Rebates 101

I’ve spent a bit of time lately tidying up my rebate deals. Many of the items had to be purchased by Dec 31st, and postmarked by certain dates in January. So I thought it would be a great time to talk about rebates…….don’t forget my list of current rebates on the right-hand side.

Here’s a few tips:

1. Find the rebate offers –

Look – Keep an eye out especially in the grocery store. You will find items with “TRY ME FREE” written on them or with “peelie” rebate forms. A “peelie” is a sticker that is attached to the product. Keep an eye out in retail stores as well. Many stores will have stacks of rebate forms close to the products on the shelf – I see this alot at stores such as Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Be Informed – If you are making a large purchase (i.e. electronics, computer equipment etc), review the ads and make sure if there are any rebates. Talk to the salesperson and find out the details. Ask to READ the rebate form before you make the purchase (if you are relying on the rebate in helping with the cost). Almost every big appliance or computer purchase we have made has had a nice rebate with it.

Visit websites – if there are certain products that you use over and over, it is worth checking out that company’s website. Not only may you be surprised with a rebate promotion, but you will often find valuable coupons to print.

Watch your mail – manufacturers will often mail you or email you rebate forms/offers. Read before you throw it away.

2. Read the rebate form (CAREFULLY) – I had a reader from Arizona who was so excited about a Kellogg’s rebate that she ran right out and bought the products…..only to find the offer didn’t begin for another day or so.

Watch the start date - don’t buy those products too quickly
Buy the correct product(s) – check quantity (number purchased) as well as amount (certain size of a product)

Watch that expiration date – send it in as soon as possible so it doesn’t sit unnoticed until after the offer expires.

Include all items – when preparing the envelope to go out, check and recheck all necessary items to be included. Often this includes an ORIGINAL dated cash register receipt, UPC code and ORIGINAL rebate form.

***TIP - many of us save all receipts for tax purposes. Make sure to make an extra copy for your tax records and also an extra copy for that credit card bill that will arrive next month so you know what you paid.

***TIP – If you are purchasing a rebate item along with many groceries or items that you might need to return one day, ask the cashier if you can purchase the item in a separate transaction. Most cashiers are more than happy to help out, especially if you tell them why. This way you will have a separate receipt with only the rebate item to send in. JUST IN CASE.

3. Make copies! Six to eight weeks go by and you don’t receive the rebate check. What happens if the post office loses your envelope with all the originals in it? If its a valuable rebate to you, this could be a mess. Make sure to make copies of everything you send in – the UPC codes, receipts, rebate forms (so you know who to contact), everything. This way you can contact the company and see if they will honor it – I hope most companies would, but ONLY if you have documentation. I keep a separate folder at home where I have all my rebates located. I document when I send them and when I receive them. This is also a good way to remind me how much money I really am saving.

As always, if I find out about any rebate offers/promotions out there, I will share them with you. Let me know if you find any too!