But, I suppose you can purchase something with the RZ certificates. Then return it, receiving either cash or a gift credit in return. No?

I just checked mine again, it it was never auto-renewed. My account is still "under review". Oh, well.

Definitely no. The RZ cert takes the $ off the item prices (proportionally across all the items). When you return an item, you get back the discounted price of the item. Therefore, you only want to use the RZ cert if you're sure you will be keeping all the items in that one transaction.

"Hey, there. I'd like to exchange this."

-"Do you have your receipt?"

"Nope. I had to use it for a rebate proof of purchase, 'cause I bought it along with Garden State."

-"Alright. Can I see your driver's license?"

"With pleasure."

I, for one, would never condone this! ;)

I'm getting 'under review' as well. Can't even log on to check the account.
Oh well. I made my money back on the first one, but since I've found their prices recently not being as competitive, in general, I'll use it and shop there if they give me one, but I'm not paying for it. I don't plan on spending 250+ there this year to get me to the break-even point.
I would prefer they would make the point values maybe a little higher [15000 maybe] and require absolutely no membership fee. Well, I'd prefer it they lowered the point requirement, but I could deal with them raising it if there were no fee.

It's already been raised to 15,000 points for a $5 RZ cert since late last year.

You forgot to mention that they did so "because of consumer demand"...

That's right, I remember that, I was thinking it was 10000 and went to 12500, but it actually was 12500 and went to 15000. Okay, even less reason for me to pay for it.
And what was up with 'because of consumer demand"? That's another genre of customers, first we have the Angels who say 'sell me a PSP for my CD', then the Devils who say 'price match and free shipping please', then the Dumbasses who say 'Please, I want to pay for this, and I don't want free money certificates this often, make the requirement higher.'

The above is what you said. This is what best buy reads:

"I would prefer they would make the point values maybe a little higher [15000 maybe]... I could deal with them raising it."

Thus a consumer wants an increase! Instant justification!

In all actuality, if they did actually do some consumer survey, they probably gave the following options. Would you rather Best Buy
a) get rid of the rewards program all together, or
b) raise the point limit.

Probably.
Of course, how 'could deal with' translates to 'wants', I don't know, but what do I know, I'm just a devil ;)