Do you play the drugstore games?

[34saving]

I'll have to admit, I don't mind a little mathematical challenge in my life and I don't mind a good debate every now and then. So, I play the rebate/coupon/reward program games a little, but not in the extreme. However, lately, especially with CVS, I'm beginning to feel like I'm doing my taxes. Nobody really knows what the rules are. If you ask what the rules are from people who should know the answers you'll get different answers every time. The rules are different for different people. It seems like every time I check my CVS account there's some surprise there. The most recent one was a buy $40 worth of stuff get $20 in extracare bucks. So, dh spent $70, but actually only spent $30. Then I check my account and there are $41 extracare bucks there. Then the store doesn't honor them . . .then they do . . . Walgreens is much better, but I've had rebates rejected for random reason that they then correct when I present them with the photocopy. Do you play the rebate game? If so, what are your experiences?

[JanH]

I've been just getting started. This is my first real rebate month and I'm waiting to see about that. I didn't know you could access the CVS things online. I'm also confused as to what are instant coupons, what are on an account, when they print things out, etc. I am still learning the ropes....

[LuxLiving]

No, I don't play the game any more. I used to but when it became a 'job' I had to do to get and keep all the paperwork straight, uggghhhh - no, I quit! Wasn't worth it to try and jump thru all the hoops.

[Fern]

I've been doing Walgreens every month for the past 8 months or so and have never had a problem. I find Walgreens to be very consistent in mailing the rebate credit or check. I only go for the fully free items after rebate. I find it very worthwhile, often getting full-size shampoos and the like, all for free. It's just 5 minutes of filling out a form and not much bother.

I may look into CVS now.

[PRICEPLUS]

Never got into playing the game.

[FrugalTexan75]

I have played both Walgreen's and CVS rebate games. For a few months I was really gung ho on the Walgreens game - so much so that I was became well known to the Walgreen's manager. But then there were fewer and fewer items that were really useful to me, and I ended up stopping.

What I do do now though is play the prescription game. For example, right now I have a coupon for a


$30 CVS gift card for a new or transferred prescription. I will most likely be getting a "new" prescription in the next week or so, and go fill it there. Later, Kroger or Tom Thumb may have a deal where you can get a $20 gift card for transferring a prescription there - so I'll transfer my prescription to whichever place I can get a gift card at. I only take two scrips (allergy meds and one other) so I'm not worried about problems with drug interactions due to not being consistent with where I have my scrips filled, and I make a little extra non-taxable money.

[Daylily]

I've been doing the Walgreen's rebates for three months. I don't get all the Free products - only the ones that I will use. I'd like to do CVS but the store is just too far.

[markio26]

i done the wag rebate game, and sales faithfully for 2 yrs... then i found if i did not recharge my card, got new each time, i received the rebate money without a problem.... i am stocked up, i tell you, free hair coloring, toothpaste, toothbrushes, nylons, socks, underwear, canned goods, nuts, etc....
cvs i do if it is something i really can use..
rite aid is really easy and again something i must have or need.........................btw
where is the wag smart shopping list located at now.. i used to print it from cpnmoms website.... it showed the good deals,, miss it.... thanks.

[genmed]

Just started doing these two months ago. Since the RiteAid/Walgreens are located right next to the two grocery stores I go to, it works out well. I haven't had any problems so far getting the rebates back. I don't do enough to have it become a headache, but I really only pick up things I use that are free after rebate for a total of one/two trips to each store during the month. The walgreens I keep in one envelope to mail at the end of the month.

[MarianneJ]

Originally Posted by FrugalTexan75

What I do do now though is play the prescription game. For example, right now I have a coupon for a $30 CVS gift card for a new or transferred prescription. I will most likely be getting a "new" prescription in the next week or so, and go fill it there. Later, Kroger or Tom Thumb may have a deal where you can get a $20 gift card for transferring a prescription there - so I'll transfer my prescription to whichever place I can get a gift card at.

NJ has some bogus law that only senior citizens can take advantage of these offers! Talk about age discrimination!!! Man, it really burns me up just thinking about it.