it's a day-after-columbus-day miracle
I bought the phone from the pin-drop company, over the telephone. I documented the name and ID number of the lady I bought it from, along with the date and time of the call. She told me to go online and download the rebate form.
The next day, I went online to download the rebate form, but the rebate started THE DAY AFTER I ordered the phone. So, I called the company to ask if it would be honored. I was assured it would be, not to worry. I got the name and ID of that person, too.
A week or so later, before I mailed the rebate, I called the folks again, just to make sure, again getting all the pertinent info, having spoken to someone in the rebate department itself. I then wrote the name, ID number, and date and time of the call ON THE REBATE FORM, and made copies before mailing it in.
Friday, I got the email that the rebate was not being honored because it wasn't within the dates specified on the rebate form.
This time, I called in to complain (and to tell them i was prepared to call a lawyer), and everything went smoothly. According to "Irwin," (whose ID number I also got), I should have the rebate within 15-20 days, despite the 30 day term displayed above. I even got a tracking number.
Of course, it's not done till I actually GET the check.