Well, I can't speak for the iMac but I bought a 13"MBP from Apple during the back to school promo when they were offering the free iPod Touch. We had to pay up front for the iPod Touch and Apple mails the rebate for the full amount of the base iPod Touch, just as the printer rebate. Took only 30 days or exactly 2 weeks after the 14 day return period. Apple's much faster than most in my experience.