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© May 2007 Gretchen Alawneh All rights reserved.
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“When you educate a man you educate an individual; when you educate a woman you educate a whole family.” -Robert M. Maciver
"The future depends on what we do in the present."
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
Rebates
What are Rebates? Rebates are "rewards" companies give you for purchasing their products.
To Rebate or Not to Rebate
Most people don't bother to send in their rebates because either they don't know about it, or because they feel it is too much of a hassle deal with.
I disagree. It doesn't really take much time or effort if you keep yourself organized.
The payoff can be big. By routinely rebating, you can look forward to receiving company checks in the mail several times a week. Most rebates take 4 - 6 weeks to process, but if you rebate consistently, you should have a steady stream of them coming in after that initial 6 weeks period go by. It's amazing how fast they add up. I've known people who take the checks and deposit them once a week into a special savings account and then pay for their Holiday expenses and or vacations from that fund. Completely stress free. It's wonderful.
Easy, Peasy Rebating
Keep a log of all of your rebates. I have a 1 inch binder with a chart I created and put in the front. The chart is a simple one with rows and columns. I placed across the top a topic for each column. The ones I use are:
Name of Rebate - Company - Date Sent - Good for Dates - Date Received
Pocket #
All of them are pretty self-explanatory except for maybe the pocket #. I place trading card pocket holders and clear pocket holders (whole and 1/2 size) in the area behind my log. I numbered each pocket. I place all the receipts, copy of receipts, papers and whatever other information I may need for the rebate in an appropriate pocket. When I receive a check, I mark the rebate as complete by highlighting it. I then empty out the pocket of information I have for it to make room for the next rebate.
Most of the rebates out there that people are doing are for cell phones and big ticket electronics. I do alot of rebates for groceries. Before I go to the grocery store, I look through my rebate forms to see if anything matches up to what I may need. I like to purchase rebate items on separate receipts, if possible, to make it easier to send them in.
Some Rules to Follow
1. Read the rules carefully!!! Follow them to the letter!! Do this and 90% of your headaches will taken care of. If it says circle the price - circle the price!
2. Keep a log of all of your rebates.
3. Mark off received rebates as you receive them.
4. Scan your rebates monthly to be sure you aren't missing getting any in the mail, as well as, getting any returned to you in the correct time frame.
Denied?
I have yet to be denied a rebate or have one not sent to me. I read accounts of people who have had this happen to them and the overwhelming opinion is to just pull out those photocopies I know you've kept and resubmit them with your denial card or letter. This seems to work for them. Keep in mind that they are processing thousands if not millions of rebates and human error does occur. Don't waste the effort getting mad, just resubmit and go enjoy your day.
Instant Rebates
This is a promotion stores use usually on high ticket electronic items. Let's say you see a camera for $200. It has an instant rebate sticker on it or a sign beside it for $50. When you go to the register, it will automatically deduct the $50 from the price giving you an "instant rebate". Be sure to keep an eye on the register, as mistakes do happen.
Mail In Rebates (MIR)
These are rebates where you purchase an item at full price, then send in all necessary information stated on a rebate form for a check in the mail.
Free After Rebate (FAR)
These are items you purchase (usually advertised as free after rebate in drug stores) that let you know if you send in the rebate for this item, you will get your full purchase price back (minus the tax). Lots of people follow these incentives to get the items for free and then forget about the rebates after they get home. Keep ahead of the game by conditioning yourself to take care of them as soon as you get home, or at a scheduled time every week.
To Rebate or Not to Rebate
Most people don't bother to send in their rebates because either they don't know about it, or because they feel it is too much of a hassle deal with.
I disagree. It doesn't really take much time or effort if you keep yourself organized.
The payoff can be big. By routinely rebating, you can look forward to receiving company checks in the mail several times a week. Most rebates take 4 - 6 weeks to process, but if you rebate consistently, you should have a steady stream of them coming in after that initial 6 weeks period go by. It's amazing how fast they add up. I've known people who take the checks and deposit them once a week into a special savings account and then pay for their Holiday expenses and or vacations from that fund. Completely stress free. It's wonderful.
Easy, Peasy Rebating
Keep a log of all of your rebates. I have a 1 inch binder with a chart I created and put in the front. The chart is a simple one with rows and columns. I placed across the top a topic for each column. The ones I use are:
Name of Rebate - Company - Date Sent - Good for Dates - Date Received
Pocket #
All of them are pretty self-explanatory except for maybe the pocket #. I place trading card pocket holders and clear pocket holders (whole and 1/2 size) in the area behind my log. I numbered each pocket. I place all the receipts, copy of receipts, papers and whatever other information I may need for the rebate in an appropriate pocket. When I receive a check, I mark the rebate as complete by highlighting it. I then empty out the pocket of information I have for it to make room for the next rebate.
Most of the rebates out there that people are doing are for cell phones and big ticket electronics. I do alot of rebates for groceries. Before I go to the grocery store, I look through my rebate forms to see if anything matches up to what I may need. I like to purchase rebate items on separate receipts, if possible, to make it easier to send them in.
Some Rules to Follow
1. Read the rules carefully!!! Follow them to the letter!! Do this and 90% of your headaches will taken care of. If it says circle the price - circle the price!
2. Keep a log of all of your rebates.
3. Mark off received rebates as you receive them.
4. Scan your rebates monthly to be sure you aren't missing getting any in the mail, as well as, getting any returned to you in the correct time frame.
Denied?
I have yet to be denied a rebate or have one not sent to me. I read accounts of people who have had this happen to them and the overwhelming opinion is to just pull out those photocopies I know you've kept and resubmit them with your denial card or letter. This seems to work for them. Keep in mind that they are processing thousands if not millions of rebates and human error does occur. Don't waste the effort getting mad, just resubmit and go enjoy your day.
Instant Rebates
This is a promotion stores use usually on high ticket electronic items. Let's say you see a camera for $200. It has an instant rebate sticker on it or a sign beside it for $50. When you go to the register, it will automatically deduct the $50 from the price giving you an "instant rebate". Be sure to keep an eye on the register, as mistakes do happen.
Mail In Rebates (MIR)
These are rebates where you purchase an item at full price, then send in all necessary information stated on a rebate form for a check in the mail.
Free After Rebate (FAR)
These are items you purchase (usually advertised as free after rebate in drug stores) that let you know if you send in the rebate for this item, you will get your full purchase price back (minus the tax). Lots of people follow these incentives to get the items for free and then forget about the rebates after they get home. Keep ahead of the game by conditioning yourself to take care of them as soon as you get home, or at a scheduled time every week.