"Never need to transfer ..." ends in some CVS stores

"Never?" transfer from CVS ... not forever!

The big "Never Need to Transfer ..." red banners that showed up at CVS pharmacies about a year ago are starting to disappear in some Columbus area stores this month.  And the willingness of pharmacists and clerks to honor what it claimed had been disappearing long before this month at multiple locations.

This had been a campaign to convince people not to transfer their prescriptions to competitors to use a coupon one month and then transfer it back the next month with another coupon. As an area manager explained to me, it saved pharmacists a lot of time on the phone after the prescription was originally brought to them.  They wouldn't have to be on the phone when a competitor's coupon is incentive to a customer to transfer the prescription away ... at least for a month ... and then perhaps have that same pharmacist back on the phone in a month to transfer it back for yet another coupon.

Some stores (like one on Henderson Road) no longer has that sign up and will no longer honor that (ask their new manager, Teresa, why).  But the sign is still up at other stores -- at least those located in more competitive areas or where they think it's more necessary/advantageous -- such as at the CVS near the Giant Eagle at corner of Sawmill and Bethel.  

If you're about to have CVS (that still has the "Never Need to Transfer ..." sign up at its pharmacy) refill a prescription and you have some competitor coupons, ask if they will still honor the sign behind them.   If they don't honor it anymore, I suggest you consider transferring to a competitor (perhaps the one you have a coupon for) and let them know it's because they no longer honor what they're advertising.  You might also want to ask those who still have the big red banner up but don't honor it WHY they would still advertise such a claim. If you have some righteous indignation about FALSE ADVERTISING (as I do), you might also want to ask how you can contact the pharmacy manager, store manager, and district manager to discuss this.

-Tom

$10 Kmart gift card with NEW or TRANSFERRED; expires 5/15

In the Kmart sales flyer this week (that was in Sunday newspapers and in the bags of ads dropped off in some neighborhoods), there's an Rx coupon to:

"Get up to a $10 Kmart Gift Card with the purchase of a NEW or TRANSFERRED prescription."

EXPIRES: 5/15/2010

In the fine print is the usual mention that to get the full $10, the total cost of the medication -- co-pay plus what the insurance plan pays -- must be $10.  If it's less than that, then the gift card given is the total amount.  For example, if it's a $5 copay and the insurer pays the remaining $3 for the $8 cost, you get an $8 gift card.

It also says ONE per customer.  But most pharmacists at most Kmart locations I've tried are fine with honoring more than one -- if not per day, at least per week ... as is the case with taking competitor coupons there.

WHERE ELSE CAN YOU USE?
CVS but more locations and pharmacists will now hassle you -- using any fine print in the competitor coupon as an excuse to make good on their "We accept all competitor prescription coupons" claim.  Some pharmacists and their bosses will interpret this "one per customer" as a "once ever" limit ... or at least "once per THAT particular coupon & its expiration date from THAT competitor."  

"Never?" transfer from CVS ... not forever!
Also, don't expect to be able to use coupons at CVS for refills anymore.  The "Never Need to Transfer ..." red banners are starting to disappear in some Columbus area stores.  This had been a campaign to convince people not to transfer their prescriptions to competitors to use a coupon one month and then transfer it back the next month with another coupon.  It was started about a year ago.  But you'll see some stores (like one on Henderson Road) no longer has that sign up and will no longer honor that (ask their new manager why).  But the sign is still up closer to more scrappy competitor Giant Eagle at corner of Sawmill and Bethel.  Be sure to ask before you get a refill.  If they don't honor it anymore, transfer to a competitor and let them know it's because they no longer honor it.  You might also want to ask those who still have the big red banner up but don't honor it WHY they would still advertise such a claim.

Giant Eagle will accept one per 6 months (as noted at http://matrix.Rx4Less.net) with no hassle.  Kroger might accept ... one at most ... and as long as you haven't already redeemed more than 4 competitor coupons in your lifetime, despite signs in their stores that say "We Gladly Accept Competitor Coupons."

Last day for Target $10 coupon (expires 4/19)

Today's the last day to use Rx coupon that was in Target sales flyer two weeks ago (sorry I forgot to mention it 2 weeks ago).

You get $10 gift card for each NEW prescription or TRANSFERRED prescription you bring them WITH a coupon (bring 2 new prescriptions and 4 transfers, bring 6 coupons! Get $60 worth of gift cards).

CVS, Giant Eagle and Kroger also take these (but you'll find strict limitations at Giant Eagle and Kroger as mentioned at http://matrix.Rx4Less.net ).