dunno mate, my pal bought a laptop and got an ipod free as an educational customer but: A, it was in the uk and B, he did it over the phone, as £2500 was too much to risk for him over the phone. He got everything ok and didn't have to go through the palaver you did. I think Apple are being a bit tight an churlish not giving you your rebate, but then I think their customer services suck (not that I'd admit it to PC mates
).