Save Money by Getting Rainchecks for Items You Don't Need at the Moment

Here's an interesting money saving suggestion left on my post titled Save Money by Subbing for a Sale Item:

I was at the big ShopRite can can sale and they were out of one of the items I wanted, so I requested a rain check for it and I then asked, "What else are you sold out of that people are getting rainchecks for?" and she told me about 4 other items that I can use, but didn't have on my list this time and I got rainchecks for them too! :)

Of course, if you will never need the item, there's no need to get a raincheck (and then buy something you don't need.) But if it's something you regularly buy, why not ask for a raincheck and then buy the item (at the sale price) when you need it?

Comments

[Robert in SF]

I sometimes ask for rainchecks when there is a great deal on a frequent item I buy (such as peanut butter, or frozen entrees) and just keep them in my wallet for future use.

The Safeway I shop at here in SF doesn't even check to see if they are out. They can't be bothered. So I just make a list of anything I might need in the future, get rainchecks and squirrel them away.

Just be sure to include the number of items (or more) that you will need to buy with that raincheck, as they only match for the amount/number listed.

Is that unethical?

[Lin]

One thing to watch for .. some stores do have expiration dates for their rainchecks.

[samantha]

Yes thats very, very unethical.
The reason I say this is because if someone comes into the store asking a clerk if they still have the item in stock thats on sale, they will say no because of what you told them. Then, they will lose a sale.

Why don't you buy more than you need of that item while it is on sale?

I understand it's hard times, but cut your coupons and don't lie to the store, especially when they trust your word.