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After I bought my laptop at Best Buy (see post below), I was on the lookout for a wireless card since it didn't come built-in. I was with the Geeky Jockette at Staples looking for index cards when I wandered over to the wireless networking section. It was a good thing I did, because I stumbled upon a Belkin 54g wireless card for $10 after rebate and a Belkin 54g router for $20 after rebate. Both excellent deals.
The great thing about Staples is that they have this new "Staples Easier Rebates" program. At checkout, they either give you a form or print out a special rebate receipt. You go to the website, enter the promotion number and the code that comes on the receipt, give them your mailing information, and you're done. You don't have to send in any forms or UPC symbols. Simple, quick, and easy. It even automatically recognized that I bought two rebate products on the same receipt. We'll see how long it takes to receive the checks, but I'm not too worried because I've had luck with Staples in the past.
All this begs the question, what has taken so long? The technology to make rebate processing easier for the customer has been there for years. I've always wondered why I have to fill out a form and tape a little UPC code and receipt to it when the store that I bought the item from has plenty of electronic records of the whole transaction. The answer is pretty obvious. A lot of people either don't bother with the hassle of sending them in, or people make mistakes with their rebate submissions. This makes the retailers a lot of money.
Nowadays, it seems like every store in the world has rebate promotions. While rebates probably do help these stores make money, I would guess that the negative publicity and customer backlash of terrible rebate fulfillment has caused them to think twice. This may have been the impetus behind Staples easier rebates. Whatever the reason, I think this could start a trend. I know that I would definitely be more willing to buy rebate items from Staples in the future.
One final note: two days after buying that wireless router and card, I found a post on Ben's Bargains that listed a different rebate for both the router and the card. The router's was $20 and the card $10, making them both free after rebate (except for tax). This wasn't listed at Staples or on their web site, but it definitely appears to be valid. Just goes to show you, always Google the product you're buying (or have bought) for rebates and coupons. You never know what you might find.
