As has been adequately explained here before, rebates are by their very
nature a scam. There is no logical explanation for a rebate program other
than being a scam. The following truth will never change:

If the producer of a product wants to sell you his product at a lower than
normal price, they will give you a price break at the check out counter.

Why not to assume that the company needs the money NOW. For example they
need to report a good sales in this quarter.
To me a rebate looks like an interest free loan from a customer, which
taking into account that the customer gets a good deal sounds fair.