In an earlier post, I mentioned that I was writing some newbie tips for the stores I shop at. I have a few friends that are looking to start couponing, so I decided to make cheat sheets for each store and post them for the benefit of anyone else looking to begin couponing.
Terms & Abbreviations you need to know for Rite Aid:RA: Rite Aid :)
SCR: Single Check Rebate - this is Rite Aid's rebate system. You enter all of your receipt info on the Rite Aid SCR website throughout the month and receive one rebate check at the end of the month (or whenever you request it.)
MQ/Q: Manufacturers coupon - these are typically found in the Sunday paper
SQ: Store coupon
OOP: Out of pocket - the amount you actually pay for your items after any coupons/discounts
GC: gift card
GOS:Gift of Savings - special program Rite Aid runs at least once a year. They award you a store gift certificate (between $5 - $20)based on the amount you spend during a certain period of time.
BOGO: Buy one get one (either free or half off)
FAR: Free after rebate
Overage: When a store pushes a coupon through for the full face value even though the price of the item is less. Ex: If you're buying a candy bar for .50 and the coupon is for .75, if the coupon is pushed through at the full face value, you'll have .25 in overage. I like to think of it as a mini store credit. When you have overage, this is when you need a filler.
Filler: Inexpensive item purchased to cover overage...usually a pack of gum or a candy bar.
How to bargain shop at Rite Aid:In my opinion, Rite Aid is the easiest of all the drug stores to shop at. Each month, they have a new booklet listing all of their rebates for the month. Some of them are month-long deals, some are week-long deals, and some are only good for 3 days. Be sure to check the dates will be listed in the book for each rebate item.
Hot Coupon World (HCW) usually has advanced copies of the weekly ads
here. Members of the site list the deals they find in the RA forum, as well as the coupons that match up with the sales. HCW also has a
coupon database where you can search for coupons and find the expiration dates, release dates and sources.
Once you have a list of what to buy, and have pulled the coupons that match up with your list, there is one more thing to check for....store coupons.
Here is one that is good until 12/19/09 for $5/$25 purchase. You can also check
coupons.com for store coupons or "earn" coupons by
watching short videos over at riteaid.com.
Next, all you have to do is head out to your local Rite Aid, buy your items and enter your receipt information onto the website.
Pros:1. I know as a newbie, I always felt like I was doing something naughty when I walked out of a store paying pennies for my items. The best thing about doing the Rite Aid deals is you don't feel as though you're doing something wrong since your OOP cost is still relatively normal, even with coupons.
2. In my experience, Rite Aid has always given overage. Always a plus!
3. I've also never had an issue using a BOGO free coupon in conjunction with a BOGO free sale....making both items free.
4. Best of all, it's easy to make a profit. Many of the FAR items in the SCR rewards booklet have coupons that match up. Between those and the store coupons ($5/$25 purchase etc.) that are almost always available, it's easy to turn most transactions into money makers.
5. If a rebate item is out of stock, you can ask for a rain check. You can still receive the rebate, even if the promotional period has ended, as long as you fax your receipt and a quick note explaining the situation.
Cons:1. Although it's listed as a pro above, the fact that you're paying for most of your items up front means it's more expensive to start shopping these sales, since you have to front the cash before receiving the rebates.
2. Though they've gotten better, I still find that rebate items are some times out of stock. You can always get a rain check, of course, but it can mess up your plan.
Still have questions?? Feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email at theebargainhunter (at) gmail (dot) com.
Sorry for the terrible photo quality!! I haven't done much CVS shopping at all lately, and have so many large EBs expiring soon. Luckily my stores take expired EBs up to 30 days after the expiration date, so that gives me a little extra time.
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