[mg387]

I know there is a CVS 101. I'm interested in combining our next level of observations in one place. I've found useful information in many threads over several months. If we put them together here we will have a reference point. We should plan on, even hope for CVS to watch because the final testing in any program is with the end user (us). And patterns we discover are likely to involve correctable glitches.

For example- I will start by posting a question here and follow up in a post about sequencing the coupons we hand in at the register.

The question/problem.

I recently received a packet of coupons in the mail from cvs with a series of discounts offered one per week for several weeks. They are for things like $4 off any $20 purchase or $3 off $15 of cvs products.

I tried to use one once. At the end of that transaction I tried to redeem a $20 extra buck and iit rang up as a $3 coupon. The manager voided the transaction and had the cashier re-ring the entire order and suggested putting the largest coupons in first- which we did. Holding the cvs $3 on $15 to last and then it beeped and I just let it go and paid cash for the coupon value.

I've read about some of the cvs coupons here that will cause all later coupons submitted to be limited to $3. Assuming the coupons I got in the mail are doing this (they are red and white) I have not used any more. The cashiers are nice. CVS is generous. And I don't want to be a pain in the ... with re-ringing all the time.

Are your experiences the same? Is there a way of getting these coupons to work properly?

[mg387]

There have been lots of discussions on the 'right' order to submit coupons. I had developed a pattern of
1. Hand over any $4 0n $20 or other $/$ that came through my email account and requires the cashier to key a code instead of scanning, holding back all other coupons.
2. Then handing over coupons without extra bucks in the order I would like them entered which has been
a. cvs coupons for specific products or types of products
b. manufacturer's coupons
then
3 extra bucks- which I will often have arrayed on my side of the counter by this time making it obvious that my goal is to get as close to zero as possible.
Twice in a month a cashier (two different people, two different stores) told me after ringing everything in that next time I should give them all cvs coupons, including extra bucks first. Obviosuly I ingored that advice the first time.
But the second time a cashier said this and I said, but I need to see how much the total is before I use my extra bucks. She took a moment to touch my arm and say 'great shopping, will we see you again tomorrow?' so I know she was not being critical and gave this some thought. Tried it the other way once and, at least while spending down of the $20 extra bucks, rethinking the sequence may be good. The new strategy-
all cvs coupons, including extra bucks
then manufacturer's coupons from largest to smallest. This way, if you get under $1 before you have used your last $1 coupon it will just be the $1 coupon rejected. If it is a $20 extra buck at the end it takes time to determine what is the issue- what was the before tax amount? How many candy bars should I add to clear the less than zero price on the order if that happens, or cure the beeping if that is what happens?
I like the deals and want to be as easy a customer as possible.

[sharonmmm]

I also have a particular order that I like to present coupons. I really can't stand it when the cashier shuffles the coupons and messes up the correct order. And I have needed a void and re-ring more than I would like.
On the weekly $/$$ coupons from the home mailers: You are right! Every one of those coupons will restrict the amount of following coupons to that value ($3 or $4). This includes manufacturer's coupons.
As far as I know these are the potential fixes for this problem. These all require a patient cashier and can be stressful for you, the cashier and waiting customers.
1. The Easiest: Use multiple lower value extra bucks. May result in the famous 'too many coupons' problem (but this problem seems to be fixed lately, with the computer upgrades). And this is not an option for the stores that allow only 1 extrabuck per order.

2.The Difficult: Have your large extrabuck entered in as smaller values. After using a $4/$20, the cashier/manager may be able to enter your $20 extrabuck as $4,$4,$4$4,$4. This will a problem if you do not have enough items.

3. The Difficult II: Have it put in without being scanned in. There is a way for the cashier to enter a CVS coupon without the coding -- this is how expired extrabucks are manually entered. But good luck trying to explain this to the cashier. Maybe if the code was damaged/unreadable this would work better.

4. The Unbelievable: Combine the CVS coupons and extrabucks together to be entered as 1 amount. Some stores would never allow this. But there are some stores who routinely use this method to solve these types of problems. I actually make a point of going to 1 certain store when I have to use those weekly coupons.

All in all, these $/$$ coupons are trouble to use. Many times I opt to use lower value extrabucks and/or pay out of pocket.
The best thing of all, would be for the programmers of these coupons to modify the coding so the problem is fixed. So if anyone from CVS in such a postion is reading, please look into this.
Hope this helps...

[mg387]

Originally Posted by sharonmmm

On the weekly $/$$ coupons from the home mailers: You are right! Every one of those coupons will restrict the amount of following coupons to that value ($3 or $4). This includes manufacturer's coupons.

This was great. I did not use most of the September home mailer coupons after I had problems with the first. But last week and this week (last of this particular home mailer) I was able to use the home mailer $/$ without any heroic intervention or re-rings.
I simply ordered my coupons from highest value to lowest, mixing in extra bucks, manufacturers coupons and $/$. The $4/$20 scanned properly even though by the time it was scanned the outstanding balance was under $20. This morning my total was under $1 before I had used my last manufacturer's coupon, which is okay with me. Once we get under $1 I am willing to take back that last manufactuer's coupon for another day.
Thanks so much.