What Is a Raincheck at the Grocery Store & How To Use Them?

Learn the ins and outs of grocery store rainchecks! Learn what they are, how to get one, and the best ways to use them when advertised items are out of stock.

Simply put, a raincheck is the store’s promise to honor a sale price later when an advertised item is out of stock. Think of it as a guarantee that you won’t miss out on a deal just because you weren’t there first.

Rainchecks let you lock in discounted prices on your favorite items once they’re restocked, giving you extra leverage to save. At the same time, stores benefit because you’re likely to return and while you’re there, you might pick up a few extra items. In my experience, knowing how to use rainchecks during promotions can save you hundreds of dollars over a year.

How to Ask for a Rain Check

If you face a depleted shelf during a sale, seek out an employee of the store and express your desire for a rain check.

1. Identify the Out-of-Stock Item: Ensure the item is indeed unavailable.
2. Ask: Politely ask cashier or store manager for a rain check.
3. Provide Details: Be ready to give information like the sale price, quantity desired, and product details.
4. Check Out the Terms: Inquire about the expiration date and any limitations. For instance, Publix offers rain checks for items advertised in their weekly ads, but they must be redeemed within 30 days.

PRO TIP: Rain checks usually cover sale prices, not special promotions.

The Best Grocery Stores and Retailers Offering Rainchecks

Many well-known chain grocery stores and retailers are known for offering a rain check to their customers when items are out of stock. Some of these include:

Target

Has a more restrictive policy, issuing rain checks only for certain items and with limited validity.

Kroger

Kroger doesn’t have an official, company-wide rain check policy, so whether a rain check is issued is generally up to the discretion of the store manager. This means that some locations may provide rain checks for out-of-stock sale items, while others may not, depending on local policies and management decisions. It’s important to note that rain checks are not accepted for Pickup or Delivery orders.

Publix

Offers rain checks for advertised sale items, valid for 30 days, with specific limitations on quantity and exclusions.

Albertsons & Safeway

Part of the Albertsons Companies, Safeway stores commonly provide rainchecks on sale items that run out of stock. These rain checks allow you to purchase the item at the sale price once it's back in stock.

CVS Pharmacy

Allows rain checks for out-of-stock items, including those with store coupons, and still honors ExtraBucks promotions..

Walgreens

Walgreens offers rain checks for out-of-stock sale items, but they’re only available in-store and are valid for 60 days. Unfortunately, Walgreens Register Rewards typically aren’t included with rain checks

Stores That Typically Do Not Offer Rain Checks

These stores may only offer substitute products or other compensation instead:

• Walmart
• Costco
• Aldi
• Trader Joe's
• Lidl
• Sam's Club
• Whole Foods Market

Do Grocery Store Rainchecks Expire?

Yes, grocery store rainchecks typically come with an expiration date. The duration can vary depending on the store's policy, but it's common for rainchecks to be valid for 30 to 60 days from the date of issuance. It's important to check the specific terms and conditions listed on the raincheck itself.

The Unavailability Rule: The FTC's Rules on Rain Checks - It's A Good Thing! 

The Unavailability Rule from the Federal Trade Commission provides a safeguard, allowing you to receive either a rain check, an alternative product, or some other compensation if sale items are out of stock. Retailers must comply with this rule and provide one of these FTC-mandated solutions.