Here is what I found for an official definition for raincheck: A seller’s commitment to sell and out-of-stock item at the advertised price as soon as it becomes available.

For the most part, I have a pretty laid back attitude about sales & deals. If I miss out on a deal, there will be others. But occasionally it does pay to get a raincheck. For one, maybe it’s an item that you have coupons for to make it free, or even a moneymaker, particularly if it’s an item you use.

Or, you can use rainchecks strategically. Let’s say it’s an item that there are frequently coupons out for that item, just not currently. And you know that more likely than not, these coupons will come out again and that the item would be free, if only you had the coupon. Well, go to the store near the end of the sale, and hope that they are out of the item. If they are out of the item, ask for a raincheck. Hold on to the raincheck and redeem it when you have the coupons.

The success of something like this varies by store and their raincheck policy. CVS, for example, has no expiration date on rainchecks. It even says so right on the rainchecks. I have rainchecks from there dating back to 2007. I’ve had the opportunities to redeem them, I just forget. Some stores are not as generous and only give you 30 or 60 days. Usually the store just has to be out of one variety or flavor of that particular item, in order to request a raincheck. Another suggestion to use them strategically is that they make hot items for trading. So if you need another hot item, such as formula checks, get rainchecks just for the sole purpose of trading or auctioning.

I don’t know what the Walgreens policy is anymore for rainchecks, I used to know. But they have a hot diaper deal this week. Max out on the sizes you need, then ask for a raincheck. You can always use a raincheck for cheap diapers!

In any event, in most cases, if you’re at the store already why not just ask for the raincheck? You never know when it may come in handy.