Rebates

As you follow the blogs I've mentioned in other posts you'll probably hear about rebates that are available. Often when there is a rebate there is a possibility of 'making money' off of the rebate. (See the example below.)

Here are some things to remember when you try to do a rebate:

1. Make sure that you are buying the exact items required on the rebate equal to the exact dollar amount or greater (I think it needs to be before tax?) that is required.

2. Buy the items within the stated dates on the rebate.

3. Keep your receipt (If possible, then try to buy the item separately if you don't want to send a super-long receipt. You also may need that receipt to return an item or for whatever reason.) --Many rebates will only accept the original receipt. Some will allow copies, though.

4. Fill out the info on the rebate form according to the instructions on the form. (Circle the items on the receipt(s), etc. if required.)

5. After everything is ready to be put in the envelope first make a copy of the rebate form and the receipt(s). (I try to copy it all onto one page--front and back if necessary.)

6. Mail it off to the Manufacturer and watch for the rebate check (or whatever the prize for the rebate) to come in the mail!
7. If you haven't received your rebate as soon as you think you should, then you may want to contact the manufacturer to move things along. 

Here is an example of an Olay rebate I submitted:

One Olay rebate was for the amount of $20 if you purchased $50 worth of Olay Facial Moisturizers, Facial Treatments and/or Facial Cleansers. The $50 worth of products was able be met BEFORE factoring in coupons. Some rebates require you to spend a total amount AFTER factoring in coupons, but often that is not the case and you just have to buy a certain dollar amount of products and then you can use coupons.

So, Target had a pretty great sale on Olay facial moisturizers and face wash. Target gave a $5 gift card for every two Olay facial moisturizers and/or face washes purchased. The Olay products were also on sale! There was a $2 coupon for Olay facial cleansers, and I had a $3 coupon for a facial moisturizer. Here's my transactions (This is also an example of 'rolling a deal'.):

Transaction #1:
6 Olay Face Washes at $3.69 each
Total before Tax: $22.14
6 $2/1 Coupons for any Olay Face Wash
Total after Coupons (before tax): $10.14
I used a $10 gift card I received from transferring a prescription to Target
What I paid after tax: $0.63 (And I received 3 $5 gift cards!)

Transaction #2:
I did the same transaction as #1 again and used two gift cards that I received from transaction #1.

Transaction #3:
Olay Face Wash $3.69
Olay Complete Face Lotion $7.69
Total before tax: $11.38
$3/1 Coupon for any Olay Face Lotion
$2/1 Coupon for any Olay Face Wash
Total after Coupons (before tax): $6.38
I used a $5 gift card from the previous transaction.
What I paid after tax: $1.96 (and I got a $5 gift card for purchasing two Olay items)

Total of all products before tax and before coupons: $55.66
So, I qualified for the rebate!
Total amount that I paid OOP: $3.22

AND I still had four $5 gift cards left to use (I received three from the first transaction, used two on the second transaction, got three more, used one on the third transaction, and received one more=4 gift cards)

AND I received $20 for qualifying for the rebate! So, I spent $3.22 and received $20 in the mail AND $20 in giftcards! Can you believe that? Couponing can be so much fun!! I've never been so giddy shopping before!!

*Note: Some of you may think that I am greedy for buying so much. FYI: The face wash coupons expired on the first day of Target's sale, so there was only one day available to really take advantage of this deal. I wasn't even able to make it to Target until about 3:30pm that day, so I was surprised that there was still so much stuff on the shelves. Also, there was still lots more available even after I bought what I bought! So, I felt okay taking that much. 

*Another note: I first went to a cashier to buy my stuff and some manager said that since the picture wasn't the same as the products I was buying they wouldn't accept the coupons. I wasn't surprised and politely asked for all the products and coupons back and for the cashier to delete my transaction. I then wheeled over to Guest Services and inquired about the coupon. The person behind the desk noted that the coupon said ANY facewash, so she happily rang me up, thankfully!