Rebates: Savings or Scam?
Shopping Deals, Online Rebates and Coupons
We've all had our issues with rebates. Remember the time you purchased that "free" product from Comp USA or Circuit City who then promised you would get your money back? What an easy purchase! But, did you know that the majority of folks never redeem their rebates? If you really ever did get that check in the mail, you're one of the few savvy consumers out there. If not, I want to let everyone in on how to ensure they're going to be getting the savings they signed up for. Get out a pen and pencil; this may require a little work.
I'll be honest; I've always had a problem with rebates. I'm a consumer aware of the price I'm paying, constantly wondering if my purchase is legitimate or there's some hidden agenda motivating the seller. Rebates seem to fit the bill of a scam. After all, who wants to give something away for free, and how can you make money on that? While rebates can seem promising on the surface, they rarely pan out. According to Peter Kastner, executive vice president of Aberdeen Group, only 40% of consumers submit rebates they are entitled to, 40% submit the rebate and successfully get a check, and 20% have problems. You think they want you to redeem that rebate? Think again.
But despite the difficulties of rebates and the burden to redeem, they do offer an opportunity at great savings impossible to find elsewhere. A couple items of due diligence are required when using these cheap discounts. But first let's explain some of the deception involved.
At the outset, merchants hope you won't bother. It takes a lot of work to redeem a rebate, so be prepared. In addition, the redemption process is made to be complicated. Who owes you your rebate, the retailer or the manufacturer? And the tediousness in the process will make you so fed up you'll forget about your savings or give up in the process, taking the loss as a learning experience.
OK, so we know rebates are difficult at best. But what if everyone turned them in and was willing to follow up on all the problems that can be involved? I'll give you a hint, these retailers would lose money, and rebates would end. But that's not the case: rebates grew from 1 billion to 4 billion dollars from 1999 to 2003, and they continue on today with a presence in the online discount shopping arena. Learn how to take advantage of these savings and you'll be adding to your online shopping smarts.
1. Look at who's issuing the rebate, the manufacturer or the retailer? Manufacturers often use rebates to remove excess inventory or to clear out products for the latest models. If it's a retailer who's offering the rebate, and what's their true motivation? Why aren't they just offering a sale? These retailers are really just playing the odds hoping you won't redeem your savings, so be aware.
2. The paperwork: Be sure to keep receipts, UPC codes, and sometimes even a cutout of the product picture or text on the box. Read the fine print on the rebate form (don't leave the store without this) to know exactly what to send in. Be sure to fill in every field, don't leave your email address blank, your form could be rejected on a technicality! A hint is to set up a separate free email address at hotmail for a lot of you 'potential' spam mail. This address can not only be used for rebate forms but for online newsletters as well.
3. Keep good records. I'd suggest marking the deadline for the rebate on a calendar, and then the date they state the rebates will be sent out – if it's 8 weeks after the deadline, mark that. Make copies of all receipts and UPC's before sending in your information. Be sure to take care of all of this within a few days of purchase, many times the rebate does not depend on expiration but on a date that can be only 7 days after your purchase!
4. Don't be afraid to call. Oftentimes I've found the only way to get my rebate is to call, with records in hand, to explain my situation. I NEVER leave my rebate to chance, because I know I'll eventually forget! After all, that's what they expect!
Nowadays, I've resorted to using savings I can realize at the point of purchase, and no longer rely on rebates for my bargain hunting. Since most of my shopping is done online these days, I'm resorting to online coupons and coupon codes where I can verify the savings before checkout. Am I getting the best deal? I think so; I never was one for paperwork.
Gary Gray, of http://www.couponchief.com, is a bargain finder and deal hunter. Coupon Chief provides free discount shopping deals and coupon codes to help consumers save money online at nearly every store – before checkout! No hassles, no worries!
Learn To Appreciate the Value Of Frugality With Smart Bargains Coupons And How To Find Coupons Online That Save You Money
coupons | Rebates
Related Articles:
Internet Coupons And Online Coupons On Ebay
Customer hungry manufacturers and online retailers are offering Internet coupons to consumers free for printing. There are several websites that amass these coupons into clearing houses where the Internet user can browse through categories and print up savings for him on nearly all brands and all types of consumer goods. Just a quick search on any browser will bring scores of coupon offers. Some websites have mini search engines that allow the user to enter exactly what brand or type of item he is seeking and then perform a search. The website will direct him to a source for coupons on exactly this product and some websites will bring a printable coupon directly to the screen for immediate use.
Online grocery coupons | Save Money Online
With the ever increasing cost of inflation for consumer goods purchased, there are two words that have become common place in our everyday society and have literally become a formost concern in our everyday function... and that is "SAVING MONEY".
How to Save Money Using Free Online Coupons
In the current economic climate, with oil and fuel prices shooting through the roof, food prices rising rapidly and house prices dropping, most of us are looking for ways to either cut back on our spending or get more for the money we do spend.
Online Coupons - Saving You Money On Your Next Summer Vacation
Like many people, you would probably like to save your money on common purchases such as food, household products, and other essential items. Are you a coupon- clipper? You should be. There are many individuals who feel that only buy items that are on extreme discount or have large coupon savings. The reality is that you can find a large number of coupons for just about anything you want, including your next summer vacation.
A Guide for Coupons online offer supers savings
You don't have to pay retail prices on most major brand names any more. Now you can rack up huge savings on popular stores such as Walmart Jc penney's and even many of those super expensive prescription drugs with just a click of the mouse when you visit www.gogoshopper.com . Gogoshopper Makes finding and saving on the cost of goods and products a snap with our real time coupon savings system that allows you to quick find just what you are wanting to purchase.
Great Online Savings With Online Coupons And Coupon Codes
With the rise in the prices of commodities and gas, it is of utmost importance to get the best value for every cent of money spent. For people to get their money's worth, they strive to be savvy shoppers and accumulate the necessary information about the quality of products available in the market and the various ways to save money on their purchases. For the online shopper who is always in search for great deals and savings on the internet, a new website, www.couponthunder.com , has recently been launched to easily bring information on online coupons and online bargains.
Saving Money Online With Digital Coupons, Freebies, And Comparison Shopping
The Internet is a great invention for many different reasons. But, did you know that it can be a great resource for saving you money when shopping? You no longer have to clip coupons out of the Sunday paper; you can find them right at the tip of your fingers just by knowing where to look!
Saving Money and Time with Online Coupons!
The idea of saving money by finding coupons online is very alluring, but so many times you'll end up spending much more time looking for these great savings than is practical. You do want to take advantage of great deals online, but you don't want to sacrifice time you could spend working, or with friends and family. The truth is that most of the time, it's absolutely annoying to track down coupons on the web.
Online Coupons Portal Provides Grocery Store Savings with the Click of a Mouse
Discount shopping codes & coupons provider Coupon Shack expands into the grocery market with traditional shopping coupons and accessible Internet convenience.