Just getting started at CVS? Here is some information about Extra Care Bucks (ECB) to get you started:
First you need to get a CVS ExtraCare Card. This card will enable you to get sale prices and earn Extra Care Bucks. You can either sign up online or at your local CVS. I suggest signing up at your local CVS so you can get your card immediately and begin saving!
Before you do any shopping when you arrive at your CVS, always go to the kiosk and scan your card. The “magic coupon machine” will give you store coupons that are good for a certain length of time. Some are only good that day so always be sure to check the dates! If it says you are out of coupons try scanning again. Every once in a while it will print out more. Sometimes this machine gives you free items and if they are out of the free item ask an employee sometimes they will let you pick out another item in the same category and just pay the difference in price (this happened to me with band-aids once and I just paid $.37 for a larger box. My oldest daughter is real good at hopping out of the car and running in and scanning my card for me when we are passing by a CVS. Once it printed out a coupon for a free candy bar and I ran in and got it for her! She will never forget CVS!!
CVS gives you rewards when you purchase advertised items called ECB’s. The ECB will print at the end of your reciept. Make sure that you clip them and keep them. If they are lost CVS will not replace them.
Some things you may need to know:
The required amount to recieve the ECB is always calculated before coupons. You do not have to buy all the products for that particular promotion at the same time. A tally is printed on each receipt showing what you have towards each deal. So if a store only has one item and you need two you can go to another store to get it. CVS keeps track of everything!! Sometimes this is nice and sometimes not so nice (when CVS states you may do a deal one time they really mean one time!
ECB’s can be used to purchase anything in the store just like cash except for the following: prescriptions, alcohol, gift cards, lottery, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards and tobacco products. They also cannot go toward tax on your transaction.
You cannot get change back when you spend your ECBs. However, they can be entered as less than their face value.
Other things to know:
CVS accepts manufacturer’s coupons including printable internet coupons. CVS also issues their own store coupons. These you get via email, printed out at the end of your receipt (also known as CRTs), or at the “magic coupon machine”. Sometimes you can also find coupons in the sales flyer.
Both ECBs and CRT coupons are linked to your CVS card. What this means is you cannot use them without the same CVS card that earned them! So don’t leave home without your card!
CVS coupon policy allows for the use of one manufacturer and one CVS coupon on each item. ECB are not counted as coupons, so you may use as many of these as you would like.
Something Else to know:
CVS has another card called the Green Bag Tag that you will find up by the cash register at your store. It retails for $.99. It is a leaf shaped scannable card that attaches to your favorite reusable bag. Each time you visit CVS and bring your reusable bag, they will scan your green bag tag. The 4th time they scan your tag you will earn a $1 Extra Care Buck!!
