CVS Deals Discussion - July '10

[freesia39]

ALL discussion about CVS deals, coupons, and promotions for the month will take place in this thread. Please do not start a new thread, as they will promptly be CLOSED and you will be directed to post in the new thread.

 

Welcome to the joys of CVS Shopping! Here are some quick details to help you out:

 

What is the CVS Extra Care Program?

The CVS Extra Care program is CVS’s shopping card. You can sign up for a card in store or online at https://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/registerextracare?LOGINMSG=XTRACAREMSG

With this card, you will have access to their weekly and monthly sale prices. If you do not present your card, you will not be given these sale prices or qualify for the Extra Care Bucks rewards.

 

The greatest benefit of this program is the Extra Care Bucks portion.

 

What is an Extra Care Bucks?

Every month, along with every week, CVS runs sales on particular items where if you buy that item, you will receive a coupon at the end of your receipt with Extra Care Bucks (aka ECBs) that you can use on your next purchase.

 

For example, let’s say Garnier Fructis shampoo is on sale for 2.99 with $2.00 in ECBs. This means you will have to pay the 2.99 upfront for the shampoo, but at the end of your receipt, you will receive a $2.00 ECB that you can use on a future purchase at CVS. It’s like you only paid $0.99 for a bottle of shampoo!

 

At the end of each quarter, CVS will also add up all your spending, and give you a rebate in ECBs based on your spending, which is 2% of the total amount. That’s EXTRA money just for buying items at CVS!

 

Can I use manufacturer’s coupons?

Certainly! Using the example above with the Garnier Fructis shampoo – there are regularly coupons for 1.00 off your purchase of one (1) bottle of their shampoo. The item will ring up at 2.99, then you can use your coupon for 1.00 off, so you wind up paying 1.99 for the item. You STILL get the $2.00 ECB reward – so it’s like getting it for free!

 

Wow! Can I do this over and over?

Unfortunately, there are limits to all the sales. Check the weekly ad and the monthly sales books for the limits. When we post the sales here, we will also list the limits.

 

Can I have more than one CVS card?

The answer in general is no. However, if you have access to another address/name/phone number, you may be able to get a second card.

 

What about prescriptions?

Whenever you fill a prescription, make sure the pharmacy scans your card! Each prescription is 0.50 in ECBs that will be paid out at the end of the quarter.

 

Can I use the ECBs I earn to pay for prescriptions?

Unfortunately, no. They can only be used on store purchases.

 

CVS and Coupons

CVS has a great coupon program. When you sign up for your card, make sure to check that you want CVS to email you coupons and offers. This will put you on their mailing list for future coupons!

 

Most of the CVS coupons are for a certain amount of dollars off a minimum dollar purchase. For example, to start, CVS will email you a coupon to save $4.00 on a $20.00 purchase.

 

When entering your store, look for the CVS card scanning/price checking machine. Scan your card upon entry every time for additional coupons and incentives! Sometimes it's 3.00/10.00 of CVS products, or something FREE!

 

Stacking coupons - I am sad to report the end of coupon stacking, but you can read the details below in the spoiler.

 

Please note, your store may have a different policy regarding the stacking of coupons. IN ADDITION CVS has not been issuing as many e-mail coupons as in the past. Most stacking has been done via CRT coupons, which are the coupons that are generated at the end of your CVS receipt, or from the card scanning machine (if your store has one.)

 

Always make sure you give the cashier your CVS card to scan before you get to the total and start handing over coupons to make sure you get any sale prices.

 

CVS will sometimes have coupons for $3 off a $15.00 purchase, or $2 off a $10.00. The theory regarding CVS purchases are:

Your PRETAX amount is 30.00. You have a coupon for $4 off $20.00, $3 off $15.00, or $2 off $10.00. Hand to the cashier the coupons in this order:

1. The $4 off $20.00 coupon

2. The $3 off $15.00

3. The $2 off 10.00

As long as your total is more than the amount on the coupon, you can keep using coupons.

 

NEXT, give them your manufacturer coupons.

 

FINALLY, give them your ECBs.

 

Hopefully by this point, your out of pocket (OOP) amount is a small number. It may not be at the start, but with constant shopping and deal searching, you’ll build up a good amount of ECBs to use on future purchases.

 

We have come across some stores that will not allow you to stack their money off coupons unless your total equals the amounts of the coupons. For example, if you want to use a $4 off $20 coupon along with a $3 off $15 coupon, some cashiers may say that your total must be $35.00 before you can use the coupon. This rule varies from store to store and from cashier to cashier. We cannot say that CVS will always stack, because the policies are always changing.

 

 

What do they do about B1G1 (buy one, get one free) coupons? I have 2 coupons for the B1G1 covergirl lip product. If I got 2 lip products and used the two coupons would I get both for free or do the B1G1 coupons ring stuff up for 1/2 price?

 

CVS rings up the first item at full price and the second item rings up free. So if you have a BOGO free coupon, you would get both items free.

 

PLEASE NOTE: YMMV (your mileage may vary.) Some stores may not process it, some cashiers may be confused, but in general, the above should happen.

 

 

How to use your ECBs

Please note that you cannot use your ECBs:

- on pharmacy co-pays

- on the purchase of gift cards

Also, ECBs are tied to YOUR card. You will not be able to use the ECBs that are earned by other people. You must also present your card in order to use your ECBs.

 

Please note that your ECBs do have an expiration date and to be mindful of it. If they do expire, you may be able to have customer service reactivate them. Please contact CVS customer service at 800-SHOP-CVS.

 

ECBs can only be used on the PRETAX amount of your purchase. If your pre-tax purchase is 3.99 and you only have a $4.00 ECB, you will not be able to use that ECB – you must use smaller denominations.

 

I bought something that comes with ECBs but it didn’t print out. What gives?!

Check to see if you had previously hit the limit on the offer. It will print on your receipt. Also make sure you bought the correct item or version of the product. If you had not hit the limit, please contact customer service at 800-SHOP-CVS and they will add it to your card to print the next time you are in store.

THE GROUND RULES:

1. Post your experiences shopping at CVS, the deal combos you have found, and the unmarked clearance/ECB deals you have found at your store. Also post your general location if you are comfortable.

2. Do not post links to non CVS authorized coupons. They will be edited out. Authentic CVS coupons come from cvs.com or are located at akamaitech.com.

3. Keep non CVS chatter to a minimum. This is first and foremost a deals discussion. Anything going too far off topic will be deleted.

 

If you have links to printable coupons for items on sale this week at CVS, also post those for others to share.

 

Play nice!

[freesia39]

Monthly Deals - July

The monthly deals now are called "Clip free coupons" Is this the end of the monthly free ECB deal in the monthly book?

 

 

Weekly Deals:

Check your Local CVS for your weekly deals, as the deals are regional:

http://cvs.shoplocal.com/cvs/default.aspx?citystatezip=%20ZIP%20Code

[txsupermom]

Anyone looking for curling irons, the CVS brands are ringing up 75% off. One store had 50% off signs up but they were ringing 75% off.

[txsupermom]

Also, check your Extra Care account. Extra bucks available today!! yippee!

[HansieDZ]

Also, check your Extra Care account. Extra bucks available today!! yippee!

Will do and thanks for the head's up!

I've been shopping at CVS alot lately.

[dollarstretcher]

Have to share nice clearance deal! I had bought a small pack of cvs brand baby wipes to keep in my car. It was marked 25% off. Went home and found that it rung up 75% off at $1.24 for 144 wipes! Went back that night to see if I could buy any more (hoping the sign was not corrected) and I was in luck- sign still read 25% off and I grabbed the last two packs. Then I went in the baby isle to see if any of the other clearance was wrong. Every item I scanned was really 75% off: the pacificers, the temple thermometer, the bottles, the bottle nipples, and my absolute favorite-- I use triple paste diaper ointment on my kids because they had VERY sensitive diaper rashes and this product is the best out there! Normally the lowest I can find it is at Target for around $17.xx. It scanned 75% off at CVS for $7.xx!! I could not believe it ! I had to buy the last four - for me, my sister, and my cousin! What a great find! I will be scanning items from now on. Does this happen often with CVS btw? Actual price being different from clearance advertised price?

[Rockfordmom]

Have to share nice clearance deal! I had bought a small pack of cvs brand baby wipes to keep in my car. It was marked 25% off. Went home and found that it rung up 75% off at $1.24 for 144 wipes! Went back that night to see if I could buy any more (hoping the sign was not corrected) and I was in luck- sign still read 25% off and I grabbed the last two packs. Then I went in the baby isle to see if any of the other clearance was wrong. Every item I scanned was really 75% off: the pacificers, the temple thermometer, the bottles, the bottle nipples, and my absolute favorite-- I use triple paste diaper ointment on my kids because they had VERY sensitive diaper rashes and this product is the best out there! Normally the lowest I can find it is at Target for around $17.xx. It scanned 75% off at CVS for $7.xx!! I could not believe it ! I had to buy the last four - for me, my sister, and my cousin! What a great find! I will be scanning items from now on. Does this happen often with CVS btw? Actual price being different from clearance advertised price?

Only when you're lucky! It happens once in a while and they usually fix the signs within a day or so, so whenever it happens and you think you might want more of something or to check the rest of the department, go back that same day or it might be gone.

[guardado4]

My CVS had Sally Hansen Natural Beauty lipstick and lipgloss at 75% off this week! Yay!

[freesia39]

Well I picked up the B&L Contact solution that is free after ECB. I figured it's a small enough size to leave in my office so that when my contacts pop out, I'm not just shoving them back in my eye and blinking rapidly for the next ten minutes.

[BFQueenofNY]

I was in CVS today and got a Showtime petite rotisserie oven at 75% off for 7.50. Also they have, I think it's 1st generation, WII Guitar Hero game and Guitar for $12.98.

 

The Manager said the stores are clearancing some promo items. I am in South Florida.

 

I would check, just in case :)

[MarkdownQueen]

I was in CVS today and got a Showtime petite rotisserie oven at 75% off for 7.50. Also they have, I think it's 1st generation, WII Guitar Hero game and Guitar for $12.98.

 

The Manager said the stores are clearancing some promo items. I am in South Florida.

 

I would check, just in case :)

Thanks! Good deals! I live in Wellington too!

[txsupermom]

I was in CVS today and got a Showtime petite rotisserie oven at 75% off for 7.50. Also they have, I think it's 1st generation, WII Guitar Hero game and Guitar for $12.98.

 

The Manager said the stores are clearancing some promo items. I am in South Florida.

 

I would check, just in case :)

Were the items marked or did you scan each one? I've got some ECBs to use up before next Wednesday. TIA

[southernchick]

The oral B pulsar toothbrushes(motorized) are 2/$5 this week. I got one for .50 last night with a $2 coupon from last week's paper...

[BFQueenofNY]

Were the items marked or did you scan each one? I've got some ECBs to use up before next Wednesday. TIA

I scanned each one

[Kayshar13]

not sure if its been posted but i went to CVS tonight and got Guitar Hero 3 bundle for $25 (could be $20 if you had a coupon the only one i had was expired)

[Gator Pam]

I found a couple of the smaller Showtime rotisseries at my CVS, but they're still at 50% off.

I already have the full size platinum version, so will take the chance and wait for 75% off.

Would love to have a more compact version for smaller jobs; or even to have both going at once if I have guests over.

[HansieDZ]

A question for more experienced CVS shoppers:

In your experience,will they accept manufacturer's coupons printed off other sites?

I have a $3 off Huggies diapers printed from the Target.com site and I want to take advantage of the good deal this week at CVS.

I'm just wondering whether to try it or not.

[Rockfordmom]

If the coupon is a Target coupon or says that it's only good at Target, CVS will not accept it. If it's a manufacturer coupon then they will take it.

[alexusrydr]

the box of Pampers is $21.99 get $10 ECB = $11.99

 

BUT with coupons:

$21.99 - $3 MQ from mailer - $4 Q from bottom of previous CVS receipt if buy any diapers & any wipes + $1.50 for travel-sized wipes -$10 ECB you're going to get = $6.49

 

And ad says limit 1 but receipt says limit 2

[Sarasuzymama]

I have found at two different stores in the last two days that there is a LOT of cold/flu medicine clearanced at 75% off. Triaminic, Sudafed, CVS brand...TONS of kids and adults cold medicine. I have been checking expiration dates and most are 2011, so over a year from now.

 

At one store I saw a Vicks warm mist humidifier for $4.99 (75% off). So check your stores...I'd like to think we'll never use the stuff I bought b/c we won't be sick at all this winter but I know better than that!

[AndreaInNC]

The photo book is back this week for free after ECB .. we just got back from vacay - so perfect timing for me!

[tinkrbel]

silly question, ECB's show up immediately on receipt or at the end of a quarter?

[Rockfordmom]

immediately at the bottom of your receipt

[freesia39]

Quick run through this morning:

 

U by Kotex: 4.99 (4.99 in ECB back, essentially free)

Opti-Free Contact Lens Solution: 14.99 (5.00 in ECB back) (Woohoo! I actually use this one!)

 

- 1.00 Kotex Coupon (here http://www.ubykotex.com/get_coupons/overview)

- 4.00 Opti-Free Coupon (This past Sunday's paper)

- 2.99 ECB

- 3.50 ECB

 

OOP 11.10, got 9.99 back.

 

Now, does anyone know if the Aveeno deal with print out if I hit 19.99? I've managed it before at 14.96, but I haven't done this in a while. I can't find a good combination that doesn't send me seriously over. I love the shampoo, but three shampoos at 6.49 is at 19.50!

[txsupermom]

Now, does anyone know if the Aveeno deal with print out if I hit 19.99? I've managed it before at 14.96, but I haven't done this in a while. I can't find a good combination that doesn't send me seriously over. I love the shampoo, but three shampoos at 6.49 is at 19.50!

Mine never print out if I'm one cent under (drives me mad too), but the cashiers usually will force it if I'm that close.

[tinkrbel]

immediately at the bottom of your receipt

thanks, I'm not sure why I thought they were accumulated and printed out later

[AndreaInNC]

Mine never print out if I'm one cent under (drives me mad too), but the cashiers usually will force it if I'm that close.

I've called customer service and ranted about this before and they have adjusted my total and then the ECBs will print out the next time I shop.

 

Like when they run the spend $10 and get back XX in ECB, then they drop the price of the item to 1.99, when the shelf price is normally 2.00

[freesia39]

thanks, I'm not sure why I thought they were accumulated and printed out later

Your quarterly earning ECBs print on the first day of the new quarter - so every 1/1, 4/1, 7/1 and 10/1 it's quarterly earnings YAY day!

[AndreaInNC]

This might be new .. I got a save $3 off my purchase the week of my birthday this year! What a nice treat - no minimum purchase was required. Used it with $1 off Kotex, got it for $1.14 and got $4.99 back in ECB. Thank you CVS!

[HansieDZ]

This might be new .. I got a save $3 off my purchase the week of my birthday this year! What a nice treat - no minimum purchase was required. Used it with $1 off Kotex, got it for $1.14 and got $4.99 back in ECB. Thank you CVS!

What a nice surprise! How did they know it was your birthday week?

And Happy Birthday!