In these tough times, if a store offers you hundreds of dollars in free groceries, it might sway your purchase decision. That’s what a lot of appliances and furniture stores have been offering shoppers to get them to buy lately. But as one woman learned, free groceries are not always what they seem.
Sandra Brooks thought she'd be filling this shopping cart with free groceries, but no such luck. She explained how she bought a new couch specifically because a furniture store promised $250 in free groceries.
"When I went in to buy the couch, he said if you buy this today, we will give you a deferred payment and $250 gift card."
But when she registered with
ClaimYourGroceries.com, she learned there was no $250 gift card coming. Instead she found only more costs.
"For every $100 of groceries I bought, and sent in the receipt, then I'd get a $25 gift card."
She says that’s not what she was promised.
"That’s another $1,000 I'd have to spend just to get the $250 gift card."
The Better Business Bureau gives
ClaimYourGroceries.com a C- rating, with more than 100 complaints about grocery vouchers that never arrived. The company says it's been swamped, and is trying to catch up with redemptions.
We contacted the furniture store, which told us it will make good with Sandra and any other unhappy customer.
But it's is an echo of the free gas promotions that left thousands of people frustrated last year - mailing in monthly receipts, then waiting and waiting for their gasoline rebates.
Our advice? If a store offers you free gas or groceries with a purchase, ask to see the fine print before you open your wallet. If its a real gift certificate, great! But if you'll have to jump through hoops to claim your award, you decide if its a case of Don’t Waste Your Money.
