Can I deposit a rebate prepaid debit card into my bank account or do I have to spend it at a store?

It seems that many merchants are now issuing prepaid debit cards instead of checks for rebate offers.

Can I simply insert my debit card into an ATM to take the cash out or perhaps deposit it into my bank account? I hate the idea of having my money on a card and having no way of getting it out besides spending it on more crap I don’t need.

Seeing as how I have an option from Staples to get my rebate back as a prepaid debit card or a check, which option should I take?