Palm Inc rebate ripoff Santa Clara California

It's pretty much never the practice of any company to combine discounts.

An open box purchase is by definition, used, and reduced in price for that reason.

The open-box m130 is 20% reduced already and to expect the rebate as well is not only unfounded but a little embarrasing on one's part.

It is not reasonable to expect a rebate for that.
Rebates are for new purchases only.

I checked their website and there is no mention of rebates for open box purchases, ever. They do offer some combinations of products even for open box purchases but not a cash rebate.

Make yourself aware of these things and never assume you can combine offers like that.
This was not a rip-off at all. I purchased the same thing, and I knew better than to expect a rebate.

When attempting something like that, ask questions, lots of them. Get names, get details, don't just try to pull a fast one and complain when you cannot 'beat the system'