CVS Extra Bucks - can I use them for anything?

[lecach]

I have $48 in ECB's. $28 that are from my EC card and $20 that my Mom gave me. Can I use them towards the purchase of a gift card? Like one of the restaurant ones or the Visa ones? I've never tried that and just wondered.

 

[torinsmom]

I think it states on them that you can't use them on gift cards, but you could use them on other things you would buy and then use the money you save to buy the gift cards.

Marsha

 

[bluesaturn]

You won't be able to use the ECB your mother gave you if they came from your card, unless you have a copy of her card and have them scan that. You can must present the card they were printed from to use them. Her phone number might work though. And you won't be able to use them all together (the $48 and $20) because they are from two different cards.

You can't use them on gift cards, alcohol, cigarettes, and perhaps prescriptions? You can use them on anything else. I wouldn't throw them away because you can get $48 worth of free toliet paper, shampoo, over the counter meds, etc.

 

[bechtelca@comcast.ne]

I have never done the CVS ECB program. Just to clarify...when I earn ECB's I can then use them on basically anything (except alcohol, GC's, cigarettes,etc?) I always thought they were for certain brands or limited products. Example...if I earn $20 worth of ECB's I can then turn around and buy $20 of makeup or toilitries? If so, why have I not done this before?!

 

[LanaJae]

I have never done the CVS ECB program. Just to clarify...when I earn ECB's I can then use them on basically anything (except alcohol, GC's, cigarettes,etc?) I always thought they were for certain brands or limited products. Example...if I earn $20 worth of ECB's I can then turn around and buy $20 of makeup or toilitries? If so, why have I not done this before?!

They are just like cash so buy anything you want, except for.. alcohol, tobacco, lottery, gift cards, money orders, postage stamps, pre-paid cards, prescriptions, and special order Home Health Care items, including footwear.

 

[bluesaturn]

I have never done the CVS ECB program. Just to clarify...when I earn ECB's I can then use them on basically anything (except alcohol, GC's, cigarettes,etc?) I always thought they were for certain brands or limited products. Example...if I earn $20 worth of ECB's I can then turn around and buy $20 of makeup or toilitries? If so, why have I not done this before?!

Yes you can do that. I continuously ask myself why more people don't use them. It's free money.

 

[Atotty]

I've got another question that fits with the topic. Can you take your ECB's from this week and buy ECB eligible products next week and earn more ECBs? Or do you just earn ECB's if you use money?

 

[RobinFabulous]

Yes you can do that. I continuously ask myself why more people don't use them. It's free money.

I'm going to start trying to do it. But, in our area CVS is often higher than Walmart, so that's why I don't buy more things there

 

[torinsmom]

I've got another question that fits with the topic. Can you take your ECB's from this week and buy ECB eligible products next week and earn more ECBs? Or do you just earn ECB's if you use money?

Yes you can! You don't have to wait until the next week; if you haven't reached the limit of an item, you can keep buying that week. I just started this week, because they had a lot of free after ECB items. I spent more than I wanted to my first time(because I didn't have any ECB's) but I earned $31 worth of ECB's. Then I went and used those ECB's to buy more of the ECB items, paid less than $1 OOP and got $21 more ECB's, went back through again and used those and ended up with $13( would have had more if I had known I had reached the limit) I think I spent $2.20 between those three trips through the checkouts. I got 2 months worth of foundation and compact powder, 6 months worth of deodorant and some soap and tampons, and one each of Aussie shampoo and conditioner. It is actually pretty addictive, LOL. You can use coupons at the same time to even make money on some items.

Marsha

 

[ShiPooOwner]

I've just started understanding the ECB system and haven't done too much yet. I'm wondering how do you know what the limit is on a certain ECB deal? I thought the limit on ProCare toothpaste was one but then I think I saw somewhere it was two so I bought a second one and I got my $3.49 in ECB back again. How do I find out?

 

[bluesaturn]

I'm going to start trying to do it. But, in our area CVS is often higher than Walmart, so that's why I don't buy more things there

This is true. But if you "CVS" as they call it (rolling ECB) you will continuously get things completely free. So it won't matter if Walmart has a cheaper retail price, because CVS stuff will be free.

 

[LanaJae]

I've just started understanding the ECB system and haven't done too much yet. I'm wondering how do you know what the limit is on a certain ECB deal? I thought the limit on ProCare toothpaste was one but then I think I saw somewhere it was two so I bought a second one and I got my $3.49 in ECB back again. How do I find out?

It's actually 4, through tomorrow. Sometimes the ad says "limit 1" and it's more than that and the shelf tag will be correct, and sometimes the shelf tag is wrong too. You can tell if you can buy at least 1 more if, on the bottom of your receipt, it does not say "*Offer Limit Reached." Also, check the weekly CVS thread here because often others will post what the actual limit is.

 

[bluesaturn]

I've just started understanding the ECB system and haven't done too much yet. I'm wondering how do you know what the limit is on a certain ECB deal? I thought the limit on ProCare toothpaste was one but then I think I saw somewhere it was two so I bought a second one and I got my $3.49 in ECB back again. How do I find out?

The official limit is in the sales paper, or on the handtag on the shelf. There an be unofficial limits as well, when CVS increases the limit but doesn't let anyone know. When people find out they will share this info on forums online (like the CVS thread here. Also, on your receipt a list of the ECB deals you bought that week will show up. If it doesn't have a *limit reached next to it, you can buy more.

 

[RobinFabulous]

This is true. But if you "CVS" as they call it (rolling ECB) you will continuously get things completely free. So it won't matter if Walmart has a cheaper retail price, because CVS stuff will be free.

So what is the best way to start? I'm totally clueless but like the idea of free.....

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well, start by - if you haven't already - signing up for a CVS Extra Care Card.

Then watch this forum for advance notice, and/or your weekly CVS ad either hard-copy or online, for ECB (Extra Care Bucks) deals. Then take advantage of them if it's something you would use or would like to try*.

When you pay for the items, ECBs will print out at the bottom of your receipt. You can use these like cash to purchase any allowed item.

Example: yesterday I used a $2 ECB that I got because I purchased a particular item earlier, plus a $5 off $50 ECB, plus a $2 off any Bliss chocolate. One of the items I purchased was the Rival Crockpot for $19.99 - and so I got $10 ECB for that. This gives me a net cost of $9.99 (which means I can use it for our office grab or keep it for myself ), and now I have $10 "just like cash" to spend on something else.


*There's the ethical issue of purchasing the limit of something JUST because it's free, but we won't get into that

 

[RobinFabulous]

Well, start by - if you haven't already - signing up for a CVS Extra Care Card.

Then watch this forum for advance notice, and/or your weekly CVS ad either hard-copy or online, for ECB (Extra Care Bucks) deals. Then take advantage of them if it's something you would use or would like to try*.

When you pay for the items, ECBs will print out at the bottom of your receipt. You can use these like cash to purchase any allowed item.

Example: yesterday I used a $2 ECB that I got because I purchased a particular item earlier, plus a $5 off $50 ECB, plus a $2 off any Bliss chocolate. One of the items I purchased was the Rival Crockpot for $19.99 - and so I got $10 ECB for that. This gives me a net cost of $9.99 (which means I can use it for our office grab or keep it for myself ), and now I have $10 "just like cash" to spend on something else.


*There's the ethical issue of purchasing the limit of something JUST because it's free, but we won't get into that

Thanks! I have the card and checked to be sure it's registered online. I thought you had to wait until the next quarter for the ECB to print out

 

[torinsmom]

So what is the best way to start? I'm totally clueless but like the idea of free.....

If your CVS still has any stock of the free after ECB items(go to the CVS site and look at the Thanksgivig weekend sale ad), you could start tonight or tomorrow. You can even sign up for the card at the store and they will give it to you right there. Here is what you could do(just an example of course).....

Go in and buy 1 Right Guard professional strength deo--$7.99(7.00 ECB), one Crest Pro Health toothpaste--$3.49($3.49 ECB), one Aussie shampoo--$2.99($2.99 ECB), and one Aussie conditioner--$2.99(2.99 ECB) So you would spend around $18 before tax. You would earn about $17 in ECB's. Then you can use those ECB's(which come out like coupons after the receipt) and buy $17 or more worth of things with ECB's(if you want to keep earning) It will tell you on the receipt which things you have reached the limit on. You could go back through and buy 2 of the Cover Girl foundation at 7.99 each(7.99 each ECB's) and one of the $1.00 King size Hersey's candy bars(1.00 ECB's). Your OOP should be a few cents and you would earn about $17 ECB's again. You could go on and on until you reach the limit really, or until your store runs out of stock. Some people even buy stuff they wouldn't use and give it away to those who can. I now have 5 of the Right Guard Pro, and it should last my DS 6 months or more.......

Marsha

 

[torinsmom]

Thanks! I have the card and checked to be sure it's registered online. I thought you had to wait until the next quarter for the ECB to print out

I signed up for mine and used it(A LOT ) yesterday. The ECB prints out right on the receipt.

Marsha

 

[RobinFabulous]

I signed up for mine and used it(A LOT ) yesterday. The ECB prints out right on the receipt.

Marsha

Do they expire?

 

[johde]

The ECB expire after 1 month. Normally I can find something someone can use in that month that generates new ECB. If not, I just buy milk or something else we need anyways.