Kroger offers 10% Bang for Your Economic Stimulus Buck

Posted on | April 17, 2008 |

As a follow-up to this morning’s post about offers put forth by Sears and Kroger, I have good news.  Kroger will not only accommodate those of us who expect to receive their stimulus as a direct deposit rather than as a physical check, they’re going to make participation easier and less complicated than Sears.

Here’s the email response I received from Kroger Corporate Communications contact Meghan Glynn:

Hi Elizabeth,
     Customers who do not have a hard copy of their government-issued checks may still take advantage of this offer with cash, a credit card or by presenting a valid personal check to the Customer Service center. Kroger Gift cards do not expire.  Bonus amounts cannot be used toward the purchase of alcohol, lottery tickets, pharmaceuticals or tobacco products.

     Amounts that differ from those outlined above will be turned into gift cards in $300.00, $600.00 or $1,200.00 increments with the bonus amounts added on and the remainder returned to the customer.  For example, if a customer has a tax refund or stimulus check of $415.50, the customer will receive a Kroger gift card valued at $330.00 and the remaining $115.50 will be returned to the customer.

My interpretation of Meghan’s reply is that once the program officially starts on May 2, 2008, anyone wishing to participate can purchase either $300, $600, or $1,200 worth of Kroger gift cards and receive a card valuing either $330, $660, or $1,320.   Apparently no proof of their actual stimulus check will be required.

I suppose that some of the fine print will put off a couple of people considering Kroger’s deal but it certainly won’t affect us.  In addition to the exclusions Meghan listed above — alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets (of which we don’t partake) and pharmaceuticals (which we do buy on occasion) — the program, which runs only through July 31, 2008, “is limited to one offer per household with a limit of $1,200.00.”

I haven’t discussed this latest development with The Husband yet but I can’t imagine he’ll object to earning a quick and easy 10% bonus on his grocery money.  Stay tuned and I’m sure you’ll hear more about what we decide to do with our government stimulus check.

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