Can a price be placed on loyalty? Retailers certainly seem to think so - and many are happy to reward consumers for their repeat business with freebies, exclusive deals and prizes. For savvy customers who know to ask, there’s a gold mine of free stuff to be had, but one day, in particular, holds the potential for great savings - your birthday!
It’s Your Party And You’ll Save If You Want To
Many retailers have a special gift offer reserved for customer birthdays. These gifts can range from discounts and coupons, free items, event tickets, food and beverages, and more. If you play your cards right, it’s possible to dine free of charge on your birthday, and score oodles of free swag to boot - it just takes a little organization. Steven Zussimo, blogger and co-founder of the popular coupon and savings resource Grocery Alerts has also penned the ultimate guide to birthday freebies. The Free Stuff in Canada e-book can be downloaded free of charge at Grocery Alerts, and organizes participating merchants by province. Check out his tips for getting the most from special birthday offers.
Know the Process
Some retailers require consumers to subscribe to an email newsletter or acquire a membership in order to be eligible for birthday freebies, while others simply reward those who show up in store with their i.d. Zussimo says, “I recommend subscribing in advance of your birthday (at least a few months) to make sure that the coupons arrive in your email.”
Make Your Wish List
Zussimo says over 180 freebie offers were located for the first edition of his e-book, and that has increased to 217 in the second edition. He adds the first step to planning your day is to do a little recon: “ I recommend doing a search at your favourite retailer's website for the words, 'birthday' to see if they have a birthday program,” he says.
Make Your Birthday Last All Week
There’s no need to cram the collection of freebies into one day - many free offers are available in the weeks before and after your special day. Zussimo suggests compiling a list of the offers that you are interested in to determine what needs to be redeemed on the actual day, and those with more flexible expiry.
Read The Fine Print On Your Feeding Frenzy
Looking to kick off your day with Denny’s fabled free birthday Grand Slam breakfast and eat your way up from there? While many eateries offer free meals or treats, be sure you’re aware of any restrictions before the cheque arrives. Zussimo adds that some restaurants require a minimum number of diners to qualify for free food, and some deals may only apply to specific menu items.
It’s OUR Birthday - But You Get the Gifts
To celebrate, we’ve got several exclusive offers and special rates up for grabs. So join the party - these great offers last until May 31!
