I have these two rebate offer forms.
They are different forms for different products. One has a long expiration date, but the other expires at the end of this month, so I just planned to do them both at the same time. I’ve had it in the back of my mind for a couple of weeks. “Yeah, gotta do that. Need to get that done.”
I put it on my list; I put it off. I gathered my receipts and rebate forms and envelopes and address labels and stamps, and eventually I was finally ready to sit down and fill out the forms so I could mail them in for redemption.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten about the UPC codes. Both offers required proof of purchase from the packaging in addition to the original store receipt.
I had already recycled the packages.
Recycling is a good, admirable, commendable thing to do. It’s good for the planet; there’s no reason not to do a good thing like recycle.
However.
The UPC codes are not optional. I can’t enclose a note saying “I’m a good person who recycles” along with the rebate forms and receipts. Neither rebate requires me to recycle the packaging in order to receive a check. Maybe they assume I will naturally do the right thing and recycle the rest of the packaging after retrieving the UPC codes. It remains that I receive no credit for the rebates just for doing a good thing. The fact is, if I do not comply with the terms of the offers, the manufacturers will not redeem them.
Have you read the fine print? Do you know what’s offered, and what’s required for redemption?
“[Jesus Christ] came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:11-13
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” -John 3:16
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'” -John 14:6
“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…” -Acts 3:18-19
“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” -Romans 10:9-10
Don’t put it off. Don’t assume it’ll be easier or more convenient later. Redeem that offer.
