[citation][nom]scryer_360[/nom]The reason BBY can do it is because they are immediately reimbursed that $100 by their main financial backer: HSBC. Then, HSBC and BBY together go after the manufacturer for the rebate, allowing them to get it much quicker. In some markets this doesn't happen, and BBY just has to package all the rebates together in one "pay me now" bill to the manufacturer. Sprint, on the other hand (it seems), doesn't have a bank behind it that would immediately go after the manufacturer and pay for the rebates. It could also be that Sprint doesn't WANT people to get the rebates, hence offering them.[/citation]
I don't think Jane was asking how BestBuy manages to provide the discount at the register but more or less shedding light on the fact that it can (and hence, since its possible, it seems silly for Sprint not to pursue a similar arrangement to accomplish the same end goal so as to not be at a competitive disadvantage). After all, the average consumer won't care about how a discount was obtained, just that they got it.
I read my comment back and it has the potential to sound rude. If it comes off that way please know that I meant it in a friendly way.