Getting Rain Checks

[marla]

I'm sorry if this question is a little stupid, but I have never done this before. When you want to get a raincheck on an item when it is sold out in a store, who do you ask for it? Can you ask the register clerk or do you have to ask the store manager? And what do they look like? Are they an official form or just a piece of paper?

[mom-from-missouri]

Most stores will give them out at the register, but a few will have you go to the customer service booth. Around here, its just a slip of paper and they fill in the item name and size and the sale price, and the date that the sale price was offered. Then when the item comes in, you present it like you would a coupon to get that price. One of our local stores even calls you when the item comes in, but the others don't.

[heatherlst]

Because of the way my husband gets paid, I have to do one large grocery shopping every month. I hated missing all the sales that happened the rest of the month. One Sunday night, I noticed that my local grocery was out of much of their sale items. Bingo! Now when there's a great deal at a local store, I go in late on the last day of the sale. 90% of the time they're sold out of the item, and I can get a raincheck to use next month when I do my big shopping. I always try to wait for my big shopping until its super double coupons. Combine the super sale raincheck price with super double coupons, and I've cut my monthly grocery bill for a family of four to $250. That includes diapers for my 18 month old!

[pennywise]

Great idea on the raincheck. When you are low on money you can put the sale off. Great idea!!!

[Max'sMommy]

Good idea- rain checks are great for that! Evan on items at target and such, since they take coupos there too!

[pennywise]

Thanks for reminding me of rainchecks. I'm doing it 2 times a day at Meijer on the Tidy Cat. They are out. I have them extend the coupon too. (Tidy cat on sale 2/10 with a Meijer coupon for $3 off).

[Luv2shop]

Some rainchecks have expiration dates on them & sometimes there is a limit on sale items.

[pennywise]

Luv2Shop: I think you should check your state law. A raincheck is supposed to be good indefinetly. The purpose was to stop fraudulent advertising. If you advertise you are to have enought stock on hand for the demand. Make sure you are an informed consumer as no-one will volunteer knowledge. If I know something you don't I can take advantage of you, can't I?

[Luv2shop]

Originally Posted by pennywise

Luv2Shop: I think you should check your state law. A raincheck is supposed to be good indefinetly. The purpose was to stop fraudulent advertising. If you advertise you are to have enought stock on hand for the demand. Make sure you are an informed consumer as no-one will volunteer knowledge. If I know something you don't I can take advantage of you, can't I?

thanks for the information A few months back I heard a manager telling a customer that he couldn't take his rain check because it was 2 months old.

[pennywise]

Dear Luv2shop; good thing for this forum. Now you are more educated. The manager may not have wanted to honor the coupon as prices went up for the product. These managers obtain bonus' too. A produce manager in a grocery store makes over $100,000. The produce section is the highest money maker in the grocery. Be wise. Be informed. Be frugal.
Just ask for the manager's name and the 800 # to the store and that should take care of the problem. Do call and report the incident.

[marjorie]

The rainchecks offered at our stores are good for only 30 days, no exceptions. Must vary by state. Don't forget about pricematching at stores like super wal-mart if inclined. Makes those occassional shops easier by making it one store, one bill.

[markio26]

i get rainchecks but, the products never come into the store.. especially wag... still waiting on about 5 items.. duh.. i do try to shop and dbl coupon or trpl for large grocery trips.