Rebate Programs

Store Programs that Pay in Cash or Gift Cards

Rebate Programs.

Many shoppers don’t participate in rebate/refund programs because it takes too much time and effort, is difficult to keep track of, is not for products they would normally buy, or some other excuse.



Many large companies have taken note of these complaints and as a result, a number of changes have modernized and improved the rebate world. 

Gone are the days of buying one tube of toothpaste for 3.49, cutting a mail-in-form out of the newspaper, filling out info, attaching a receipt, using a stamp and then waiting 8-10 weeks to get a check for 3.49 in the mail.

Your time (and money!) is valuable, so many stores now have “easy” or “single check” rebate programs where you can keep track of all your rebates for an entire month, and then submit together to receive one check (or gift card) for the whole month. 

Some rebate programs even allow you to create a refund account on your computer.

Simply enter your receipt information online (they keep track of how much they owe you) and then you can request your check at the end of each month.

Other programs offer “instant” rebates where deductions are taken at the register off your total price or the register will “spit out” a coupon (sort of like a gift certificate) that can be used on your next purchase at that store.

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Walgreens

This rebate program has grown immensely in the past few years.

Every month, Walgreens releases the EasySaver catalog filled with coupons and rebate offers for the month.

The rebate offers typically contain around 5-6 products that are completely free (excluding tax) after rebate along with approximately 30-40 other deals that offer a partial rebate.

You can redeem your refunds through the mail by filling out the catalog form and sending in your receipts (takes about 4-6 weeks) or by using their new online system (where you can also track your refund status) for a faster refund.



Walgreens has just recently introduced their online rebate redemption program where you simply set up an account, check off the rebates you are owed, enter your receipt number, and then choose whether you would like a check sent to you or if you would like a Walgreens gift card instead.

If you choose the gift card, Walgreens adds a 10% bonus to your card amount, which can earn you even more free merchandise if you participate on a regular basis.  For example, if you have a rebate for 10.00 owed to you and select the gift card option, Walgreens will add on an extra 1.00 (10% of your total) and send you a gift card for 11.00. 

Each month you can choose whether you want a check or gift card.  If you choose the gift card option more than once, you have the option of having them electronically reloading the same gift card (with the 10% bonus as well) by entering your gift card number. 

This saves time and the reload will typically happen within 2-3 weeks after requesting your refunds.  Theoretically, if you participate every month, you would only have to actually use your own money at the beginning and use your reloaded gift card to “purchase” all the free-after-rebate items each subsequent month. 

Walgreens also accepts store coupons, manufacturer’s coupons and even coupons printed off the Internet in combination with rebate offers.  For the Free-After-Rebate purchases, you will receive back the purchase price of the items, not how much you actually paid after coupons.

  Additionally, Walgreens has a special instant rebate program called Register Rewards, using a catalina coupon machine.

When you make a qualifying purchase (Advil PM caplets on sale for 3.99, for example) the register will automatically print out a Walgreens coupon ( i.e. for 3.00) for use on your next Walgreens purchase.  Some exclusions apply and there is an expiration date on the coupon, but it is typically at least 2 weeks out. 

Note: You may still use manufacturer’s coupons with the Register Rewards offers but the coupon must not bring the actual price you pay below the amount of the Register Reward coupon.

For example, with the Advil example above, you would be able to use a .75 off coupon but not a 1.00 off coupon because that would bring the price paid down to 2.99.

Learn More About Walgreens Coupons

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Rite Aid/Eckerd/Brooks Pharmacies

Rite Aid recently acquired Eckerd and Brooks pharmacies, so they all have the same rebate program. 

This Single-Check program can also be done by filling out a form (and sending in receipts) from their rebate catalog every month or by using their online program. 

The online program requires registration and a password and then you enter information from your receipt. 

The program searches the database and keeps track of all rebates you made qualifying purchases for (some items might be valid for more than one rebate).

You can then request a check (no gift card options as of now) and it will be mailed to you in about 2-3 weeks.  You can check your rebate status and view the date your check was mailed online as well.

  Rite Aid/Eckerd/Brooks typically offers 10 or more free items every month, but unlike the free items from Walgreens, most of these free-after-rebate items are offered for 1-week only, so you would need to make a weekly trip to collect all the items. 

They also have many partial-refund items each month as well. 

You can use store coupons and manufacturer’s coupons (but not together at most stores) for rebate purchases.  Each store has its own policy on the acceptance of coupons printed from the Internet.

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CVS Pharmacy

CVS pharmacy has a couple of refund programs when you make purchases (in-store and online) using your customer Extra Care card.  You can earn 2% back (in the form of Extra Bucks that can be used towards future CVS purchases) from all CVS purchases (some exclusions apply). 

Additionally, you can earn one Extra Buck for every 2 prescriptions purchased from CVS.  There are also weekly specials advertised to receive partial refunds or free-after-rebate (in the form of Extra Bucks- no checks.)

Your Extra Bucks will be tracked electronically and will print out at the store registers every 3 months, or you can log-in online to print out the Extra Bucks you have earned.  CVS also accepts manufacturer’s coupons in conjunction with Extra Bucks offers.

Learn More About CVS Extra Care Bucks Here


These are just 3 of the most popular (and easiest) refund programs.  There are also rebate programs at more “specialty” stores, such as Staples and Ace Hardware.  Many, many other stores offer rebate programs where you can earn gift cards or free merchandise if you shop there frequently.

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Helpful Rebate Program Websites

Walgreens Rebate Club

Rite Aid/Eckerd/Brooks Rebates

CVS Pharmacy Rebate Program

Staples Rebates

Ace Hardware

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Why?

Simply because Refund Cents is the best coupon, refund, deals, and freebies site on the internet.

It is run by Michele Easter, and has been in existence for literally decades.

Refunding Makes Cents is the most distributed coupon and refund newsletter in the world.

There are two portions to Refund Cents, the print magazine, which has 11 issues a year, and the online access.


The online access is a membership based site, but the dues are extremely low, costing less for an entire year than most sites charge a month. (About $1 per month)

If you are new to couponing, or if you are serious about this hobby/income sources, I highly, highly suggest you invest a few dollars into Refund Cents.

If you can afford it (around $25) get the print issues and the online access. Make sure you pick up a copy of the Beginner’s Bonanza. If that is too steep for you, then just get the online access.

Deals are posted by other members, in real time. Check "Michele's Updates" and "Chit-Chat" daily.

Trust me, you'll make up the purchase price in a few days. You'll be emailing me thanking me for introducing you to this wonderful information source.

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