A lot of people that I talk to think that rebate shopping can be a waste of time. For me, rebates are a quick, easy way to obtain a free or cheap product that I might need or want to try. Granted, you do have to pay for the cost of a stamp, currently .44 and wait 6-12 weeks for your money to come back, but, I have no problem waiting for money to come in the mail.
Most (99%) of all rebates tell you to submit the original receipt. If you are doing multiples rebates, you must do multiple transactions during your shopping trip.
Check for a sale on your rebate items and use a coupon if one if available. Most rebates will give you the price before the coupon as the rebate- that is a true moneymaker! If you shop at Walgreens or CVS, check to see if there is a RR or ECB offer for your item, it will be like getting paid twice!
Example of a rebate I did earlier this year:
- $15.00 rebate when you buy $40.00 or more in Enfamil Formula.
- 3 cans of Enfamil Newborn formula $23.55/each Regular Price
- -3 $5.00 Formula Checks
- -In store Walgreens coupon for $19.99 each (limit 3)
- Total $44.97 with formula checks and in store coupon
- After Rebate total out of pocket: $29.97 or just $9.99 each!
After your purchase the product(s) listed on the rebate form, complete each form per the directions, print neatly. Include ALL of the needed items: UPC (bar code), receipt with the item and price circled, completed forms, and sometimes a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) is required.
For a website with a comprehensive list of current rebates, check out Coupons, Deals, and More (my fav. blog for rebate links!) .
I keep track of my rebates. I have an Excel Spreadsheet where I track my rebates, an example follows. Others track their rebates on a calendar. They write on the calendar the date the rebate was mailed and 10-12 weeks later they mark on the calendar: “XX rebate $YY.00??” Once it is received it is marked off the calendar.
Right now I have 4 rebates I am waiting for, with a total of $25.00 coming back to me!
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