My Mazda dealer told me that even though I put down a deposit on August the 16th, I no longer qualify for the free stuff, because the program ended October the 1st. My dealer has been telling me all along that I would be receiving the package. They offered to discount the car 500 dollars from MSRP (when I know I can just walk into a dealership and get a better price now)...

:mad:

What should I do?

walk into another and get a better deal like you said.

Call Mazda North America and tell them what happened. I'll bet they'll be more accomodating.

Do both. Call MNAO and inquire if you qualify, you should. It's not your fault they didn't get the letter to you. Second, negotiote with your dealer now that dealers in general are going below MSRP. Of course I'm assuming that you didn't lock down a price when you put your deposit down. I didn't. Either way try to negotiate a lower price from your current dealer in addition to the MNAO rebate and maintenence package. Remember these are two seperate entities and you should be able to deal with them both. If your dealer won't lower their price then contact the several ones that will. For example, there appears to be a Milwaukee (SP?) dealer that will sell at invoice. If you're getting a GT with MSRP about 3k over invoice, then the 500 rebate and free maintenence isn't very much of a deal sweetener.

you have to push for it
make some phone calls and dont settle

Sorry to hear this. This is the exact situation I had and why I do not own an 8. I had my deposit down in May. The dealer didn't do the paperwork to classify me as a preorder. Your dealer probably was too lazy also. Mazda said no can do. Admittedly, I didn't contact Mazda myself but I figured wait till next year and get a much better price. A sports car in September... the timing just wasn't right (Ohio - snow tires).

Cancel your "order" and go buy one off some other dealer's lot.

Either cancel your deposit, which by law should be fully refundable because they have yet to acquire the product for you, or at the very least, threaten to cancel your deposit and explain to them that you've waited this long, were assured of the 500 rebate and maintence benefits and became denied because they dropped the ball, therefore, you would like your deposit back and shop else where that is willing to deal with you, and get your vehicle for you in a timely manner. Be serious with them.