Companies love rebates because consumers always believe they'll fill out the rebate forms and get money back, but half the forms never get filled out. Now here's another reason to be annoyed: The rebate processor for Canon went belly-up and some of the rebate checks bounced. Canon says it will make good on both the rebate checks and any bank fees you've incurred. Here's what happened, according to a post on CanonUSA.com:

Canon USA's rebate processor, Continental Promotion Group (CPG), filed for bankruptcy. The money Canon gave Continental Promotion is "longer available to satisfy the rebate checks." In other words, if you tried to cash a rebate check, it may have bounced. Canon calls it "a small percentage." Canon says it knows who those customers are, and it will send out replacement checks that won't bounce. Checks issued after that date should clear. See the Canon website for more details if you haven't yet filed for a rebate; there's a new address for submissions.

Canon says other companies were affected, too. According to court filings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Fla., they include: The Home Depot; Bed, Bath & Beyond; and Behr Process Corp. PromoMagazine.com says 300,000 consumers were affected.