Rebate offers are an attractive sales tactic used by companies to entice customers into purchasing full-priced items now, with the intention they will receive a portion of the purchase price back in the future. However, Consumer Reports estimates 40 percent or more of people never collect their rebates, which is a reason retailers like them so much.

Retailers and manufacturers are increasingly opting to provide rebates in the form of pre-loaded gift cards instead of checks. Unlike checks, which can be deposited in a bank and used to pay bills, these gift cards are used like debit cards. Some cards can be used at any merchant, but some retailers are distributing rebate cards only valid in their stores.

Your Better Business Bureau offers advice for redeeming a rebate:

Read instructions carefully

The guidelines for redeeming a rebate can be extensive and missing steps may delay the process or result in loss of the rebate. Be sure to follow the instructions and read the fine print.

Redeem rebates immediately

Some rebates must be redeemed within a certain amount of time following the purchase. To avoid misplacing the necessary receipts or packing, send rebates immediately after purchases are made.

Keep the packaging

Rebates often require UPC bar codes or other identifiers found on the packaging to be included with the paperwork, so don’t throw away your boxes or tear through the bar codes when opening the gift.

Make copies of everything

Keep a copy of paperwork mailed to the retailer or manufacturer for the rebate. It’s the only record you’ll have of the transaction. If you filed your rebate electronically, keep a copy of the completed electronic submission.

Know who to contact

Some retailers and manufacturers use third-party fulfillment companies for processing rebates so keep in mind you might be dealing with a different business when it comes to tracking down your rebate.

If the rebate never arrives or arrives late, you can file a complaint with your BBB by calling (937) 222-5825 or (800) 776-5301 or visiting www.bbb.org.

John North is president and CEO of the Dayton Better Business Bureau.