A $20 to $100 rebate is quite a common sight on electronics and computers stores that is being offered by the retailer or the manufacturer themselves
. It is one of the marketing and promotion tactics used by the manufacturer or retailer in the US. The most common rebate is the kind where the buyer must mail the coupon, bar code, or special receipt to claim a check of a certain amount often in a limited time.
Rebates can be a good chance to get some great deals depending on product and manufacturer offering the rebate. Rebates are offered because of the benefits to both consumers and manufacturer. A lower price for the consumer gives them a chance to save money on the item and the manufacturer can gather useful data from the consumers.
Rebates from trusted and established companies are generally good. You can be somewhat sure that the rebate can be claimed from the company. If you found a rebate of some unknown company, you should think twice. If you really like or needed the product and doesn't necessarily need the refund then you can pay the listed price and not expect any rebate. Rebates have expiration dates that should be checked if you plan on getting the rebate. Some retailers can forget the product on the shelf with the rebate date expired and unusable.
You should fill out all the forms need to claim the rebate before you leave the retail store. It is also important to note the most rebates needs the forms, receipts, and bar codes to get the rebate. For added security, you may want to make copies of everything you mail to claim the rebate. Anything can happen to your mail, it can get lost and there won't be anything you can do.