I got a new computer right before T-day in 2007 and even though the price was “good” for the features I wanted, I still had to slog through filling out rebate submission forms to get this “good” price. Another annoying feature of rebates and mail-in savings is that you still pay sales tax based on the in-store price, not the after-rebate price. (I reserved my judgment on whether the computer I got was a good price until the rebate check actually came in. Since the rebate check came in, I am happy w/the price of the computer.)
Rebate Schedule
| Retailer – Product | Submission Date | Check Arrival Date | Opportunity Cost of Rebate* |
| Office Depot – Toshiba notebook | 11/20/2007 | 01/3/2008 | $0.84 |
| Office Depot – Lenovo notebook (my sister’s) | 11/23/2007 | 01/16/2008 | $0.48 |
| Office Depot – Lenovo notebook (my sister’s) | 11/23/2007 | 1/30/2008 | $1.30 |
| Office Depot – USB Hub | 11/23/2007 | 12/31/2007 | $0.05 |
| Staples – PNY Flash Drive | 11/23/2007 | 1/17/2008 | $0.17 |
| Staples – Webroot | 11/23/2007 | 01/15/2008 | $0.17 |
| Buy.com – Kingston Memory | 11/29/2007 | 01/7/2008 | $0.08 |
[I started this post to keep a track of the various rebates when I noticed that I had quite a bit to track and wanted to see if I will actually get $ within the 6-8 weeks time frame. I can attest to Fry's having a horrible rebate/mail-in savings program based on a flash drive I bought couple of years ago.]
The checks came in a lot faster than I thought it would, as I remember from a few years ago that I submitted rebates in January and didn’t get checks until late April. I’m impressed w/Staples though. I recently went back for a price adjustment (due to advertised lower price and mail-in rebate) and the rebate check came within a 2 week time frame.
*= I am using opportunity cost @ 4.75% APY, compounded daily.
