Mail-in What?!

Of all the so-called “deals” we see everyday, none is more a scam than “mail-in rebates.” Why do we need to mail in the forms? They are usually going to numbered mailboxes in a land far away. They usually take months to come back, if they come back at all. They require at least three proofs of purchase and a hand filled form. There is no way to make a follow-up or confirmation. And then, more then once, I received checks in US dollar that would cost me more to cash them. If they really want to make it a “deal” they should just lower the price of the product for the duration of the “rebate.” The company that make my computer and router and Wi-Fi can certainly do things more efficiently. So, the secret mailboxes, the little helpers in the windowless room doing the processing, and the eternity that they take are certainly not necessary. One wonders why so many of these “offers” are out there. Is it because the more hoops they make people jump through the less people would apply for it? And if you apply for it and there will be more chance of mistake and therefore rejections? Is it because if, for any reason, they do not pay you, you have no one to call or write to? And is this not really a scam?