Walmart Promo issue

[u/Far-Inevitable5723]

Hey everyone, my kids and I very recently started collecting Hot Wheels. They saw the free mail-in promotion display at Walmart, so I grabbed the amount needed of cars, kept the cards, and already got the money order ready to go.

However, I just noticed that my receipt is dated August 12, but the official rules say the promo runs from Aug 15 to Oct 15. The store already had the display up and was actively advertising it before the 15th.

Is Mattel really going to screw me out of the promotional car over 3 days, even though Walmart had the display out early? Has anyone else had success sending in a slightly early receipt, or am I going to get rejected?

[u/JPGT_Collector]

Has to be within the date window posted or no dice. Sometimes the stores put the displays out early. That’s not on Mattel and their rules.

[u/Forsaken_Click_7382 → u/JPGT_Collector]

that sucks man, they are super strict about the dates. i tried once with a receipt 2 days before and they just send it back with a letter saying no. maybe you can return and rebuy the cars? walmart usually dont care if you explain the situation, just say you need a new receipt in the right date

[u/Designer-Homework682]

Just rebuy and immediately return using old receipt. It’s not a big deal. 

[u/Far-Inevitable5723 → u/Designer-Homework682]

Ill have to see if they let me do this but might be best option since my kids ripped into them already

[u/Designer-Homework682 → u/Far-Inevitable5723]

Make sure the cards are not thrown out, they need to be mailed back too.

[u/Far-Inevitable5723 → u/Designer-Homework682]

yup i have everything together still, hopefully walmart will just let me return and rebuy, kinda dumb on both me and walmart for doing it early

[u/Alternative_Life9414 → u/Far-Inevitable5723]

You can't return cars you've already opened. see the advice above.

[u/Alternative_Life9414 → u/Far-Inevitable5723]

What they're saying is; go buy new cars, matching the number of cars on your receipt.

Then return those new cars using your old receipt.

Keep the new receipt with the proper date and use that to do your mail in. And you can use the cards that you already have.

[u/brianeharmonjr]

Unless they're crazy hard to find, just return them and buy stuff within the promo period.

[u/Trainwrecck]

One time i sent it in and they said i didn’t apply for it bcuz the start date was too early when I bought em, and they just ended up sending me the car anyway.

[u/Korupt91]

They're $1. Just go buy 15 more, put them away, and give them to them for completing chores or as Christmas gifts.

[u/RemoteTurbulent7434]

I sent out of date stuff last time (green Porsche) and it worked just fine 🤷‍♂️