CVS Tips
Here are some tips to help you as you get started shopping at CVS with your ECBs to get the most bang for your buck.
1. If you are new to drugstoring, start small. Start with one or two items.
2. Pick the item that has the lowest OOP expense with the most ECB value. Purchase that one first. Use the ECBs from that one to pay for your second transaction. This is called “rolling”.
3. Before you check out, group items together. Get all of your “transaction #1” items together with their coupons, then all of the “transaction #2” items and coupons together, and so on. It takes less time at the register and is much less stressful than trying to figure it all out at the register (and you are more likely to make a mistake and throw off all of your transaction scenarios).
4. It definitely helps to go to CVS soon after the ad starts. That way, if you have made your “transaction scenarios” in advance, they will have everything you need. If they do not, get everything else, then go somewhere in the store out of the way and figure out your new scenarios using tip #2. Remember that you want to pay for your merchandise with CVS’s cash, not yours! Plan your scenarios accordingly. (And remember, if they are out of whatever you are looking for, get a raincheck. You will be able to get that item at that price when they get it back in stock, AND you will still earn the applicable ECBs, even if the sale is over!).
5. It is often a good idea to LEAVE with ECBs in your pocket. It is tempting to get as much free stuff as possible, but if you spend them just to spend them, you will have to pay more OOP when the next sale starts. If you have ECBs the next time you come into the store, it makes that shopping trip so much more fun (and inexpensive!). It is always great to start your trip with ECBs.
6. If you are paying for your transaction with ECBs, but the value of your ECBs are worth more than the item you are buying, get something else as well for that overage to apply to. CVS will not give you back ECB “change”. If you have $5 in ECBs and your purchase is only $3, get something else small that you need (or want) to make up the difference. Don’t throw that free money away when it could be a free product!
7. Always remember to be polite to your cashier and the people behind you. If you have a lot of coupons and a lot of transactions, and a lot of people behind you, step to the end of the line when you finish your first transaction. This is a great witness to other people. If there is a problem with your coupons, be polite about it. It is always handy to have a copy of their policy with you (which is not online, but if you email the company, they will email you a policy).
8. CVS’s website also has printable store coupons!
1. If you are new to drugstoring, start small. Start with one or two items.
2. Pick the item that has the lowest OOP expense with the most ECB value. Purchase that one first. Use the ECBs from that one to pay for your second transaction. This is called “rolling”.
3. Before you check out, group items together. Get all of your “transaction #1” items together with their coupons, then all of the “transaction #2” items and coupons together, and so on. It takes less time at the register and is much less stressful than trying to figure it all out at the register (and you are more likely to make a mistake and throw off all of your transaction scenarios).
4. It definitely helps to go to CVS soon after the ad starts. That way, if you have made your “transaction scenarios” in advance, they will have everything you need. If they do not, get everything else, then go somewhere in the store out of the way and figure out your new scenarios using tip #2. Remember that you want to pay for your merchandise with CVS’s cash, not yours! Plan your scenarios accordingly. (And remember, if they are out of whatever you are looking for, get a raincheck. You will be able to get that item at that price when they get it back in stock, AND you will still earn the applicable ECBs, even if the sale is over!).
5. It is often a good idea to LEAVE with ECBs in your pocket. It is tempting to get as much free stuff as possible, but if you spend them just to spend them, you will have to pay more OOP when the next sale starts. If you have ECBs the next time you come into the store, it makes that shopping trip so much more fun (and inexpensive!). It is always great to start your trip with ECBs.
6. If you are paying for your transaction with ECBs, but the value of your ECBs are worth more than the item you are buying, get something else as well for that overage to apply to. CVS will not give you back ECB “change”. If you have $5 in ECBs and your purchase is only $3, get something else small that you need (or want) to make up the difference. Don’t throw that free money away when it could be a free product!
7. Always remember to be polite to your cashier and the people behind you. If you have a lot of coupons and a lot of transactions, and a lot of people behind you, step to the end of the line when you finish your first transaction. This is a great witness to other people. If there is a problem with your coupons, be polite about it. It is always handy to have a copy of their policy with you (which is not online, but if you email the company, they will email you a policy).
8. CVS’s website also has printable store coupons!
