Monday, January 20, 2014

Couponing 101: CVS Store Guide

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There are many ways to save and even earn money while shopping at CVS. For those of you who are new to shopping at CVS, here are all the tips you will need to start saving today!

We will start with the Weekly Ads. You can get the Weekly Ad online, in front of the store or in your local Sunday paper. The Ad lists all sale items and items that will produce Extra Care Bucks and the quantity needed to earn them.

What are Extra Care Bucks (ECB)? These are dollars that you earn when making certain purchases and can be used on any future CVS purchase. Your ECBs will print out on your receipt so make sure to always check before throwing away your receipt. There are weekly and monthly ECB. You will also earn 2% back in ECB quarterly on your purchases which will print automatically at the end of the sales period.

You do not have to get all the items at the same time but will not earn the ECB until you fulfill the entire purchase.

In order to start earning ECBs, you need to have an Extra Care Card. You can get a card simply by asking a cashier for a form or by signing up online. If you fill out the form in-store, you will get your card to start saving immediately. However if you sign up online, it will take about a week to get your card in the mail. Remember to register your account online to receive special offers by email or in your mail box.

In addition to ECB, there is also CRT (cash register tape) coupons that print automatically on your receipt. You can also get these CRTs by scanning your Extra Care Card at the red price scanner (the magic coupon box we refer to) usually located in the front of the store. These are not listed in the Weekly Ad and just print randomly. These are pretty general, for instance, $2.00 off of Huggies Pull-ups and sometimes Freebies!

These CRTs are considered CVS Store coupons and can be combined with manufacturer’s coupons (MFC). This is called “Coupon Stacking” and here’s what it looks like:

Buy (1) Huggies Pull-ups Jumbo Pack @ $9.00
Use (1) $2.00 CRT
Use (1) $3.00 MFC
Total $4.00 after using both coupons

Making money at CVS can be very simple! Almost every week there is a promotion where you will earn the same amount of ECB that you spend.

For instance:

Colgate Toothpaste $2.99
Earn $2.99 ECB wyb 1
Use $1.00 off Manufacturer’s coupon
Total = $1.00 overage after coupon and ECB

Coupons

-CVS/pharmacy will not accept third party manufacturers’ coupons with another retailer’s logo
-CVS/pharmacy only accepts ExtraBucks Rewards applicable to the ExtraCare card offered at time of purchase.
-The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
-CVS/pharmacy will not accept percent off coupons for an item that is on sale
-In the event that any item’s price is less than the value of the coupon, CVS/pharmacy will only accept the coupon only to the price of the item. CVS/pharmacy does not provide cash back in exchange for any coupons.
-CVS/pharmacy accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable CVS/pharmacy coupon(s) per item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
-There is no limit to the number of ExtraBucks Rewards that may be used in a transaction as long as it does not exceed the transaction total.
-The number of manufacturer coupons used in a transaction may not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
-CVS/pharmacy accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.
-CVS/pharmacy accepts multiple Dollar off Transaction coupons (e.g. $3 off $15) in one transaction if they apply
-Two coupons may be used on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion as long as it does not exceed the item total
-Buy One, Get One Free promotions may be combined with Buy One, Get One Free Coupons. Customers are responsible for paying applicable tax

Email coupons - remember to sign up online to get these.

For example:

Max Factor Mascara $7.99 B1G1 Free
Use (2) $3.00 off MFC
Total = $1.99 for both

PLUS always remember to scan your card at the RED Coupon Machine in front of the store for additional savings!

*You can also download the CVS app!

As with anything, “practice makes perfect” so don’t be discouraged if you make a few mistakes. You’ll be shopping like a pro soon enough.

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