Debit Cards are the New Cash Rebate

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Staples and bought some items that were eligible for a rebate. This is a nearly $20 rebate we’re talking about, so I was pretty pleased. Definitely worth the trouble to take three minutes to fill out the online rebate form. I did this only to find out that my rebate is going to come in the form of a debit card that can only be used at Staples.

I was kind of miffed. After all, it used to be that rebates came in the form of checks. They arrived, you deposited the money into your bank account or cashed the check. In the end, you got the money, and you used it on what you wanted. I happen to have a purchase, for my home business, that will cost close to $20, that I will probably make at Staples anyway. But now I don’t want to make this purchase until I receive the rebate in another 2-4 weeks (you know, allow 6-8 weeks for the rebate, etc.). Mainly because I worry that I won’t have to buy anything else at Staples for a looooong time. And I have no idea what kind of restrictions this debit card is going to come with.

Debit cards in lieu of check rebates

Apparently, I’m not the only one who has encountered this. Flexo at Consumerism Commentary points out that the same thing is happening with Verizon. I can see where this sort of process would be desirable to retailers. It increases the possibility that the rebate they offer is spent at the store, so they aren’t actually losing any money. And, of course, there is always the hope on the part of businesses that you won’t actually use your rebate after all.

In the end, this appears to be yet another instance of companies finding more ways to make the whole rebate thing less convenient for customers. And it really is a smart business tactic. But it is kind of annoying for the rest of us. Personally, I’d just like them to have an online sign-up that results in the rebate being put straight into my PayPal account. But we all know that’s not going to happen…