Stores compete for rebate bucks
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Looking to stretch your money? Businesses across the area are competing with deals that could make your federal stimulus check go farther.
Only 21 percent of the 130 million American households receiving a rebate are expected to spend the money, according to a CNN survey.
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Ben Terrill pushes a cart of groceries with Evan Terrill, 2, in front to his car at Kroger Marketplace Tuesday, April 29, on Towne Boulevard in Middletown. Kroger, along with other businesses, is offering an incentive program to encourge taxpayers to spend their economic stimulus checks at their stores.
Dannie Grigg of Middletown shops at the Middletown Kroger Marketplace on Tuesday, April 29. Kroger is offering an extra $30 for each $300 spent on a gift card.
Get latest headlines via RSS feedsWhat the stores say:
• Kroger stores will add 10 percent to the value of rebate checks when customers use them in $300 increments via store gift cards.
• Cub Foods grocery stores will redeem rebates, adding an additional 10 percent for each $300 redeemed.
• Wal-Mart will let shoppers cash their federal stimulus checks for free at its stores and offer additional discounts on groceries over the next several weeks.
• Home Depot is asking customers to spend the checks on environmentally friendly items. It's offering special values on energy-efficient products such as light bulbs and home appliances.
"This effort will help turn a short-term stimulus into a long-term investment by saving consumers money over time through reduced electric bills and energy costs," said spokeswoman Jean Niemi.
• Staples has small business promotions including no interest or payments for six months or 10 percent off select purchases.
• Sony is offering $400 discounts on certain HD-TVs.
• Radio Shack is offer a 10 percent discount with a purchase of $50 or more through July 12.
• Sears will give customers an additional 10 percent if customers spend their entire check on a gift card for Sears, Kmart or Lands' End stores.
• Circuit City is offering sales on computers, video recorders and TVs.
• Best Buy will have discounts on digital cameras, iPods and cell phones.
Where's my rebate?
Whether you are receiving the rebate by direct deposit or paper check the last two digits of your Social Security number will determine when your return will be sent. The rebates will be mailed by the following dates:
Direct Deposit Payment
Social Security number Rebate sent between
00 - 20 4/28 - 5/2
21 - 75 5/3 - 5/9
76 - 99 5/10 - 5/16
Paper Check
Social Security number Rebate sent between
00 - 09 5/16
10 - 18 5/17 - 5/23
19 - 25 5/24 - 5/30
26 - 38 5/31 - 6/6
39 - 51 6/7 - 6/13
52 - 63 6/14 - 6/20
64 - 75 6/21 - 6/27
76 - 87 6/28 - 7/4
88 - 99 7/5 - 7/11
Source: IRS
