Below is the Walgreen's Coupon Policy. My comments are in RED. Walgreen's is not for the faint of heart, it can be complicated, however, I'll try to make it a bit easier.
Print Walgreen's Coupon Policy from their website so you have an authentic copy.
*****************Begin Policy*****************
As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.
Guidelines:
General
- All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
- Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
- Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
- Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
- Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
- The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register RewardsTM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
- Pay attention to the number of items and the number of coupons in your transactions. Most cashiers do not know WHY a coupon will not scan. More than likely it is because of this rule.
- Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.
Sale Items
- Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.
- I have heard of both cashiers and managers telling customers they cannot use coupons on sale items. NOT TRUE. Pull out your printed copy of this coupon policy (without my comments) and show them. Also, In most Walgreen's sales circulars it says beside of the item "coupons in Sunday paper" or something like that.
- In the event that any item's selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.
- This is my favorite. I have been accused of coupon fraud trying to use a coupon that is one cent higher than the price of the item. This one really bothers me. Walgreen's (any store actually) will mark down the amount of the coupon for you and me, but they will turn in the coupon for the full amount. Thereby making money on the value of the coupon AND stores are paid eight cents per coupon redeemed.
- This part is up to you. I make sure the cashier writes the value they are giving me on the coupon and place a mark through the bar code.
Multiple Coupons
- When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
- Note that Walgreens coupons do not count in the coupon to item ratio. You can use 2 Walgreens coupons on one item--but some stores may not let you. Point out that (s) after coupon in their policy.
- The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).
- This is my favorite. I have been accused of coupon fraud trying to use a coupon that is one cent higher than the price of the item. This one really bothers me. Walgreen's (any store actually) will mark down the amount of the coupon for you and me, but they will turn in the coupon for the full amount. Thereby making money on the value of the coupon AND stores are paid eight cents per coupon redeemed.
- This part is up to you. I make sure the cashier writes the value they are giving me on the coupon and place a mark through the bar code.
- When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.
- Key words in this statement are "Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased."
- Be respectful of the store and other customers. DO NOT CLEAR THE SHELF by purchasing large quantities. You will may questioned by the store and you WILL anger other couponers. There will be another sale just as good in the future.
Buy One, Get One Free Coupons
- When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.
- Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.
- What this means. You can use a BOGO coupon on a BOGO sale and get BOTH items for FREE. You must pay the tax though. I have had cashiers and managers I have to "buy" one item. NOT true. You are purchasing both items and using the BOGO coupon on one item just as if you would use a $1 coupon on that same item. THIS IS SUPER CONFUSING!
Internet/Print at Home Coupons
- Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons. I'll do the anatomy of a coupon later to make this even more clear.
Register RewardsTM coupons
Earning Register RewardsTM
- Register RewardsTM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.
- Register RewardsTM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.
- There is a limit of one Register RewardsTM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.
- DO NOT purchase more than ONE item in a transaction that gives you Register Rewards. Only ONE will print. Do TWO transactions!
- Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
- Check the manufacturer on the Register Reward and check the manufacturer of the items you are purchasing. Told ya it's complicated! If you use the Register Reward (aka RR) to purchase another item by the same manufacturer that is to net another RR, you will not receive it. As indicated in the first item below.
Redeeming Register RewardsTM
- Customers redeeming a Register RewardsTM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
- Refer to Register RewardsTM coupon for expiration date. Will not take expired RRs
- The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.
- This is the opposite of what they say about only taking coupons for the value and making down the coupon amount, so be careful.
- The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
- Although Walgreens coupons are not included in the items to coupon ratio, RRs do. This is the reason you will see on many scenarios to get a "small filler." (explained below)
- Register RewardsTM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.
- Register RewardsTM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.
- Register RewardsTM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Ineligible items include but are not limited to:
-
- Prescriptions
- Tobacco products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Dairy products
- Lottery tickets
- Money orders/transfers
- Transportation passes
- Special event/entertainment tickets or passes
- Postage stamps
- Gift cards/phone cards/prepaid/Green DotTM cards
- Prescription Savings Club" memberships
- Health care services, including immunizations
- Any items prohibited by law
*****************End Policy*****************
It takes time to understand this complicated policy, but once you do, you can make out like a bandit getting items for practically nothing.
Helpful Walgreen's Lingo:
RR= Register Reward: A coupon that prints out after making the required purchase(s). Usually range from $1 and up.
Filler item: A CHEAP item thrown into your transaction to make up for a couple of items:
- Coupon to item ratio
- An item to bring your total up slightly to cover possible overages
I will purchase an item as a filler for the above purposes and return it immediately. I have learned to just say it was a mistake with NO other explanation! I discussed this with several store managers and they said it is perfectly acceptable.
So there you have it boys and girls, the ins and outs of Walgreen's Coupon Policy. To be perfectly frank, Walgreen's is a pain in the you know what, but if you are lucky enough to have a store where the management trains the cashiers correctly, consider yourself EXTREMELY lucky.
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When you have questions, and you will, please leave a comment below and I'll respond to it.
This allows others to understand the policy better as well.
