Monday, April 13, 2009

What a Hop in the Arse

Walgreens - thanks dancinmama for these scenarios and for the Colgate coupons!
  • Colgate Max White or Max Fresh Toothbrush $3.29, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) and got back $3.50 RR = $0.96 profit
  • Geisha mushrooms $0.50 with in-circular coupon
  • Used $3 RR, total was $0.27

Then I bought:

  • Edge Infused Shaving Gel (can also buy Edge Energy Shaving Gel in black cans) $2.99, got back $3 RR = FREE
  • WAG Aluminum Foil $0.59 with in-circular coupon
  • Used $3.50 RR, total was $0.33
Then I made the mistake of going in after work for a "quick" run. Sigh. A half hour later, I left the store, annoyed and tired.

Here's what I bought:
  • Bayer Contour diabetes monitors $14.99 each (Mega Saver price until 4/25), used freebie coupon (3/22 RP) = FREE
  • Colgate Max White or Max Fresh Toothbrush $3.29, used $0.75 coupon (3/29 SS) and got back $3.50 RR = $0.96 profit
  • Geisha mushrooms $0.50 with in-circular coupon
  • Used $3 RR, total was $0.16

No RR's printed. I asked the Pharmacy Tech if the light on the catalina printer was on. She said no and turned on the machine, but of course, its not going to print anything after the fact. She calls a manager over and explains what happened. The manager AND another Pharmacy Tech both tell me its because I used coupons. Sigh. I said, "I'm sorry but that's not correct. Its because the machine was OFF!" The manager then messes with the machine, attempts to put in a new roll of paper and messes around with it some more. He finally decides to check me out on the register next to this one. Fine. He then cannot seem to figure out how best to handle the transaction. After a lot of scanning, coupon examining and higher thought, he decides to do an exchange. Somehow the total ends up being $0.13. At this point, I've been in the store at least 20 minutes and I'd really love to just go home. So I think to myself - whatever, I'll pay the $0.13 and I swipe my gift card. Guess what happens next??? The catalina printer...JAMS! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? Come on catalina gods! Double sigh.

He hands me the $10 coupon for Fashion Bug that had printed before the transaction completed and says "was this what you had wanted?" NOPE! I explained how I was supposed to get two RR's. So guess what we do next? We move on to register #3! He then does his fancy exchange thing AGAIN and now my total is $0.16. I said "I'm not paying for these items three times, this is ridiculous." He shrugs, and says, "well, the total is $0.16, its the tax." I said - "I'm aware of that, but I've already paid for these items two times and I'm not paying a third time" and give him the "frugalsuz staredown". I guess it worked because he finally just totaled the transaction and miracle of all miracles, my RR's printed! I've never been so happy to hear that catalina printer purrin' away.

CVS - my card

  • Softsoap bodywash *Have to get one of the two pictured in the circular (18 oz) $4.99, used $1 coupon (3/29 SS) and got back $4.49 (NOT $4.99) EB (Limit 1) = $0.50 profit
  • 2 Colgate Sensitive Whitening Toothpastes $3.99 each, used two $0.75 coupons (3/29 SS) and got back $7.98 EB ($3.99 each, Limit 2) = $1.50 profit
  • Garnier Nutritioniste lotion $12.99 and Garnier face wash $5, used two $1 coupons (1/4 SS, 2/8 or 3/8 RP) and got back $5 EB for spending $15 (Limit 1) = $10.99 for both
  • Tic Tacs $0.74 - miscalculated my total and grabbed these at the register
  • Used $6 EB, $9.99 EB and $10 EB, total was $0.55
Bought these on Saturday but didn't get around to posting until now:
  • 3 Adidas Intensive Deodorants clearanced to $2.50 each, used three $1 coupons (4/5 RP) and got back $6 EB ($2 each, monthly deal, limit 3) = $1.19 profit (after tax)
DBF's card
  • Softsoap bodywash (18 oz) $4.99, used $1 coupon (3/29 SS) and got back $4.49 EB (Limit 1) = $1.50 profit *had the cashier manually print the difference for me. It printed as $1, not $0.50
  • 2 Colgate Enamel Protect Toothpastes $3.99 each, used two $0.75 coupons (3/29 SS) and got back $7.98 EB ($3.99 each, Limit 2) = $1.50 profit
  • Garnier Nutritioniste lotion $12.99 and Garnier face wash $5, used two $1 coupons (1/4 SS, 2/8 or 3/8 RP) and got back $5 EB for spending $15 (Limit 1) = $10.99 for both
  • 3 Adidas Intensive Deodorants clearanced to $2.50 each, used three $1 coupons (4/5 RP) and got back $6 EB ($2 each, monthly deal, limit 3) = $1.50 profit
  • 4 Sobe Life Waters $1.59 each, BOGO sale, used two BOGO coupons = FREE
  • Used $3 EB, $9.99 EB and $10 EB, total was $8.22 *I probably should have broken this up to get a lower OOP but by this point, I was way too tired (this was after the WAGS staredown).
Then I bought three $15 CVS gift cards using three $15 rewards card from a previous Olay rebate.

8 comments:

Tanya said...

I tried to use the Sobe BOGO free coupons and was told that they do not accept those when the item is on sale for BOGO - I was so ticked. I'm going to go to my other CVS and see what they tell me.

Chicagolandia said...

I can't believe how inept they are! Especially the m anagers! GRrrr - I'd have been completely obnoxious/sarcastic by that point. I love the "Staredown"!

Amiyrah said...

if you need to get rid of those sensitive toothpastes, you can slide them my way in May :op. I still haven't gotten to the stores this week, since we didn't come back until last night. Thanks for posting the adidas deo deal....I'm still contemplating using my 15 off 75, so that might help me get a little closer.

frugalsuz said...

Tanya,
Ugh, I hate it when cashiers make up rules like that. I just bought some more this morning and didn't have a problem. I hope your other store knows what they're doing! lol

Chicagolandia,
Oh my gosh, I know! I was getting pretty ticked.

Amiyrah,
You got it! Do you want the Enamel Protect ones too? There's also a deal on clearanced Stayfree pads, but I haven't found any yet. That would help bring your total up too.

Lindsay said...

Thanks for the tip on the Contour's! I do have a bunch left... I hope! Hey, did you buy your four crest's in one transaction? Will it work?

frugalsuz said...

Lindsay,
No problemo. I tried to buy two Crests at once and the coupons beeped so I ended up buying them all separately.

Shelly said...

Cashiers really need to be trained on coupons! Friday night before DBF and I went to his parents', we stopped at WAGS to get the 5/$13 deal on the Cokes. I get 5 and use the in-store Q plus 4 MF Qs. She scans the MF Qs then the store Q. It shows up fine on my side of the screen, but not hers. Then she tried to tell me that I could only use 1 Q for all of it! I'm like NO. She finally got it to work once she realized I wasn't falling for it. One Q for 5 items??? I've been using Qs most of my life, try that line on a newbie, not me!

frugalsuz said...

Shelly,
LOL - "try that line on a newbie," I love it!