Rainchecks....do you use them?
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
United States
January 13, 2008 10:37am CST
Last night as I was watching the boob tube with the hubby a thought came to mind about rainchecks. Often times when shopping for a particular item that is an advertised sale item I find the item to be out of stock. It is frustrating for me because when I go to buy something I expect it to be there.
There was a time when I would ask for a raincheck for that item. This would ensure that when the item was in stock that you could get it for the sale price.
The problem I often found was that you never knew when the item would be in. It was up to you to call the store or check to see if it was available. The raincheck had an expiration date on it. If you neglected to check back for the item, you couldn't get it at that sale price.
Do you redeem your rainchecks? Do you even ask for one? Are they available in your area?
3 people like this
10 responses
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
13 Jan 08
I have not been in a position to do so in a long time. I used to enjoy getting them, and would try to shop at the end of a sale so I could get them. I would then save up some money and get extra at the really great sale price. Long time ago. I get some group buying bundles, now. I also shop at Wal Mart and they do not have the same policies.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Home Depot does not have a raincheck policy. We were in the market for a shed and the salesman said he would get one in for us the following week. We asked if we needed a raincheck and he said that we didn't. When we went in the following week, we got the shed and when we paid for it the price was no longer the sale price. I told the cashier that the salesman said we didn't need a raincheck. She said they don't give out rainchecks. My husband had a fit. They gave it to us for the sale price. Sometimes it is good to complain.
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
13 Jan 08
I guess I never even think about asking for one. If they don't have it, I just don't get it. It is aggravating to go somewhere for something they have on sale only to find out they do not have it.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Jan 08
I am thinking that maybe it is time to start asking for a raincheck. There are times when you things go on sale for a really reasonable price. I hate to spend full-price for something when I can get it cheaper.
@babystar1 (4233)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Yes rainchecks are available where I live,and yes I do get rainchecks if the item I want is sold out. The items are usually back in the store the following week. So I dont have a problem here getting the item thats on the raincheck.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Jan 08
It is good to hear that many stores now have the items available by the following week. Many times I would go back week after week and still not have the item.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Jan 08
When the kids were younger I would scan the sale flyers for the best buys and when the item was not available at the store I always got a raincheck. I no longer bother to do this. Not sure why though.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
13 Jan 08
Goodness, I haven't seen a raincheck in years. I have no idea if anyone gives them out or not. The last time I saw one, there was a pharmacy at our mall. I asked about a couple of items that were buy one and get one free and they said, "Here's a raincheck for that item." I kept it and redeamed it. I was going to that Mall once a week anyway, so it wasn't hard to redeem it.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
14 Jan 08
Now that I am out in the stores nearly 3 times a week shopping for my clients it would be easy to ask for a raincheck and redeem it later on.
@nichole1983 (1187)
• Canada
14 Jan 08
If you are looking through a flyer and wanted to buy something that is on sale. You go to the store and its not there. It's not the stores fault that they are out. The do have a cetain amount of stock in their store. If your upset that it's not there then its your own fault to not going at the start of the sale. You are taking the chance of it not being there if you wait. Most flyers that we get and all the sale items will say "no rainchecks" so if you miss out you miss out and will have to buy it a regular price if they get more stock in. Some rainchecks I will get but it depends if I really need it and can't live without. And usually the raincheck is in within a day or two. They will hold it for 30 days after that and if you miss your chance on that. Well you are sol on that as well.
1 person likes this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
14 Jan 08
I have used rainchecks in the past but not very often. I usually don't have time to mess with it. I forget about using them to and end up purchasing the item some place else before the item becomes available from the raincheck at another store.
They are available in my area in Indiana.
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
14 Jan 08
I have never had much experience with them before, If I had them to use i'm sure I would use them.
