Less paper? Bogus. Every card I’ve received has come with a “cover sheet” that the card was attached to and in many cases, a multi-page instruction/terms of use sheet, let alone any marketing material they throw in. A single sheet with a check would be less paper, and they wouldn’t have to send instructions on how to use it. Both come in an envelope and are delivered by the US Mail, so there is no difference there.

What about all the plastic that is being used to make the cards? How many people actually keep a dead rebate card around so that it could be reloaded? Are the cards being recycled? I don’t think one is any greener than the other, but if anything, I’d guess the check is the greener option.

Convenience? Bogus. Unless it is a significant rebate amount that I want to do something with immediately, it can wait until the next time I’m at the bank. Depositing the check and then being able to do anything I want with the money is far more convenient than the hassle of using the cards (another card to carry, will almost always involve a split transaction at some point, etc.).

Quicker turn-around time? Bogus, based on my experience. In checking two recent rebate cards that I currently have, one took a month, the other took three months. For all practical purposes, the process is the same. The rebate has to be validated, yada, yada, a check cut (or card issued), and mailed. There is no REAL reason why one should be any faster than the other. If they can take time to load a card and mail it, they could take time to print a check and mail it as well. It takes a long time due to inefficient processes, not because of paper vs. plastic.

Faster processing on lost cards. Bogus. They may offer faster processing on lost cards, but this is an issue created by the cards. It wasn’t a problem before. Once the check is in the bank, losing it is not an issue. With the cards, you have to carry them around until you use them (days, weeks, months, years), so there is a greater risk of losing them.

Oh, and about those instructions/terms of use that are included with the cards. I think everyone understands how a check works. No instructions needed. If I have to read a 2-3 page instruction/terms of use document to learn how to use the card, what it’s limitations are, when it expires, etc., it’s too difficult and time-consuming. I’ve probably lost more money due to lost productivity dealing with the rebate card than what it was worth to begin with.

As I said, I don’t like them at all. The entire benefit from my perspective is to the company offering the rebate. Because it is more cumbersome/difficult to use them, they will likely retain a significant portion of the money that rightfully belongs to consumers.

I plan to do my holiday shopping a little differently this year. If a rebate is offered and it comes via prepaid card, I plan to express my dissatisfaction to the retailer and take my business elsewhere. It’s just not worth the hassle.