Um, What Happened to Those 5 Free HD DVDs?

I bought the HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 back in mid-August, right after it was discounted $20, to $180, and part of the deal was a mail-in rebate for five free HD DVDs (an increasingly common tactic to lure customers in the Blu-ray/HD DVD format war). So I dutifully fill out the form, cut the UPC label off the HD DVD box, and mail 'em both in. Now it's early November, and I just got a postcard that says my discs are delayed—and apparently, I'm not alone.

I did a little checking on the Web and found this thread of disgruntled HD DVD users who all got the same postcard in the past few days, which gives a November 25 ship date for the delayed discs—a full 14 weeks after I sent in my own rebate—as well as a puzzling option to cancel the order. (Why would I cancel an order for five free discs?) The original rebate form says it could take eight to 10 weeks to process the rebate offer, which is (unfortunately) pretty standard, but here we are, three months later, with no discs. I should also note that the delay isn't only affecting HD DVD viewers; posters on this thread say that some Blu-ray rebates are late, as well.

I think we all understand that shipping and processing delays happen, and yes, the discs are free—but I don't think I was the only one who factored the free movies into the cost of the player, and I'm starting to feel ripped off.  I have a call in to Microsoft, and I'm hoping to eventually weave my way toward some answers.

Oh, and a quick note to the HD DVD and Blu-ray camps: don't wave these free disc offers in our faces unless you're prepared to honor them in at least a semi-timely fashion.

Update: I spoke with Toshiba rep Jodi Sally (the Microsoft HD DVD rebate goes through Toshiba, which in turn uses a separate distribution company that actually sends out the discs), who told me that the delays were due to "overwhelming demand" for the movies in question—although, you'd think Toshiba could have anticipated that demand and directed the distribution firm to step up its inventory. Anyway, Sally advises anyone who's still waiting for their discs to call 1-800-405-7520 to get the status on their rebates.