Reader Story: Danielle C.

Danielle is an avid couponer and an avid poster here on For the Mommas. She  knows her stuff when it comes to couponing.  She even journals her savings at her personal blog called Playing the Coupon Game. She post pictures of all her great steals and deals.

Danielle emailed me a few days ago regarding the Kmart Kellogg’s cereal deal. She purchased the required four Kellogg’s cereals to get the rebate for $5.00, however, no form printed at the register for her to mail in. (I have had this happened to me on more than one occasion – where a catalina or rebate form didn’t print).

Danielle did her homework and confirmed that the rebate offer was good at her store.  (There have been times where individual stores are excluded from a deal, I would always advise you check your ads to make sure.)  We both agreed that while $.25 a box for Rice Krispies was a great price, the $5.00 she was to get back could be stretched pretty far, especially at Super Doubles.  Danielle took the steps to find out how she could get her form. Even though she got two people on the phone who told her she that they essentially could not help her, she eventually found help. It turns out, that the store was already aware that the forms weren’t printing – she didn’t even have to ask for a form – they were sitting right on the customer service desk for everyone to take.

So, in the end Danielle will get her rebate! Yeah!

How can you take steps to make sure you get the catalinas and rebates you have earned? Here are some steps to take:

1. Try to know what you are looking for while you are at the store. – Make sure you know if you are looking for. Rebates or OYNO can come in different forms:

• Catalina (the coupon that prints out at the machine beside the register
• Mail in rebate that is on a tear pad
• Mail in rebate that is on the end of your register receipt
• Mail in rebate that is on the packaging of the product
• Mail in rebate that must be requested at the Customer Service Counter

2. If you are expecting a catalina and it doesn’t print, ask at the register. – Don’t be afraid to ask right at the register where your catalina is. Sometimes they will ask you to go to the customer service desk, but many times a manager will come right to your register aisle. They are more likely to be quick and handle the situation so that they don’t have to hold up the line.

3. Don’t be afraid to call Catalina and ask them questions about their programs – I have called catalina in the past to ask questions. Don’t be afraid to call them and ask about a specific problem or promotion at (888) 322-3814.

4. Check your receipts at the store – I know this can be extremely hard when you are shopping with the kiddos. However, it is so much easier to accomplish these things face to face. Managers are more likely to help you with you standing in front of them. You won’t have to waste gas making a return trip or play phone tag with the manager.

5. Ask if the catalina machine is working at the register – I always joke around with the cashier and say can you check to make sure you catalina machine has tape? I am expecting ALOT of coupons!  Sounds crazy, but I can’t tell you the number of times they have said, oh that isn’t working or there was no tape.

Thanks to Danielle for allowing me to share her story with you.

Do you have any tips on rebates and catalinas? I would love to hear them.

I also love hearing from you! Please feel free to email me with any questions that I might be able to answer.. also, I love getting deals from you!

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