Comments on: Tightwad Tuesday: Free After Rebate

By: 25 Tips on How to Save Money Today

25 Tips on How to Save Money Today — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:46:09 +0000

[...] Use rebates to get steep discounts [...]

By: The Pasadena Financial Planner

The Pasadena Financial Planner — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:04:35 +0000

I usually weigh the money saved versus the time it takes to file for, track, and collect the rebate. Therefore, I do not usually get rebates on small items of a few bucks. However, I am a sucker for electronics and computer rebates.

I recommend that you make a firm decision about whether to complete a rebate before you buy. A “free” item is not free when you did not collect the rebate. The first thing you should do when you get home is to do the rebate paperwork or complete the online application. When you put the rebate materials aside the probability of collecting eventually drops dramatically.

Companies count on the fact that people think they are getting something cheaper to stimulate buying. However, less than 50% of rebates are collected. The first time I understood this was when I worked for HP (in ancient times). The business computer division I worked for did a promotion with a coupon that was worth a couple of thousand dollars. I was completely baffled to find that in the end only about 40% of customers actually turned in the paperwork to get their rebate!

By: Kaye

Kaye — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:58:07 +0000

Yes…I love some free Walgreens (via rebates) and CVS (via ExtraBucks). See my savings in today’s post:

http://mrsnespysworld.blogspot.....eport.html

By: Karl Burger

Karl Burger — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:56:37 +0000

In my city, you can’t have a Walgreens without a CVS. It is to the point of being ridiculous. If a CVS gets put on a corner, you can guarantee that within 6 months a Walgreens will be on the opposite corner. The scary part is that they can still be profitable competing in this fashion. Just goes to show you how much money there is in the drug market. But if you are looking to be frugal and use your coupons, it is nice to have them so close.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:28:33 +0000

Thanks for the cartridge refill tip.. My ink just ran out! great timing!

By: Shanti @ Antishay

Shanti @ Antishay — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:55:34 +0000

Not related to this Tuesday’s post, but to some of your other “tightwad” posts… I thought you’d enjoy this article:

http://www.re-nest.com/re-nest.....uit-046057

By: learning_the_ropes

learning_the_ropes — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:33:23 +0000

I am a newbie to the world of couponing and rebates. I just used a bundle of coupons last week and now I’m planning to stock up on those free after rebate items from Walgreens. I got hooked on this through Money Saving Mom’s “Walgreens 101″. That was an eye opener. I hope I also get into that “Not paying for toothbrushes, shampooes etc anymore” gear soon.

By: Sara - pensioncomparison.com

Sara - pensioncomparison.com — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:25:31 +0000

Thanks for the cartridge refill tip – those things aren’t cheap!

By: Marci

Marci — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:42:18 +0000

Ah! We miss out on that here…can you imagine being soooo rural that you have to go over 45 miles away to find more than the local Fred Meyer or Safeway…. that’s it! Thanks tho for the tips! I have to say tho that I do watch Home Depot’s ads for the free shipping days… My e-letter lets me know in advance about free shipping days – and they come in handy with my remodeling projects – as Home Depot is over 70 miles from me :(

By: Childlife

Childlife — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:44:20 +0000

Oooo – thanks for the cartridge refill tip, Lynnae!

I have something for you at my place as well ;)