Rebate Strategies

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Manufacturers frequently publicize new or competing products by offering cash incentive rebates. While redeeming these offers generally requires a bit of extra work, such as filling out specific forms and providing UPC codes and cash register receipts dated within the promotional period, the rewards can easily offset the effort. Offers can vary tremendously, but there are strategies that astute bargain hunters can use to maximize savings.

1. Cash Back Rebates: These offers typically range from a few dollars off on a large item, to the latest trend of a larger rebate for multiple purchases. Traditionally rebates have been based on purchase of a specific quantity, at whatever price the consumer received at their local markets. More recently, however, an increasing number of offers require purchasing a specific dollar amount of items, such as $10 back on a $20 purchase. Consumers still receive the best savings by shopping sales and using coupons, while the manufacturer reaps the benefit of increased sales.

Another trend in cash back rebates is requiring all items for a specific rebate to be purchased at the same time. This creates a more significant challenge for shoppers because sales prices and coupons are rarely available on all items in the same week or during a single shopping trip. Even so, it's worth reading the requirements carefully as it may be possible to meet the rebate requirements by purchasing multiple identical items on sale rather than “one of each item”.

2. Try Me Free Rebates: Traditional “Try Me Free” (TMF) offers provide consumers incentives to check out new products. The increased sales provide stores incentives to stock the products, which is a critical factor in the never ending competition for shelf space. In return, manufacturers receive customer data for market analysis and preparation of mailing lists for future promotions and coupons. Submission of specific forms is almost always required: check newspapers, packaging, and supermarket shelf promotion boxes. Again, follow the stated requirements exactly, since rebates can (and often are) denied without notice if all of the specific requirements are not met.

If the manufacturer is offering money back whether or not you like a product, submit the form and receive the cash rewards. You can then go one step further: follow up with the manufacturer with compliments or complaints directly by telephone, email, or writing. Consumers often receive additional coupons, including free products, for their direct feedback to the manufacturer. Note that you should never include your feed back with a rebate form. Rebates are generally issued through rebate processing centers that only deal with offer fulfillments, and it is unlikely that any comments you make will be addressed.

3. Taste Guarantee Refunds: A new twist on the TMF, “taste guarantees” have been in vogue over the last year. Resembling a TMF rebate form, these promotions simply restate guarantees already present on the package. The difference is that the refund form limits the consumer to receiving only a refund of the purchase price. Consumers typically receive better compensation for genuine dissatisfaction and legitimate complaints using standard procedures. Call the toll free number on the package, or visit the company website to report the problem or disappointment. Manufacturers typically respond to direct contacts by offering to replace the product through one (and generally more) coupons for free products, as well as cents off savings, and/or a full refund of the standard market price.

Direct contact generally does not require the consumer to submit UPCs and receipts (although providing UPC and packaging codes online or over the phone may support a claim). When reporting a problem with a large purchase (e.g. replacement of more than a single item, or multiple purchases, or a high value item), manufacturers may request the actual items be sent to them for quality testing (and proof of purchase). In these cases, manufacturers will send prepaid mailing packaging materials for you to return the items at their cost.

4. Rebate by Coupons & Other Incentives: Many consumers submitting TMF or guarantee rebates are smart savers looking for the best deals. Product loyalty is often not high (as confirmed by the purchase of a new product), and a competing brand promotion may easily sway potential purchases. Customer loyalty is not developed, and future sales are not guaranteed. None of this is to the manufacturer’s long term advantage.

The majority of consumers requesting rebates also use coupons and they generally want more coupons. If they have tried and enjoyed a new product, they want more coupons for it, so they can purchase more of it. That is exactly what the manufacturers want to promote.

Responding to these realities of the marketplace, many manufacturers now offer a choice of refund alternatives. Options are typically to receive either a small refund of the purchase price, or a larger dollar value in manufacturer coupons to be used on future purchases. For example, in the recent Hunts Thicker Than Ever Guarantee, consumers purchasing any size single container of Hunt’s Ketchup were invited to receive either a cash rebate of the purchase price ($1 – $2), or receive up to $20.00 in coupons across the ConAgra family of brands. Healthy Choice, Land ‘o’ Lakes, Heinz, Crest, to name but a few, also offer coupons as an alternative form of rebate, securing future sales and providing savvy savers future opportunities to stretch their grocery budgets.

Important opportunities to save money using rebates are becoming increasingly common. Before you shop, think through your rebate offers to maximize your savings in the store and for future purchases. Plan wisely and you will be rewarded for the extra effort.

[TerryTerrific]

Originally Posted by scootsmom I was denied my submission for this rebate!!! The letter states that I did not submit the original completed Official Mail-In Certificate. I know I did! I have a copy. Beware of this rebate offer. Anyone else received theirs???

I received the same letter of denial on 05/20/2008.

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This is how I got my rebate check approved ...

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YOUNG AMERICA CORPORATION IN EL PASO, TX - (800) 410-5231

A very important toll free telephone number.

(800) 410-5231 = Y.A.C. (Young America Corporation).

One of the largest fulfillment agencies in America.

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Since I have been doing rebates for over 100 years, I cannot believe the number or rebate denial letters I have been recently from this organization.

Our friends (or is it 'fiends') at Young America Corporation purposely leave off a telephone number is the rebate denial letters instead they want you to resubmit via snail mail.

Something is rotten in Denmark!

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Just two of them:

• Dawn Direct Money Back Guarantee
‘Purchase date on receipt is out of offer range.’
(My purchase date was valid, some just did not do their job correctly.
Purchase date was the very last item stated on the receipt, so I guess the processor did not look far enough down for the purchase date.)

• Arm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean Guarantee
'Original completed official mail-in certificate was not enclosed.'
(I did enclose the official mail-in certificate, straight from their website, and I had also taped the receipt to the certificate.
Denial letter stated a purchase price of $8.99 … they could only have known that if they had the receipt which was taped to the certificate.)

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I make and keep scanned copies of all rebates submitted (no ands, ifs or buts).

In both above mentioned instances, I followed all instructions and I did not leave anything out.

The trouble, you see, if from the fulfillment agency.

Whatever the sponsor of these offers is paying this fulfillment agency, it is way too much since the fulfillment agency is doing a most sloppy job.

(The people to complain to are not the fulfillment agencies but their clients [the companies like P&G that are paying the fulfillment agencies for their ‘services.’])

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Here are the gyrations that I have to go through to get these denied rebated made good.

#01) Have all the paperwork in front of you before you make the call, included your copies of the offer.

#02) I had to call Arm & Hammer first (customer hotline number can be found on their [(800) 617-4220]).

#03) State that you are calling because you received a rebate denial letter.

#04) When asked (not before), state that you have copies of the submission and that you followed the instructions of the offer (what I am getting at is you keep the upper hand by letting them ask the questions).

#05) They will most likely give you a toll free number for the fulfillment agency.

#06) Immediately call the fulfillment agency.

#07) State that you have received a rebated denial letter.

#08) They will ask for a tracking number (note: allow them to ask the questions, I tried to volunteer information and it only subtracted from my goal at clearing up this issue).

#09) Many times they will tell you, that as a courtesy, they will approve the rebate check.

#10) If they do not approve the rebate check, state that you did everything that was asked in the offer and that you want the rebate check (they might ask you to mail or fax your copy ... what I then say is that I should not have to do that since I did nothing wrong in the submission of the offer).

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For the Dawn Direct, I am still waiting for my rebate check even after emailing them (per their instructions) and then faxing my copy to them (per their instructions).

For the Oxiclean, Y.A.C. approved the rebate check over the telephone.

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Since the beginning of 2008, I have been gently taping the receipt (and the UPC) to the rebate form.

This takes the question of missing items submitted out of the equation.

Also, whenever talking to someone n the telephone, ‘capture’:

• Date and time of call
• Name of the individual (“Q) For my records, can I have your first name?”)

I write this information on the back of the denial letter's envelope.

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Terence in Brook Park, oHIo