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Goal is to get ahead by combining gift program with Single-Check Rebates
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer
Published on Saturday, Nov 29, 2008
Getting something for free is nice.
Getting paid to take something — well, that takes ''nice'' to a new level.
From now through Dec. 24, the Mad Clipper's goal is to make a profit shopping at Rite Aid.
The store recently launched its annual Gift of Savings program and it works this way:
Register at http://www.riteaid.com and enter information from each receipt you collect.
If the shelf or sales price of all products totals $25 to $50, you'll get a gift certificate mailed to your home for $5. If your prices total $51 to $100, get $10 back. If you have more than $100, get $20 back.
Of course, now I'm wondering whether I can get that $20 gift certificate without spending anything while collecting some free products along the way.
The key to this strategy is Rite Aid's year-round reward program: Single Check Rebate.
A few weeks ago, I held my breath as I did a whopping Single Check transaction for the first time. Rite Aid had full rebates on $144.20 worth of cold and flu products, from lip balms and lozenges to nasal sprays and cold-sore treatments.
I put it on my credit card, hoping the rebate system was as fast and easy as promised.
At home, I entered my receipt information online and voila! Less than a month later, I got a check for $142.20, just in time to pay off my credit card (because if you have to pay interest charges, it's not free anymore).
My check was short because I picked up the wrong variety of Chapstick. Bummer.
Two weeks later, I picked up $50 worth of freebies, including a power strip and an extension cord.
Now look what happens if we combine Single Check Rebates and Gift of Savings:
Last week, Rite Aid offered a St. Ives Elements cleanser for
$4.99, with a Single Check Rebate offer of $4.99.
I had a $1.50 coupon for St. Ives, so it cost me $3.49, but I'll still get a rebate for $4.99.
Plus, I'm $4.99 closer to the $101 I need for my maximum Gift of Savings certificate.
If you're cash-strapped, Single Check Rebates might not be the best savings game for you.
You can request your check only once a month, so I won't submit my claim until the end of December, and won't see my money again until mid- to late January — right about the time I expect my Gift of Savings bonus.
But you could look at your first month of shopping at Rite Aid as a one-time investment. Each month when you get your rebate check, use it to buy the next month's freebies.
If Rite Aid isn't out of stock yet, there was a free-after-rebate lipstick, nail polish and shampoo offer through today — meaning more free stocking stuffers and $10.97 closer to that Gift of Savings.
Have tips? Share your own shopping experiences by joining us at http://www.ohio.com/madclipper. The Mad Clipper can be reached at madclipper@thebeaconjournal.com.
Getting something for free is nice.
Get the full article here.
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