Make Rebates Work for You

Fill out the form: While this may sound obvious, many people never do it. Fill it out immediately when you get home so that you don't forget. Even if you have the best intentions to do it in a few days, things happen, and by the time you remember, it may be too late.

Make copies: Don't send off the rebate form without first making a photo copy of everything. This includes not only the rebate form but also the receipt and product proof-of-purchase identification requested. Also note the phone number or Web site on the rebate form in case you have any problems. Things do go wrong with rebates, and having these copies will be your proof if you need to make a claim.

Mark it on your calendar: Rebate checks take time to arrive -- usually 12 weeks. Even worse, they often arrive in envelopes or as postcards that appear to be junk mail. This means you need to carefully look through your mail -- don't accidentally throw them away. Marking the time on the calendar when you should receive your rebate will also remind you if a rebate hasn't arrived, so that you can take steps to get it instead of accidentally forgetting about it.

Track it: The responsibility for fulfilling the rebate is usually outsourced to rebate warehouses, meaning the manufacturer or retailer themselves doesn't actually process it. You can find the warehouse handling your claim at MyRebates.com and you can check on your rebate status at Web sites such as Track Your Rebate and rebatestatus.com.

Follow up: If the date on your calendar passes without receiving the rebate you were promised, contact both the company and the rebate fulfillment center that is handling your request. Your copies of the rebate forms may be needed to resolve the issue. If that doesn't work, then you can make a complaint.

By being organized and keeping track of the rebates you apply for, you will help ensure that you receive all the money back that you were promised.

>To order reprints of this article, click here: Reprints