I have found a disturbing trend with companies that will only give you a discount if you waste a lot of time. Here are a couple of examples.
1) Rebate programs on consumer electronics
You have to fill in the form, use snail mail to mail it in with a receipt. The cheque takes 3 months to come and in Canada you can't deposit it using an ATM (need a branch for USD cheques). Once you deposit the cheque it takes 1 month to clear. Why can't they just give you a discount?
2) Buying a car
My friend bought a Mazda5 last weekend and told me about the 4 hour negotiation that he did to get a good price. Leave, comeback, get a "final offer", leave come back and get another "final best offer" etc. His point is that they wear you down so that you will accept a higher price.