Philosophy behind ECBs @ CVS

[rachiebaby18]

people seem to ask this question over and over and many people repeat themselves over and over...

any way we can get a sticky in that forum???

[rachiebaby18]

here's some stuff i put together from mine, and other's posts...


why do people split their transactions or why do people head to a different cvs on the same day?

You dont need to separate your transactions. You can buy them all in one pop if u want.. but it makes more sense to separate them so u can use your earned bucks (ECBs) each time rather than be left w/ on large lump sum to use at some other time.

Also, people do this depending on what coupons they have.
• For example, if you have a $5 off CVS coupon, usually it will say only 1 per customer. You can try using multiples of these in 1 transaction but it probably won’t work. Your cashier may push it through, but it’s unlikely. It’s probably better to split up your transactions so you can use more than 1 of those coupon if necessary.
• For example, many people get CVS register coupons that print out for $4 off of $20 or $3 off of $15. These are also coupons that come through by snail mail or email. It seems that many people get these coupons at each purchase so they run a $20 (or $15 depending on you're original q) transaction. So in order to save and keep using them, you only want to hit $20 or a little over $20 (and sometimes closer to $30 depending on how many q's and past ECBs you have) to use it.

So, having $4 off, + all you're other q's + past ECBS really can bring your bill down to pennies. and the strategy is to try to keep buying things that give you the most ECBs back... you want to roll them over.



I have heard that you should redeem your coupons in a certain order. Any truth to that.

Most people use their MFR and CVS Qs first and then the ECBs, just so they can see what their total gets marked down to; that way they can see if their using the proper amount of ECBs. (Sometimes you're math is off, you calculated something wrong, you forgot taxes or something rings up cheaper than you thought. ) You can’t get change back from ECBs, so if they register says -.45, you need to throw something cheap (sale gum, candy, pencil & preferable one you have a Q for) to get that up to 0 or a positive number. Or sometimes a knowledgeable cashier will zero it out. But you don’t want that to happen. Take advantage of all of your savings. Don’t waste that $.45.

If you have a $4 off $20 or $3 off $15 CVS coupon... you must use that coupon first before all other Qs. Say your was $20 and then after MFR q's it was $10, the CVS $4 off $20 Q would beep and not go through cause it was showing the total as $10 not $20... so use the CVS Q once first.

In the past with certain deals there are register problems that won’t allow you to use your full amount of ECBs. If this happens, have the cashier void out the transaction and try again. This time, use you’re ECBs first before all other coupons. This is more than likely to go through.

Can you use someone else's (DH, boyfriend, family member) ECBs?

Yes, but only one way. use the phone number that is associated with the other person’s card. In order to use someone else’s and your in the same transaction: First, use the phone number associated with his card, then pay with his ECB's. Then, to use yours (if you want to continue to bring your total down), the cashier will scan your card and you can use yours.

What is a CVS Beauty Book?

It is a magazine made by cvs in the beauty section of the store. There are thick stock CVS coupons in this book. It costs $1.00, but some stores just pull out the coupons and leave them in the racks near the circulars.

What is the coupon spitter outer?

It is a machine usually at the entrance of the store that will print out coupons for you when you scan your CVS card. It also may be able to price check items. This machine is not available at all stores.

What is the extra value book?

It is a circular that gets put out near the regular circulars at the beginning of the month. it's ECB deals that are good for the entire month so u can purchase them whenever, not on a designated sale week. Some stores may not get them or put them out.

[jmitteer]

Thank you so much for all the information. That answers a lot of questions.

[debsiwags]

please put this as a sticky. I know I have only been at this a few weeks - so I know it must drive you old timers crazy when questions are asked over and over again. With Stephanie being on the Today show - it will bring in even more newbies. I think that people also need to go into CVS and ask questions there. I read and read all I could so by the time that I went in I kinda already knew some stuff. I didn't quite figure out the whole rolling it into multiple other transactions until like 2 weeks ago. I do thank you all for questions you have all answered!

[ShaynatheGeek]

Moving this thread and sticking it.

[OI138KACY]

Hey, Thanks for all the info. I am just trying to get started at CVS so it came in handy for me.

[michellek4760]

Thank you for posting this I think I am a CVS addict in training. lol

[tippysweet]

I'm new and was just typing the very first question about splitting/multiple transactions! LOL! This, of course, had to of been answered before so I deleted my questions. PRESTO..within minutes this sticky post appears and has answered my questions!!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!

[rachiebaby18]

any of you guys that been around the block for a while, it would be most appreciated if you added to this.. even if you just add 1 FAQ that would be great... i'll then edit the original post so it's all in one spot.


Thanks guys!

[happycoupon]

Thank you for posting this! It's a great referance

HappyCoupon