Americans Feel Effects of Rising Food Prices

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89832826

The effects of the food crisis are being felt throughout the world. Even American shoppers are seeing a bump in prices at the grocery store. Money coach Alvin Hall and consumer advocate Donna Maria Coles Johnson talk about what's causing the crisis and share tips on how to shop smart.

Donna Maria's Top 10 Tips for Using Coupons

1. Commit to a budget. I withdraw a certain amount of money from the ATM on Sundays, to last all week. This helps me actually see money going through my hands, not a pretty sight. It encourages me to save anywhere and everywhere I can. It's amazing how much more I save when I actually feel the green slipping through my fingers!

2. Accept that couponing takes time. It's worth it. This is the biggest reason people tell me they don't coupon - no time. But if you are struggling to make ends meet, you should have a lot of time so use it wisely. Your kids can help you clip coupons. If you can shave 30 percent to 50 percent off your grocery budget each week, isn't it worth the time?

3. Start small. Don't feel like you have to take couponing on all at once. Start with bottled beverages or dairy products and work your way from there. Soon, you'll be able to set up a system that works for you.

4. Carry your coupons with you. This is the second biggest reason people tell me they don't use coupons - "I left my coupons at home." Keep them in the car. That way, you are never without the chance to save some money.

5. Forget brand loyalty. If, for example, only one brand of deodorant works for you, stick with that brand. Other than that, use coupons.

6. Shop around. Don't just shop at one store. Compare prices using circulars from the paper. Many are also available online so there's no excuse not to know what's on sale where in your area.

7. Use the Internet. I needed a $30 prescription filled last month that was not covered by insurance. I searched a few local pharmacies online and found a coupon to receive a $25 gift card if I filled my prescription at that pharmacy. I paid $5 for a $30 scrip, and got $25 back!

8. Stack coupons. Example: tissue has a regular price of $2. Store has it on sale for $1.50. You have a coupon for 50 cents off. Store doubles coupon. You get $2 tissue for 50 cents after the store discount and doubled coupon.

9. Use rebates. Many manufacturers offer mail in rebates. We're used to them with electronics equipment, but grocery rebates are out there too. Often if you send in for the rebate, not only will you get a rebate check, but more coupons for the product too. Also, save your receipts for at least a month so you can take advantage of rebates on purchases of types of products as opposed to specific brands.

10. Communicate with your favorite brands online. If you like a product, e-mail them and tell them. They'll usually respond with coupons as a "thank you." Likewise, if you don't like something you purchased, take it back to the store and get your money back. Then e-mail the manufacturer about the issue. Again, they'll often respond with coupons for other products you might like.

Consumers Not Collecting Notebook Rebates

http://www.smarthouse.com.au/Home_Office/Notebooks_And_Tablets/E6R7J4U4

By David Richards | Wednesday | 09/04/2008

A bitter battle has broken out in the consumer notebook market with vendors slashing notebooks to sub $500. Some have resorted to offering $400 rebates knowing that less than 30% of consumers actually collect them.

Mark Whittard the General Manager of Toshiba Australia has said that consumers are gravitating to mainstream stores like OfficeWorks, JB Hi Fi, Harvey Norman to buy their cheap notebooks as opposed to supermarkets or BIG W stores. "Supermarkets and big discount stores want to sell the notebooks but are not structured to handle consumer service if anything goes wrong. We are now seeing really stripped down notebooks running Linux and Celeron chips going on sale. These are now starting to compete with a new generation of ultra mobile PC." He said.

He added "Several brands are now using rebates in an effort to win over consumers as they know that less than 30% of people who buy a rebated notebook actually collect their rebate cash. The discount battle is not however affecting the premium end of the market. It is growing the volume for notebooks and those consumers who are buying for a business and writing their purchase off on their tax are moving into premium products" he said.

Mail-in Rebates: How-to Guide

http://www.capitalistmaven.com/?p=51

A while back I posted about how I managed to get my TaxCut software free this year by using coupons and playing the rebate game. I’m happy to report that I successfully received checks for all 5 rebates I submitted. I addition I sold off all the software I wasn’t going to use on Ebay so I actually made a small profit on the deal.

It wasn’t entirely without problems, one of the rebates was initially denied saying “Missing proof of previous ownership” on the status tracking website www.rebateshq.com. This was for an upgrade rebate that requires a photocopy of the previous CD or first page of user manual. I had included my photocopy as I am very methodical about doing rebates. Fortunately the tracking site had a contact form that I filled out with the problem. About 48 hours later I received an email that the problem had been fixed. I suspect they automatically deny a certain percentage of rebates, assuming that people won’t notice or care enough to follow-up. It pays to stay on top of things.

So here’s my how-to guide for rebates:

1. Read the rebate form immediately to find the postmark due date and be sure to complete it before then.

2. Verify that the product you purchased has no defects, missing parts, etc, as you can’t return it once you cut up the box.

3. Check if the rebate has a website for electronic submission, as this is usually faster and less error prone even though in most cases you still have to print out the completed submission and mail it. Otherwise just fill out the paper form you received.

4. Cut out the necessary proof of purchase from the product package. I recommend using a small piece of tape to loosely attach it to the rebate form as you don’t want the human that is opening the envelopes to drop it on the floor and lose it…

5. Make photocopies or computer scans of everything you are submitting.

6. Address the envelope using the address on the rebate form, write it exactly as on the rebate form and double check it.

7. If the rebate is for a significant amount (I usually say greater than $50), strongly considering sending it certified mail. I’ve never missed a rebate because it was “lost in the mail” but I wouldn’t want to have that perfect record ruined on a $100 rebate.

8. If there is a website listed on the rebate for status, check your rebate status starting 2 weeks after you mail it. If you notice that one of your rebates has been denied, call or email immediately. I think they are more likely to fix it without hassle if you’ve proven to be on the ball by reporting the problem immediately.

Amazon Offers Mail-In "Instant Rebate"

http://consumerist.com/370800/amazon-offers-mail+in-instant-rebate

Two days ago, Shawn bought a video card from Amazon and was surprised when the advertised "Instant Rebate" wasn't applied to his shopping cart. Turns out, it's a mail-in rebate, sorry for the confusion. Unfortunately Amazon still hasn't corrected the error as of the timestamp on this post, despite assuring him two days ago that they'd remove the icon. Remember to always click the "Rebate" link to see the actual details of the offer—it's not listed on the main product page, and mistakes happen.

When Shawn wrote in to point out the problem, the CSR response was "We're sorry for the misunderstanding." Yesterday, Shawn wrote back:

There is no misunderstanding. You have a very misleading graphic on the page with the item that clearly states "Instant Rebate" to the left above the price on this page.

The actual graphic URL is http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/promotions/sticker/instant_rebate._V46918736_.gif

I called last night to inquire why the "Instant Rebate" was not taken off in my shopping cart. I was informed that the graphic is a mistake and it is a "Mail In Rebate" as you have explained again. I was assured repeatedly that the graphical error would be fixed by the marketing department as soon as possible to not mislead any more customers.

Now over 24 hours later I see sadly that this is not the case. I am dissatisfied by the lack of attention Amazon has paid to this matter.

It now seems possible this could be a deliberate misrepresentation, as all of the competing stores clearly state "Mail In Rebate" for this same item. People of course will be more compelled to purchase an item here on Amazon that states" Instant Rebate" to avoid the trouble of a "Mail In Rebate". They of course will find out though that they still have the trouble of a mail in rebate.

Amazon has really dropped the ball on this on. I am highly disappointed.

Now before any Amazon fanboys/stockholders start crying foul—we like Amazon too, but an uncorrected mistake is the same no matter where it appears, and we hope Amazon addresses this quickly. If Buy.com pulled this stunt, they'd be rightfully raked over the coals. Amazon has a lot more credibility on fair deals and customer service, but that's because things like this don't happen very often and are quickly resolved.

good example of a rebate form

http://ak.buy.com/buy_assets/retail/pdfs/08Q1/0201-0229dw-rg_50d-link.pdf

Name: __
Product/Description UPC Code Rebate
Offer valid February 1, 2008 through February 29, 2008. See below for details.
Address: __
E-mail Address: (Optional) __
City/State/Province: ___Zip/Postal Code: ___
This Mail-In Rebate is valid on purchases of the above listed products at Amazon.com, Buy.com, eCost.com, Newegg.com,
Provantage.com and Zipzoomfly.com between 02/01/08 and 02/29/08.
To qualify for this rebate, please make sure you complete ALL of the following steps:
1) Completely fill out this rebate form (PLEASE PRINT)
2) Include a copy of your dated sales receipt from the qualifying purchase.
3) Include the ORIGINAL UPC CODE cut from the box of the qualifying products. See below for Sample.
4) Mail ALL of the above required documents to:
D-Link Offer # DLC-11609
Etail Feb 2008 MIR’s
PO Box 650001
El Paso, TX 88565-0001
For questions regarding the status of your rebate, please visit http://www.web-rebates.com/dlink, or call (800)279-4763. Please allow 4 weeks before
checking the status of your rebate.
REBATE REQUESTS MUST BE POSTMARKED
WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE DATE OF PURCHASE
• Rebate forms sent directly to D-Link will not be honored
• Allow 8-10 weeks for processing
• Valid in USA only (including Alaska and Hawaii)
• One rebate per person/per product/per address
• Not valid with any other offer
• Promotion valid while quantities last
• Refurbished or Recertified products do not qualify
Mail-in Rebate Form
D-Link Offer #DLC-11609
We suggest you make a copy of all materials for your records.
Void where taxed, prohibited, or restricted by law. D-Link is not responsible for late or misdirected mail. Fraudulent submission of multiple requests could result in
federal prosecution under the U.S. Mail Fraud Statutes (18 USC. Sections 1341 and 1342). D-Link, MediaLounge and D-Link logo are trademarks or registered
trademarks of D-Link Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Copyright © 2008 D-Link Corporation, Inc. All rights reserved.
You must include the ORIGINAL UPC
CODE cut from the box. The UPC
Code can be found on the back of the
box in the bottom left corner.
Would you like to receive future communications via email from D-Link? Yes□ No□
DSM-320RD - Wireless Media Player 790069 270413 $50
DPH-50U - Skype USB Phone Adapter 790069 289743 $10

Home theaters, weight benches, PlayStations, laptops, rugs

Posted Feb 15 2008, 09:34 AM by Karen Datko

Filed under: Hot Deals

Rating:

Here are today's hot deals from partner blog dealnews.com:

Panasonic SC-PT750 1,000W 5.1 home theater system with HDMI for $199.97. With free shipping, that's $124 off last month's mention and the lowest total price we've seen by far.

Marcy Classic mid-size weight bench for $124.88. Shipping adds $35.97 or choose free in-store pickup. Even with shipping, that's $18 off last month's mention and the lowest total price we've seen.

Sony PlayStation 2 system bundle for $99.99. With free shipping, it's a $50 overnight drop and the lowest total price we've seen by $50.

Toshiba Satellite AMD Dual Core 1.8GHz 15-inch wide-screen laptop plus printer for $629.99. A $180 mail-in rebate cuts it to $449.99. With free shipping, that's the lowest total price we could find. Plus, get the Lexmark X2580 multifunction printer, which also scans and copies, for $0 via an $80 mail-in rebate.

Artworks Bountiful 5-by-8-foot rug for $13.49. Coupon code NEW3988 cuts it to $12.14. With $21.95 for shipping, that's $168 off list and the lowest total price we could find.

The Perfect Purchase: Best Time for Bargains

When it comes to making a pricey purchase, there are ways to save money, simply by waiting for the right time to buy it.

Cell phone

Gotta get your hands on that newest, latest cell phone? You might save money if you wait.

"A lot of times when new phones come out, usually after a month, (the price) will drop down on a special," said Steve Marshall, Sprint district manager.

Marshall shares more savings secrets: "New models come out quite often, and a lot of times, we'll discount the previous models, so if you don't have to have the newest and latest, you might be able to find a better deal."

If you're looking for that peak time of year for deep discounts on cell phones, cash in at Christmas time. That's when companies compete for your holiday shopping dollars.

"You might receive an additional mail-in rebate," Marshall said. "Or a lot of times, we'll have specials, like buy one, get one free."

Television

The same goes for TV's. There's a reason that electronics fly off the shelves during the holidays.

"During Christmas time, you're going to have great deals," said Adam Liebling, manager at Best Buy electronics store. "Discounts anywhere from ten percent off, to hundreds of dollars off."

But even waiting until after Christmas can score you a big bargain. "Kind of the big Superbowl time period of January is a great time to buy as well," said Liebling. "We have some great promotions with financing and some good discounted TVs."

Car

In the market for a new car? Try rolling into the dealership toward the end of the year, when car lots face crunch-time for meeting quotas and commissions.

"When it comes to that time, they'll do anything to make the car deal," said Maya Schacht with AAA Automotive Services. "They don't want you to leave."

Schacht says the best time to buy a car is during the months of August, September, or October. That's when current cars must clear out, to make space for newer-year models coming in. Besides slashing prices, some dealers might offer incentives, like maintenance plans or bonuses, to make the sale.

But a warning: this prime time for purchasing doesn't last long. "The longer you wait, the inventory just isn't that great," said Schacht. "And you will get stuck with whatever is out there, and usually it's the more expensive models, and you kind of take whatever color is available."

House

What about when it comes to perhaps the biggest purchase of your life?

"I think 2008 will be a great time to buy a house most anytime during the year," said John Strobeck, with Bright Future Consulting. Strobeck says it's a buyer's market. So if you are house-hunting, he says consider this: "You're probably going to get a better selection in the spring and fall than you will in the summertime."

That's because the summer is when families look to move into homes before their kids start the new school year. It's also when new winter visitors come flocking to Tucson to settle in for the season. So, avoid the summer, and you'll avoid extra competition over available homes."