How Rainchecks Really Work (and Nine Stores That Still Offer Them)

You may have noticed how expensive life has been getting recently. Although inflation for things like groceries has cooled down since a tragic high of 13.5% a few years ago, prices are still a lot higher for a broad range of stuff-and will probably stay that way.

That's made bargain hunting, coupon clipping, and sales shopping crucial aspects of everyone's budget planning. But all the planning in the world falls flat if you can't actually get the sale items you're looking for. In other words, if a grocery store offers a great deal on one of your pantry staples, it doesn't do you any good if they're sold out when you get to the store; you have to either buy a higher-priced alternative or go home empty-handed. Unless you shop at stores that still offer rainchecks.

What's a raincheck?

The term raincheck" goes back to the late 19^th century, when baseball teams needed a way to reassure fans that they wouldn't lose the money they'd spent on tickets if the game was rained out. Rainchecks were handed out to fans, allowing them to attend a later game for no additional charge. The term is still widely used in that context, and has become a common phrase used any time you have to postpone or cancel a social event or other appointment.

In the retail world, rainchecks are issued when an item on sale is sold out. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued the Availability Rule" in 1989 that required grocery stores to have reasonable supplies of sales items. The rule is designed to prevent bait and switch" sales that lure you into the store with a low sale price and then try to force you to buy a more expensive option. The rule doesn't literally require that a store offer rainchecks, but rainchecks are often the easiest way for stores to avoid having a complaint lodged against them when a sales item runs out. Other retailers often have raincheck policies for non-grocery items as well.

There are some exceptions to the Availability Rule (and other retail stores can have their own unique raincheck policies). Typically, any sale item that is described as having limited supplies" is exempt (and the sales notice will usually specify that no rainchecks will be issued), as are clearance sale items that are discounted specifically to liquidate unwanted stock. And sale items that are delivered later, like furniture or appliances, typically never come with rainchecks.

Most raincheck policies give you around a month or two to redeem the sale price. So if you go to a grocery store because they have a specific brand of chips at a deep discount but they're sold out when you get there, you can get a raincheck (either physically or digitally) and return when the store has those chips back in stock and still get the sale price, even weeks later. Sometimes you can get an extension on a raincheck if you ask-a sort of raincheck for the raincheck. If you stick to stores that offer rainchecks, you can guarantee you'll always get the sale price.

Stores that still offer rainchecks

The key to leveraging the power of the raincheck, of course, is to focus your shopping on stores that offer them. For local stores, you'll need to contact the store directly to find out if they offer rainchecks and what their policies are. Some chains that have posted raincheck policies include:

• Albertsons/Safeway offers rainchecks on any item with a qualifying coupon that last for 90 days, so if you have a coupon to save $1 on cereal, you can get a raincheck for that buck if they're sold out.

• CVS will offer rainchecks on regularly carried merchandise" if no substitute is available. These rainchecks never expire.

• Best Buy offers rainchecks on some items for in-store purchase only (anything bought online isn't eligible).

• Hobby Lobby will offer rainchecks on specific items that go on sale.

• Sears stores may offer rainchecks, but you'll have to contact the specific location to find out.

• Target will give you a raincheck for sale items that are unavailable at a specific location. They last 30 to 45 days depending on where you live.

• Walgreens will issue 60-day rainchecks for in-store purchases only.

• Publix stores will offer rainchecks on items advertised outside the store at a reduced retail price." The raincheck is good for 30 days.

• Shop Rite offers 60-day rainchecks.

It's well worth finding out which stores in your area offer rainchecks, because they make it much easier to get bargains, even on popular items that sell out. It's a small advantage, but these days we all need every penny we can pinch.