Picture this: you spot an incredible sale on your favorite shampoo brand at Walgreens. But when you get to the store, you find the shelf empty. The hot deal drew a crowd and now the item is sold out. What can you do? Will Walgreens give you a rain check so you can still get that low sale price later?
The answer is YES – Walgreens does offer rain checks in most cases when a sale item is out of stock. But there are a few important details and restrictions to be aware of. In this post, we‘ll explain everything you need to know about Walgreens‘ rain check policy so you can make the most of those great deals without missing out.
What Are Rain Checks and Why Do Stores Offer Them?
First, let‘s cover some quick background. A rain check is basically an IOU from a retailer. If an advertised sale item sells out during the promotional period, the store will give you a voucher called a "rain check" to purchase that product later at the sale price once it‘s back in stock.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, stores are not legally required to provide rain checks. However, many retailers voluntarily offer them as a courtesy to shoppers. Rain checks help create goodwill with customers and show the store stands behind its advertised deals.
Walgreens‘ Official Rain Check Policy
Now let‘s dive into the specifics of Walgreens‘ rain check practices. The drugstore chain‘s corporate customer service site states the following:
"Walgreens offers a 30 day rain check on items featured in the current weekly ad or a monthly savings booklet when the item is out of stock. There is a limit of 4 for non-Rewards items and 2 for Rewards items per customer for the duration of the ad/booklet."
So in most cases, if you request a rain check for an out-of-stock sale item at Walgreens, you will receive a voucher to purchase that product at the advertised price within the next 30 days. The main exclusion is that rain checks are not offered on Register Rewards or Balance Rewards deals.
How to Get a Rain Check at Walgreens
If you encounter an empty shelf for an advertised special at Walgreens, simply bring the weekly flyer to the customer service desk or speak to a manager. Let them know you‘d like a rain check for the sold out sale item.
Be prepared to provide the following information:
- A description of the product (brand, size, variety, etc.)
- The advertised sale price
- The dates of the promotional period
- How many units you want (up to the 4 or 2 item limit)
The employee will then fill out a rain check voucher for you with those details. Hang onto that slip of paper, as you‘ll need it to claim your discounted items later.
Redeeming Walgreens Rain Checks
Walgreens rain checks are valid for 30 days from the date issued. This gives the store time to restock the inventory of the high-demand items.
Keep an eye out over the next month for your desired product to show up on shelves again. When it does, simply bring your rain check to the register along with the items you wish to purchase. The cashier will honor the sale price from your voucher.
It‘s important to note that you must redeem your rain check within that 30 day window. After that, the voucher expires and can no longer be used. So if you have a rain check, be sure to pay attention to the deadline and use it before it‘s too late!
What If Walgreens Doesn‘t Restock the Item?
In some cases, even after issuing a rain check, Walgreens may have trouble getting more of a particular item back on shelves. Certain hot products may be backordered or discontinued.
If this happens, Walgreens will typically allow you to substitute a similar item of the same brand at the rain check price. For example, if you have a rain check for a specific variety of Pantene shampoo that remains out of stock, you could likely select a different Pantene shampoo variety at the same price point.
Of course, substitutions are at the discretion of store management. It‘s always worth asking about this option if your rain checked item never gets restocked. A manager may be willing to work with you to find an alternative solution.
How Walgreens Compares to Other Retailers
Now that we‘ve covered the ins and outs of Walgreens‘ rain check policy, let‘s see how it stacks up against some other major retailers:
CVS: This drugstore rival also offers 30-day rain checks on most advertised items, with similar exclusions for ExtraBucks Rewards deals. Their policy largely mirrors Walgreens.
Rite Aid: Another major pharmacy chain, Rite Aid likewise provides 30-day rain checks when sale items are sold out. The main difference is they will substitute a comparable product if the rain checked item doesn‘t get restocked within 30 days.
Target: The bullseye retailer‘s rain check policy varies by state. In general, Target offers 45-day rain checks (a bit longer than drugstores). However, in certain states they do not provide rain checks at all.
Walmart: The low-price leader does NOT offer rain checks anymore, as of 2016. If a sale item is gone, you‘re out of luck.
Costco: The members-only warehouse club does not provide rain checks.
As you can see, Walgreens‘ 30-day rain check policy is fairly standard among drugstores. But it‘s more generous than some of the biggest big box stores, which have moved away from rain checks in recent years.
Other Ways to Save at Walgreens
While rain checks are great for scoring sold-out deals, there are plenty of other ways to save at Walgreens even when a hot item is in stock. Here are a few tips:
Join Balance Rewards: Walgreens‘ free loyalty program allows you to earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts. You‘ll also get access to exclusive member promotions and perks.
Clip Digital Coupons: Load paperless coupons to your Balance Rewards account online or in the Walgreens app. These can be combined with weekly sales for even bigger savings.
Look for Register Rewards: These are special promotions (often featured in the weekly ad) that print a coupon for money off your next purchase when you buy certain items. You can then use that Register Reward on a future transaction.
Check the Clearance Section: Most Walgreens stores have a designated clearance area where you can find discounted items at 25-75% off. It‘s worth regularly checking to see what turns up!
Use Cash Back Apps: File your Walgreens receipts with cash back programs like Ibotta or Fetch Rewards to earn points or money back on featured products. It‘s an easy way to compound your savings.
Final Thoughts
Rain checks are a handy tool to ensure you don‘t miss out on an amazing advertised sale at Walgreens, even if the product sells out. By understanding the drugstore chain‘s policy, you can confidently request rain checks when needed and redeem them successfully to get those great deals.
Of course, rain checks aren‘t the only way to save money at Walgreens. By stacking store promos with coupons, clearance finds, and cash back offers, savvy shoppers can keep even more dollars in their pockets. Use a combination of smart strategies (including rain checks when necessary) to maximize your savings every time you visit Walgreens.
Happy deal hunting!
