buy.com Bait n Switch: Advertised out of stock item with instant rebate, then as soon as off sale back in stock Internet
I've watched this company do these repeatedly! At 5am they send an email about a product at a very low price, in this case a Brother PT2430PC label printer for $27.99. A couple hours later it's "out of stock", and before the page updates it actually says it's "Not available from manufacturer". I suspect this is to prevent someone from ordering it on back-order at the advertised price. A few seconds later, that section updates offering to be helpful by sending you to other sellers at 3 to 4 times the price. Some help there... I believe buy.com is getting kick backs in the form of referrals for sending them customers.
Then as soon as the instant rebate is over, suddenly the item becomes back "in stock: ships in one to two days". This is pure bait and switch tactics. Bait you into clicking to their site with no intent to sell it to to you at the advertised price, and then send you to another seller (btw, buy.com works with many sellers via their "marketplace" in which they get a cut so it's not much of a stretch) where they get their cut. The first SEVERAL times, I gave them the benefit of the doubt, this is is a pattern with them. They know what they're doing. It's dishonest and illegal. Next stop: CA Dept of Consumer Affairs.