I got my tax rebate check the other day. Excuse me, Economic Stimulus check. I wrote a blog some time ago about how to spend it to actually help the economy.  I also mentioned that I had to pay the IRS just over $1,200 dollars. So much for me kicking my assistance beyond trying to cover minimum payments, finance charges and a occasional tank of gas now and then.

This isn't the kind of rebate that I'm speaking of though. I'm talking about the day to day rebates that you see in advertising. Often a low price is advertised with a little asterisk by it stating the price is after mail in rebate. May I be blunt? Of course I can. I'm good at that. These companies are just trying to play "Gotcha" by hoping that you forget to pick up the rebate form and mail it in on time.

Sears got me big time by advertising a sale price on the internet for a clothes drier. I made the purchase entirely on the internet. Along with the printer receipt was a rebate form which was like most, requiring me to balance on one foot on the peak of my roof and tap my head and rub my tummy while singing Yankee Doodle Dandy. The problem is that I tabled the form, literally, for too long and now see that I'm out $50. So much for a sale price.

Not to unfairly single out Sears, I believe most merchandisers hope to draw you in and make a sale hoping that you forget to do the dance. I ask you, is there any good reason that rebates are not given right at the point of sale? For the consumer, no. For the retailer, of course! For the politician?

I recently wrote the senators and congressman about a consumer issue not related to rebates. Each replied but one gave an unacceptable answer about letting the free market play. Let's just say, Tom Dodd, a fictional Robin Williams movie character was correct when he said, "Politicians are like diapers. They need to be changed frequently and for the same reason."