Rebate cards become a little more like rebates in one state

Sears, Staples and T-Mobile have improved their rebate policies after consumer protection officials in Massachusetts pressed the companies on failures to explain rebate details clearly to consumers.

In a review of the companies' advertising, the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation found they did not come clean on rebate offers, leading many consumers to believe their rebates would arrive in the form of checks. Consumer Ally found some of the cards came with conditions that made them difficult to use.