This is a guest post by Megan from Publix Coupon Queen
If you have been couponing for any length of the time you have heard the term Mail In Rebate. For many that term is attached to a coupon on a beer case. However, I am here to tell you that there is so much more!
What is a mail in rebate?
While mail in rebates come in different shapes, sizes, and values they are basically a commitment from the company to give you something in return for buying a specified product or amount of product.
How does it work?
The company issues a mail in rebate form.
The company specifies what products you need to buy or how much money you need to spend on their products.
You meet the rules stated on the rebate form.
You gather your receipts, proof or purchase, or fill out the rebate form.
You mail it into the company.
The information is verified and you item, gift card, check, or whatever was promised is shipped.
Some things you should know:
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Many mail in rebates don’t require you to meet a post-coupon total amount. – This means if it tells you to spend $15 in their product they are asking for your pre-coupon total. If you have great coupons to go with it you can still mail in the rebate.
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Most Mail In Rebates are one per household. – Make sure you are reading these limits or your will be disappointed later.
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Read the fine print. – Each mail in rebate has it’s own requirements. If you are expected to certain products or certain quantities make sure you meet the requirements or you will be denied.
Is it worth it?
This is going to have to be a personal decision. For me, it just depends on the hoops I have to jump through in order to get the item being offered. I also make sure that the item I am getting is worth the stamp. I recently saw a mail in rebate for a cheese slice melter. That will not work for me so I passed.
Have you had a good experience with a Mail In Rebate? Have you had a bad one? Please share in the comments.
Jen S says
I have definitely sent in my share of rebates. My rule is though that I don’t buy anything because of it because the check doesn’t always come through. It’s an added bonus that I risk the cost of a stamp on and hope to improve the price on something I would have purchased anyway.
Terra Heck says
A co-worker of mine frequently mails in rebates and has gotten a good amount of money from it. I’ll do rebates once in a great while for an item I planned on purchasing anyway.
Terra Heck recently posted..Tropicana Trop50 – #RedOrange Review and Quick Giveaway