This is a guest post by Marybeth who blogs at Baby Good Buys. She focuses on how to “save big on baby” and I encourage you to visit her blog.
Saving Money and Shopping Smart at Babies R Us
Babies R Us is one store where you can go to find absolutely everything for baby and a little something for mom, too! That’s also why their prices are higher than other mass merchandisers. Fortunately for us, there are a few ways to get some amazing deals at Babies R Us. Here are some tips to maximize your shopping at Babies R Us.
Sign up for the Rewards R Us rewards program: In addition to the $5 reward for every $150 you spend, there are several incentive programs for being a frequent buyer of certain products. For example, you’ll earn a free value box of Huggies or Pampers when you buy 9 value boxes of the same. You’ll also get a free can of Nestle Good Start formula when you buy 9 cans.
Get on the Babies R Us email and snail mail lists. You MUST have store coupons to save money at Babies R Us! In addition to signing up for Rewards R Us, go here to get on the email list, and call (800) 869-7787 and press option 6 to start receiving mail from Babies R Us. Babies R Us frequently sends out coupons via both email and snail mail. Make sure you’re getting both!
Stack your manufacturers coupons with store coupons and promotions! Babies R Us frequently has sales where you’ll receive a gift card for $5 or $10 when you buy 2 or 3 value boxes of name brand diapers. There will often be a Babies R Us coupon that you can use with that promotion. Throw in a manufacturer’s coupon for $1 off each box, and you’ve just saved several dollars. Even better, each value box of diapers that you buy will count towards your Rewards R Us incentive. Once you buy 9 boxes of either Huggies or Pampers, you’ll get a free value box of Pampers or Huggies. That’s like saving an additional 10% off after all your coupons and promotions! (If you are new to the concept of “coupon stacking” read more here)
Combine Store Coupons with In-Store promotions. Very recently, there was a store coupon to save $2 on a certain brand of sippy cups. The store had them on sale, buy 1, get 1 50% off. The 2-pack of cups ended up being just over $2 each. Not bad for name-brand feeding items!
Wait for a coupon to purchase big items. If you’re planning on buying a particular high chair, car seat or another big item from Babies R Us, check the latest batch of coupons that were mailed or emailed to you. Nearly every mailing contains a coupon for 15% off car seats, and you’ll usually find savings of 10-20% on most high chairs, monitors, play-yards and more!
Take advantage of price matching: Did you know Babies R Us recently started price matching? There are some fairly specific requirements, but you’ll definitely save money if you take advantage of it. Babies R Us stores (not BabiesRUs.com) will price match a competitor’s advertised prices on car seats, strollers, travel systems, high chairs, play-yards, swings, bouncers, bassinets, and entertainers. You’ll need to provide a valid and dated competitor ad with the better price. The store will also adjust the price of any product you buy there within 14 days if you find a better price. Unfortunately, if you have store coupons, the discount will be applied before the store considers a price match.
Bottom line: Know your prices. Isn’t this always the key to getting good deals? Comparison shop and and find the lowest price you can on the item you want to buy, then see if you can get it lower with an in-store promotion or coupon. Figure out your “stock up” price on items you frequently purchase, like diapers and wipes, then buy more than one package when you can find them for a bargain.
Sometimes being a smart shopper takes a bit of extra work, but it’s worth it at Babies R Us. If you watch your coupons, keep an eye on the sales and shop at the right time, you’ll end up saving a lot of money at Babies R Us!
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Thanks for the tips, Marybeth! Please visit her blog at Baby Good Buys for more money-saving tips!
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how do you know when they have the gift card promotion and they also had the $5 off mailer coupon plus I had manuf coupons? I have seen that once before and I loaded up on diapers, but I haven't seen the gift card promotion since. any idea how to know when they have that promo since it doesn't seem to be maield out.
Kelly emailed me this comment:"Heather, here is another savings from Babies R Us. If you are expecting, register on the baby registry. Even if it is not your first child, they do not care. In fact they encourage you to register even if it is not your first. Once you register, about 6 weeks before you deliver they send you a 10% off coupon for anything left on your list. You can use this coupon with other Babies R us coupons. I have a 3 year old and a 4 month old. I registered when I was expecting my 4 month old, so I could use my coupon on a double stroller. The stroller was $250.00, I used a 20% off one item coupon, and my 10% off and the stroller was $191.00. I do not remember if the coupon can be used on diapers. Also, when you register they give you a $5.00 of $25.00 coupon."