While CVS is a convenient place to pick up your prescription and grab some essentials, the drugstore chain can also be a surprisingly pricey option for certain items. Resisting impulse buys and comparing prices can help protect your budget to a point, but what about the purchases that can’t wait?
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Thankfully, several money-saving shopping hacks can help you save money on CVS items and also lead to purchase rewards, free delivery services and full refunds when available. Here are six things you should consider doing for the next time you shop at CVS.
Join ExtraCare or ExtraCare Plus
One of the smartest moves as a CVS customer is to sign up for the ExtraCare loyalty program for special sale prices, deals and various rewards. It beats clipping coupons and brings personalized weekly sales flyers to a whole new level. For example, you can get a $3 reward for your birthday, earn ExtraBucks Rewards worth 2% of each eligible purchase and receive as much as $50 in additional pharmacy-specific rewards yearly.
The basic CVS ExtraCare program gives members these benefits for free. If you pay $5 monthly for ExtraCare Plus, you also get free shipping and delivery perks, save 20% on CVS Health items, receive a $10 bonus reward each month and have access to 24/7 phone help from a pharmacist.
Once you’re a member, look for special deals on the CVS app, where you can also track the rewards and coupons you have access to. When shopping, make sure to provide your ExtraCare loyalty card or account information so you get all your perks.
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Catch the Sales and Markdowns
The CVS weekly sales start on Sundays, and there are seasonal and monthly sales you also shouldn’t miss. One way to stay updated is via the weekly deals page, which also notes coupons, promo codes and available ExtraBucks Rewards offers. You can also see the weekly ad on the CVS app or website.
Additionally, the next time you’re at CVS, look for markdowns in the regular aisles and the clearance section. Savvy shoppers have noted that CVS tends to mark down holiday-specific items the day after, and you’ll also find seasonal markdowns in August and September. Other items, such as discontinued home products and toys, may go on clearance at any time.
Ask About Rainchecks
While it’s safest to pick up sale items when CVS first stocks them, you can usually get a raincheck if the specific item is out of stock and there’s no substitute. Not only does the raincheck never expire, but you’ll even get an extended expiration date for CVS coupons you have for that item. Now if only this were an option when grocery shopping at other stores.
Pick the CVS Store Brands
CVS has store brands for everything from beauty and health products to pet supplies, laundry detergents and other home essentials. If you take Dave Ramsey’s advice to compare generic versus name-brand prices, you might cut your shopping bill by picking items from CVS Health, Live Better, Total Home and other CVS brands.
For example, the chain’s website showed that a pack of 30 antibacterial fabric bandages was $3.79 for the CVS Health brand versus $6.99 for the Band-Aid brand — about a 46% difference.
Stack Your Coupons
If you’re a coupon fanatic, CVS’s generous coupon policy won’t disappoint. While there’s a general policy of one manufacturer’s coupon per item, you can stack that with various CVS store coupons and ExtraBucks Rewards to potentially get items very cheaply or even for free.
However, CVS won’t let coupons exceed a specific item’s price, and you usually can’t use CVS coupons on clearance or sale items. Check the store’s coupon policy for more exceptions.
Know the Store’s Generous Guarantees
CVS offers 100% guarantees on most of its store-brand items and beauty products, so you don’t have to lose money if one of these products doesn’t work out for you. There’s a 60-day time limit, and items can still qualify if you’ve opened them.
You’ll just need your receipt and photo ID for in-store returns. The retailer’s customer care can help you with mail-in returns.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 CVS Shopping Hacks To Save You Money
