Mathematically, everything that I am going to list here should work. All of the numbers have been carefully crunched, checked, double, triple, and so forth, but when a cashier decides to play games, it all goes haywire in seconds. I will show you how.

Transaction 1

(2) Maybelline NY Lip gloss @ 4.49 Buy 2, get 5ECBs .
(1) Covergirl 4 Kit eye shadow @ 6.29.
(1) Almay Eye Shadow @ 5.49.
(3) Crest Complete @3.99 Buy $10, get 5ECBs

Subtotal BEFORE COUPONS: 32.73

CVS Coupons:
-5.00 off of $25 Just for you.
-1.00 ECB.
– 2.00 Maybelline Cosmetic CVS App (x)
-2 off (2) any brand toothpaste CVS App (x)
-3.00 off of $15 Cosmetics .
-20% off 1 item* (they subtracted.85)
Manufacture Coupons:
-1.00 off Maybelline NY Any lip product MFC (coupons.com).
-1.00 off Maybelline NY Any lip product MRC (coupons.com).

-3.00/1 Covergirl Eye, Lip or Face MFC (4/10)* Cashier didn't like this coupon. Well, it’s not an accessory, it’s not a 1-kit, and it’s not a clearance item. But it beeps, and if it beeps, that means you can’t use it. If it beeps, it means that WE WILL loose money. If it beeps, it means it is a bad coupon. Yes, it’s a bad coupon, even if you cut it out of the newspaper. I don’t know what to say to you… a few minutes later, it works.

-4.00/1 Any Almay product MFC (4/10).
-1.00 off Crest Complete Toothpaste (coupons.com).
-1.00 off Crest Complete Toothpaste (coupons.com).
-.75 off Crest Complete Toothpaste (coupons.com).

(Minus $24.75 *20% item not used)

My total should be under $7.98, because I don’t know what -20% off one item would be. I just know it should be less.

Tax: +2.62

Final Price SHOULD BE UNDER $10.60 Receive $10ECB

But instead, I am charged $13.19. ( I am missing 2 of the CVS coupons. I was told that they were selected. “If the computer voided them, that’s not my fault.” I wasn’t going to argue. She was becoming very testy. I was trying to be calm, patient, and polite. Theoretically, I "saved $21.60 /66%”, when I really should have saved $25.60).

Onward to Transaction 2.

The first time she did it, the final price was too high. She agreed to void the transaction and start over.

Transaction 2:

(2) Secret Clinical Deodorant Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
@ 9.49 + 4.75 = 14.24

(2) Nivea Body Lotion @ 6.00 each = 12.00

BEFORE COUPONS: $26.24

CVS Coupons:
-10 ECBs from Transaction 1
-3.50 off of 2 Secret Clinical Deodorant CVS App
-3.00 off of $10 Body Lotion CVS app
Manufacture coupons:
– 2.00/1 MFC Secret Clinical Deodorant (coupons.com)
– 2.00/1 MFC Secret Clinical Deodorant (coupons.com)
– 3.00/2 Nivea Body Lotion
(-23.50 in coupons)
I should have paid OOP: $2.74
Tax: +2.09
This was supposed to be my total: $4.83 But if you have guessed, it sure wasn’t.

The Augh! Moment:

The second time she did the transaction, she refused to let me use my 10ECBs, because she "voided them already". How can this be? The CVS App coupons worked. My other coupons worked. Why on Earth would by 10 ECBs not work? She refused to let me use them. I wanted to walk out right then and there. I was trying to be polite, and she told me over and over again, that my math was "wrong". That I couldn't have my ECBs back.

I ended up paying the $10ECB portion out of pocket. Not a happy camper.
Supposedly "saved" $23.23. Should have been $10 more.

I’ve reported it to upper management, but this leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I like extreme couponing, but I don’t like it when the cashier confiscates ECBS for no reason, rejects valid coupons, or when the computer doesn’t work properly. I am on a budget, and I purposefully TRY not to use my debit card. I only use cash. I am now hesitant to shop at CVS. Just what is going to work and what isn’t? And, will more ECBs be confiscated like that?

Augh!

The opinions expressed in this brag do not necessarily reflect the views of Krazy Coupon Lady.