Refunders: how do you deal with receipts?

**AmyMCGS** · 01-09-2005, 03:33 PM

I do some rebates, and I'd like to do more, but I'm having trouble figuring out a system for the ones that require cash register receipts.  I typically grocery shop once a month, with a couple of trips in between for sale items, milk, etc.   I've started saving all my receipts and many proof of purchases.

 My problem is that I often have the qualifiers and receipts for rebates, but, I'll have the stuff needed for a couple of refunds all on one receipt.  (I guess I should point out that these are refunds I don't know about at the time of purchase.)  Most forms don't accept copies of receipts, so I end up just being able to send for one rebate or the other.  

And even if I do know about the rebate ahead of time, then what do I do?  Ask the cashier to ring up five different orders?  Ask for a pile of duplicate receipts?   Often I'm already getting looks from the cashier when I hand over my pile of coupons, so neither of those options really appeal to me. 

I've thought of making a special trip to the store to purchase products for a rebate if it's something that we use often... but then, to me, that defeats the purpose of the rebate if I have to make an extra purchase in order to redeem it. 

  And with DD, making several grocery trips a month isn't practical right now.  (She's taken to throwing fits in carts!)

I know there's got to be an easier way to keep this stuff straight... what do you do? 

**AmyBoz** · 01-09-2005, 04:22 PM

Amy, I'm sorry...no advice about that. I'm actually thinking of trading/selling the gajillions of qualifiers that I have. I just don't have the space, nor the time, to go through with all of the offers that are out there.

Actually, I guess I do have a little advice. I would have them ring up the orders separately.

**Mom23boys** · 01-09-2005, 07:43 PM

Amy, I do have them ring up the orders separately. I have never had a problem getting them too.

I know that doesn't sound appealling to you, but I really don't know of any other way unless you make different trips.

If you have to shop at different stores that day, you may pick up an item here and there.

Good luck!

**couponchic** · 01-09-2005, 07:47 PM

I'm with the others. I have them ring separate orders if I know in advance or I go through the self scanner so I can ring the separate orders.
I have been keeping all my receipts in a shoe box for the year, but my mom suggested keeping them in an accordian type file or expanding file by month (ie. all January receipts in the first slot, February second, etc.) so that if a rebate arises in the future, it makes it easier to sort through if you have a good idea on what time of year you made the purchase. Unfortunately, nowadays, most refunds require purchases to be made within a certain time period.

**Telephus44** · 01-09-2005, 09:45 PM

I usually know about my rebates ahead of time - I don't save qualifiers and hope that a rebate will show up. I do save all my CRTs in case that should happen (and if I should have the product still in my house!) but in the last three years thats only happened once. If I know about my rebates enough ahead of time, I will make sure that I only pick one per shopping trip. If I have 5 or 6 things I need to buy by the end of the month, I will make a special trip and ask for 5 or 6 separate receipts. Sometimes they look at me funny, sometimes they don't. I've never had anyone say no.