I stopped by the Apple store today.
Rep confirmed that it is around this time that they usually release it but that he had no idea when it would be. He agreed with me when I said I think it would be soon.
I asked him about the scenario where I buy it today and then the sale starts sometime within the next 14 days. Since Apple has a 14 day return policy, I could come in, return it, and buy a new one for the promotion.
But since it would be obviously easier for all parties to just give me the rebate if that happened (I wouldn't have to setup everything again and Apple wouldn't have an used laptop on their hands), I asked if I could just do that.
He checked with a manager and he said that wouldn't be possible since I have to actually purchase the iPod Touch and the printer and all 3 (MBP, iPod Touch, printer) have to be on the same transaction).
This is my first MacBook so I thought about just buying one and not going hardcore into it, just fool around so I can get familiar with the OS (and take the risk that the sale would start within 14 days).
That thought went away, however, when the rep said I wouldn't be able to take advantage of the 12 month 0% financing if I did that. That deal only works on the first purchase you make with the Barclay's card. So if I bought a MBP today, returned it when the sale started, and bought a new one, that new one would have an insane interest amount.
Fingers crossed for the sale to start tomorrow.