Rebates: You love them. You hate them. You can live without them, but they're just so tempting--especially when the price includes them and is so enticingly low. That doesn't mean the rebate process will get any easier, though. So how do you make rebates work for you? Here are some tips and information to arm you for the messy, frustrating world of getting your rebates.

They don't want you to get them
Here's a rough breakdown of how rebates work in most situations. The manufacturer works with a company that specializes in administering rebates. The manufacturer figures out how many more products it could sell by advertising a good rebate, then pays the rebate company a set amount of money to handle the rebates. It's in the rebate company's best interests to give away less money than it's getting paid. That's why they make rebates so hard to apply for.

Figures vary depending on the amount, but a small percentage of rebates ever get redeemed, as low as 2 percent for values of less than $5. And those that do get turned in don't always get paid in a timely fashion. In fact, the FTC recently ordered CompUSA to pay a backlog of consumers who never got their rebate checks.

Decide if it's worth it
Getting a rebate is an elaborate process that you have to really want to endure. So be honest with yourself. Decide before you make the purchase whether you'll really pursue the rebate. If not, consider the price of the product without the rebate and decide if the purchase is still worth it.

If it's a $5 rebate on a stack of recordable media, it might not be worth your time and trouble. Some prices might still be a good deal, and there's no shame in not applying for a rebate if you still got a good price. You'll save money on aspirin.

Read the directions very, very, very, very carefully
As I mentioned earlier, the rebate companies have an interest in your failure to get your rebate. So they make the rules very elaborate. It can start with the address: write it down exactly as it's printed on the rebate form, or your mail will probably get returned to you as undeliverable. Spelling counts.

Make sure you include exactly what they ask for. They'll want receipts, UPC codes, and other weird things. Make sure you get the right ones, and get all of the things they require.

Check the dates
You probably know that rebates expire after a certain amount of time, anywhere from 30 to 90 days. But did you know that sometimes they don't start for a certain amount of time? If you send the rebate paperwork in too early, it could get sent back. Any chance they can get to make you forget to do it, they'll take.

Keep track
Always keep your original receipt and send them a copy if you can. Definitely make a copy if they require the original. Stores will often allow you to get two receipts at purchase or even automatically print them for you. Take advantage of that.

If the rebate is big enough ($100 or more), consider sending the rebate request via certified mail so that you can prove they got it. If the rebate is available to be filed online, do that, but keep track of any confirmation or account numbers.

Whether you mail or file online, most rebates can be tracked online. Keep bugging them. Send e-mail or make phone calls if the status doesn't change after a week or so. Don't let them forget you. Don't forget them.

Make sure you get the money
According to our resident Shopper.com shopping expert, Dan Miller, a few rebates are arriving by PayPal. Make sure an e-mail rebate doesn't end up in your spam filter. If they come by mail, make sure you don't mistake the envelope for junk mail. Finally, don't forget to cash the check. Most of the checks have an expiration of about 90 days on them.

You can save money
If you can make it through all the hoops, you can save money. While there are some exceptions, most rebate companies will eventually pay you. It just takes persistence and patience. You have to decide if it's worth the trouble.