Reader Q&A: CVS and Walgreens

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Cher asks:
“I have a CVS question….if you pay for an item that generates ECBs with an ECB will you still get ECBs? make sense?? I’ve heard that at Walgreens it will not give you RR if you pay with one.”

Great question! Although I am still kinda new to playing CVS, this is the way I understand things: CVS is more lucrative with their ECB policy. You can roll over ECBs to purchase more items that generate ECBs, or even the same item. That is how you can pay almost nothing for lots of stuff! Cashiers at CVS will allow you to split up your purchases into multiple transactions with little fuss.

Here is a simple example that will work all through April:
CVS 24 count acetaminophen (generic Tylenol)
1st Transaction: buy 2 @3.99 each, pay with ECBs if possible, earn $7.98

2nd Transaction: buy 3 @3.99 each, pay with $7.98 from 1st transaction, pay $3.99 OOP, earn $11.97 ECBs for next time!

Walgreens– You can buy a different product that will generate more RRs, but not the same item. No roll overs allowed.

Explanations for Newbies:

ECB= Extra Care Bucks you “earn” at CVS to spend like cash on future purchases.
OOP= Out of Pocket
RR= Register Rewards, Walgreens version of ECBs, to spend like cash.

For more great tips on CVSing, see Andrea’s Top 5 Tips over at Mommy Snacks.

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