Many companies want you to try their product for free. They hope if you use the product the first time for free, then you will fall in love with that product and buy it full price next time when you don’t have a coupon.
Tips:
** Immediately print off the rebate form, because these forms have been known to disappear from the websites before the expiration.
** Look to see if there are any coupons that can be used to make the purchase price lower.
** Because most offers require the original receipt, if you plan to do more than one rebate offer, buy the items in individual transactions.
** Collect the receipt, form and UPC codes (if needed) and put them in an envelope to mail off immediately. The worst thing that can happen is that you might have good intentions of redeeming the offer, and lose the receipt or throw away the package that has the UPC code.
** Remember that a Try Me Free offer will still cost you a stamp to mail in the paperwork. So in reality, you aren’t going to get the item completely free. It will cost you your time and the price of a stamp.
Some people don’t think it’s worth their time to redeem Try Me Free offers for less than $5. I personally think that if I can buy a box of mashed potatoes or a bottle of gas treatment and get it for the price of a stamp, it is worth my time.
Rebate gift cards
Some companies like to send rebates in the form of prepaid gift cards. Most of them have an expiration date.
Recently, I was standing in the checkout at Walmart line when the lady in front of me tried to use a prepaid gift card she had received as a rebate. When it wouldn’t work, she was shocked. The cashier checked the card and it had expired last month. Oops!
The lady was understandably disappointed. How can you avoid this happening?
When you receive a rebate or gift card, make sure you activate it. Then use it! When should you use that card? Immediately! I always use those rebate gift cards the following week on the purchases I plan to make anyway. I love getting my rebates but they’re no good if they expire.
Note: Some people like to save their gift cards for vacation, but if you decide to save them, make sure you check for an expiration date.
Printable offers online
Arm & Hammer Cat Litter: Buy Arm & Hammer Ultra Last Baking Soda Coated Clumping Litter 20 pound package (up to $8.99). Send: form, receipt and UPC. Receive: A refund check by mail of your purchase price (up to $8.99) when you buy the 20-pound size only. http://www.armandhammer.com/PDF/pet_care/KL3088_ultraLastform_R4v1b_vb.pdf; expires 3/30/12.
Kids ’n’ Pets: Anyone who likes Kids ’n’ Pets on Facebook will receive a free bottle of any Kids ’n’ Pets product. Go to the Facebook page, like the company, and then click on FREE KNP. Fill out the rebate and provide proof of purchase. Send in rebate to be reimbursed for your purchase. https://www. facebook.com/kidsnpets brand
Lysol & Flu Shot Rebate: Receive $5 by mail when you purchase one Lysol product and a flu shot. Offer is valid and receipt(s) must be dated between 10/1/11 and 2/29/12. Mail the original, dated receipts showing purchase of one Lysol product and payment for the flu shot. Print your full address clearly for proper delivery of your mail–in offer; expires 2/29/12. http://lysol.com/ docs/Flu_Shot_Rebate.pdf
Spotted in store:
When you are walking through the stores, always be watching for labels on products with those magic words “try me free.” Recently, I saw those words on Idahoan Potatoes and Woolite Pet Urine Eliminator. What have you seen in the stores? I’d love to hear!
Sharon Williams blogs about saving money in real life at www.reallifedeals.com.
Tips:
** Immediately print off the rebate form, because these forms have been known to disappear from the websites before the expiration.
** Look to see if there are any coupons that can be used to make the purchase price lower.
** Because most offers require the original receipt, if you plan to do more than one rebate offer, buy the items in individual transactions.
** Collect the receipt, form and UPC codes (if needed) and put them in an envelope to mail off immediately. The worst thing that can happen is that you might have good intentions of redeeming the offer, and lose the receipt or throw away the package that has the UPC code.
** Remember that a Try Me Free offer will still cost you a stamp to mail in the paperwork. So in reality, you aren’t going to get the item completely free. It will cost you your time and the price of a stamp.
Some people don’t think it’s worth their time to redeem Try Me Free offers for less than $5. I personally think that if I can buy a box of mashed potatoes or a bottle of gas treatment and get it for the price of a stamp, it is worth my time.
Rebate gift cards
Some companies like to send rebates in the form of prepaid gift cards. Most of them have an expiration date.
Recently, I was standing in the checkout at Walmart line when the lady in front of me tried to use a prepaid gift card she had received as a rebate. When it wouldn’t work, she was shocked. The cashier checked the card and it had expired last month. Oops!
The lady was understandably disappointed. How can you avoid this happening?
When you receive a rebate or gift card, make sure you activate it. Then use it! When should you use that card? Immediately! I always use those rebate gift cards the following week on the purchases I plan to make anyway. I love getting my rebates but they’re no good if they expire.
Note: Some people like to save their gift cards for vacation, but if you decide to save them, make sure you check for an expiration date.
Printable offers online
Arm & Hammer Cat Litter: Buy Arm & Hammer Ultra Last Baking Soda Coated Clumping Litter 20 pound package (up to $8.99). Send: form, receipt and UPC. Receive: A refund check by mail of your purchase price (up to $8.99) when you buy the 20-pound size only. http://www.armandhammer.com/PDF/pet_care/KL3088_ultraLastform_R4v1b_vb.pdf; expires 3/30/12.
Kids ’n’ Pets: Anyone who likes Kids ’n’ Pets on Facebook will receive a free bottle of any Kids ’n’ Pets product. Go to the Facebook page, like the company, and then click on FREE KNP. Fill out the rebate and provide proof of purchase. Send in rebate to be reimbursed for your purchase. https://www. facebook.com/kidsnpets brand
Lysol & Flu Shot Rebate: Receive $5 by mail when you purchase one Lysol product and a flu shot. Offer is valid and receipt(s) must be dated between 10/1/11 and 2/29/12. Mail the original, dated receipts showing purchase of one Lysol product and payment for the flu shot. Print your full address clearly for proper delivery of your mail–in offer; expires 2/29/12. http://lysol.com/ docs/Flu_Shot_Rebate.pdf
Spotted in store:
When you are walking through the stores, always be watching for labels on products with those magic words “try me free.” Recently, I saw those words on Idahoan Potatoes and Woolite Pet Urine Eliminator. What have you seen in the stores? I’d love to hear!
Sharon Williams blogs about saving money in real life at www.reallifedeals.com.
