I am pretty diligent about checking my mail, and rarely have problems with items going astray on their way to my mailbox. Yet, two times in five years, I have terminated Sprint accounts as a result of moving and have requested the cash balance that I had been accruing under one of their promotions. Both times, I was promised the check immediately, and both times nothing ever arrived.

The first time, I was too busy to follow up, and just figured it was an honest mistake on their part. After this second event, however, I'm not so sure. If I were cynical, I would suspect that this could be an excellent cost center for Sprint-- just wear down the people actually trying to claim their bonuses with phony claims that "the check is in the mail" until they ultimately forget and/or give up.

Any thoughts?

I have received 3 checks from them, each for about $200. Perfect service, no hassles, no delays.

The only way in which it can be scam-like is that sometimes you may do better in the end by signing up for a plan that doesn't offer cash-back, but has rates more than 10% lower than the cash-back you're on. Cash back sometimes is a good deal, and sometimes isn't.

Definitely what Sprint counts on though is people forgetting to cash in their balance. That's why they don't just automatically send it to you. Once you ask for it, however, I'm pretty sure they send it promptly.