The last couple of weeks, I wrote about how to save money at CVS and Rite Aid. I'm saving Walgreens for last, because it's the store that I have the most problems with. It seems (to me anyway) like many of the coupon policies are decided at the store level, so it varies from store to store.
Recently, Walgreens did away with the Easy Saver Rebate program, which was one of my favorite parts about shopping at Walgreens (because it was easy, and I never had problems with it). Apparently they plan on replacing the program with something else, but they have not announced anything new. I will edit this post when that changes.
However, Walgreens does have several different programs:
Register Rewards - these are similar to the CVS ECB's, since you need to make a purchase of a certain item, and a catalina coupon will print out at the end of your order called a Register Reward (RR). The RR is treated like a coupon when you pay for your next purchase. Usually, the RR's are valid for about 2 weeks. There are a few caveats for RR's:
- RR's are not tied to a loyalty card, so you can make a purchase and receive RR's as many times as you wish.
- You cannot roll RR's. What this means is that you cannot get RR's for doing a Kellogg's deal and then use the RR's you just received to pay for the Kellogg's deal again. If you do that, your RR's will not print the second time. However, you could use them to do another RR deal from a different manufacturer and then roll the RR's between the 2 deals.
- Some stores vary on whether you can use more than one RR to pay for your purchase. I was told once that I could only use 1 RR coupon per transaction. However, that seems to vary by store (and possibly cashier).
- I can't seem to get any consistency on the RR's printing out for me. Sometimes when I use coupons, they won't print, even though I purchased the correct item. Other times, I have no problems. When the RR's don't print, and I know they should have, I will ask to speak with a manager to see if they can get the RR's to print for me. If they still don't print, I will usually ask to return the item (since I'm usually only making the purchase because of the RR deal). Some managers have told me that you can't use coupons and still get RR's, but I believe that varies widely by store.
In Ad Coupons - The weekly store flyer usually includes several in-ad store coupons that you can stack with manufacturer coupons for even greater savings. Usually, you will only need 1 in-ad coupon even if you are purchasing multiples of that item (up to the limit on the coupon).
The Art of Using a Coupon at Walgreens - it can be tricky sometimes to use coupons at Walgreens, and there is a strategy to it:
- Have as many items as you have coupons - the registers are set to beep if you have more coupons than you have items. So, if you have a manufacturer's coupon, an in-ad store coupon, and a RR when you are checking out, you will need to have at least 3 items in your transaction. Find some filler items that you can add to your purchase that are inexpensive (and needed).
- Give your coupons to the cashier in this order: RR's, then manufacturer coupons, then in-ad store coupons to avoid any problems with your order. You might want to keep them in bundles and hand each bundle to the cashier at a time.
Have you had a good experience at Walgreens? Did I miss any tips that you find useful at Walgreens? Have you changed your shopping habits at Walgreens since they discontinued the Easy Saver Rebate program?
Sara
Love this post! Walgreens can be so confusing when you are using RR, MC and in ad coupons. Thanks for the information this is very helpful.
Guest
I have had all the above problems- but decidedly the inconsistency with the "rules" is the biggest. I feel that this store is too much of a headache to continue there. I have CVS, KRoger, Walmart, and Meijer in my area, so I have enough places to find deals. Sorry Walgreen.
Kelly
I have handed my coupons to the cashier(s) in that order only to watch them separate them and scan them in "their" order. However, I have always received the savings I was working toward.
Jackie
I'm so sad that the Walgreen's near me doesn't take the printed coupons! I look at the circular all the time and do go for some of their deals, but it's sparse now that they have decided to discontinue the rebates. I'm so iffy on RR and even CVS ExtraBucks because it doesn't feel like savings to me because I don't go there often enough.
Mama Koala
Great tutorial--I love shopping Walgreens, but always seem to have better luck at CVS!
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Jenna
I've had good and bad experiences. Today was mostly good, but they wouldn't accept both of my coupons for lysol neutra air (2/$7) because my coupons were for $4 off one. They only took one and said they can't take the coupon if it's more than the price of the item and they also said they can't adjust the coupon down. 🙁
Penny
I did my first Walgreens coupon trip and I bought 4 schick razors and had my 4 $4 off mf, the 1 2$ in store coupon and I had 2 planters nuts and I gave her 2 $1.50 mf and the 1 in store and they wouldn't do it and said there is a 5 coupon limit. So I asked to take off the nuts and I will re do them on another transaction? The told me no that it would void the $4 coupons on the razors? I am glad no one was behind me. But I glad just bought it all for $7.49 but should of had another $3 off but I just won't go to Walgreen. I will stick with Target where I have not had a single problem yet. But so far I go to the same cashier she is wonderful. I am too new to this. Any pointers?
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma
Hi Penny,
I'm sorry that you had a bad experience shopping at Walgreens. Based on what I know about Walgreens, your coupons "should" have worked since you had as many items as you had manufacturer's coupons.
However, it does appear that stores can institute their own coupon policies (at my stores I don't received RR's if I use ANY coupons...therefore I don't shop at Walgreens anymore).
I really don't know what she means about voiding out the $4 coupon on the razor...that doesn't make sense, since you wanted to take the nuts off the transaction.
You could try calling call Walgreens Consumer Relations at (800) WALGREENS (800-925-4733) and explain what happened and see what they say, too.
I hope that helps a little bit!
cheri
In the past I have never had any problems at Walgreen's - especially my little local one. Gotten all my RR with no problem when using mfg. coupons (learned the hard way about not being able to use on same item so losing the RR) On the BIC razors (B1 G1 1/2 off) , I would use a BOGOF coupon and then a $3 off one. I have probably bought 125+ around town doing this. The other day, the cashier said they'd been told by the mgr they could no longer do that - that it was "coupon fraud". We got the mgr to come over, I explained what I was doing, and he said no problem. Well, today, another cashier at my little WG said the same thing. I explained to her that it wasn't coupon fraud, that I'm using the $ off on the one I'm buying, then the BOGOF towards the second one. ANYWAY, does anyone know somewhere off the top of their head where I can print out that it's not coupon fraud???
I've always loved WG, and quit going to CVS when they started the card thing. The last couple of weeks I've started going again - only for the really good specials. Here, they are MUCH higher than WG. Plus, I hate being restricted how many ECB's you can earn on an item. At least at WG, you can get as many as you're willing to stand there and have them ring them up separately.
This is really getting pretty ridiculous. Do they not get full reimbursement for mfg. coupons plus a little something for their time and trouble? I know everyone who works at our WG, and the mgrs of many others, and I always love going in there. If they don't watch it, they're gonna cut their nose off.
PS - was told they're going to go to some kind of card they'll load the RR on instead of slips of paper. I told him that if they followed CVS with the tight limit restrictions, I felt they'd really lose a lot of business.
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma
I have to say up front that I very rarely shop at Walgreens, because they are my least favorite drugstore, and I don't have time to make runs to all 3 drugstores in a typical week. It sounds like you do fantastic at Walgreens, though.
It's really a gray area for using a B1G1 FREE coupon with a $ off coupon. Although the registers allow you to use both, the intention of the manufacturer is to get you to purchase 2 items with that coupon. Based on what you say, your Walgreens may be cutting back on allowing both coupons - although you're right...they should get reimbursed for both coupons. Based on my experience, Walgreens doesn't have a universal coupon policy, so it's up to the individual stores for their acceptance policies.
I have heard that Walgreens is testing a new loyalty program in various parts of the US right now (including Kansas City). I have not heard anything about when/if they plan on rolling it out nationwide, though.
WENDY
My only suggestions is that u do multiple small transactions, plan them out putting ur lost on the front of an envelope for each transaction, this way u can roll over ur rr...I am pretty good at walgreens so feel free to let me know if u have questions!!
Elena
Hi,
I used to love shopping at Walgreens because they let you combine the coupons, however, they have changed their policies several months ago, and it is just too much trouble to deal with their RR and individual store policies on coupons... I stopped shopping there because it was more of a waste of my time and energy and I felt I could get much better deals at Target or Harris Teeter. Too confusing and too neat picky. The whole point of using coupons is to save $$. After reading the post and some of the replies I am glad that I am not alone. Elena
Beth
How is it saving money if you are only making a purchase because of an RR deal?
(since I’m usually only making the purchase because of the RR deal).
Corrie @ "Cents"able Momma
It's probably not saving money if you're just buying because of an RR deal, especially if it's not an item you'll use and you have to pay sales tax on it. Sometimes, people will buy moneymakers just to keep rolling their RR's, but unless it's something I'll use or I can donate (and it's free or a moneymaker), then I don't buy it.
Megan
Corrie, I really like your blog. I am new to couponing. I have a question about B1G1 coupons... if on the coupon it says up to a certain $ amount. and the store sells the item at a higher price, can i still use it and pay the variance?
Corrie C
Yes, you should be able to do that. The cashier should be able to deduct the maximum value and then you would pay the difference. Typically, they are prompted to input a price for the free item into the register.