How do CVS Bonus Bucks work?

[disneysteve]

What's the deal with CVS bonus bucks? I happened to be looking at the circular this week. Several items were free after bonus bucks. But what exactly are the bonus bucks? Is it basically store credit? Does it have to be used in a certain time period?

[genmed]

Yes it is basically store credit that usually has to be used within a month. Most of the items for this month actually have a limit of five. How it works is you get a CVS card, buy item A at $x.xx, on your reciept there is a $x.xx in ECBs. So if there is a limit of 5 of item A for the month, you can usually turn around and buy another item A with no/pennies cost using the ECB and getting another one. You can pretty much use the ECBs on about anything. There are some limits like stamps, prescriptions and so forth.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I like it, you put out like $20 at begin then you begin rolling it over. And you can use it with store coupons and manufactor coupons. Like this week the oral-b toothbrush is free and there is $1 coupon off so you make a $1 to take it off the shelves. Same thing with the Aleve and Excedrin. I don't buy a ton of stuff, but just stuff I'll use like toothpaste.

[crabbypatty]

The thing is, it's not an instant rebate. You don't get the store credit until 48 hours later. You can print it out at home, or when you go in the store it'll print out after you make a purchase. Some stores give you a hard time if you print it out at home, ymmv. But the alternative is you have to buy some small item like candy to get the ecb to print.

It takes organization and a willingness to go to the store more than once. Especially if you have big CVS couponers in your area who clean out the store of the good items ASAP. But if you live close to one and pass by it anyway, it can be a great source for freebies/moneymakers if combined with manufacturers coupons.

I don't do it myself because of the hassle.

[kittycat0604]

My local CVS starts printing the Extra Bucks coupons immediately after the purchase since last Sunday. So people does not need with for 48 hours now. I do have a problem find the free items available. I usually only purchase the free item if I do need it (I do not have space for extra stocking), But I think some people just want the free items even they do not really need them, or they might give away later.

[crabbypatty]

Originally Posted by kittycat0604

My local CVS starts printing the Extra Bucks coupons immediately after the purchase since last Sunday. So people does not need with for 48 hours now. I do have a problem find the free items available. I usually only purchase the free item if I do need it (I do not have space for extra stocking), But I think some people just want the free items even they do not really need them, or they might give away later.

That's great that the coupons are now instant! Maybe I'll start again. I participated during the infamous October 06 bonanza but haven't been back since, in large part b/c of the 48 hour thing.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Nope it prints out immediately now. They just changed over.

[Bluezy]

I've used CVS since I've been in Florida. Just the other day I used a $12.00 bonus bucks and applied it towards some items for my CJ. After cashing that in, my printout showed another $2.00 bonus bucks.

I am not clear on how bonus bucks are determined, however, I use my coupons and catch sales, especially in-store sales where the price of an item has been temporarily reduced.

[34saving]

I sometimes get enjoyable little surprises too. (Like once I bought $40 worth of baby stuff thinking I'd get $20 back and I got $41!) The deals forum at CVS - Families.com has the big time low down. (Wow. There are some mixed metaphors for ya!)

[Saving in So Cal]

I've had a CVS card for about two months. I tried to find out specific information about the Extra Bucks program on the CVS website, but found the available information to be unhelpful. From what I can tell from my personal use, the programs operates similar to a rebate except that you have to spend the rebate at CVS.

I look at the CVS ad each week but find very few things that are a genuine deal. Most of the time, the rebates bring the price of an item down to the prevailing sale price at other stores. As other posters indicated, the best deals are when you can combine the rebate with a good coupon, but I typically only find one or two of those a week (confining myself to only those items I would buy anyway). There is a CVS on my normal shopping route and I read sale ads anyway, so participation in the program is not much extra work for me. If there is not a CVS on your route, it probably isn't worth the trouble.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Saving in So Cal

the programs operates similar to a rebate except that you have to spend the rebate at CVS.

find very few things that are a genuine deal. Most of the time, the rebates bring the price of an item down to the prevailing sale price at other stores.

This has been my impression. We simply don't buy that many things that CVS sells and on the items we do buy, Target or Wal-Mart is cheaper anyway. Of course, if you can get something for free (or less), you can't beat that but I'm not going to make a special trip just for that.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

There is free softsoap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, excedrin, aleve, and listerine this week/month. I got all of them for free. I also used coupons on most of those so I made $1 to $2 on each thing. Then I bought a couple of other items.

I don't have a lot of bonus bucks like serious couponers, but I have $20. And I don't shop at target or walmart.

Also I now have 10 tubes of toothpaste, 4 bottles of shampoo, 3 bottles of listerine, and 10 toothbrushes. I'm done for a long time.

[momof1in150]

The CVS Extra Bucks don't really expire. They do have an expiration date on them but you can use them past that date. Just like BB&B and Linens & Things Coupons don't really expire.

I use the extra bucks when they have something they need on sale. Walmart is too far to go out of my way to pick up stuff but there are 2 CVSs within 2 miles of my house.

Most of the time I have $2 or $3 off a $10 purchase.

[shellylynn]

Ok, I think the add personaly is misleading ! But now that I was told that its basicly "store credit", and you have to buy the first item, then you get store credt, then use the store credit on another item, to me its just a long drugged out way and waist of time, ( just call it buy one get one free ) but using the reward bucks is cool because you can use it on just about anything.

Heres my problem, :: This weeks ad, shows Maybelline Mineral Power for $8.99 , then the extra bucks reward says, $8.99, then the add says, "Its like getting it for free" To me free means nothing out of pocket except tax. and thats ok for me. So, I read some ones blog about their add was all ths stuff for free, toothpaste, toothbrushes, then you can use coupons on top of that, then be giving money back......dont get it,,,,,tried the free make up today, and they wanted close to $10 out of pocket, but I do understand you get "store credit", so tell me am I doing this right ? Or is the checker not doing her job ? Would like to shop more often if free means free, not store credit later...
Thanks for reading, Shelly from Las Vegas

[moneybags]

Initially you have to pay something out of pocket, but once you do, you can use your "free" amount, say $8.99 to buy more "free" items. Sort of like when you win in Vegas and you're playing with house money. It's a bit of a science, but totally addicting. I started CVS'ing in January, and I'm hooked. I have a closet full of soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deoderant, etc. that I have paid pennies for.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by moneybags

Initially you have to pay something out of pocket, but once you do, you can use your "free" amount, say $8.99 to buy more "free" items.

Exactly. The "deal" lies in rolling your Extra Care Bucks. They are good for a month after they are issued, and there's usually something for "free" every week. Once you get your first set of ECBs, you just use them to purchase next week's "free" item and so on and so on.

If, for whatever reason, there isn't anything available for free before my ECBs expire, there is always something I can use at a decent enough price to use them up. There are often good sales on cleaning supplies, paper products, and food items, especially combined with coupons.

One great way to get started is with a prescription coupon. At least around here, they are constantly offering a $25 gift card for any transferred prescription, and they will honor any other store's coupon as well.

It works best if you're not particularly brand loyal and have at least one CVS close to you. The one I frequent is right by my mother's house, so I'm up there a couple times a week anyway.

It only takes a few minutes of my times and I haven't paid for toothpaste, mouthwash, deodorant, feminine protection, soap, shampoo, or razors in over a year.

I would never pay CVS prices out of pocket, but I'm happy to take their products for free. What I can't use I give to my friends, family, and the local food pantry. It all goes to use somehow.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by pearlieq

One great way to get started is with a prescription coupon. At least around here, they are constantly offering a $25 gift card for any transferred prescription, and they will honor any other store's coupon as well.

FYI: Be sure to read the fine print. Here in NJ, there is some strange law and those prescription coupons can only be used by folks age 62 and older.

[pearlieq]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

FYI: Be sure to read the fine print. Here in NJ, there is some strange law and those prescription coupons can only be used by folks age 62 and older.

Well isn't that a kick in the pants!

Luckily, no such law here in IL. DH and I fill most of our medicines through the mail order to save money, but when we have a one-off that needs to be filled locally we are always able to use a gift card coupon. We have several grocery and big-box stores that compete for pharmacy business so there is always a coupon floating around from someone.

Between filling prescriptions for us and my mother, we've managed to get at least $300 in gift cards this year. I've given some away for gifts, but used most to either collect ECBs or to stockpile items when they are good deals. My last script for a $6 skin cream bought me a year's worth of paper towels and dish soap!

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by shellylynn

Ok, I think the add personaly is misleading ! But now that I was told that its basicly "store credit", and you have to buy the first item, then you get store credt, then use the store credit on another item, to me its just a long drugged out way and waist of time, ( just call it buy one get one free ) but using the reward bucks is cool because you can use it on just about anything.

Heres my problem, :: This weeks ad, shows Maybelline Mineral Power for $8.99 , then the extra bucks reward says, $8.99, then the add says, "Its like getting it for free" To me free means nothing out of pocket except tax. and thats ok for me. So, I read some ones blog about their add was all ths stuff for free, toothpaste, toothbrushes, then you can use coupons on top of that, then be giving money back......dont get it,,,,,tried the free make up today, and they wanted close to $10 out of pocket, but I do understand you get "store credit", so tell me am I doing this right ? Or is the checker not doing her job ? Would like to shop more often if free means free, not store credit later...
Thanks for reading, Shelly from Las Vegas

I know what you mean by misleading. but it is really simple. last week I bought $20 worth of batteries and got $10 ECB I used them this week to buy some stuff that gave me more ECB. The first initial time you always have to put some money out. But if the deal is worth it then go for it. The batteries were 16 pack for $10. that is a good price anywhere! name brand too. and I always need batteries. So for me it was worth spending the $20 to start my ecb pattern going again. I have $17.50 in my wallet just burning to be spent but there was nothing I wanted this week. or that was worth anything, sad ad this week. hopefully next week will be better!

[cicy33]

Originally Posted by 34saving

I sometimes get enjoyable little surprises too. (Like once I bought $40 worth of baby stuff thinking I'd get $20 back and I got $41!) The deals forum at CVS - Families.com has the big time low down. (Wow. There are some mixed metaphors for ya!)

I went to the board but it seems that nobody has posted in quite a while?