Mail in rebates are a sneaky way to make things look cheaper than they actually are at the point of sale, since many consumers never actually get any cash back. Now New Jersey’s state Assembly is considering legislation that would require retailers to charge shoppers the after-rebate price on goods, instead of forcing them to mail in or submit online requests. If the retailer still wants to take advantage of the rebate, that’s no problem; he’ll just have to mail it in himself.

New Jersey seems to be leading the country in consumer protection legislation. In the past year the state Assembly has gone after unsolicited checks, unsolicited text message ads, and unsolicited credit card offers.

“N.J. bill promoting ‘on the spot’ store rebates advances” [NJ.com]

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