I’ve unearthed another conspiracy–only it’s not being hidden, it’s advertised on mile-high flashing billboards.

“We have rebates!  $XXX.00 off!”

What they neglect to mention is that the rebate is offered only becuase it requires you to first wrangle the salesman in the store into honoring the rebate on the item in question, then become an expert in the art of small-print lingo, give yourself five paper cuts sealing all of above mentioned documents into each seperately addressed envelope, and finally run three marathons for good measure.

If a salesperson is asked why stores offer rebates instead of discounts s/he will answer, “Because not everyone will send in the rebate”.

Surprise, surprise.