Walgreens 101 - For the confused...

Some of you might be confused on the coupon rules at Walgreens. Let me tell you - you're not the only one!

Let me share some rules and tips with you to help make things easier.

WALGREENS 101:

ABBREVIATIONS:
RR = Register Rewards
MFQ = Manufacturer Coupon
IP = Internet Printable (also considered a manufacturer coupon...but these aren't found in coupon inserts, but rather ones you "print")
IVC = Instant Value Coupon
WAGS = Walgreens
OOP = Out of Pocket
In-Ad coupon is synonymous with In-Store coupon (they are the same thing)

REGISTER REWARDS:
- RRs are manufacturer coupons that print out when your transaction is complete. The manufacturer actually helps finance the promotion, which is why the RRs are considered manufacturer coupons and not Walgreens coupons.
- Because RRs are considered MFQs, you cannot have more coupons than items. That would be like using 2 MFQs on 1 item.
- These DO NOT automatically come off your total. They are coupons that print with your receipt, and are to be used on your next purchase(s).
- You CAN use coupons on promotions with RRs - this is how you get items for FREE or make a profit! (*For example: Let’s say Pantene Shampoo is $3.00, and you can earn a $3.00 RR when you purchase it. Use a $1.00 Pantene MFQ - Pay $2.00 out of pocket, get back a $3.00 RR. That’s a $1.00 profit!*)
- Make sure you have 1) the right products 2) the right amount of $$ or items (*Sometimes there are deals where if you buy $20.00 worth of stuff, you get back a $5.00 RR; OR Buy 2 of the same item, get a RR back*). Meeting all the requirements is what kicks in the RR (catalina) machine. If you don't have the right items, your RR will NOT print.
- You can "roll" your RRs as long as they are not for the same deal. Using the Reward will cancel out the RR that you should be earning. But, you can use Register Rewards on OTHER deals earning Register Rewards. For example: You cannot use a $3.00 RR from buying Listerine to buy MORE Listerine and expect to get another $3.00 RR. You can however, get a $3.00 RR from buying Listerine and use that RR to buy...makeup for free or for cheap, that also produces a RR. This idea is called "rolling your RRs."

WEEKLY ADS & COUPONS:
The ad/circular comes every Sunday in the newspaper. In the ad you can find the deals for the week along with in-store/Walgreens coupons. These coupons are printed directly onto the ad, so don't expect your item to ring up for that price. You have to use the in-store or ad coupons to get that price. For example: Speedstick is on sale $1.99 with in-ad coupon. Well when you bring that item to the register, it will NOT ring up $1.99. It will ring up the retail price - you have to use the ad coupon to get the $1.99 price. Once that coupon is scanned, the register will deduct the difference. (*Note: you only need 1 in-store coupon, even if you are buying multiples of the same item. The register is set up to automatically apply the coupon to each product you’re purchasing.*) Like I said earlier, the in-ad coupons are different from the MFQs. So in this instance, you CAN use 2 coupons for 1 item. The in-ad are considered WALGREENS (or store) coupons, and the other coupons are considered manufacturer coupons. This idea is called "stacking coupons."

WALGREENS COUPON BOOK:
Each month Walgreens puts out a "booklet" of coupons. See HERE for details. These are considered store coupons, so they can be combined with MFQs. These coupons are known as IVC, or Instant Value Coupons. They even say that on the coupon. DO NOT let a cashier or manager tell you you cannot use these coupons with other MFQs. They do say "manufacturer coupon" on the back, however there is no address to redeem them, and they don't make the register beep. If you tried to use 2 MFQs for 1 item, the register will beep. But if you used 1 IVC and 1 MFQ (2 coupons total) for 1 item, the register will accept it. Personally...if you get a cashier or manager like this, simply & nicely tell them they are wrong, try it again, and if they refuse tell them you will take your business else where :)

COUPON RULES + FILLERS:
-You cannot use more coupons than items purchased (not including WAGS Ad coupons & IVCs). If you have a MFQ for every item you purchase and you try to use a Register Reward (which is treated like a MFQ), the register will beep at you. This is where you need to get a "filler item," so you CAN use your RR. In a sense, the RR has to apply to an item that doesn't already have a MFQ attached to it. So go grab a pencil, a piece of candy, or something on clearance on an endcap.
-You can use a Walgreens coupon AND a Manufacturer coupon on 1 item.
-You can use a coupon on an item that produces a Register Reward
-YOU CAN GET STUFF FOR FREE & STILL GET ANOTHER RR BACK!!!
-Sometimes but not always there will be a coupon in the Walgreens ad & the monthly booklets for the same item. YES - you can use both store coupons, as long as they are coded differently.

COUPON ORDER:
The easiest way to do these transactions is with this order:
1) $ off $$ (if applicable)
2) Manufacturer Coupons
3) IVCs
4) In-Store/Ad Coupons
5) Register Rewards

You want to do MFQ before anything else because sometimes you can get overage. For example: Deodorant is on sale $.99 with in-ad coupon. You have a $1.50 coupon. Like I said earlier, the item will ring up RETAIL PRICE until you hand over the in-store coupon.

-Deodorant rings up $1.99
-Hand over $1.50 coupon
=$.49
-Now hand over the IVC. The register will deduct the difference to make the deodorant $.99, which is...$1.00
= -$.51 which will come off another item. Obviously you can't do this if this is the only item you are purchasing. This is known as "overage."

Some stores won't allow you to do this, but some will. The store is not losing out because they will mail in the coupon for the full $1.50 value.

HELPFUL TIPS:
- Never throw away any coupon until it expires. You never know what deals come up. (I learned this lesson the hard way)
- The easiest way to make a profit is to use a coupon on a "FREE after RRs" item. For example: Buy 1 Body Wash $2.99, get a $2.99 RR. Essentially this is FREE after RR, but if you had a $1.00 MFQ, you would pay $1.99, and get back a $2.99 RR, netting you $1.00. Funny how that little piece of paper is like money in yo' pocket!
- Watch the expiration on your RRs. The usually expire in 2 weeks.
- If you have RRs that are expiring soon, and you don't want to lose that money, purchase items that produce RRs. You might have to pay a little OOP, but you now have 1) broken up your RR amount, and 2) lengthened the time frame you have to use it.
- Don't use a RR on the SAME item that produces RRs. They will cancel each other out, and you won't get that RR.
- Walgreens will issue rain checks for items that are out of stock. However, they cannot issue Rainchecks on Register Rewards. So if there is a deal on toothpaste - $1.99, get $1.00 RR back. They can give you a raincheck for the sale price ($1.99), but you won't get a RR. The stores cannot manually print RRs. (*tear*)
- Be friendly to the cashiers & pick your battles!!

WHAT IF...:
- If you experience problems related to your Register Reward catalina:
Contact the Catalina company at 888-322-3814. You will need to have your receipt in front of when you call.
- If you experience store related problems:
Call Corporate Customer Service: 877-250-5823