Go HERE to get the coupon policy for CVS. CVS does not have their official coupon policy available, but there are some answers to basic questions on this page. (Thanks to thekrazycouponlady!)
This weeks circular here (set to Mission Viejo) there are coupons you can print as well!
(Visit iheartcvs.com for some great ideas and scenarios!)
How to shop at CVS
Before you start- Sign up for the CVS reward card! (ExtraCare Card)
Different Types of Coupons from CVS
WHAT’S AN ECB?
ECB stands for Extra Care Buck- now referred to only as “Extra Bucks” ECBs print according to the store’s weekly or monthly advertised deals. When you make a qualifying purchase, you receive the coordinating ECB value as advertised. ECBs are similar to catalinas or register rewards, but they print directly onto the bottom of your receipt.
The best way to use these is to "roll them" into other ECB deals. If you are just starting out, the best way to do it is by buying something that is free after ECB. For example if a Venus razor was on sale for $7.99, with $7.99 back in ECB, you could take those $7.99 ECB and use it towards something else that gives you ECB (let's say Dove Body Wash $7.99, receive $4 ECB) in a new transaction and pay NOTHING out of pocket, and then receive more ECB. Then use those $4 ECB and buy MORE items that give you ECB, etc. The object of the "game" (rolling) is to pay the least out of pocket (OOP) as possible.
Can I dig through the waste basket at CVS to find more ECBs?
No! ECBs are tied to your Extra Care card. They will only be valid when used in conjunction with your card. If you and your husband each have a card, you’ll have to keep the ECBs separate for the two cards. (If you forget your Extra Care Card, you may use your phone number)
In a ’spend $20 on participating products get $10 back’ promo, do I have to spend the $20 all at once?
No! This is one thing that makes CVS unique. You can spend $5 on participating products on Monday and then $15 on Thursday at another CVS location and you will receive your ECBs on the bottom of your second receipt. You only must spend the required amount during the promotional period. If it’s a month long ECB, you can shop in little bits all month long!
If I buy participating product in 3 different promos all in one transaction will my ECBs print separately or will I get one larger ECB with the total value from all 3 promos?
You will receive 3 different ECBs and on each ECB will read the promo from which it was earned. CVS receipts can get very long with all the ECBs, CRTs and Purchase-Based Coupons. You’ll have to go home and clip them apart!
**If an ECB promo doesn’t ‘limit 1′ the rules change. If you participate in a spend $15, get $5 ECBs (without a limit) and you spend $45, you will receive one ECB for $15**
May I use my ECBs on the current transaction?
No, you won’t even receive your ECBs until after you’ve already paid. Save your ECBs from one transaction and use them on the next. Or roll them from week to week.
May use a $4 ECB on a $2.99 product?
Yes, but you will lose the $1.01 difference. Try to pay with total ECBs just under the total out of pocket.
When do ECBs expire?
4 weeks after printed. . . exactly. If you make a purchase at 9:00 am, and four weeks later you shop at 2:00 pm, in order to use your ECB before it expires, the cash register will beep at you. Your cashier will then look at the expiration date and do a manual override, but now you know you can expect the beep if you’re shopping on day your ECB expires.
WHAT’S A CRT?
CRT stands for Cash Register Tape. CRTs print at the bottom of your receipt and are generated based on your purchasing history (seemingly random).
ECBs are like a gift card, CRTs are like a coupon.
Some CVS stores have ExtraCare kiosks where you can scan your card and print coupons prior to shopping- I have scored some great coupons this way!
I just registered for my CVS card I didn’t receive any CRTs on my first receipt! Why not?
The computer will take a little while to recognize you and begin printing CRTs. Just be patient, soon they’ll come!
When do CRTs expire?
Generally 4 weeks after printed.
WHAT IS A PURCHASE BASED OR $/$$ COUPON?
Purchase-Based coupons specify a dollar amount off a minimum dollar future purchase.
Some common values:
$2 off $10
$3 off $15
$4 off $20
$5 off $30
$10 off $50
$15 off $75
Purchase based coupons print at the end of your receipt with your ECBs and CRTs.
Can I use a $4/$20 and a $2/10 on one $30+ purchase?
No, you may divide into two transactions but you cannot use more than one purchase-based coupon per transaction.
Fine Print Reads: Limit of one purchase-based coupon, I.E., $4 off $20 purchase, per transaction.
When do purchase based coupons expire?
Generally 2 weeks after printed
Checkout Order:
1. Scan Extra Care Card
2. CVS Purchase Based coupons (Ex: $4 off $20 minimum purchase)
3. CVS Store Coupons (In-ad coupons or CRTs)
4. Manufacturer Coupons
5. ECB’s
Walgreens
Walgreens does not have an official coupon policy (kind of annoying- but you can go HERE to see some FAQ's from a cashiers standpoint.)
Contacts:
Call: 877-250-5823 or
Corporate Customer Service 847-914-2500 (thanks iheartwags!)
This weeks circular here (set to Mission Viejo) there are coupons you can print too!
(Visit iheartwags.com for some great ideas and scenarios!)
How to shop at Walgreens
Walgreens does not have a loyalty/rewards card- so coupons are key!
In Ad Coupons:
When you flip through the pages of a Walgreens circular, you will see many “in-ad” coupons. These are store coupons that typically set the price of the item- and will usually impose a limit to the number you can buy. These coupons will come out in the Sunday Paper and will be good through the following Saturday. It is Walgreen’s policy to allow you to use a store coupon in conjunction with a manufacturer coupon on one item.
Register Reward Program:
Walgreen’s has a “Catalina” program called Register Rewards. A Register Reward is a coupon that prints after you make a qualifying purchase. It is typically good for “X” amount off of your next transaction. Pictured below is what the ad will look like in the Walgreen’s Circular. When you buy the advertised item, after paying, you will receive a coupon (Register Reward) to use on your next purchase. You can make this a “money maker” buy using manufacturer coupons as well.
True North Nut Crisps or Clusters $3.00
Buy 1, Earn a $3 Register Reward
Use the $1.00/1 – True North Product – (truenorthsnacks.com)
Pay $2.00 Out of Pocket, and receive the $3.00 Register Reward.
Register Reward FAQ
Q: Will more than one register reward print out on the same transaction (buy 2 different products that each have a register reward)?
A: If you buy two (or more) DIFFERENT register reward items in one transaction, one reward will print for each different product that you have. However, if you buy two of the SAME item, only one Register Reward will print. So, if you are wanting to buy 2 of the Same product to trigger a Register Reward, do separate transactions.
Q. Can I use the RR that I received from item “X” to buy the same item “X”
A: This is known as “rolling” Catalina’s and can not be done, if you want another Register Reward to print. To best way to get around this, and keep your out of pocket expense low, is to find 2 different products that trigger the same value Register Reward and alternate buying those items in separate transaction, paying for the 2nd transaction with the first register reward, and so forth.
Q. Can I buy 1 item, and use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 Register Reward Coupon to pay?
A. At Walgreen’s their registers will not allow you to have more coupons than items. If you have 1 item that you are buying, and you are paying with 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 Register Reward, you will need to add a “filler” item. This applies to all coupons. If you have in-ad coupons, manufacturer coupons and Register Rewards- just do a quick count of items and coupons. Make sure that you have at least one more item than you do coupons. Look for a clearanced item, pack of gum, individual caramel or Sunday newspaper to add as a filler item.
In Store Coupon Booklets:
Walgreen’s is also known for their in store coupon booklets. One that they almost always have is the Children’s Activity Booklet (see example to the right). They are available for purchase for $.99 and can usually be found in the pharmacy- I have even found them in the toy aisle with the coloring books! Inside are store coupons that will usually have a total value of around $20. Also keep your your eye out for other seasonal coupon booklets- usually at the front by the entrance.Remember the Order:
Here is the best order to hand the cashier your coupons. This way will allow for any possible overage:
1.Manufacturer Coupons
2. Walgreen’s In-Ad Coupons
3. Register Rewards
This order works especially well in a scenario like this:
{BUY 2} Dentyne Gum Regular Price $1.00 each
-Manufacturer coupon for Buy 1, Get 1 FREE (or -$1.00)
-Walgreen’s In Ad Coupon for 2/$1 (or-$1.00)
Final Price: FREE
Here’s what it would look like if you gave them the in-ad coupon first:
{BUY 2} Dentyne Gum Regular Price $1.00 each
-Walgreen’s In Ad Coupon for 2/$1 (or-$1.00)
-Manufacturer coupon for Buy 1, Get 1 FREE (or -$.50)
Final Price: $.50
Rite Aid
Go HERE to see Rite Aids coupon policy- print it (the following link will bring up a pdf file) and take it with you when you shop! You will come across a cashier (or even manager) who does not know the store policy!
How to shop at Rite Aid
The best deals at Rite Aid utilize the Single Check Rebate (SCR) system. Instead of receiving Register Rewards like Walgreens, or Extra Bucks like CVS, which can only be used in the store, Rite Aid sends you a monthly check for the total of all your rebates purchased during that month. You can cash the check as you would any other check.
Do I have to clip UPC codes and mail in my receipts to get rebates?
NO! I am a rebate cynic and I think rebates are often not worth my time! Rite Aid’s program is as easy as they come! When I get home from the store, I log in to my Rite aid account and fill out four boxes- store #, register #, transaction # and date. That’s it! If you prefer, you may keep all your receipts until the end of the month and enter them all at once.
How do I know which Items have rebates?
Every month, Rite Aid offers rebates on different items. You can find them in the weekly store ad– the price will read $5.99 product, 2.99 after “Single Check Rebate”. The entire list for the month is available at riteaid.rebateplus.com
What is the offer period for rebates? Are they valid from the 1st-31st of the month?
NO! The above link to RiteAid.Rebateplus will tell you the exact offer period. It is not a calendar month. In August 2009, the rebate period is July 26th-August 29th.
How long does it take to get your rebate in the mail?
You may request your check once per month. Make sure to wait until the end of the month, or you won’t be able to take advantage of other SCR offers. You’ll receive your check within a week of your request. It’s mailed to you and looks like a post card.
Do I have to have a store loyalty card for Rite Aid?
NO! You simply sign up with a username and password from RiteAid.com. You don’t need to sign up before you shop. If you’re new, you can go ahead and shop and then come home and sign up.
How many rebates can I submit? When an item is “Free after Rebate” may I buy 20 of them?
NO! SCRs are usually limit one per household. I submit multiple rebates, but for different addresses. I have my mom and my grandma’s explicit permission to shop Rite Aid deals for them. Rebates are mailed in their name to their house. Sometimes I give them the items and sometimes I keep them. They cash the rebate checks for me and give me the money. You cannot submit more than one rebate per household.
Rite Aid has Store Coupons which can be ’stacked’ with a manufacturer coupon, meaning you may use two coupons on one product, as long as one is a store coupon and the other a manufacturer. Store Coupons can be found in the weekly ads and printable coupons.
The Rite Aid Coupons in my weekly ad say “manufacturer coupon” but they’re valid only at Rite Aid. Are these really manufacturer coupons?
Often times, these coupons say manufacturer but are coded as a store coupon (first two letters are RC) I am waiting on corporate for a confirmation on whether or not these are truly manufacturer or store coupons. Rite Aid is kind of a dying company–though I hope they pull through– and it’s hard to get definitive answers. If anyone else has info on this topic, I’d love to know.
Do you really “make money” at Rite Aid?
YES! Usually each week, Rite Aid advertises items that are “Free after Rebate”, they call them Frebates! Lask week Bausch and Lomb contact solution was $9.99 with a $9.99 rebate. I printed a $2.00 off coupon, so I paid $7.99 out of pocket and will receive the full $9.99 rebate. That is what I call a “moneymaker”. You still pay out of pocket, but your rebate check can exceed your out of pocket expense.
**TIP** If you think it sounds fun, take your first month’s Rebate Check and buy a gift card to Rite Aid. This will help you see just how much money you’re saving because you’ll never have to pay cash again!
I have a $5 off $25 printed coupon. Is the $25 minimum purchase before or after coupons?
Spend $25 before coupons! These $5 off coupons are a sure way to make money. Last week, I purchased nearly all items that were ‘Free after Rebate, FAR’ and my subtotal was $26.26. I FIRST handed over my $5 off $25 purchase coupon, then I used about 8 dollars off in manufacturer coupons. I paid $13 out of pocket and will receive rebates for $23.00, so I made $10.00!
My Rite Aid never stocks for their rebate items and they’re always out of stock by the time I get there! Is there anything I can do?
YES! Rite Aid offers Rain Checks for rebate items! Here’s how you make Rain Checks work:
Ask the cashier for a raincheck.
Cut out the weekly ad that gives price and rebate info and keep it with your rain check.
Rain check expires in 30 days (if your item hasn’t been restocked, you can get another rain check as long as you take it back in within 30 days)
When you redeem your raincheck, the picture from the weekly ad will help you and your cashier. Make sure your receipt prints the word “raincheck”; you’ll need this to submit for rebate.
If you purchase outside the offer period, the automated SCR program online won’t recognize your receipt for the rebate, so you have to mail or fax it in.
Mail to:
Riteaid Single Check Rebates
PO Box 8340
Wilmington, DE 19803
Fax to: 1-800-457-2243
Include your username, full name, address and contact info. Also include the rebate number, which month the SCR was offered and the dollar amount owed to you. Wait for your account to show the rebate credit. You may have to call or email, rebates@riteaid.com, follow up.
*Thanks to thekrazycouponlady for this valuable information!
