[mommywise]

I just got back from the trip to CVS for 1st ECB deals. I didn't have any ECBs.
#1 Transaction
popcorn maker 19.99
total OOP $21.19
Got $10 ECB.

#2 Transaction
Memory foam pillow 9.99
Colgate toothpaste 2.99
-1.50 coupon
-10 ECB
OOP $1.66

Got ECB 3.00, 2.99 total 5.99
Total OOP 22.85, ECB for future spend 5.99

I was going to make a 3rd transaction for the toothpaste but the cashier said when I use ECB, I need to use them up in 1 transaction, is this true?
When I couldn't find the foam pillow and asked help for finding it, he didn't look much and told me they were out. I looked some more shelves and found several on the top shelf so I didn't trust him much after that.
I wanted to get another appliance (couldn't decide which one between the popcorn maker or 3 in 1 griddle) but wasn't sure if I could buy another one. My receipt didn't say any "limit reached" statement.
Now, as far as my transaction, is this how CVSing go? Or could I've been better? I didn't have any other Qs for free ECB deals and I didn't want to buy too much from the beginning.
P.S. ECB bucks didn't print out for the pillow so I had to go back and correct it, is this normal usually?

[katerinab]

You need to use the whole ECB up in one shot (i.e. if you have a 2.99 ECB, you will lose the rest of it if you only spend $1.49 of it), but you don't have to use ALL your ECBs in one trip.

You have done just fine so far!

[mommywise]

Ok, I thought I could have remaining balance on the ECBs receipt and could use it before it expires from the issue date. Is that means it is better to have smaller ECBs back in each transaction so I don't have to try to fill up the amount?? Thank you.

[katerinab]

No, ECBs are not like gift cards - they have no way of tracking a balance left. They're much more like a coupon than a gift card. Yes, it is better to have smaller amounts. It's usually better to split deals up - like if you want to do a quantity of three of an item that gives 5 ECB back, it's best to do three transactions and get 5 ECB than do them all on one order and get a single 15 ECB back.

[MeAndPhoenix]

Originally Posted by mommywise

Ok, I thought I could have remaining balance on the ECBs receipt and could use it before it expires from the issue date. Is that means it is better to have smaller ECBs back in each transaction so I don't have to try to fill up the amount?? Thank you.

Yes, definitely better to have smaller ECB's because you do have to use the entire amount for the specific ECB you are giving the cashier towards your purchase or you lose it. So if you had your ECB of $5.98 for the two Colgates, and your total was only $3.00, you would want to find another item that was $3+ (preferably something else free after ECB's or at least a really good deal) to use the rest on or sometimes I'll just pay the OOP so I'm not wasting my ECB's on filler items that I won't use or don't need.

As for your transactions this morning, just out of curiousity, why didn't you purchase more of the items that were free after ECB's? If I'm reading it right, the only one you took advantage of was the Colgate. I'm just asking because, had you made your first transaction all items that were free after ECB's and that you had coupons for, you would have paid less to get your ECB's started (and there's still time!) Then when you've bought all the free after ECB stuff, you use those ECB's to buy everything else for your final purchase. For instance, assuming that you have no coupons at all, here are some good money makers with internet printed coupons only that you could start with:

(2) L'Oreal Lipgloss=$6.99 x 2=$13.98-(2)$1 IP cpns=$11.98
Complete Contact Solution $8.99-$2 IP cpn=$6.99
(2) Colgate $2.99x2=$5.98-(2) $1.50 IP cpns=$2.98
Subtotal=$21.95


You would get back:
$13.98 L'Oreal ECBs
$8.99 Complete Solution ECB's
$5.98 Colgate ECBs
Total ECB's earned: $28.95 (profit before taxes, 7 bucks!)

Also, if your store has a scanner, always scan your card before you start shopping. I did this morning and got a $4/$20! If you received one of these, your profit would be 11 bucks!

Then you would use your $28.95 in ECB's to buy your next round of freebies (again, any with coupons first, this is going to build up your ECB's and each transaction is another opportunity to get a $/$$ to print).

I hope this makes sense, I get WAY too excited when I start talking about this!

[mommywise]

MeandPhenix, Wow, thanks for your detailed advice. This is what I was asking for LOL...
The reason I didn't get any other was I didn't have any coupons (I think I might have 1 IP Loreal one that I didn't think to use). Also since I started with zero ECBs I was afraid to spend money to get started without coupons. I am still feeling unsure about free items since I wouldn't buy those regularly and I don't have coupons to earn money.
I want to go back and try another appliance and Loreal and Complete (I did print out 2 now after I came home).
Should I buy free stuff even without coupons? Should I make each transaction less than $15 ecb back? I don't have any x/xx, only $5.99 ecb now.