Monday, March 21, 2011

That was Tricky!

Let's start off with the simpler stuff:

CVS - DBF's card
  • Allegra Allergy (5 ct) $6.99, used $2 coupon (or here or 3/6 SS) and got back $6.99 EB (Limit 1) = $2 profit
  • Crystal Lite individual packet $0.50
  • Used $5 EB, total was $0.49
Walgreens
  • Tena Serenity Pads $9.99, used $2.50 coupon and got back $10 RR = $2.50 profit
  • 2 M&M's $0.49 each
  • Used $2 RR and $5 RR, total was $1.54
I picked up a couple more Almay makeup removers for $4.19 at this and other stores, plus two knee high packs clearanced to $0.20 each.

I'd read that some folks are getting the $10 RR off clearanced Tena, so when I saw this pack, I thought I'd give it a try. No RR printed though, but I'm only out $1.24. The store had a bunch at this price, so if it had worked, it definitely would have been worth the gamble.
  • Always Dri-Liners Plus (30 ct) $2.99, used $1 coupon (P&G rebate booklet) and got back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
  • Tena Serenity Pads clearanced to $3.74, used $2.50 coupon = $1.24
  • Used $2 RR, total was $1.72
Now for the weird transactions:
  • Neuragen PN Pain Relief $19.99, used $10 coupon (Dec. Diabetes & You magazine, found at WAG) and will get back $19.99 via mail in rebate (form prints at checkout) = $10 profit *Got a rebate receipt for this to ensure I'll get back the full amount
  • Almay Makeup Remover Towelettes $4.19, used $1 coupon (2/13 SS) and $2 WAG coupon (Spring Beauty Book) and got back $5 RR = $3.81 profit
  • Always Dri-Liners Plus (30 ct) $2.99, used $1 coupon (P&G rebate booklet) and got back $2 RR = FREE/$0.01 profit
  • Method Hand Soap $2.99, got back $2 RR = $0.99
  • 9 Walgreens Light Bulb 12 packs - clearanced from $3 to $0.75 each ($0.06 per bulb)
  • Used two $10 RR's, total was $3.89
A bunch of things to point out here. First, I finally found some Always! Second, I've read online that some people have found the green bottles of the Method soap clearanced, no such luck for me. Third, when I asked for the rebate receipt, the cashier looked at me like I had three eyes. She conferred with the Manager and a bunch of other people who all had no idea what I was talking about. A hot shot supervisor came over, told me he'd worked there three years and had never seen one. Of course I didn't have the instructions with me, but he played around pressing random keys on the board and by chance found the right one. Fourth, after I paid, I realized my $10 Neuragen coupon only scanned for $1.75. Weird! They did a post void and re-rang everything. When I gave them the Neuragen coupon first, it worked just fine. I have no idea what happened there, might have just been a fluke. Fifth, I bought all the lightbulbs to eventually sell once they stop making these in favor of CFL's and LED's. I have a bunch already, and I'm storing them in a huge rubbermaid container. I'm sure I'll have them for years before their value perks up.

Then for complication #2. This was at the last store I stopped into, the same one that had to manually adjust the $2 Almay coupon yesterday. It seems that some stores haven't activated these coupons, which is why they beep in some stores and not others.
  • Neuragen PN Pain Relief $19.99, used $10 coupon (Dec. Diabetes & You magazine, found at WAG) and will get back $19.99 via mail in rebate (form prints at checkout) = $10 profit *Got a rebate receipt for this to ensure I'll get back the full amount
  • Almay Makeup Remover Towelettes $4.19, used $1 coupon (2/13 SS) and $2 WAG coupon (Spring Beauty Book) and got back $5 RR = $3.81 profit
  • 2 M&M's $0.49 each
  • Used $10 RR, total was $2.38
When I asked for a rebate receipt, I got the standard response - "the form will print after you pay." Sigh. Just once, I'd love for a cashier to actually listen to what I'm saying! When the $2 coupon beeped, the cashier and another employee who was in the area took a look and determined it wasn't valid because I was buying towelettes. I showed them the picture of the towelettes on the $1 Almay coupon, proving that Almay considers them a cosmetic. I also mentioned that I'd used the coupon yesterday on mascara, it beeped as well and they manually adjusted the price down. The cashier refused to do anything. I have no problem with her wanting the Manager to approve it, but the way she said it (while also throwing her hands up in the air) was not especially nice. Trying to call my bluff, the other employee went over and got an Almay eye shadow, rang that up, tried to use the coupon and whadda-ya-know, it beeped! (inner chuckle) The Manager came over at this point and adjusted the item down.

In addition to all this, both employees were scrutinizing the Neuragen. They weren't being nasty, I really think they were both interested in the product. But combined with all the other stuff, I felt like I was getting the third degree! "Where'd you find this in the store? Where'd you get that $10 coupon? Does this work well?" Sheesh, its free this week, why don't you pick up a bottle for yourself?

All in all, a profitable day, despite the drama. Definitely better than yesterday!

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Question...you mentioned hanging on to the bulbs to sell when they go to cfl, etc. Just curious, but why will the "old" bulbs be worth anything? I thought the cfl, etc. lasted longer, even though they cost more. Inquiring minds want to know!
Deb

frugalsuz said...

Once they convert to CFL's, etc. incandescent bulbs will be harder to find (I hope anyway!). I'm sure there will be people who'll prefer to use these older bulbs, for whatever reason. Even if that doesn't happen, I'm ok with paying $0.06 per bulb for my own use.

Sheila said...

Thanks for the printing instructions for a rebate receipt, couldn't get one the other day after my drama @ WAGS, even mgr couldn't figure it out! WAGS frustrates me BIGTIME.

ThriftyPuppy said...

Wow, will have to check my Wags and see if they've got clearanced bulbs. We're stockpiling them also when they are on sale. I hate those dang CFL's! Most people don't know that you can't just throw them in the trash and don't even think about breaking one - it's a minor environmental emergency!

Michelle said...

It's good to know that even "seasoned" coupon users such as yourself have frustrating shopping trips too. It makes the rest of us feel sane.

Thanks for sharing, not only the good but, the not so good experiences you have.

I, also, appreciate the rebate receipt information and totally understand the bizarre look you were given when asking for it. I had to be persistent and continue to drive home the point that it's different than the normal receipt that prints out. It finally paid off and the clerk was amazed (and slightly ticked off) that it worked as I said it would.

I smiled and said, it worked and you learned something new today!

Michelle - in Ohio

frugalsuz said...

Sheila,
No problem, I just wish I had thought to bring them with me to the store too! haha

ThriftyPuppy,
Oh jeez, so how are you supposed to dispose of them?

Michelle,
Oh yes, I have plenty of "those" days. For example, I found 6 or 7 clearanced kids digital cameras at CVS yesterday. I went home, looked them on ebay to see if they were worth reselling and they were. I was going to get up early and buy them before work today, but couldn't drag myself out of bed. When I went after work, they were ALL gone!

Felicia said...

At my store, she had to adjust down all of the Almay (for the $2 Wags coupon). Once it beeped the first time, I asked the lady if they registered it in their computers (acting like I knew what I was talking about, lol). She asked the manager and she said "what, no, you have to adjust the price down, it's not a coupon-we don't get reimbursed for it." She was pretty short.

But either way worked for me! =) My lovely cashier did it for like 5 quick transactions.

frugalsuz said...

Felicia,
I'm glad they were able to do that for you! This store eventually did it, but with a lot of grumbling and dirty looks aimed in my direction. I hate that! Its a Walgreens coupon for goodness sake, its not like I made it myself!

Sexy Coupons said...

I too would sure love to get a copy of the Physicians formula $5 off since I missed out on the freebie/ it did not appear properly on my computer. If you would be so kind and if you saved the .pdf, would you please send it to Danadiamond219@yahoo.com? Thanks so much! Also, love your blog, I few it several times a week for your updates! :*)

Thanks, Dana

frugalsuz said...

Dana,

Just sent it off to you, enjoy!