The only birthday cards I get are from retailers
Posted on May 30th, 2008 – 11:28 AMBy Kara McGuire
I’ve received three birthday greetings this week and my special day isn’t until the end of June.
What’s up? Well, looks like the rewards programs that I’ve signed up for at the Gap, Famous Footwear, and DSW send birthday coupons to be used during your birthday month.
Gap will give me $15 off my next purchase of $60 or more if I use my Gap credit card. DSW will give me $10 off my purchase of $24.95 or more. Famous Footwear will give me $5 for my purchase of $5 or more.
Can anyone say free socks?
As for the other coupons, I’m not sure if I’ll use them. What kind of birthday gift is it really to go to a store and spend your own money in order to use a coupon?
Until recently, I’ve ignored store loyalty programs to stores that I infrequently visit and said no to e-mail newsletters. They just junk up my mailbox and clutter my in-box.
But then I happened upon some blogs, or maybe it was a FatWallet forum, that expounded upon the merits of signing up for such programs. And I’ve decided it’s worth the extra mail for good coupons and freebies.
Coupons and deals are so frequent these days, even for mall-based stores, that I rarely buy stuff without one. And for those who think coupons aren’t worth more than a few cents here and a few cents there, it’s time for another look.
What birthday deals do you like? Know of anyplace where you get free stuff on your birthday, like maybe a free meal or free dessert?
13 Responses to "The only birthday cards I get are from retailers"
My birthday was this week and I got all the ones you did, but also free meal from Noodles & Co., BOGO Orange Julius, free burger from Red Robin, and free ice cream from Cold Stone.
At least they all give you a while to use them, like a week or month. Otherwise you might get sick from all the free food on your b-day!
Sign up at Noodles and Company and get a free meal when you sign up and a free meal on your birthday. Mmm.
I just saw a blog post about where to get a free meal on your birthday. Here’s the link: http://www.christiandebtforum.com/how-to-save-tips/places-to-hit-up-on-your-birthday/
Noodles also gives you buy one get one on the anniversary of signing up (my husband and I get two free meals in the next two weeks for this)
Caribou and Coldstone also have birthday deals…Caribou for a free drink on the day of your birthday, Coldstone I think is more flexible.
Victoria Secret will send $10 in your birthday month, too.
I have a separate email account set aside just for offers and ordering things online, because invariably you get notices of sales, new products, and other things, not just the free stuff.
I just received a birthday coupon from Macy’s, it’s good for $10.00 off of $30.00 or more spent. Hmmmmm…..I don’t really love the idea of being required to spend more than the amount given, although I’d probably find something pretty easily around $20.00.
I sort of appreciate any kind of gift. I know it’s not simply a thought from the giant retailers, just an enticement to help their bottom line, ha.
Famous Dave’s sends out a mystery coupon - depending on the code, it can be a free appetizer, free dessert, or even the $55 All-American-super-gigantico-feeds-at-least-six feast. Dave and Buster’s, Culver’s, and Buca di Beppo send out coupons for free stuff as well.
Red Robin gives you a free burger coupon to use within two weeks of your birthday.
I usually ignore anything that requires me to spend $$ to claim my birthday gift since it is a marketing ploy.
My birthday was a few weeks ago and these were what I got in my in-box:
$20 from Palominos (no purchase req)
free any size drink from Dunn Bros and Caribou(no purchase req)
free bottle of bath gel: Sephora(no purchase req)
$10 Victoria Secret gift card (purchase must be $10 or greater)
$10 Black House White House gift card
free dessert(with purchase): Buca di Peppo, Famous Dave’s, Biaggi’s
If you can help yourself from shopping while claiming your birthday gift in the store (which is what retailers want you to do), then it is sometimes worth it.
“Know of anyplace where you get free stuff on your birthday, like maybe a free meal or free dessert?”
This would have been far more useful 10 days ago. I will note that the feds came through, making for a very happy birthday: their $1500 check was the largest of them all.
Joe Sensor’s gives you a free meal on your birthday only. Cherokee Sirloin room gives you a free meal on Thursday of your birthday week. I think each place requires someone else to buy a meal to get the birthday meal free.
oh but those coupons always help me get some good deals with my birthday money!
Boy, do I feel cheap, but I just signed up for a few of these … Like Kara, my birthday is at the end of June and this is a timely topic! Thanks, all!
Timberlodge Steakhouse gives you $10 off your meal if you sign up and join the birthday club. And they will also give you free dessert when you mention it’s a special occasion when you’re at the restaurant. (That works for any celebration–anniversaries too!)
