Circuit City's "free after rebate" deals

[millervt]

Each week CC seems to have one or more free (or nearly free) after rebate items, usually in the computer area. This week they have 30 CDRs for free, and a web cam for $5. Often these are legitimately good deals, but (at least in my CC) they tend to sell out immediately, so if you can't drive there immediately, you are out of luck.

One solution is to order these from their national warehouses via the web site and have them shipped to you, but if you are only trying to take advantage of these deals (and not buy something else at the same time), the S&H make them less of a good deal.

Another solution is to check the store frequently, since they may reorder the item, but spending hours on the phone or driving makes these a poor deal as well.

One solution is to see if the item is shown "in stock" for your local CC store on the web site and use "express pickup" as your delivery method. Basically it lets you reserve the item at your local store and pick it up at your leisure. This lets you check stock availability at any time, in particular sunday morning when the new specials take effect, place an order then, and pick them up later. (note: I've found that they may or may not actually set aside inventory. They may be out when you show up to pick it up. If so, use this to negotiate - ask for something else of higher value).

Second, note that "normal" items can be special ordered from the store, and if you pay for them up front, you can get them at the special price/rebate, and they will call you when they come in.

Hope this helps people take advantage of these deals...

[Marina]

One time I really wanted the web-cams CC was offering that came out to FREE with rebate. **The store had run out!**
So the clerk special-ordered two cams for me. If you pay the entire amount up-front, you will have a receipt within the specified time period that the rebate requires.
(you know, usually a rebate will say "good for purchases between 12/1-12/15). Then they call you when the item has arrived, and you send in the rebates with the UPCs.
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one more great thing about CC: in their pick-up/delivery area, they have TONS of bubble-wrap they will give you for free if you ask real nice. When they get their inventory, they unwrap all the TVs, VCRs, etc. and are stuck with tons of leftover bubble-wrap.

[stoned99]

My last experience with the express buy process, ended up wasting 1hr of my time. They had not pulled the item from the shelf. So when I got there later that evening they had no more items in stock.

I would have to say, only bother with this deal if you can make it to the store immediatly.

[DarthVader]

At least, that is my impression. Everytime I buy something for free or just for tax money, they are happy to sell it to me, when out of stock though, I must ask for a Raincheck, and they send me a card and have the product with my name waiting on the storage room.

Also, they always honor the free offers from the raincheck date because they show up when you pay for the items.

The store is not close to my house, but when I call to check for the status of stock or backorders, they always get me the right info. Hooray for their customer service.

Now, your neck of the woods may be a different story...

[millervt]

They've been out of my "express pickup" item both times as well. But I use it to my advantage by requesting something to compensate me for my time. As long as I'm going by them anyway (i've secured the right to the rebate by paying via express pickup already) it isn't a big inconvenience. I just have them special order me the item and throw in something extra for the inconvenience they've caused me!