How to Save Money with Mail-in Rebates

I have been purchasing products for many years using mail-in rebates. Why, you ask? Because I save money and sometimes even get products for free. Now, I do not go buy things just because there is a rebate offered, but if it is something that I would have bought anyway, then why not save money? I may have to wait 8-10 weeks, but it is worth it when those rebate checks arrive. I've always wondered how companies could offer products for free or for such a large discount. According to an article on the Business Week website, "... 40% of rebates never get redeemed . . ." So, basically, companies hope that not everyone submits the rebate forms or that they make some kind of an error that hinders them from receiving the rebate and therefore the companies end up with more profit.

Here are some very important tips that I follow when dealing with mail-in rebates.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #1
Make sure when you purchase the product that you are following the rebate requirements. Most rebates have purchase deadlines as well as submission deadlines. The rebate may be sitting next to the product but be expired. Rebate companies do not bend the rules on requirements so if you purchase an item a day after the deadline, you will not be getting your money. Read the rebate very carefully and make sure you understand the terms offered.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #2
Do not leave the store unless you have the rebate form and receipt. Some rebates print out at the register when you check out, others can be found by the product, or in one central location in the store usually on a bulletin board.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #3
Complete the rebates right away because many of them are date sensitive and if you miss the deadline, you can be sure that you will not receive your rebate. Write so that it can be easily read, using all caps if necessary. If your rebate form is not legible, then you probably will have problems receiving your rebate. Trust me that nobody will take the time to decipher your handwriting.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #4
Make a copy of everything. Copy the receipt, completed rebate form, and the UPC symbol from the packaging. I haven't had many problems with rebates, but when it happens, and you have copies of everything, you will be able to prove your case or send in the rebate again.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #5
Make a file for your rebates. Depending on the number of mail-in rebate purchases you make in a year, either make one file for each month or one for the entire year. You can even create a spreadsheet that lists the rebate, amount, date mailed, and date received. This way you will have a quick and easy way to track your mail-in rebates.

Mail-In Rebate Tip #6
Check on rebates that are past due. The rebate submission form will let you know how long it will take to receive your money. It will probably be somewhere between 6-12 weeks, 8-10 weeks being the norm. If the time has passed and still no rebate, you can check on your mail-in rebate using the phone number or website listed on the submission form. If there is a problem, use the copy of your rebate to find the contact information. You may need to ask for a manager to get anywhere, but do pursue. If you have copies of everything, you should have no problem receiving your rebate.

What to do when a rebate goes wrong.
I am still waiting on a rebate that I sent in a year and a half ago. This is unusual for me, but the rebate company went under and was not fulfilling the rebates any longer. I pursued with the company that I purchased from and they are covering all of the rebates as long as you send them all of the information (good thing I kept copies.) So, it pays to purchase from reputable companies because they may reimburse you if something like this happens. I do not purchase from companies that I am unfamiliar with unless I do a lot of research. I expect a rebate check any day now and if I don't get it, I will be making another call. Definitely annoying, but the $80 rebate is worth it.