"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 ).

Kmart: $25 for each transfer (up to $100 for 4); $10 for new prescription

Kmart's sales flyers this week in Sunday's newspaper (yesterday) and in stores all week again have TWO coupons worth up to $110 in Kmart gift cards (for bringing them a total for 5 prescriptions -- 4 transfers, and 1 new script).

Receive up to $25 for each prescription you TRANSFER to Kmart.  There are four lines on the coupon; as long as total cost is $25 or more (copay plus the amount the insurance pays), you get full $25.  If it's less, the gift card is for the amount of the total (not just your copay amount).  And, you can bring 1, 2, 3, or 4 to them.  For four, the total is $100.

If you happen to have a brand NEW prescription from doctor to turn in, you can qualify for another $10 gift card.

Expiration: 4/17.

Want to use them elsewhere?  CVS is best place to take them.  Strict limitations apply at Giant Eagle and Kroger -- see http://matrix.rx4less.net/ .

Kmart has 2 coupons: One for up to $100 and other for $10

Both coupons are good through 3/27/2010.  These are in sales flyers in stores this week (and that were in the newspaper on Sunday).

First one gives up to $100 in Kmart gift cards for transferred prescriptions.  Value of prescription needs to be a total of $25 or more to get full $25 per prescription.

This includes co-pay and whatever the insurance pays combined.  If total is less, they'll still give you gift card for whatever the total cost was (with $5 copay and $12 paid by insurance, the total is $17 and that's what they'll give you as gift card).

The second coupon is for NEW prescription.  It's worth up to $10.  Same calculation for maximum value as just described.

Target $10 gift card with NEW or TRANSFERRED Rx

Usual Target coupon for $10 gift card with new or transferred prescription.  These are in sales flyers in stores this week (and that were in the newspaper on Sunday).

Expires: 3/22/10

Giant Eagle (Lancaster, Ohio): Earn up to $30 in free fuel with each new/transferred Rx

Giant Eagle in Lancaster (Ohio) has a coupon in the sales flyer that is online now and will be showing up in the store on Thursday (March 4).

For EACH *NEW* or *TRANSFERRED* prescription you take them with a coupon, you earn $1 in Giant Eagle FuelPerks. Each $1 in FuelPerks is worth up to $30 in free or discounted gas. For example, $2.50 in FuelPerks would earn you a free fill up (up to 30 gallons) right now. Not only do you earn points for the coupons but also for all grocery purchases and the amounts you pay as co-pays. For each $50 you spend, you earn 20 cents in FuelPerks. And they're good for at least 90 days.

Expires 3/24/10.

The sales flyer should be in the store through next Wednesday (March 10).