$900 worth of items for $350 plus tax

[travel-mum]

About five years ago my partner and I bought a flat screen TV. When sales people start talking about extended warranties, we usually just zone them out. We think it’s just a money grab. But this time we paid attention. It seems that Sears (and also the Brick) have a coupon they will give you at the end of the warranty period that is valued at the price of the extended warranty, if you didn’t use it. In other words, if you purchased a five year warranty for $350 like we did, and didn’t use the warranty, then at the end of the five years they will give you a coupon for $350 to be used in their stores. There are a number of conditions, however, including the fact that the coupon is only valid for 90 days after the warranty has expired AND you have to spend twice the amount of the coupon to be able to use it. So we would get a coupon for $350, but we would have to spend $700 to use it.

I keep a day planner, so at the end of every year for the past five years I’ve made a note about that warranty expiry date.

So here we are, five years later. But where is the original receipt? Luckily I am a smart canuck, and I always tape the receipt to the back or the bottom of the item I purchased, in case we need to find it later.

So I called Sears, arranged to get the coupon, and now I have it in my hot little hands. So how to use it?

First, my coupon was valid during the after-Christmas sales at Sears, so I scouted out the sale prices.

Second, I went home and looked at what really needed replacing, or may need replacing in the very near future.

Third, I planned my attack. I knew I had to spend a certain amount, so I calculated it out so that I didn’t spend too little, and I didn’t spend too much.

So finally, with list in hand, I went back to the store. I knew exactly what I wanted and how much it cost. It included some birthday and anniversary gifts, as well as clothing we really needed and a major appliance.

So in the end with the great sale prices and the coupon, I purchased $900 worth of items and I spent $350 plus tax. So I saved about $550. Not bad!

So pay attention to opportunities that you might not even know existed.

Keep track of your purchase receipts.

And plan your shopping to maximize your purchasing potential.

[Kwala]

Great brag. We have something like that for the washer dryer we purchased from Sears couple of years ago. Still have few more years to go and would have to look for the receipt now. Didn't know we had to spend double the amount though.

[amira84]

Wow. Thank you so much for posting your brag. You ARE a smart canuck. And your smartness paid you big numbers!

I am going to borrow some of your smartness. Keep receipts and warranties of the products together. And keep a planner/calendar for long term planning/warranties.

[terry2144]

Wow what a great offer! This is a great example of something I would completely overlook. I'm impressed constantly by the wisdom. You sound so organized. I'm horrible with paperwork and receipts. Right now I have a banker box and a bag that I need to sort out. Great idea to tape the receipt under the item...so simple.

[CrazyQT]

Very well done!

[d.ot]

Great tips all around, thanks for sharing

[Arvilish]

Niiice...am I the only one protesting to see your pic of your great savings

[Purdee]

nicely done!! we had the same warranty on our TV from Vision but we had to use it to fix our TV. I think it's not a bad idea to purchase warranties for big items.

[joandstef]

Wow had no idea! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to check the fine print on the extended warranties we have.

[ticul]

Thank you for the info. Great brag and thank you for sharing.....................

[SavvyLady]

Great deals!! I already used mine, mine expired Dec. 31,2014.. So I went on New Years Eve, I already posted about it, so I won't go into details..but I'm like you, I don't usual buy warranties but when I bought a snow blower 3 years ago at Sears they said the warranty was $200.00 but if you don't use it I would get a gift card for $200.00( yes, they told me a gift card!! Not spend $400 to get the $200!!!). Fast forward 3 years later I called for my gift card, they said it was a coupon when you spend $400 you get $200.00 off..needless to say I wasn't too happy!! I forget the exact amount but I ended up buying a $700 lawn mower, it was on sale for $240, plus a comforter that was reg. $240.00, the manager gave it to me for $99.00, so I had $240 +$99.00 plus a bunch of other things that came to $402 less the $200. So for a little over $200 dollars I got a lawn mower, comforter set. Etc..It ended up being a great deal!!

[torontogal12]

Excellent brag and advice. You are a SMART canuck

[Lavender Lady]

Fabulous planning--love it. Thanks for sharing.

[Britanica]

Now if only I get get your deal on airline tickets... LOL
You got a nice deal there!

[travel-mum]

Now if only I get get your deal on airline tickets... LOL
You got a nice deal there!

Actually we did get a deal on airline tickets for our trip for our 40th wedding anniversary. We only paid $475 (just taxes and fees) for both of us to fly to Nashville! That was thanks to aeroplan miles.