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From: venky@pitt.UUCP (Venkatesan)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.flame,net.misc
Subject: Re: Coupons and Rebates-- Flame
Message-ID: <1424@pitt.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Sep-85 17:37:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: pitt.1424
Posted: Mon Sep  9 17:37:31 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 11-Sep-85 08:38:52 EDT
References: <243@mot.UUCP>
Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh Computer Science
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Xref: watmath net.consumers:2945 net.flame:11881 net.misc:8571

> 
> Can anyone explain to me the marketing purpose behind coupons and
> rebates? 

I think the real reason is that they think many of us would forget
sending the rebate form(s), etc. after we buy. Most of them require original
cash register receipt preventing us from returning the merchandise if we
don't like the stuff after sending the receipt to the manufacturer.
Often, we displace receipts which are required for the rebate thus 
we pay more for the stuff and the profit goes directly to the manufacturer.
Many of us are also too lazy to mail coupons after we buy. Sometimes,
the postage that we pay forms a significat part of the rebate (like in
the case of detergents)

May be someone may think of more reasons.