Any stats on how effective rebates are?

[edro]

I remember back in the days when there were no rebates.... Then came along crap like the MSN $200 rebate if you use their dial-up for a year.... and now NOTHING is on sale without a rebate (or 129432 rebates stacked)! :|

I know rebates work, but how well? They gotta work pretty well, since everyone is doing it.

Anyone have any stats on how well they work versus having higher prices without rebates?

Thanks!

 

[Silex]

They mus tbe working to some extent if the companies are till using it so often. It would warrant casual usage to attract the consumer, but having literally every item in one's arsenal being cheaper with an MIR goes to show how effective it is as 1)a marketing tool and 2)a moneymaking tool.

 

No stats, but basically it gives stores the FULL price that the item is selling for, and it also takes into account people's laziness/carelessness. Many people submit rebates wrongly, and when they get a rejection in the mail, it's often thrown out. Thus, the company gets full price for the product.