What exactly is a "mail in rebate," and how does one qualify for it?

I always see this said on things you can purchase almost anywhere, and I was at Frys (an electronic store) looking at some of the computers earlier today, and there was this laptop that really caught my eye. The price was $899, but the sign said that with a mail in rebate, the laptop would be $799.





So what exactly is a mail-in-rebate, and how does one qualify to receive such price reductions?|||A mail-in rebate is essentially a discount that you get after you have jumped through some hoops and waited 6 to 10 weeks or more.





Generally, the receipt for the product will have instructions on how to apply. If not, ask the cashier checking you out.





You will most likely have to fill in a form and mail this form along with your receipt and the original UPC label from the product to a designated address.





Legitimate offers result in your getting a check in a couple of months. Some times they'll just tell you that you didn't follow the proper procedures and you aren't going to get your rebate.





Sometimes you don't hear anything and you don't get your check.





Ever.





Make sure you keep copies of everything you send in.|||okay, I wnet to alltell's website and put a phone in the cart and a plan. The total came to $129 with all the discounts but with the mail in rebate, it was $100 off. So is that good? and does that cover the first months payment of $69.99?

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|||You usually only have to get the rebate form and fill it out and comply with whatever rules there are to get the rebate back (usually as a check) in the mail. So in your case you'd pay $899 to get the computer, but then make sure you get a rebate form (ask for it at check-out). Then you'll have so many days to get it post marked (in the mail). Then after 6-8 weeks, if everything was copacetic and you remember to keep checking your mail. you'll receieve a check. Be carefully opening it, because the check is often part of the envelope.