Events Calendar
In This Section
Hospital connects to patients online
AutoZone to replace Blockbuster in West Akron
Gains in financials, material stocks lift market
Jobless claims indicate economy remains weak
Citigroup shuffles executives, former CFO leaving
GM, Chrysler fight reopening of closed dealerships
YRC, Teamsters reach tentative deal on concessions
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Woman, 75, charged with beating fawn to death
Akron woman found dead at Brimfield Township store
Man shot in back near Akron park
Man shot outside his Akron home during robbery attempt
Man admits repeatedly biting 2-year-old
Tragic day puts man on path to be Pinnacle owner
Blogs:
Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous
The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?
Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
CIA Did Mislead Congress
Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program
Varsity Letters:
East basketball update
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced
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.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
