Rebate Helper

Intro

Rebate Helper is a free, easy-to-use, manual organization system to help you keep track of your rebates – both going out and coming in.

If you get as many rebates as I do, it quickly becomes a daunting task to keep track of them all. Some folks actually think it's more trouble than it's worth. But Rebate Helper can simplify the process and get you organized.

I've often wondered why there are so many rebates available. I've gotten many nice things for very low (or no) cost. My guess is that the stores and the manufacturers hope to lure you in with the promise of rebates, but then count on you to forget to send in the rebate, or miss one of the many requirements, or lose track that you have not received your rebate.

Time to fight back, with Rebate Helper!.

Here's how it works

The Rebate Helper consists of two sheets that you print out and fill in:

1. The Individual Rebate Sheet

   One for each rebate. (If a purchased item has more than one rebate, you should fill out a separate Individual Rebate Sheet for each rebate.) There are 3 boxes:

   1. Purchase and Rebate Info box – Keep track of Purchase info and Rebate info
   2. Mail-In and Copy Checklist box – To help you mail in (and save a copy of) all the needed documentation
   3. Contact Notes box – Keep track of any contacts you may need to make (hopefully none)

2. The Summary/Status Sheet

   Keep track on the progress of all your rebates on one sheet. This sheet is the heart of the system.

The typical scenario

• You spot a nifty item that carries a nice rebate.

• You purchase your item.

• Before you walk out of the store be sure you have:
  • Any rebate forms that you will need
  • A receipt (and possibly a separate rebate receipt)

• As soon as convenient, print out a new Individual Rebate Sheet for each rebate that you need to complete. (Normally this would be one sheet, but some items can have 2 (or more) rebates associated with them).
  • In the Purchase and Rebate Info box, fill in the purchase info and then the rebate info.

  • When you're ready to prepare and mail in your paperwork, use the Mail-In and Copy Checklist box to help you.

  • Copy over the indicated items (they have grey boxes) to the Summary/Status Sheet.

• As time passes, you might get a card in the mail, or an email, or perhaps you can check a provided web site to see if your rebate form has been received. If so, note this on the Summary/Status Sheet.

• If the due date arrives and you have not yet received your rebate (or at least an acknowledgment), then it's time to take action. Using the contact info from the Individual Rebate Sheet for that item, contact the laggards and see what's up. Keep track of the details in the Notes box on the Individual Rebate Sheet. If they claim they never received your submission, you'll have all the documentation ready to re-transmit.

• When the big day comes and you finally receive your hard-earned rebate check, make a final note on the Summary/Status Sheet of the date, and put a check mark in the "Done" column. That item is completed!

• Don't forget to cash your check promptly, because some rebate checks have short expiration dates. Also note that some checks are sent as postcards rather than in envelopes, so check your mail carefully.

More info ...

If you have any questions or suggestions for the Rebate Helper, please email me.

Here's an interesting article from bankrate.com: How to avoid the rebate runaround   (08/04/03)

Happy rebating!