The weird story of Canon Rebates

I've been following Canon's instant rebates for the past couple of months.
They included the A2200 ($10), ELPH 100/300/500 ($20), SX230 ($20) and SX30 ($30).

The original rebate was extended to be valid until July 31st.
Now that it expired, Canon issued a new rebate (valid through August 20th),
including only the A2200, ELPH 100 and SX30, with the same discount amounts.

However, the rest of the cameras, now excluded from the new rebate program,
actually have lower prices than when they were on the rebate program!
The SX230 and ELPH 300 are both $50 off and the ELPH 500 is $30 off.

Seems like the rebate program is also a way to control street prices by Canon.
I know this is not the first time someone raises this claim, but I happened to see the prices fluctuate myself.
Bottom line - The ELPH 300 is now $199 and the SX230 is $299 - try to get a refund if you bought them recently.

-eyalg

The retailers get reimbursed for the rebate amount if they sell for the program price so it is good incentive to just fall in line. Sell for about the price you would anyway but get a $10-30 kickback per unit. Sounds nice. Once the rebates expire, normal competition is back in play.

I see the logic.
It's the same with the Nikon rebates as well.
Oh well, as long as prices go down, this was or another.

-eyalg