies are gone. Customers spend less, things get more expensive. What the heck we can do about that? Nothing =) Just be alert for cheap deal, spend money as efficient as we can. Most of good deal online or in store come with rebate, it usually has only a question that how long we will get our money back. Nonetheless, now you might have to ask whether we will ever get our money back!! Surely, you are not likely to get rebate from store that use this rebate processor since it filed for bankruptcy!! The answer is uncertainty that you will get or not. If lucky, everything will work out well. If not, no one could help you either. Sue? yes, you can but for $40, $80, or $100? will you?
Anyway, in case you are in the US and you have tons of waiting MIR list. You may like to know this--the companies that use this rebate processor:-
ABBOTT LABORATORIES (FREESTYLE METERS)
ACRONIS SOFTWARE (TRUE IMAGE)
ACTIVISION
AD-AWARE
ADOBE
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS (Parts America?)
ANTEC - Called Antec and they are having problems. Said not to cash ! Antec CSR number 1-800-222-6832, Press 1
ArchBrook Laguna (Magellan Refurbished Rebate from Pep Boys)
ATDEC
AVG
BED BATH & BEYOND
BIC CORPORATION US - Shaver Division
BFG Tech - Told me to Call Rebate Status. Will re-email on Monday
BRIDGEVINE
CANON says DO NOT CASH http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=2587&keycode=important_rebate_info edit atene
CHECKER / SCHUCK'S / KRAGEN Auto Parts
CITIBANK
CORE
COSTCO (COSTCO email says don't cash at bank, take it to a COSTCO and they will CASH it. If you prefer to receive by mail call 1-866-355-3137)
DELORME
FUJITSU
HOME DEPOT
JOE'S SPORTS
KENSINGTON
LOGITECH (Called toll-free number Nov. 14, spoke with CSR. CSR said my check was good to cash. Not sure of others.)
MOTOROLA (SURFBOARD MODEM)
MURRAY'S DISCOUNT AUTO PARTS (oil)
NATURE'S EARTH (cat litter)
NERO
NEWEGG (certain products have rebates from newegg directly e.g. TATUNG, ROSEWILL)
PANDA DISTRIBUTION
PANDIGITAL
PC TOOLS --> Phone: (866) 431-5087
PRICEGRABBER - Don't Cash Check (Even older ones you haven't cashed in yet)! Will Send out New Rebate Check Directly
ROSEWILL (NEWEGG)
RUSTOLEUM - Menard's July $4 Door Paint Rebate (Contact Rustoleum directly @ 1-800-323-3584)
SAMSUNG
SMITH MICRO SOFTWARE (ANONYMIZER)
SPOT (Satellite beacon)
TABLETOPS UNLIMITED
TRENDNET - Don't cash check; make a copy and mail the original check to TRENDnet headquarters (can be found at trendnet.com along with a printout of email regarding this issue. ) New check will be issued.
WESTINGHOUSE
XFX
XM SATELLITE RADIO
ZEROTHERM
ZYXEL
Well, that's a long list. Some companies are kind enough to take this responsibility, but some are just quiet about this. Who know the future? Just keep avoiding getting all rebate deals from the company listed above until things are clear.
This holiday season is just starting... be careful.....
Note: More information and progression at SlickDeals.net forum