> "PLUS: Remember, THE MSN PROGRAM IS NOT A REBATE! You don't get money back. You get money in your account to use on a future purchase."
Technically it is a rebate, but not a CASH PAYOUT rebate, and you are correct. You receive a deposit in your MSN wallet after Feburary 2003 to spend ONLY at sites still accepting MSN Wallet at that time. (The list accepting is bigger than the list giving the 20% back though at least).
It's still a good deal, especially when combined with Free After Rebate items from Black Friday, and both of the Western Digital (120, 80) hard drive deals.. Even before MSN $ , the prices were still lower than eBay prices, and from a reputable company, free shipping and for some, no tax. The MSN bucks were just icing on the cake.
This deal however is riskier. If you attempt to price match after purchase INSTORE, CC may do a "return/rering", thus causing you to loose ALL of the MSN bucks, not just the % on the PM. At least do this over the phone or via email and request price adjustment, cannot cancel original ticket # due to rebates already sent. You should be safer then.
This deal really should be listed as $28 after PM/Rebate, receive $22 MSN Wallet credit to be clearer.