Rain Checks, a Powerful Tool

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Have you ever been to the store to find that the product you want is gone. A solution to this problem is RAIN CHECK.

What is a rain check?
A rain check is an I.O.U. for an item out of stock guaranteeing the sale price of the item at a later date. Usually the customer has at least a month to redeem the rain check.

How to receive a rain check?
If you find that items are not in stock go to the service counter and/or ask the clerk  for a rain check. Be sure you know the exact item, price, etc. It is always helpful to have an add handy to show which product you’d like a rain check for. The clerk will write on the rain check the details of the product and when you will need to redeem it by. Be aware that rain checks are not offered for Catalina Offers and may not be offered for instant saving sales. Rain check policies can vary by store.

I suggest that you ask for more than you plan on buying. You can always buy less than the stated amount but not more once the rain check is written. After the rain check is written look it over to be sure the product, size, price is correct. Also be aware of the expiration date.

My local Walgreens manager will print the Register Reward, if it’s a RR deal that’s not in stock, along with a rain check with the item price.  I was told that only the Store MANAGER is allowed to do this and even them some won’t know how or just won’t do this.  CVS store may vary on their ECB rain check policies as well.


How to redeem a rain check?
Select the items stated, remember you can always buy less than the amount stated but not more. At the register hand over the rain check before the cashier rings up the products, they will have to key them in with the special price. You may use coupons on rain check items, just as you were purchasing them without a rain check.

Reader Renee shares her experience at CVS:

I have been trying to get that “gillette deal” and the refills for the “Off clip-ons” for about 2 weeks.  (Oh, and the olives too, all from CVS)  Each time I went in I’d just ask for a rain check.  Well, today, I hit the jackpot!  I got 3 refills for $1.99 sale price and used the $1.00 off coupon that came in the box.  And I got the gillette body wash, buy one, get one free and they gave me the ECB’s for whatever you’re buying.  (Just make sure they put the ECB on the rain check.)  So, I paid $4.91 for 3 refills ($2.99 srp for 1) and 2 Gillette Men’s body wash ($4.00 srp each)  The total would have been close to $20.   With the ECB of $4.00, I paid 91 cents!  I’m still waiting for the olives to be in stock again! 
 

Next time you are in the store and find an empty shelf, don’t forget the power of the rain check!

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