Ed, basically a company agrees to pay you back part of your purchase price IF you send in your receipt with all requisite coupons filled out properly, etc. as John has indicated. It's a good way of getting people to come in and buy, then most, imo, forget about the rebate, deeming it too much of a hassle to bother with, which the companies count on, I am sure.

We used to do quite a bit with Office Max because they were the only gmae in town and I did receive back a good amount, but they have a nice set-up, a flyer which lists all rebates available and has all of the papers, etc. attached, PLUS they print an extra receipt for you to send in.

Of course, that's on small items. There are also rebates offered on cars, but I think they expect people to apply it towards a downpayment. Not sure about that, though.

kat