A couple suggestions/questions/comments concerning rebates:
1. I've always felt that, especially if the rebate is ADVERTISED by a store, that it is an inducement to purchase, and the store can be held to fulfill the rebate if the mfg. doesn't come thru. I believe this is evidenced by the fact that stores like CompScrewUSA and Worst Buy "hold back" several millions of $$$'s from mfg. that they know don't come thru with rebates. Also, if you hold their feet to the fire, they will eventually cut you a corporate check.
2. Next time I purchase an item with a fairly large rebate, I believe I will put the charge in dispute with my credit card company. Of course, I would wait until the last few days to do this so I can see if the rebate comes. Usually, the time period to dispute is 60 days from the date of the statement that the charge appears on. I have done something similar in the past when I was negotiating with a vendor. I filed the dispute so my rights would be preserved, and explained in the letter to the cc company that I was attempting to work it out with the vendor. My cc was cool with this, and I just let them know if I was able to work it out or not. In fact, I think they prefer that I try to work it out first.....maybe even require it.
--Randy