How to Complete Mail In Rebates

Mail-in rebates are offers from manufacturers where you'll receive a check after purchasing the specified item and sending in some completed paperwork. Depending on the rebate, you could get a partial or full refund.

You can get mail-in rebates on almost any type of product but the most common items you'll find them for include pet items, electronics, household items, and food. These can be for new products or old favorites. The companies offering the rebates hope that you'll try the product, like it, and tell all your friends and family about it. The hope is that through word-of-mouth, you'll convince them to buy it too.

Completing a mail-in rebate isn't complicated but you'll need to make sure that you include all the necessary items to get your check. Most of the time this is a form, UPC barcode, and a reciept of your purchase.

Follow the steps below and you'll be on your way to saving money with rebates.

of 06

Find the Mail-In Rebates That Will Get You Free and Cheap Products

Woman Grocery Shopping — Fuse / Getty Images

You can find mail-in rebates from just about anywhere if you keep your eyes open. Be sure to look in your Sunday coupon inserts, on displays at the store, and, of course, online.

If you're looking online, Freebie-depot.com has a list of free after-rebate deals that link to printable mail-in rebate forms that will help get your completely free items. This can be a great way to find out about new rebates.

Keep your eye out when you're shopping, too, for products that have a rebate offer in the form of a tiny sticker attached to the item. They'll call out that this item can be bought and then redeemed for a full or partial refund.

After you've found one you'd like to complete, make sure you have the original rebate form since most times this is required to get your check. It may be a slip of paper or the sticker that comes on the product.

of 06

Purchase the Product for the Mail-In Rebate

Woman at the checkout of a supermarket — JGalione / Getty Images

Before you run out and purchase the product, you'll want to read that rebate form very carefully to make sure you purchase the right item.

The form will specify the brand, product name, size, and sometimes even fragrance or flavor of the product you need to buy to get the rebate.

If you buy something that's even a little bit different than what's on the form, it won't be valid and you won't get anything back.

Be sure to keep your receipt, because this is required for all rebates.

of 06

Fill Out the Mail-In Rebate

High angle view of young woman working at table — Neustockimages / Getty Images

After you've purchased the product, you'll need to fill out the mail-in rebate. This usually involves providing your name, mailing address, and sometimes phone number and email address.

Be sure to provide any other information they ask for. If you leave something blank, they'll use that as an excuse to trash it.

of 06

Make Sure You Have Everything In Your Envelope

USA, New Jersey, Jersey City, Portrait of blonde woman holding envelope — Jamie Grill / Getty Images

Everything you need to include in your envelope to get your rebate will be specified on the rebate form. This usually includes the completed form, a cash register receipt, and a UPC barcode.

A cash register receipt is always to be included with your completed rebate form. Read on the form to find out whether it needs to be original or if a copy is okay. The rebate form will also tell you if you need to circle the product purchased, the purchase price, or both.

A UPC bar code may or may not need to be included to get your rebate. Refer to the rebate form for this information. Sometimes you'll need to cut out the original UPC code from the package, provide a copy of the UPC, or sometimes you won't need to include one at all.

Double and triple check to make sure you have everything in your envelope before you submit your mail-in rebate.

of 06

Beware of Mail-In Rebate Deadlines

Setting a date on calendar by red pen — kyoshino / Getty Images

On each rebate form will be some dates. These tell you when the rebate starts, the date you must have the product purchased by, and the date the rebate needs to be either postmarked or received by.

It's extremely important to follow all deadlines or you most likely won't qualify for the rebate.

of 06

Track Your Mail-In Rebates

woman in cafe smiling using laptop — Tara Moore / Getty Images

It's a good idea to keep track of all your mail-in rebates to make sure you receive them. One of the easiest ways to do this is to set up a spreadsheet.

Besides a log, you might also want to keep copies of all the information you submitted. This is your proof that you completed it.