Posted by
Darlene on March 5, 2013 at 6:19 pm
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Ever run to the store only to discover your latest “must have” item is out of stock? No worries! Rain checks are your best friend!
I like rain checks so much that I often hope an item is out of stock so I can purchase it later… when I might have more coupons! I call this “rain check shopping!” Instead of shopping for food, I shop for rain checks!
I walk around the store and look for all the popular sale items for that week. If they are out of stock, I get a rain check even if I don’t have any coupons to go with the sale. Then I order my coupons or hope new ones will come out that I can print. If I get coupons later, I can get the deal. If I never get coupons, I just toss the rain check when it expires!
One of the best times to go rain check shopping is on day one of the sale. That’s when the shelves are usually wiped out and you can get your rain checks before more stock comes in. If stock comes in that week, pick up your items as planned but save your rain checks in case you get more coupons later.
Another good time to go rain check shopping at the end of the month. We get lots of new printable coupons on the 1st of the month so if something is out of stock, you may very well get new coupons to go with your rain checks on the 1st. Certain items almost always guarantee us new coupons at the beginning of the month, like cereal!
When you get a rain check, don’t be afraid to ask for more items than you think you’ll need. If you ask for 8 and only get coupons for 2, you can pick up just 2 if you want. You are not committed to 8 items.
CVS rain checks never expire! If you get a rain check there and you get coupons for that item 6 months later, you can still score! And CVS will include ExtraBucks (with the stated limit) in your rain check. CVS is an awesome place to go rain check shopping!
Some stores will honor your coupons if they do not get stock in time before your coupons expire. You can ask your store if they do this, and if they do, have a manager sign your coupons so there are no issues later. They may extend your store coupons too so you can stick stack a manny Q with a store Q later.
Of course, rain checks are not always the solution. Many stores, like Shaw’s, will only give rain checks for items that are advertised in the flyer and not in-store sale items. Also, some stores may not include any rewards, instant savings or bonus points (or whatever) in the rain check.
Get familiar with the rain check policies at all the stores you shop at. Then start rain check shopping! It’s a whole different experience. Instead of getting bummed out when you see an empty shelf, you will actually be happy!
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