Reading Your Receipts Can Really Pay Off

Do you ever read the receipts you get after you buy something? I mean really read the stuff at the bottom of your receipt below the purchase total? Many stores used to use that space to print their return policies. These days, they are making it worth our while to read further down and are willing to reward us for giving our feedback about their products, services, food or whatever they sell.

I admit that I’m not a big survey taker, but I’m willing to give Starbucks a few minutes of my time for a guaranteed free beverage. I don’t go to Starbucks often, but three times in the last year I have been randomly selected to fill out an online survey in exchange for a free tall beverage. When I finished the survey, I received a validation code that I had to write on my previous receipt and bring back to Starbucks. Each time, my tall drink was upgraded to a grande free of charge.

I have friends who have received free cookies from Subway, free fries from various fast food establishments and more. Stores like Target, Home Depot and Wal-mart frequently have offers on their receipts for a chance to win thousands of dollars in store gift cards for completing an online survey. Obviously there’s no guarantee you’ll win, but one thing is for sure. You certainly  have no chance of winning if you don’t enter the sweepstakes, fill out the online survey or do whatever else they are asking you to do in exchange for a chance to earn something free. Is a possible $5,000 Target gift card worth a few minutes of your time? That’s like getting a year’s worth of groceries free. If you shop there often, that’s more opportunities to possibly win.

Here’s what I do. I have a basket by my computer where I keep my receipts. When I have a spare minute, I grab my stack of these kinds of receipts. Often, the survey will tell you upfront how long it should take you. If it’s just a minute or two, I’m usually in. If it’s five minutes or more, I generally shut the survey down and throw the receipt away. I am impatient by nature, and I lose interest in any survey much longer than that. You may be different, depending on what’s at stake.

Take a look at your receipt next time you buy something or eat out – anywhere -- and see if there’s an opportunity to earn something free. Just pay attention to the date. Many require that you leave feedback within a certain time frame.