I’ve been holding off on announcing this because the rumors were flying
and it wasn’t clear what was true and what was speculation, but Lisa from
The Spot to Save shared with me an email that she received from Walgreens corporate recently that confirms that they are canceling the EasySaver rebates program as of May.
“Thank you for contacting us regarding our recent decision to evaluate the EasySaver program in its current form. Walgreens is always looking into the future. For this reason, we are looking at ways to revamp the rebate program to assist us in proceeding in an exciting direction. Although change is always intimidating we feel that it is time to develop a new loyalty program so we can offer our consumers new and improved services. You will continue to find the EasySaver Catalog in our stores through April. Please look for future advertisement regarding our new programs to come.”
So at this point it’s not clear if there is going to be a new program that will replace it. I’ve heard speculation that they will be amping up their Register Rewards promotions, but nothing has been confirmed.
Stay tuned for updates as we head into April and see if Walgreens starts to reveal their plans for the future!
sandy
Our store has always had problems with the RR- most times not working so I don’t do it because of having to call the manager and rering it. Our cashiers are not friendly and do not seem to be knowledgeable about coupons at all and need to be trained. I was told by one store some people really get out of hand and abuse the system of coupons and rr (maybe they will have something where a person has to get a card to scan and show id so the deal is one time per person per week, etc and register rewards will go onto a card where it rolls over after 24 hours or something to prevent people who walk in and out and buy till the shelves are empty- I did not go into it with them but I can only guess.)
Maybe they will get to lower prices like they were long ago so people will want to want in and shop that don’t have deals since many items are very high priced- but they are a great convenience.
ron watts
Well I am a Walgreens manager and there are plans to get rid of both the RR and easy saver programs. Many customers have problems with these programs and admittingly our cashiers can be as confused as the customer. Trust me, we complain as much as you all do. I do not know all the details but there will be more instant savings instead of RR or easy saver. I have heard rebates will soon print instantly at the register similar to other retailers like sears and bestbuy. Don’t out too much into any rumors you hear. No one in the store has all the info. Nothing is finalized.
Katrina
I will miss all the deals! I just got started with this too.
Here’s an idea….instead of jumping through hoops to get money back via RR or rebates, just reduce the prices.
Ashley
I just got started with the rebates and everything as well. But this worries me …. they can’t even get their coupon policy straight so I can’t imagine what they think they’ll be doing….. I hope it turns out well, though.
Terri
It would be just like them to stick to promotion of their Register Rewards program. I am nearing litigation status over the application of their RRs. Walgreens managers apparently think that you can scam their stores using RRs, so I would imagine that the environment there will be even less hospitable than it currently is. Also, the use of RRs is highly restrictive. You can only use one RR per item, regardless of the total cost of that item, so if you buy three items totaling $35, and you have 5 RRs that total $20, you will only be able to use three of them, regardless of value. This seems like one more way Walgreens has of making you think you’re getting a good deal when in fact you’re really not. I’ll be curious to see how this plays out.
Bonnie
I will be one of those that will miss the Easy Saver Rebates. I do $20+ of rebates each month and the 10% bonus alone is a sweet deal when you remember all of the cool free stuff that you get too. I think that we all need to remember to reward these companies as best as we are able with our valuable dollar, because they are still running a business and need to make money. Also, they bless us with so many awesome deals and help us keep our stockpiles stocked and their are ways that we can give them more business without spending more money. For example, we can use our RR’s to buy staples which we cannot get cheaper anywhere else. Milk is a good example for me because there is a state min $ where I am and everyone sells for the same price. Why not buy it while I’m there anyway and reward them for their great deals. Or diapers, I tried their brand awhile back and found that I really liked them, so now I buy nothing else and I stock up when they put their brand at rock bottom prices. Selling cheap W brand diapers to me is still better than selling no diapers to me for their bottom line. Also, use their photo or pharmacy services when you would spend the same somewhere else. Bottom line, we need to remember to give back to those helping us out and Walgreens and CVS have made a huge difference in my budget so I want to spend my $ there when there is no better deal to be had.
denise
Just my luck – I think after months I have finally figured out how it works – now they are going to go and change all the rules – and with the cashiers that always seem to have their heads – you know where – it will be months more before the new system works smoothly – CVS here I come!
Sherri
I never use the rebate programs…but the coupons in the book are a HUGE resource for me! I hope they do not get rid of those too!
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Roberta Skrydlak
i have used the Walgreens easysaver rebate program since it first started back in the ’90s. i have always found it quite useful, and at present have over $50 on my card.
all i need to know, and maybe one of the Walgreens managers out there can answer me, will i still be able to use what money i have left on the card, even if the program no longer exists?
thank you
Teresa
Since I don’t have a CVS or Walgreens near me, 2 hrs away, I don’t understand why everyone thinks that it these stores responsibility to give you free stuff. I enjoy these blogs, a lot doesn’t apply to me because of where I live, but have any of you owned or ran a business? You can’t just give and give, especially in this economy. I think their marketing strategy was similiar to grocery stores loss leaders. Get people in for the sales and they will buy other stuff. I don’t think it was supposed to end up being a game. I’m sure Walgreens marketing is smart enought to read these blogs and know what is going on. I’m sure some people buy other stuff besides the sale items, but a percentage probably just tries to get as much as possible for free. I don’t mean to sound negative, but these stores provide jobs, taxes and the convienence of being in many smaller neighborhoods. If you want to complain about the prices in Walgreens or CVS, try shopping in a town of 500 with the closest city(pop. 2500) an hour away. I think more should be grateful for what they have gotten over the years and hope maybe they can use some of the money they have been giving back to the customers on training their employees!
Melissa
Well, I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with! They are known for drawing people in with their deals, and I can’t imagine an end to great deals there!
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Amanda
I don’t mind seeing them go. I like the RR program. I wish out of all of this some big wig in Walgreens is reading all of these and will just stock the shelf more than 10 items at any one time even though they know it will be a popular item!
Thanks for being an awesome blogger!!! I have certainly enjoyed the guidance to the good deals!!! Thanks so much and keep up the great work!
Dee
Bummed to hear the program going away too! I must say that my local Walgreen’s has a pretty wonderful staff. I have only had a problem with 2 cashiers in all my trips to the store. As a matter of fact I have had a few that will remind me to use the ESC coupon on an item if I have forgotten at the checkout!! I count my blessings to have been able to save the money I have and hope to find more great deals.
Amanda
I love the EasySaver program. Sad to hear it is going away =(
fran
Valerie, You can always turn the screen so that you can see what you are paying for each item.
Roberta, The money on your card is your money. Even if there are no more programs, you’ll still be able to use your card as you please. Also cards never expire.
If what Ron (mgr.) says is true, I wouldn’t like that program. It sounds like you’d have to send in for each individual rebate, which would mean postage and making copies for your records. Would be more work than just entering it online. I personally like the rebates that you can do online. I also like the extra 10% with the gift card. With the gift card, you can use it whenever you want. With the ECBs, you have to make sure you use them before they expire. I think it would be great if we could exchange our ECBs for a gift card. There could also be a way that the register keeps a tally of your ECBs and instead of ECBs at the bottom of your receipt, there could just be a grand total and the cashier could give you a gift card for that amount. That way you would never have to worry about expiring ECBs. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Roberta Skrydlak
thanks, Valerie
Abby
Oh no I’m so worried I was loving all the good deals I found at Walgreens! We don’t have a CVS here so it is really my only chance.
I have to agree with what others have said with the Walgreen cashiers. Some can be very frustrating. I quit going to one Walgreens and started going to another due to this very annoying cashier. She didn’t speak the best English so it was hard to explain to her the discounts she needed to be giving me and such. She acted as though I was trying to pull something on her. I sometimes just gave up and paid the extra. No more went across town to shop!
Nicole
It really is okay with me. I find the RR and ESR programs much more complicated that ECBs so I only go to Walgreens when something is an absolute excellent deal; plus I have stopped buying stuff I don’t need. I figured that after all these thousands of women got into the big savings, CVS and Walgreens would start losing money and discontinue their programs. How can they really afford to be giving away so much free stuff to so many customers? I have enjoyed it while it has lasted, and have a nice staff at my local Walgreens so I am fortunate not to run into too many issues.
Charlene
I’ve had some cashiers at both CVS and Walgreens that couldn’t seem to find their ears with both hands in the dark, but I’ve also had some excellent cashiers who scanned the in-ad coupons before I even show it to them, and know the deals as well as I do. It just depends on the store, the manager, and the individual employee.
I’ll miss the present program, but I’m sure it won’t be long before we’ll all be eager and excited to share the great deals we find with the new program, whatever that may be!
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Julie
Just my two cents… My cashiers at Walgreens (Ballentine, SC) have always been SUPER SUPER SUPER nice and so helpful. They are some of the friendliest I’ve encountered.
Jen
I’m interested to see what they come up with as well. I’m not lucky to have a CVS near me and they are my only option besides Riteaid, which doesn’t really have good deals in my opinion.
I did want to make a comment about all the people that think that Walgreens is LOSING money by us couponers…they aren’t losing money. They get reimbursed by the manufacturers for the coupons. Same for most RR’s. They are reimbursed! So, just because I have very little out-of-pocket doesn’t mean they didn’t make money from me. I had a receipt recently where my coupons totalled $70 some-odd dollars. They will see those $70 dollars in their bank account after reimbursement. That is a sale that they wouldn’t have had from me otherwise. I don’t shop there “just cause”. Walmart is cheaper on their everyday prices.
Plus, lets not forget all the people out there who buy the item because of the RR or Rebate sticker on the shelf and then never use the RR or claim the rebate. Wags is definately NOT hurting because of us couponers! I think they seriously need to consider drastically improving their customer service and any program that they do come out with.
And now to address the “manufacturers” paying for our free merchandise. I had been bothered by it for the first couple of months of couponing. I then read two articles that changed my mind on the matter. (I’m sorry I can’t reference them for you! I don’t remember where I read them at.)
#1) Retailers have realized that high-dollar coupons are actually cheaper for them in launching a new product or getting rid of an old one than sending out free samples or recalling unsold merchandise. It keeps their product lines going. And, hopefully hooks some customers into like a product and paying full price for it later.
#2) On every shelf in the store, there is “prime realestate”. They are sweetspots so-to-speak. If an item is a poor seller, the stores don’t want it on their shelves and the manufacturer won’t be in business. It pays for the items to MOVE, just for the sake of moving.
I hope I made sense of this long comment. Happy Shopping!
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Priscilla
I’ve read many comments on the bad service received at WAGS. However,I just had to put in a good word for the three cashiers that work in the cosmetic department at my local WAGS who are super!!!! They are more than willing to help in any way and are always considerate of the customer. Even the manager has occasionally helped out. I’ve just being doing the RRs and ESR’s for about a month and will be sorry to see it go. My friends and family are amazed at how much I save and I always say “I got it at Walgreens.”
Katie
I just want to say that I was always scared to get a gift card and get that extra 10% because I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to use it the next month on my next rebate purchase. Then I find out I can and now it’s going away (ESR). And I had no idea until last week that I could use an in-store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon at the same time. I’m always behind the times.
P.S. I have found that 90% of the staff at my local Walgreens are great. And the one time I had a bad experience with an under-trained employee the manager contacted me personally to apologize.
A.Marie
I personally do not like the RR program. I went into Walgreens last month, and my RRs would not print. The manager gave me a form that would have my RRs sent to me through the mail. Well, guess what, it is now almost April, and still no RRs. I think I am going to start going to CVS instead. Walgreen’s programs are just too confusing and complicated, and most of the cashiers are just too under-trained.
Marisa M
I am sad that they are getting rid of it! I use the rebates more than the RR’s, but there is no CVS where I’m at, so Wags is where I shop for rebate stuff. I’ve never had any problem with them– even when I did use the RRs.
Ann
RR does not work for me. It’s too stressful that sometimes it doesn’t print. THEN, it’s not easy to use the coupon after (I have friends who met Wags cashier who refused to take the RR coupon because she doesn’t know about it!!) ESR is nice when the items are good (or if they’re in stock) What I’m hearing from this string of comments is the overiding view that the cashiers are not customer-friendly and do not know their work. I totally agree (very sadly) and I REALLY wish Walgreens know about this cos I LOVE their corporate service! The ppl in my local store makes almost every of my shopping trip quite upsetful and I’m going to stop going soon…
Mina
It’s possible that WAGs is feeling the pain from this program. If so, it’s not the fault of those who legitimately use coupons, RRs, and ESRs. As Jen stated, those are reimbursed by the manufacturers who promote the products. Even though WAGs is reimbursed, it could still affect their bottom line because of poor internal practices, both those which cause customer dissatisfaction because of poor attitude and inadequate training of front line employees, and an economically inefficient setup for processing the ESRs.
I think the attitude within any store is set by the individual managers. Some stores give the impression that it’s them against the customer, that the only thing that matters is the amount of actual cash and credit that leaves the customer’s hand. Those are the ones that turn shoppers against an entire chain. Other stores are customer friendly. Those are the ones which build loyalty to both their individual stores and the company.
Hopefulone
I’m not really worried about Walgreens ending the program. I started doing the rebates back with the VERY 1st one:) I’m really gonna miss it.
But they’re not going to shoot themselves in the foot and lose costumers. My manager yesterday said it’s being done away with to weed out the people that submit 5-6 rebates of the same item by having different addresses. Those people have been being monitored. (obviously if you pay them all on the same gift/credit card I would think there’s a red flag…)
He also said that Couponers are JOB Security in these days.
I think we’ll be happy with the new system.
Go Wags! Bring it on Wow Me:)
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Catherine
I’d have to add that the cashiers and staff at my local Wag’s are super friendly. I rarely have problems shopping there, and the staff is very helpful. The mgr was stocking shelves one day when I was buying baby formula and he actually thanked me for my business and for buying formula at their store. I always went into Walgreen’s because of the rebate and RR deals, but I always bought LOTS of other stuff there, too. I hope they have something good to replace the ESR program.
Katie
ILOVE Walgreens, and don;t want to see the Easysaver go. I go to 4 differant Walgreens in my town, and everybody is really nice and I’ve never had a problem using any coupons there. I called the Easysaver 800 # a few days ago b/c something I qualified for with my rebates had not come, and the girl on the phone told me she had not heard anything about them ending it. I don’t like CVS, b/c you get Extracare bucks AFTER you pay, so you really are paying the full price, and you get a coupon on your receipt to use NEXT time. Usually, I find everything cheaper somewhere.