While some rebate cards are valid anywhere where a major credit card is accepted, others can be used at a more limited number of locations, such as certain companies,[1] business types,[1] or localities,[2] or at participating retailers.
Rebate cards have been criticized for not offering consumers the full amount of their value.
[citation needed] Due to the likelihood of a purchase being equal to the remaining amount being so low, most consumers do not get every penny that can be found on a rebate card, and the companies offering them pocket the remainder.
[3] Rebate cards often have expiration dates, allowing very little time for consumers to use them.
[4] To combat these problems, critics recommend consumers exchange their rebate cards on websites like eBay, or Craigslist, where consumers can receive cash or cash equivalents for their rebate cards.