CVS Deals - 1/30

I decided I better get to CVS today to get a few things that I had wanted to pick up. I tried to go on my lunch break, but when I got to the store, the shelves were bare. Upon back tracking to the door, I saw the notice that the pharmacy was open but the other merchandise was not available. You see, they are opening a new location sometime next week. I was disappointed.

So, then I headed to a different store. They had the items that I wanted and some that I had rainchecks for. Which turned into a headache, as the store manager told me that she would take the rainchecks just this once, since she hadn't issued them. She suggested that I really should have the store that issued the rainchecks print my ECBs. She told me that I couldn't use coupons for the items because my rainchecks were for free after ECB items. I questioned this, since I am able to use coupons to buy current ECB items - free or not. She agreed to allow me to use them just this once. I'm guessing that I won't rush back. It was a little frustrating, but I was glad to get some of the free after ECB items from before Christmas that I still had rainchecks for.

Here is what I got:

Transaction #1
1 - Gillette Shampoo
2 - Pantene Conditioners
2 - Arm & Hammer Essentials starters
1 - Benefiber 16 stick pack

-$2 Gillette mfg coupon
-$3 $3/2 Pantene mfg coupon
-$1 Arm and Hammer mfg coupon
-$1 Arm and Hammer mfg coupon
-$2 Benefiber coupon

I paid with $16 ECBs and $2.50 on a gift card and $1.05 in cash OOP. I earned $9 ECB. Then the manager printed a $10 ECB and a $3 ECB for the rainchecked items. I really wish she had split them correctly and done a $6 and a $7 ECB - would have saved me cash OOP in transaction #2.

Transaction #2
1 - Benefiber 62dose canister

-$2 Benefiber mfg coupon
-$3 CRT Benefiber

Paid with $3 ECB and $4.99 OOP. Earned $10 ECB.

I started the day with $16 in ECBs. I finished the day with $29 ECBs. I paid $2.50 on a free gift card and $6.04 in cash. I came out ahead (net of $4.46 profit), but as I said, would have preferred the ECBs were split properly - it would have saved me $4 OOP. I could have gotten a filler, but I was so frustrated with the raincheck discussion that I didn't want to have to go and find something on deal or that I needed for $2 or so.

To see how others did, check out Super Savings Saturday at Money Saving Mom and CVS Superstars at the "Cent"sible Sawyer.