FatWallet.com: Rainchecks, Substitutions, MarkDowns and Coupons- Grocery Advice, posted on 05-23-2012 09:05 PM

[fromFatWallet.com]

Rainchecks, Substitutions, MarkDowns and Coupons- Grocery Advice

Rating: 0 Posted By: MISTERCHEAP
Views: 124 Replies: 0

Make the most of any sale at any supermarket. Some tips:

1) An item you use on a regular basis is on sale. The limit per variety is 4 as an example. One of the "type" or "flavors" you use is OOS but you get others. STILL, ask for a raincheck for the one OOS. or if the limit is 4, and they only have 2 on the shelf...ASK FOR A RAINCHECK. Often, the raincheck will be for all types limit 4 per variety, and you can utilize the sale again weeks later. Also, hunt for coupons in the meantime on eBay or inserts to use with the raincheck to get your final cost down.

2) As above, you show up at a supermarket with coupons to use on a sale. They are OOS, the coupons you have expire May 30th and today is May 23rd. Ask them to "raincheck" the coupons as well, so if you don't buy the item til after 5/30, you can still use the coupons. Many stores will staple the coupon to the raincheck. This is YMMV of course and policy will vary by chain, but at the very least you should ask for a raincheck on your coupon as well as the item if expiration is an issue.

3) You purchase an item and forget the coupon. Many stores will give you "post sale" credit for the coupon if you bring it in with your receipt with a reasonable amount of time (7-14 days max). Simply go up to the customer service desk with the coupon and say you left it off your order. If the coupon is subject to doubling, it should still be doubled, and if it was a taxable item, and tax is reduced by coupons in your area, you should get the tax back on the value of the coupon.

example, you buy a 50oz jug of Arm and Hammer Detergent at $1.99 which is taxable.
You forget your .50/1 coupon, next week you bring it in with your receipt and ask for credit. You store doubles normally and the coupon has no restriction about it.

so .50 x 2 = $1 + tax on $1 (if 7%, then 7cents).

4) Substitutions- Many times, you'll see a store offer a substitute item in place of one on sale that is OOS. That might work for you, it might not.
For example, you have manu coupons for the item that is OOS and you can't use them on the Substitute Item. ASK for a Raincheck, explain you have coupons which aren't for the subbed item. if they refuse, then insist then accept your coupons for the OOS item.

Item OOS, no substitution visibly offered and YOU REALLY NEED THE ITEM-- ask a manager or customer service if you can substitute another brand for the sale brand, if you are nice about it, many times they will let you.

Substitution not as good as brand offered: BEWARE - sometimes what is being substituted isn't as good as the sale item. For instance: told to take store brand over name brand. Item is inferior in quality, size, ingredients, etc. One common practiceeer Park Spring Water is on sale for $2.99 a case. They substitute Nestle or Aquafina PURIFIED water in it's place. they are not Spring Water! Insist on a rain check if they won't substitute an exact item.

5) MEAT/PERISHABLES-- MOST grocery stores will mark down SHORT DATED items like meat, bread and sometimes dairy (dairy is often not marked down as they return the items for credit to the supplier. If you are shopping for beef, chicken, etc and you come across packages with TODAYS (whatever todays date may be) DATE as the EXPIRATION DATE (not the packed on date), inquire if they can reduce the price for you. Many times they will knock off 30-50% of the price on the package. If you are going to freeze the meat or cook it that day, you have no worries. Just make sure the meat still looks decent. IMO, Best days to look for marked down meats are Monday and Thursday. Right after the weekend and right before. Sometimes you can find multiple packs marked down significatly and stock up if you are freezing them.

Some grocery stores will also marked down short dated prepacked cold cuts, lunch meats, bacon, already cooked chicken/beef/turkey, etc packagings etc. Use your judgement. It's no deal if you're going to wind up throwing it out cause you didn't eat it and it goes bad in your refrig within 3-4 days.

Same with bread, many stores will have short dated breads (both packaged breads as well as their in store bakery, instore bakery often will mark down donuts, cakes, muffins and rolls too marked down 1/2 price or more. Again, buy it only if you're going to use it or freeze it. Bread does not last long if there are no perservative in it and goes stale quickly. The bread should still feel soft to the squeeze if it's decent. Otherwise skip it.