CVS & Walgreens

[relishme]

Newbie here! I'm slowly absorbing all the good info posted here and I'm understanding the game much better now and realize the savings potential. I previously was a WM shopper who used coupons from time to time, and now I realize how much savings my local grocery store offers me while using the list.

My question is mostly about CVS. I understand the Walgreen's Easy Saver Catalog (I've been shopping at Walgreen's for years), but I'm having trouble understanding how the CVS system works.

Can someone please explain (in a nutshell) how the CVS thing works? I've never shopped there because I always thought they were too expensive, but after reading some of the posts, I'm very eager to start getting the "free" stuff, but I just don't understand the basics.:eek:

Thanks very much for your time! I actually love grocery shopping now (I used to hate it!).

[trenthamfamily]

First make sure you get their card and the keychain card in case you lose the big one. That's most important. That should always be scanned first unlike grocery stores that can do it later.

Everyone gets the free stuff by using the Extra Care Bucks promotion. This has been a crazy month so far with the ECB's but normally you'll get one or two things here and there on your list that you can get $$$ back on or just free.

When you buy something that you should be getting back an ECB for you won't get it right away, you have to wait 48 hours then the next time you run in to CVS with your card and buy something it prints out at the end of your receipt. People normally get gum or some $.50 item to get the receipt printed out. then you use it like a coupon AFTER you hand them your card, have the items rung up and then coupons entered. Use it as part of your payment. I made the mistake of giving them my ECB with coupons adn they scanned that first! Ouch.

You don't get money or credit back so for example I have a $50 ECB in my purse now. I was going to get about $22 worth of stuff the other night but would have lost the rest of the ECB value. Nuh uh lol. I'm waiting til I can get $50 of stuff.

Also other people will use their ECB's to get even more ECB's. It's all greek until you do it!

[idreamof316]

Christina explained the ECBs pretty well. I want to add my 2 cents...I find ECBs work better than rebating. Two months in a roll I bought stuff at Walgreens and didn't send in the rebates. I find in my area CVS & Walgreen's prices are very competative. I shop both but I mainly do clearance items only at Walgreens. You will have to try both to see what works best for you. Good luck!

[Admin Juleslian]

Relishme, WELCOME!!!

Christina has guided you well. It's the rolling over of those Extracare bucks that makes the CVS shopping experience so darned fun. You buy stuff initially, but if you use the ECBs you get to buy other items that generate ECBs, (that's rolling), then you can stretch your bucks a mile! I never shopped CVS before it was a list store--never even went in one! I'm blushing to admit I've been there every day this week and will continue until Sat.

It's a sickness, I tell you!

Read your Game Rules, follow the advice of these awesome old pros and you'll be loving that CVS List in no time.

thanks for joining our community--we're glad to have you here!

[Admin Juleslian]

Idream and I were posting simultaneously--great point. I love the instantaneous, no fuss, no muss ECB money back. You can't lose anything in the mail. Love it!

[relishme]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! Ya'll cleared me up on how the system works - never knew the reward was so quick & printed on my receipt.

I'll be heading out to give it a whirl in a few days....I wish I had read all the Message Boards BEFORE my free trial period ended....I never even looked at the CVS list so now I'll have to add it to my lists. :confused:

Anyway, thanks again for all the feedback. I never thought I'd say this, but I actually look forward to grocery shopping now! I used to hate it, put it off, order take out instead of going shopping, but now it's a game & quickly becoming addictive (in a good way!). :D

[Admin TiggerTeddie]

relishme, http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/9.gif

And I would add that when you are checking out those ECBs - don't forget to look for CRT (Cash Register Tape) coupons!! CVS also has a lot of those TOO!! The best are the $3/off $15 or $4/off $20 - gotta love that!!

[quicksand]

HI RELISHME,
All Well Said!! I love CVS but have done the rebates at Walgreens as well.
I too live in League City, as do a couple of other GG's. There are a couple in Pasadena, Texas City, Dickinson, and Friendswood. What part of LC are you in? I am in Bay Colony!
Keep in touch!
Sandy

[AZ.twinmom]

I'm curious about trying CVS too. I've been doing W.G's for awhile now and don't mind the rebate stuff. My problem is you're saying you need to make addtitional trips to get the Q's thats what I don't have time for. I unfortunately can only get out to do my shopping 1 or maybe 2 days a wk. so would CVS work for me?

[Megmul]

I only shop once a week. I go to CVS and use my ECB's from two weeks ago. Then on my receipt, the ECBs I earned last week print. So now I have those to use next week.

You can definately do it with one trip per week!

[twiggylou]

In a normal month, I'd stop in at CVS 1x a week. However, this month has been crazy!! I've been stopping way more often.

I love CVS!!


TL

[kaclimer]

My daughter and I shop every Tuesday. We make our rounds to CVS and Kroger. Occasionally we add Albertson's, Walgreens and Tom Thumb. I have done pretty well with ECB's shopping just once a week. My daughter has done even better. It is soooooo worth it!!!

Kim

[relishme]

Well, I made my first trip to CVS today and, yes, I'm now hooked!!!

First, I had to get my Extra Care card and the lady at my CVS was so nice in explaining all the benefits involved. I found everything on my list, and walked out of the store with a 71% savings in total (including ECB's). Yep, I'm hooked!

Thanks to all who cheered me on.....this game is just so much fun!