cvs---Has anyone seen CVS offer so few deals in the past

[mollysmom]

OK So as we all know CVS has been really slim pickings lately. What are the guru's thoughts. The sad future or just a slump???

[cblanchard76]

It's times like these that I hate. It happened last year, and I lost focus. It's hard to keep those ECB's rolling...

[Sculpture Widow]

Thanks OP, I had the same question.
I'm approaching my 1st anniversary of couponing. Last month was the first time I burned ECBs on things I needed, and I haven't been back to CVS since as there are no deals right now worth doing (for me).
Even though I really am missing CVS and it's deals, it's also been a bit of a nice break to not have another store to worry about.
(I can't believe I just said that).
When the deals come back, I have some rain checks that should help out.

Was there a slump in the deals the same time last year??

[swtchks]

It happens every year

[QponClippinQueen]

About 2 years ago I was going through a rough patch at home and decided to give CVSing a break. I some how (still don't understand) but I let $243. go to waste in ECB's. I just "forgot" about them I think.

Now I want to start over and I can't find a week that has anything I want for a low OOP. I have a $16 GC right now that I'm holding onto just in case a great deal comes I won't have any actual OOP just the GC. I'm stuck for now at wags (although I'm doing great) I just loved loved loved CVS's food ECB's. Wags have been slim for me.

[anaj06]

It has been a slim year. I started in Fall of 2007 and have not had less than $20 (usually much more) rolling ever since until Sept 2009. I finally got sick of it, because there was nothing to roll to and very frustrating! So I cashed them all in on things I needed and I haven't seen anything since to warrant getting back in the game. I have $125 in GCs for when there is:)

I thought for sure, I'd be back for Halloween...last year Halloween week was huge. Several freebies and lots of good deals...nope none this year. I hope its not here to stay...I bet it will turn around when the economy does....

Curious now about Black Friday...last year there was $60 or $70 in Free after ECB items and with $/$$ Qs and manufacture Qs I made out like a bandit. I actually went on my way to Thanksgiving dinner the deals were so good and they started on TG instead of the day after...wonder what this year will bring.

[KristieGK]

I guess the answer is in each individuals perspective, but I can tell you that IMO it has steadily gone down hill. And it's not just the amount of ECB deals but lots of different factors.

When I started 4 or 5 years years ago limits were 3 and 5 on most every deal. Then they were lowered to one. Deals on items that we could always count on have either stopped or been spread so far apart that you can't count on them anymore.
Then there are items that used to pay out a lot more than they do now. All this and rule changes made it harder, but still doable.
Now with the amount of ECB deals being fewer and fewer on top of the ECB being counted and taxed as manu coupons I can never get a low OOP any more. I went from never spending more than a dollar on a couple hundred dollars worth of product and rolling my ECBs without loss, to now where I do good to get $30 or $40 worth of product for $5 and always losing ECBs.
Like yesterday... I went in with $15 in ECBs to roll and could only manage to get $5 in ECBs in return. Plus my OOP was over $6. And if I were to be honest with myself it wasn't worth it. I lost $10 in ECBs and paid $6 real cash. To me that is unacceptable. It doesn't help that I have to drive half an hour to get to CVS. So that's another factor, for me personally.

I'm steadily losing my ECBs and it won't be long before I am down to my last $10 unless something changes pretty quick. Also, where I live coupon inserts are hard to come by. All these things combined are making it less lucrative that ever for me. I will miss it if I have to quit, but week by week it just seems I have less and less reason to continue. :(

[Moma]

Originally Posted by KristieGK I guess the answer is in each individuals perspective, but I can tell you that IMO it has steadily gone down hill. And it's not just the amount of ECB deals but lots of different factors. When I started 4 or 5 years years ago limits were 3 and 5 on most every deal. Then they were lowered to one. Deals on items that we could always count on have either stopped or been spread so far apart that you can't count on them anymore. Then there are items that used to pay out a lot more than they do now. All this and rule changes made it harder, but still doable. Now with the amount of ECB deals being fewer and fewer on top of the ECB being counted and taxed as manu coupons I can never get a low OOP any more. I went from never spending more than a dollar on a couple hundred dollars worth of product and rolling my ECBs without loss, to now where I do good to get $30 or $40 worth of product for $5 and always losing ECBs. Like yesterday... I went in with $15 in ECBs to roll and could only manage to get $5 in ECBs in return. Plus my OOP was over $6. And if I were to be honest with myself it wasn't worth it. I lost $10 in ECBs and paid $6 real cash. To me that is unacceptable. It doesn't help that I have to drive half an hour to get to CVS. So that's another factor, for me personally. I'm steadily losing my ECBs and it won't be long before I am down to my last $10 unless something changes pretty quick. Also, where I live coupon inserts are hard to come by. All these things combined are making it less lucrative that ever for me. I will miss it if I have to quit, but week by week it just seems I have less and less reason to continue. :(

You sound just like me!! I mean really...just how many Glade items do I need???

I didn't even go to CVS this weekend....I might go Saturday for the Glade..but that is it. I would even be happy with a good toothpaste deal!!

[cline19d2]

I got the softsoap & the glade. There was a q I think in last weeks inserts for a free base when you buy the pump. I had a $2 q from the RIB magazine not free but with the $4ecb & a $6/$36 I ended up burning $8 in cash and ecbs but I would have paid that for the tylenol & advil I needed anyway.
There is a $2/1 ip for the softsoap if you can find a q for the base free it might work out ok for you.

[RockyGap]

I believe the purpose of the slim ECB deals this past month is to have you spend and use most of your ECB's before Black Thursday.