More Retail Deals for Your Rebate Check - Old Navy, Circuit City, Lowe's and CVS

Here's yet another list of more retailers who want you to spend that tax rebate check. However, as the old saying goes, don't put all your eggs in one basket - same here, be careful of putting all your rebate check in one store. According to CBS online, "Plenty of retailers are offering special deals for rebate spending. Both Sears and Kroger, for example, are adding a 10% bonus when you turn your entire rebate into store gift cards. That's a great deal IF you were already planning on a big-ticket purchase there. But be wary of tying up your entire rebate in one store."

And the Seattle Post Intelligencer online also suggests that consumers read deals carefully to make sure there aren't any associated fees with getting a store gift card and if any products are excluded from the promotion. For example, RadioShack will let you convert only a part of your check and also requires that you put the remaining balance on a Vision Silver Prepaid MasterCard. After a little investigating, the Seattle Post Intelligencer found that these prepaid cards carry maintenance and other fees - Vision Silver charges a monthly service fee of $3.95, ATM balance inquiry fee of .95 cents, live agent fee of $1.95 per call and PIN decline fee of .45 cents.

As they say, always read the fine print!

Old Navy: I received an e-mail alert offering $10 off a purchase of $50, and $15 off a purchase of $75. You first have to go to the store to get your coupon from May 2-15 and then you can redeem it from May 27-June 5 (in-store purchases only). I'm not sure if you have to spend something first to get the coupon, but I'll report back since I have to go to Old Navy today anyway. **UPDATE**: In order to get this coupon, you need to first spend $50 or $75, then get a $10 or $15 coupon to use on your next visit. Not such a good deal to me, in my opinion!

Circuit City: Circuit City will accept stimulus checks as a form of payment, however, any remaining balance will be returned to shoppers as Circuit City gift cards. Again, check here if any additional rates apply.

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy: The company will convert the rebate checks into store gift cards worth up to $300, adding $30 on each card. Valid until July 31.

CVS Caremark Corp., is offering its loyalty card customers $5 off on a $30 purchase. (Source: Associated Press). I believe this was the one that was e-mailed this week - I already used mine!

Lowe's: Mailed an offer last Wednesday to its most active shoppers offering $10 off their next $50 purchase or $25 off their next $200 purchase when they turn their checks into its "project starter" cards. (Source: Associated Press)