Do you wait for your local sales announcements, and rush to the store to cash in on the too-good-to-be-true pricing? If so, you have probably experienced the “empty shelf” syndrome. Hot sales prices on one or two advertised items can drive customers in quickly, depleting the stock on hand. Late comers must choose between purchasing alternate higher priced items or checking back regularly in hopes of finding the item restocked.
But there is an option and it is called “rain check“.
What is a Rain Check ? A “rain check” allows customers to buy the item later at the advertised price
Most stores offer customers a “rain check“. These paper vouchers are a valuable “I.O.U.” guaranteeing consumers receive the same sale price at a later date of the customers choosing. Consumers are not required to check back during the advertised sales period. Rain check vouchers are available immediately at any time during an advertised sale, whether or not the store receives, or plans to receive, an additional supply. And to ensure the product is available in the future, rain checks are typically valid for 30 days at most stores, some stores like CVS they are good forever!!!! All you have to do is go to costumer service at your store, or to the register and ask for a rain check for item XYZ and usually I have no problem getting my rain check.
We love Rain checks.. because….
- Rain checks are sales, not coupons, and can be combined with other manufacturer offers. New coupons or additional special offers and rebates may be issued during the rain check period, providing an even lower overall cost.
- Rain checks are not required to be redeemed. They can be used during another promotion on the same item; if the “current sale” price is higher, use the rain check to receive the lower sale price. If the “current sale” prices are lower, save the rain check and purchase at the current sale price. Or, if the store is out of stock once again, pick up another rain check for the better price.
- If storage, refrigerator, or freezer space is an issue, “capture the savings” on the rain check, and wait until space is available before purchasing the items.
- If you know income or finances will be limited in an upcoming month, stockpile rain check sale prices along with your coupons to stretch your grocery dollars during that period.
- There are several techniques to augment the value of rain checks. Some consumers check back to see if the items have been restocked during the sale, and receive an additional rain check with every inquiry. They may also check with different store locations within the same grocery chain: rain checks can be received at each store where the product is unavailable. Also, if a store is out of only one specific product or flavor, e.g., the store is out of Oscar Mayer Beef Dogs, but other flavors are in stock, a rain check can be received for the Oscar Mayer Dogs sale price.
Rain checks at our local Publix are only good for 30 days; CVS they are good forever.. if you want to let us know what your rain check policy is at your store, I would love to hear it. Also if you are not sure, always ask at your store what their rain check policy is if you are new to couponing each chain is different.
So, next time you find the perfect sale, you might not need to rush out to the store. Just remember to walk up to the customer service desk and get a rain check.
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