During the past few weeks I have started clipping coupons and chasing great sales to save money on my grocery and drugstore purchases. One of my favorite ways to get get free product is through rebates. Often stores like RiteAid will offer free product with their single check rebates. Their rebates are easier than most since you just submit the information on-line. I received my check within two weeks after submitting it last month. All of that sounds quick and easy, right? Now let talk about the mistakes to avoid to maximize your rebate.
A few weeks ago, the Sunday RiteAid ad listed 6 freebies, after rebate, on the cover. I ran to my local RiteAid and stocked up on several of the items that I could use. I try to avoid buying things I do not need just because they are free. I took my coupons and my $5 off $25 coupon to the register with all my free items and was so excited about all the great deals I had found. As soon as I got home I entered the rebate information on-line and waited for an update. Several days later I received an update and I realized that one of my "free" items was not listed on the list of rebate items. It turns out that while I purchased the correct brand, I grabbed the Enamel Protection instead of the Whitening toothpaste. I had used a coupon and it was only a $1 mistake, but it made me realize that it is very important to double check the size and type of product listed on the ad to be sure it qualifies for the rebate. Just this week I purchased Huggies diapers as part of another rebate offer and they did not qualify because they were a 26 pack, not a 33 pack as specified in the rebate rules. They didn't have any larger packs so I assumed it was the correct size, but that was just another pitfall of rebates.
Tips to maximize rebates and minimize problems.
A few weeks ago, the Sunday RiteAid ad listed 6 freebies, after rebate, on the cover. I ran to my local RiteAid and stocked up on several of the items that I could use. I try to avoid buying things I do not need just because they are free. I took my coupons and my $5 off $25 coupon to the register with all my free items and was so excited about all the great deals I had found. As soon as I got home I entered the rebate information on-line and waited for an update. Several days later I received an update and I realized that one of my "free" items was not listed on the list of rebate items. It turns out that while I purchased the correct brand, I grabbed the Enamel Protection instead of the Whitening toothpaste. I had used a coupon and it was only a $1 mistake, but it made me realize that it is very important to double check the size and type of product listed on the ad to be sure it qualifies for the rebate. Just this week I purchased Huggies diapers as part of another rebate offer and they did not qualify because they were a 26 pack, not a 33 pack as specified in the rebate rules. They didn't have any larger packs so I assumed it was the correct size, but that was just another pitfall of rebates.
Tips to maximize rebates and minimize problems.
- Double check the size and type of item listed in the rebate description. The items has to be an exact match. Some stores, including RiteAid, will allow you to raincheck a rebate item. If the exact item is not in stock, raincheck it and you will still receive the rebate on the item. To raincheck an item, you ask the cashier and they offer you a slip that allows you to purchase the item at that price when the store receives new stock.
- If you have to send in a physical rebate form, photocopy your rebate form, receipt and any require UPC codes. Be sure that the form lists a contact number so that your can easily follow up if you do not receive the rebate in the estimated time listed on the rebate.
- If you do mail a rebate form, write the date mailed in the upper corner of your copy so you can more easily track when you should receive your rebate. This is also handy if you ever need to resend information if your rebate is ever lost.
- Keep a file folder of copies of your rebate form and flip through the file once a week to be sure that there are not any rebates that you need to follow up on.
- Be persistent! Call the number listed on the rebate to be sure they received the rebate after the waiting period listed. If they did not receive the rebate form, determine the fastest way to resubmit the rebate. During a recent experience with Hotels.com, I had to make several calls to determine my rebate status. Ultimately because they could not track what happened to my rebate coupon, they offered me $50 credit to the original purchase. Persistence does pay off!
- Have fun with it. Rebate are a great way to save on everything from groceries to electronics, but remember that it can take up to 8 weeks to receive some rebates. If you any stories or suggestions for avoiding rebate pitfalls, post a comment.
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