CVS: I'll just never get it

[acidcookie]

There are certain things in life I have accepted that I'm just incapable of learning/remembering, such as writing javascript. One of these is the CVS system. I know how it works in theory, but I can't implement it. I've read about how to get started on every board I can find, have seen countless examples, have tried to work it out with the weekly ads, but every time I go into CVS and see a shampoo that costs twice what it does at Target or a deal on something I just don't need (air freshener?) I just lose all understanding of how this is supposed to help me.

Some people know they are tone deaf and no matter how hard they try to sing, it's just not their talent. CVS is just not my talent.

[Frugal Nurse]

Customers
Verses
Sales

I haven't really liked the CVS system either.
It's computerized to print you out a receipt for something you just purchased and won't be purchasing within the short time period of the coupon.

Good for you! for noticing the prices are double from elsewhere.

For me, personally, I prefer to use simple products and I don't need all that... handsoap pump, hand lotion, fancy shampoo, make-up etc, etc. even at a deep discount. But, I have been known to use the $3 CVS bucks to buy a couple of chocolate bars! LOL!

The other thing I have a little problem with- is.. they keep a running tally of what you buy. My name, my address (and I can't remember what else they collected). It's forever in their system to know that I also purchased a presciption for.. say..... an STD medication. LOL! hypothetical of course! But you get the point.

Privacy.

[Marie78]

Rite Aid has a simpler system, that I can understand. I go in and I only buy the Free After Rebate items and I submit my receipt(s) at the end of the month and I get my money back. It's an added bonus for me when I have a coupon for one of their Free After Rebate item, because then I have essentially made money on the deal. In the last couple of months I have picked up Free After Rebate: (1)shampoo, (1) toothpaste, (2)toothbrushes, (1) package pantiliners, (1) deodorant, (1) bodywash (for fiance). It's not a huge stockpile, but it's free and it helps us save money. It amounts to about one free item a week and of course I can usually find a coupon for the free item, making a few dollars a month I can apply towards our grocery budget. It also helps that I have a Rite Aid right down the street from me .

The checks I get in the mail each month I cash and keep in an envelope to purchase more free after rebate items. My mind can figure this system out and if I ever don't need or can't use a free after rebate item, I am positive I have a friend or family member that could use the free product. I just discipline myself so that when I go into Rite Aid I only buy the item that will be free. Most of the time I can find a better price on their other merchandise in a different store, especially since I use lots of store brands .

[POOTERSMOMMY]

I also understand it, but can't bare the thought of spending 2x or more on items. (I know you are supposed to get money back)

How long do you think it's going to take CVS, Walgreens, and others to realize they aren't making as much as they could be? I'll be willing to bet that these programs won't last much longer - now that people have made this a game to get over on the stores.

I also go to much cheaper stores, and there isn't anything at CVS or Walgreens (except scripts) that I can't get somewhere else for much cheaper. I am not a brand conscience person at all. If it works for me, that's all that matters.

I realize people get a lot of "free" stuff this way, but at some point there had to be quite a lay out of money. I'm not willing to do that.

[acidcookie]

Well I am not against the CVS ECB idea, I just don't get how to do it properly

[cab54]

One of the main things I had as a goal ofr me in frugality --was to make things SIMPLER. Not necessarily easy, but at least simple.

These systems try my patience. Maybe I don't get them either. I think I do, but why all the work when some places have the item dirt cheap anyway?

And like someone said, I'm not interested in all those pricey name brands.

[Buc-O-Mama]

I've used CVS to accumulate a stockpile of free stuff (after an initial investment of about 15$) but am rather burned out by the process. I've rolled the same extra care buck money too many times to count, but it takes a fair amount of effort. I think last month I used my ECBs once just to keep them from expiring and got a ton of free toothpaste. It was fun to see how much free stuff I could come home with in a week, but I became a little obsessed with the "sport" of it and a little too proud of my good deals. That's just me.

[cissylu]

I know what you mean. I don`t ge the sunday paper much. Because there are not many coupon`s stuff,
that I buy . and I use to use cupon`s on stuff I just wanted to try.
I spent to much money.

[stinkbug]

Thank goodness it's not just me!

[Telephus44]

I know what you mean. I shop at CVS for reasons other than deals (which I do take advantage of!), because in my area they are nicer stores than other drugstores (well lit, good layout, not cluttered) AND they are bigger and offer a wider selection of everything. I am anti-Walmart (not trying to start that debate here, just my personal stance) so I have found that with sales and coupons, they are my cheapest option for most HBA's.

That said - there are tons of places that I know other people do really well with sales/coupons/whatever, but I also haven't had the time or knack to master. Walgreens is one of those - there's rebates, and register rewards, and a gift card bonus option, and I think they price match too, and you can combine store coupons and manufacturer's coupons - but I usually don't have the mental energy to digest it all and "get it."

[Hannahs mom]

I LOVE CVS!!!! It took me a little while to figure out the system. Yes, you do buy things you don't necessarily have to have (as in brand name soap, shampoo, etc.), but when I combine the sales and ECB offers with my coupons I MAKE MONEY!!! It does take some time to work out the sceanarios with the coupons, etc., but to me it's a big game. The results are me getting diapers, milk, toilet paper, meds, and lots of other stuff for pennies. I roll over some ECB's every week and that way I have some "money" to start my transactions with. Usually three transactions later I've spent less than 2.00 out of pocket, got lots of goodies, and have money to spend for next week. The ECB's aren't limiting as to what you can buy with them and they're good for 30 days. I've only spent about 20.00 out of pocket, and that's kept me going for about 4 months now. I wish I had a tally of the stuff I've gotten, but I never thought of that when I started.
I don't do the rebates - I find that they take too much time and I'd rather not have to wait for my money to come in the mail. I like the freedom of using the ECB's as soon as they're printed. To each his own I suppose

[cab54]

I'm too lazy.

[Jskell911]

I do the deals at CVS. I am by no means an expert, but I usually have a few ECBs to roll over. CVS is the only game in town for me. They are about 4 miles away. The nearest Rite Aid is 10 and Walgreens is over 20 miles away. Weird considering the Rite Aid distribution center is less than a mile from my house!

Anyway, I sometimes buy things I do not need, yes, but I use alot of H&B in gift baskets throughout the year, baby products I give away, and things like the diabetes monitors get donated to a senior center. If these are the types of items that are free after ECB and I have a coupon, I will make $$ that I can spent on things my family needs.

It did takes a few weeks of following the scenarios other people posted for it to click with me. I am not obsessive, I skip weeks all the time. But, I would say I average $450 in free stuff each quarter.

[magnolia]

Aimeebee, that was a great explanation!!! I've been CVS'ing for only 4 weeks now and have made some mistakes (way too much out of pocket). I'm improving my CVS skills little by little and hope to really understand it soon. I used to never step foot in a CVS because their prices are so high, but now it is the shopping highlight of my week.

[Mo-BayMom]

I like CVS but they are so overpriced on their items it's just insane. I don't like having to put out money on things I don't use just to safe a few bucks. I will say when they clearance out stuff they clearance out stuff and that's where I get my deals at CVS.

My mom will use a coupon just to use the coupon..lol..doesn't matter that the brand next to the brand with the coupon is already $2 cheaper..she just has to save that $.75! LOL