The ONLY reason for a rebate is to avoid paying it. If they wanted to make good on the low price they would simply lower the price. The reason they pay a rebate fulfillment house a fat fee is because schemes to avoid making good on rebates save a ton of money over merely lowering the price the same amount.

The percentage range of rebates actually honored is a contract matter negotiated between the rebate issuer and the rebate fulfillment house. Can anyone doubt that rebate fulfillment houses have ample data to show, when they pitch a client a rebate deal, what percentage of buyers will fail to achieve the rebate?  

Around here we just say no to rebates and stores who use them. We search out the web for the best price and buy it. It takes a lot less time than visiting a store, finding a clerk (when possible,) filing for rebates through a thicket of rules, keeping receipts and paperwork, and remembering to follow up when the check doesn't come.