There are a number of types of product rebates. Some are great deals for the consumer while others are more of a legal maze. Be sure to take advantage of the easy ones and let the more complicated product rebates pass you by.
Of Course!
Rebates are giant sized coupons. In this respect of course they are worth using. That is, if you use the gold standard coupon rule. Only use a coupon, or in this case rebate, on something you were already planning to buy. The best rebates are those that are instant, just like a regular coupon. Other great rebates to use include in-store cash rebates and in-store credit rebates. The cash rebates give you cash back when you make your purchase. These are an excellent option, and by far the most useful. The credit rebates gives you a credit towards a future purchase. This could be in the form of an actual coupon or store card. These are nice but you will need to remember to come back to the store during the activation period to use your credit. The big bonus to all of these methods are that they require no real work on the part of the consumer.
Not so Much
Mail in product rebates are not really worth it unless you are very conscientious when it comes to paperwork. Most of these require forms to be filled out, receipts, and possibly other purchases before they are submitted. They must also be submitted within a specific time frame, which is sometimes very limited. There is then a typically lengthy wait of one to two months before the rebate is supposed to be mailed to the consumer and often consumers forget and do not follow up with the company, thus losing their product rebate.
Verdict
Whether a product rebate is worth the time and effort a consumer must put into it to receive the money depends on the specific rebate. Always be sure to read the fine print associated with any rebate and make sure you are willing and able to comply. Additionally, be sure that the item you will be purchasing fits your needs. Otherwise, the good deal will become a costly mistake.