Mail In Rebates...A Holiday Rant

As some of you know much of my income involves photography. Although much of my work is now digital I have continued to use my 35mm system to do most of the work, taking slides and scanning them. Well the last lab that processes color slides in my area has just closed which means my film has to be sent several hundred miles for processing greatly complicating my life. As a result it was time to purchase a DSLR system. After many hours of research, reading professional and non professional reviews I selected two brands that would meet my requirements with camera A being my first choice and camera B my second. I have been watching for discounts which one might expect around the holiday season. Today I was not disappointed. Camera A had a 100 dollar mail in rebate but camera B had a 100 dollar in store discount. If I were to purchase the camera system today it would be camera B with the in store discount.

I dislike, no I hate mail in rebates. I am required to take the time to put together the receipts and UPC codes then spend 37 cents to send them in. I then wait at least 6 to 8 weeks for my rebate check to arrive. The last time I sent in a rebate I received a letter after 8 weeks telling me I had sent in the wrong UPC code from the box. If you want me to buy your product give me an in store discount, a mail in rebate will not make me purchase your product.