Walmart and Rite Aid Couponing Adventure - 7/20/2011

Had a wonderful experience couponing at Walmart and then at Rite Aid.  I'll do Walmart first.

Purchased:

• (2) Bengay Menthol Pain Relieving Gel: Vanishing Scent, Non-Greasy Gel (2.66oz) - $4.23
• (2) $5/1 Any Bengay Product (Excludes Trial Size) MFC - Printable
• Final Price: PROFIT of $0.77 each
• (2) Zyrtec 10mg Tablets (5ct) - $5.27
• (2) $5/1 Zyrtec (5ct) MFC - Printable
• Final Price: $0.27 each
• Great Value Spearmint Starlight Mints - $1.00
• Bought to cover the overage.  Technically, according to their coupon policy, Walmart would have paid me the overage in cash, but I figured I'd get something else for free!
• Final Price: $1.00

So, as a summary:

• Total Before Coupons: $20.00
• Total Value of Coupons: $20.00
• Total After Coupons: $0.00
• Total OOP: $0.00 (NO TAX!  I'm not quite sure how that worked, but that's what the computer said!)
• Percent Savings: 100%!!!

The register clerk was very understanding and patient with my couponing, as well.  She made a funny remark about asking what these pieces of paper were, and "look what you did" when she was done ringing them up.  Being patient and calm myself and not defensive definitely helped in this situation.  In my head, I was prepared to ask to see a manager, because at first, she didn't look like she would even try to scan them through the computer, even though I knew I had gotten them from a legitimate source, and they were not copies.  But, she put them through, and we were both shocked at the $0.00 total, not even tax.  I gave her a polite smile and a thank you and left the store, to later do my happy couponing dance in the parking lot.  Next, I went over to Rite Aid, where I had a bit more trouble than I thought I would.

I was going into Rite Aid for two specific products, the U by Kotex pantiliners that are on sale for $1 this week (for which I have a $1/1 coupon) and a Got2B full size product.  Upon getting into the store, I saw that the pantiliners were all sold out (I hate cleared shelves, especially when I only want one!  Oh well), and I also noticed that the +UP rewards that I had were set to expire on Saturday, so I knew I needed to find a way to spend those rewards then and there, which is not the best way to coupon.  So, I got the Got2B product, and a thing of floss.  Here's the trip details.

Purchased:

• Got2B Kinkier Spray Gel (9oz) - On Sale for $4.99
• $2/1 Any Got2B Full Size Product MFC
• Receive $2 +UP Rewards
• Final Price: $0.99
• Oral B Satin Floss (50m) - On Sale for $2.99
• $1/1 Oral B Satin Floss (30m or larger)
• Receive $1.50 +UP Rewards
• Final Price: $0.49
• Cella Cherry Milk Chocolate Candy - $0.33
• Used as a filler item to put my purchase over a negative value
• Redeemed $1 +UP Reward from the Rite Aid Video Ads, (2) $2 +UP Rewards from previous purchases

So, the summary

• Total Before Coupons: $8.31
• Total Value of Coupons and +UP Rewards: $8.00
• Total After Coupons: $0.31
• OOP: $0.33
• Rewards Received: $3.50 ($2, $1.5)
• Percent Savings: 96%

So, not a bad trip overall.  I'm walking out with less +UP rewards than I walked in with, but I guess that's the game.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose!  I'll still play the game though.  :-)  Enjoy your own couponing adventures and share you finds with us!