Rebate Trouble

Sometime after Hurricane Ike I lost the blade to my mini food processor. I bought it new at a yardsale for $5 several years ago. I loved that little thing as I pureed tomatoes to freeze from my garden, made my own bread crumbs, and chopped up all kinds of stuff. After searching for about two months I realized the blade was gone and I needed to purchase a replacement. I shopped around and found a great deal at JC Penneys that featured a $5 rebate. They were selling for $40 so it was a great leap from my yardsale bargain. I ordered it in December 2008 and sent off for my 5 bucks. I just received a letter from them saying I would not be getting the rebate because in the small print it said I had to purchase it in 2009 and well my business was dated on December 30, 2008. So sorry--no rebate. Legally, they have me. Yes it does say that in the small print, but the advertisement in Penney's was pretty misleading to begin with. It said--get a rebate--end of story. OK so Tightwad Tess learns again--read the small print.