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WAGS "HOW TO" MANUAL *PLEASE* read this first before asking questions
Hello students and welcome! I am your professor, HoratioHoney and this is Walgreens (AKA Wags) 101.
We will begin with the basics, and that starts BEFORE you even walk in the door. Doing the actual deals does NOT materialize out of the ether, my friends. You must work at it.
First, you WILL need a coupon binder. Not just an organizer, a BINDER. The organizer will hold your Qs for the week, the binder will contain your clipped Qs. I use this kind of organizer:
It goes into the store with me each and every time I go. It's separated into sections for each store. This is for the Qs you KNOW you will need for the week, the deals you are specifically there to buy.
The binder I use looks like this:
. I use clear plastic baseball card holders to contain the Qs and keep a small pair of scissors to cut out Qs so they do not look like who did it and ran when I hand them over to the cashier (that doesn't count for Wags since you do not need to cut their Qs out). I separate them into sections based on what they are: food, health & beauty, cleaning supplies, etc. This allows me to find a Q quickly when I need it. CUT YOUR QS NEATLY AND CAREFULLY AT ALL TIMES, WITH THE EXPIRATION DATE INTACT. You need the binder for the deals you come across that aren't expected. Instead of possibly losing out on some sweet clearance deals by having to run home to cut out or pick up your Qs, they will be in the binder in your car. ***I do not cut out all Qs each week. I cut out the ones I need for the week and Qs for items that are on perpetual sale (usually for trial sizes), then file them chronologically according to what insert it is: RP, SS, P&G. *** I usually check Taking Stockhttp://projects.newsobserver.com/taking_stock to find qs by their insert date. She doesn't always have all the Qs (she's in NC, I'm in CA), but most and she puts then in alphabetical order, so they are easy to find.
As far as getting multiples of a Q, there are different ways to do so: buy newspapers that contain them, trade for them, pick them up at the recycling center, finding SmartSource blinkies, peelies, on ebay or on coupon clipping sites. You can find the upcoming sales on SD and prepare for them a month in advance or more. On free or MM (Money Maker) deals, there will be a mad rush for the Qs. So be sure to procure yours before that time or you will be frozen out of a deal or have to pay out of the nose for them. Also, if you order them too late, the deal will be over and you will have missed the boat. You can go to Taylortown Preview [taylortownpreview.com] to see what is coming in the next insert.
Once you have your Qs tucked neatly in your organizer and binder, you need to make the most of your trip. Walgreens has a coupon reward system called Register Rewards, AKA RRs. They look like this:
You may even see them posted as 
, which means 
about what store the deal is at. Register Rewards are the same as ECBs at CVS or Catalinas at Kmart. In fact, they come out of the Catalina machine at Wags.
Speaking of the Catalina machine, when you are prepared to do any RR deal, make sure the green light is on the machine. If you can not see it from your vantage point, ask if the machine is working. Many times the darn thing can be down and they won't tell you.
Register Rewards are exactly that. When you buy a certain amount of an item of a certain brand, they reward you with a coupon to use at Walgreens again later (on your next purchase or visit). The Register Reward 9 times out of 10 is a manufacturer coupon. But it WILL have the Walgreens name on it, so YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) on using it elsewhere. Sometimes (the 1 out of 10), the RR will be good on your next purchase of that item or brand ONLY. Register rewards are manufacturer's coupons. You SHOULD be able to use them at other stores due to this. I do it all of the time. YMMV because most stores don't educate their employees about coupons or their use. You also are able to use MQs that are sponsored by other stores. For example, there are coupons in the Kmart book out now. They are manufacturer's coupons, but have the Kmart logo on them. You can use them at Walgreen's. Even if they say "For Use only at ___________", if it's an MQ, you can use it. A store Q will say STORE COUPON or VENDOR COUPON where the Q normally says MANUFACTURER'S COUPON. They also will not have redemption instructions or address to send it back to the manufacturer. Again, it will be YMMV because cashiers don't understand Qs most of the time.
Register Rewards are coupons, so you must abide to this rule to use them: 1 item per RR. Meaning that if you have 5 items that you would like to buy, you can use any combination of MQs (manufacturer coupon) that you like, up to 5, as long as you do not go over the amount of your purchase. That brings us to fillers. On the RRs themselves, it states that you can use 1 per item. Not per transaction, per ITEM. And yes, sale or clearance items produce RRs.
One more VERY important thing about RRs is that 99.9% of the time THEY DO NOT ROLL. Meaning that if you receive a $5 RR for doing an XYZ deal, you can not use it the next time you pay for another XYZ deal. You CAN use the $5 XYZ RR to pay for your ABC deal, however. Once in a green checked moon RRs will "roll" (meaning that you can use it on the same deal and still get another of the same RR back), but those are most assuredly exceptions to the rule. You can also use a $3 RR from the Fusion shave gel deal to pay for the Fusion deo deal that will give you back a $4RR. Meaning that if you must buy 2 Fusion shave gels at 2/$5 and get back $3RR, you can use that to pay for 2 Fusion deos @ 2/$7 and get back $4RR.[COLOR]
Fillers are inexpensive items that you add to your order so you can use more coupons (usually RRs). Most Wags have baskets by the checkout of caramels. They are 3/99¢ or 34¢ each. Other items to look for are seed packets, pencils and seasonal candy. Right now, Reese's candy is on clearance for 22¢ and with the purchase of 2, you get a free 20 ounce Coke. FANTASTIC filler and chance to maximize your savings. The normal price for 2 Reese's and a Coke is around $3. Just doing that deal alone, you saved about $2.50 and sacrificed nothing. With MQs, you would save even more...
I suggest that if you are new to couponing or to Wags that you read this thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...st12397282called Coupon Barcode Basics. I say this so you can learn how to better USE your coupons, NOT abuse the knowledge. They will help you learn why some Qs beep and others do not, when you will need to fill in the price on some Qs for the cashier to input it and why other will automatically do so on their own.
Which brings us to the use of MQs with Wags Qs. Wags Qs do not count into your item/coupon ratio. Do not let any Wags employee tell you different. You also do not need to cut the Qs out or let them keep them. Wags Qs are thrown away once they are used. Do not let them keep your Wags Q! Onto their use: let's say that there is a sale on XYZ widgets with a Wags Q making them 2/$2 and you also have 2 $1 MQ for the items. You would hand over the 2 MQs first, making the widgets $1 plus tax (their original price is $2 each). Then have them scan the Wags Q to make them 2/$2.00, and you pay only tax. ALWAYS HAVE THEM SCAN THE WAGS Q LAST. Some say it does not matter, but sometimes it does and if you get into the practice of doing it this way, you will not run into problems. When a Wags Q gives you a discount, it gives it to you off the original price of the item(s). Again, the items that you are buying are originally $2 each. The Wags Q will take off the amount necessary to make them the sale price, which is $1 per item. But when you give the $1 MQs first, the items are then made $1 and when the Wags Q is applied both items are now free.
*** During the time that I have been Wagging, there have been some changes. If you find that giving your Qs RR, MQ, Wags Q does not work, change the order to this: MQs, Wags Qs, RRs ***
Wags Qs are quite nifty, for they serve many different purposes. Let's say that you choose to only buy 1 of something. Meaning that if the Q makes the item 2/$2 and you only want 1, when you have the Q scanned, it will make the 1 item $1. Also, you can get overage due to Wags Qs. Let's take the scenario above and change the $1MQ to 2 $1.25 MQs. When you give them first, it makes the items 75¢ each ($1.50). Then scanning the Wags Q after will take off an additional $1 per item ($2 total), giving you an overage of 50¢. This is fine as long as you have something to absorb the overage (see fillers, above).
The Wags Qs in the weekly circulars usually have limits. The limits don't mean anything, for if the limit says 3 and you get 4, it will take off for all 4 items. The cashier may interject, but the register will not.
Along with the circulars, you can find many other Wags Qs in the store. In the stationary aisle you will find a section of books for kids, one of which is the Walgreen's coloring book. 
We will begin with the basics, and that starts BEFORE you even walk in the door. Doing the actual deals does NOT materialize out of the ether, my friends. You must work at it.
First, you WILL need a coupon binder. Not just an organizer, a BINDER. The organizer will hold your Qs for the week, the binder will contain your clipped Qs. I use this kind of organizer:
It goes into the store with me each and every time I go. It's separated into sections for each store. This is for the Qs you KNOW you will need for the week, the deals you are specifically there to buy.The binder I use looks like this:
. I use clear plastic baseball card holders to contain the Qs and keep a small pair of scissors to cut out Qs so they do not look like who did it and ran when I hand them over to the cashier (that doesn't count for Wags since you do not need to cut their Qs out). I separate them into sections based on what they are: food, health & beauty, cleaning supplies, etc. This allows me to find a Q quickly when I need it. CUT YOUR QS NEATLY AND CAREFULLY AT ALL TIMES, WITH THE EXPIRATION DATE INTACT. You need the binder for the deals you come across that aren't expected. Instead of possibly losing out on some sweet clearance deals by having to run home to cut out or pick up your Qs, they will be in the binder in your car. ***I do not cut out all Qs each week. I cut out the ones I need for the week and Qs for items that are on perpetual sale (usually for trial sizes), then file them chronologically according to what insert it is: RP, SS, P&G. *** I usually check Taking Stockhttp://projects.newsobserver.com/taking_stock to find qs by their insert date. She doesn't always have all the Qs (she's in NC, I'm in CA), but most and she puts then in alphabetical order, so they are easy to find. As far as getting multiples of a Q, there are different ways to do so: buy newspapers that contain them, trade for them, pick them up at the recycling center, finding SmartSource blinkies, peelies, on ebay or on coupon clipping sites. You can find the upcoming sales on SD and prepare for them a month in advance or more. On free or MM (Money Maker) deals, there will be a mad rush for the Qs. So be sure to procure yours before that time or you will be frozen out of a deal or have to pay out of the nose for them. Also, if you order them too late, the deal will be over and you will have missed the boat. You can go to Taylortown Preview [taylortownpreview.com] to see what is coming in the next insert.
Once you have your Qs tucked neatly in your organizer and binder, you need to make the most of your trip. Walgreens has a coupon reward system called Register Rewards, AKA RRs. They look like this:
You may even see them posted as , which means about what store the deal is at. Register Rewards are the same as ECBs at CVS or Catalinas at Kmart. In fact, they come out of the Catalina machine at Wags. Speaking of the Catalina machine, when you are prepared to do any RR deal, make sure the green light is on the machine. If you can not see it from your vantage point, ask if the machine is working. Many times the darn thing can be down and they won't tell you.
Register Rewards are exactly that. When you buy a certain amount of an item of a certain brand, they reward you with a coupon to use at Walgreens again later (on your next purchase or visit). The Register Reward 9 times out of 10 is a manufacturer coupon. But it WILL have the Walgreens name on it, so YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) on using it elsewhere. Sometimes (the 1 out of 10), the RR will be good on your next purchase of that item or brand ONLY. Register rewards are manufacturer's coupons. You SHOULD be able to use them at other stores due to this. I do it all of the time. YMMV because most stores don't educate their employees about coupons or their use. You also are able to use MQs that are sponsored by other stores. For example, there are coupons in the Kmart book out now. They are manufacturer's coupons, but have the Kmart logo on them. You can use them at Walgreen's. Even if they say "For Use only at ___________", if it's an MQ, you can use it. A store Q will say STORE COUPON or VENDOR COUPON where the Q normally says MANUFACTURER'S COUPON. They also will not have redemption instructions or address to send it back to the manufacturer. Again, it will be YMMV because cashiers don't understand Qs most of the time.
Register Rewards are coupons, so you must abide to this rule to use them: 1 item per RR. Meaning that if you have 5 items that you would like to buy, you can use any combination of MQs (manufacturer coupon) that you like, up to 5, as long as you do not go over the amount of your purchase. That brings us to fillers. On the RRs themselves, it states that you can use 1 per item. Not per transaction, per ITEM. And yes, sale or clearance items produce RRs.
One more VERY important thing about RRs is that 99.9% of the time THEY DO NOT ROLL. Meaning that if you receive a $5 RR for doing an XYZ deal, you can not use it the next time you pay for another XYZ deal. You CAN use the $5 XYZ RR to pay for your ABC deal, however. Once in a green checked moon RRs will "roll" (meaning that you can use it on the same deal and still get another of the same RR back), but those are most assuredly exceptions to the rule. You can also use a $3 RR from the Fusion shave gel deal to pay for the Fusion deo deal that will give you back a $4RR. Meaning that if you must buy 2 Fusion shave gels at 2/$5 and get back $3RR, you can use that to pay for 2 Fusion deos @ 2/$7 and get back $4RR.[COLOR]
Fillers are inexpensive items that you add to your order so you can use more coupons (usually RRs). Most Wags have baskets by the checkout of caramels. They are 3/99¢ or 34¢ each. Other items to look for are seed packets, pencils and seasonal candy. Right now, Reese's candy is on clearance for 22¢ and with the purchase of 2, you get a free 20 ounce Coke. FANTASTIC filler and chance to maximize your savings. The normal price for 2 Reese's and a Coke is around $3. Just doing that deal alone, you saved about $2.50 and sacrificed nothing. With MQs, you would save even more...
I suggest that if you are new to couponing or to Wags that you read this thread: http://forums.slickdeals.net/show...st12397282called Coupon Barcode Basics. I say this so you can learn how to better USE your coupons, NOT abuse the knowledge. They will help you learn why some Qs beep and others do not, when you will need to fill in the price on some Qs for the cashier to input it and why other will automatically do so on their own.
Which brings us to the use of MQs with Wags Qs. Wags Qs do not count into your item/coupon ratio. Do not let any Wags employee tell you different. You also do not need to cut the Qs out or let them keep them. Wags Qs are thrown away once they are used. Do not let them keep your Wags Q! Onto their use: let's say that there is a sale on XYZ widgets with a Wags Q making them 2/$2 and you also have 2 $1 MQ for the items. You would hand over the 2 MQs first, making the widgets $1 plus tax (their original price is $2 each). Then have them scan the Wags Q to make them 2/$2.00, and you pay only tax. ALWAYS HAVE THEM SCAN THE WAGS Q LAST. Some say it does not matter, but sometimes it does and if you get into the practice of doing it this way, you will not run into problems. When a Wags Q gives you a discount, it gives it to you off the original price of the item(s). Again, the items that you are buying are originally $2 each. The Wags Q will take off the amount necessary to make them the sale price, which is $1 per item. But when you give the $1 MQs first, the items are then made $1 and when the Wags Q is applied both items are now free.
*** During the time that I have been Wagging, there have been some changes. If you find that giving your Qs RR, MQ, Wags Q does not work, change the order to this: MQs, Wags Qs, RRs ***
Wags Qs are quite nifty, for they serve many different purposes. Let's say that you choose to only buy 1 of something. Meaning that if the Q makes the item 2/$2 and you only want 1, when you have the Q scanned, it will make the 1 item $1. Also, you can get overage due to Wags Qs. Let's take the scenario above and change the $1MQ to 2 $1.25 MQs. When you give them first, it makes the items 75¢ each ($1.50). Then scanning the Wags Q after will take off an additional $1 per item ($2 total), giving you an overage of 50¢. This is fine as long as you have something to absorb the overage (see fillers, above).
The Wags Qs in the weekly circulars usually have limits. The limits don't mean anything, for if the limit says 3 and you get 4, it will take off for all 4 items. The cashier may interject, but the register will not.
Along with the circulars, you can find many other Wags Qs in the store. In the stationary aisle you will find a section of books for kids, one of which is the Walgreen's coloring book. Right now, along with the coloring book Qs (that are good until March 2010), there are 3 other different collections of Wags Qs. When you see them, grab at least 3, 1 for home, 1 for your organizer and 1 in case you get a cashier/manager who doesn't know they don't need to take the Qs.
Back to RRs. One of the most asked questions about Wags is about turning RRs into GCs (gift cards). This is a PRIVILEGE, not a right since on the RR itself it says that they are not to be used on GCs. However, many stores will let you. I have always said that I put $10 on a Wags GC the moment I have it to do so. This does a few things. It takes the limitations off your purchases, since RRs most of the time do not roll (see above), makes it easier to buy other GCs with them instead of RRs, they're easier to keep track of and they do not expire. Now let's say you want to by a $25 GC and you have 5 $5RRs. If it's a regular GC (Old Navy/Shell/Olive Garden), you need 5 items for the RRs to "attach" to. If it's a Visa/MC/AmEx, you only need 4 additional since the activation fee is considered an item (be sure to account for the activation amount and pay it with RRs).
At a store I am not familiar with, I ALWAYS add in an additional item. That is because the register beeping scares some cashiers and they are quick to call the manager. Not that I care, but I like to get in and out and God help you if you are there when the delivery truck shows up! Especially if you are starting out, it's better to be safe than sorry. Not all Wags employees know what they think they know and most times I know more than the store manager does. So if you THINK you need 5 items, get 6.
I can not express how important what I am about to tell you is: BE GOOD TO YOUR WAGS EMPLOYEES!!! Especially cashiers! These are the people you deal with the most who can and will either make your runs smooth and stress free or make you wish you'd never set foot in Wags. Bring extra Qs and put them aside to offer to your cashiers. When you find a cache of clearance items, take all you want, but leave them some or at least offer them some or fill them in on the deal. If they refuse, cool. But if they want some, offer for them to take as much as they want. It's a small price to pay for what you will get back. If you have 20 22¢ Reese's in your basket and they take 2, you just garnered some goodwill that will go MILES. Those F&F (Friends & Family) Qs are freaking PLATINUM, my friends. An extra 15%/20% off that the other customers aren't getting. All because you gave them a Q or 2 here and there.
Do NOT be a smash and grabber (AKA S&G). This is someone who comes in an takes ALL of something (on sale or clearance) especially on a SUNDAY and leaves mass destruction in their wake. Take a little at a time and leave some for others. You can go back the next day and if you REALLY want something, have them order it for you and only you. You can order up to 99 of something in advance. You will have to pay for it first, but if you have your Qs in hand, you're set. This is something that a great relationship with a store or stores garners. Do not add to the greedy couponer stigma, show some restraint. Also, each store gets their inventory in on different days. Ask and you can be better set up to get the items you want.
Which bring me to when you are doing many deals in a row. CHECK OUT IN COSMETICS. I rarely check out anywhere else. It's a not often used register (it's the only one used for returns unless it's down then they use Photo) so you can do multiple transactions without being bothered. Also, the cosmetics employees get credit for the purchases of certain things that are on sale. ALSO, they have a cache of coupons over there that they do not give to everyone. many times they are Qs only Beauty Advisors get, yet are for some of the sales we do. The best one I ever received was for a FREE box of hair color, with no limit and some of the featured color can be upwards of $20...
However, when they call IC3, step to the side and let them take customers there. Or if you do check out in front, do 1 or 2 EASY transactions then go to the back of the line (if there is one). Miscellaneous:
- Purchase vs. transaction. If you have 5 of 1 item and 5 separate Qs for it that say 1 per purchase, you may use 5, 1 for each item. CS and Corporate will support you on that.
- Internet Qs. They are NOT copies, they are from the internet. Smart Source and Bricks both have security features on each Q and can be verified. You can tell them to use the comp over at Photo to do so. Save yourself the trouble and only use 2 of each IPQ (internet printable coupon) at a time.
- If the limit posted is 3 per customer, get 3 per day at each store. If there is no limit posted, get as many as you are comfortable with. Wags has invited us to clear their shelves. It's impolite to refuse!
- YES, the RRs will print if you used Qs. If the RR didn't print and you used the correct Qs and the correct Qs, that's not the issue. You can ask them to re-ring the transaction without them to see if it prints.
- Yes, you can use 2 Qs on BOGOF (Buy One, Get One Free) or BOGO 50% off. The way Wags registers are programmed, the savings comes off at the end, when the cashier pushes the total button. And to take th is question further, yes, you can use a BOGOF Q when it's already BOGOF in the store. The store's promotion is already paying for one and the Q "pays" for the other.
- There are 2 kinds of clearance tags. Orange and yellow. The orange ones are from Corporate, meaning they are storewide and you should find them at any Wags. The others are yellow, which are individual store clearance. Even if an orange tag says a higher price than it's been reported to be, have it scanned. There are 22¢ candies out and some stores are marked higher yet still scan 22¢.
There are a few codes at Wags that you may hear. They are nothing to be worried about. Here are the ones you will hear the most (they also may vary, but these have been the same at ALL Wags I have been to):
* Code 10 Or "Code 10 on the way" - Someone needs the restroom.
* Code 9 - For those Wags that have 2 different restrooms for males and females, this is for women
* IC3 - There are 3 customers or more in line and they need a second checker to open up.
* Code 3 at Cosmetics - Customer has a return
* Call parked 101 - Phone call for manager
Employee Issues: If you have an issue with a cashier, ask for the manager. If you are in the store during the day, the STORE manager should be there. That is the best person to speak to, so that if you have an issue when they are not there, it's known that you did speak to them. Let them give the cashier the ok to do whatever it is you want done. Don't get upset, don't get into a pissing match with them, just calmly ask for the manager. THERE IS ALWAYS A MANAGER ON DUTY, DO NOT LET THEM TELL YOU OTHERWISE. In fact, there are usually several around at any given time.
If the SM (Store Manager) is an @$$, simply ask them to void the transaction and leave. Note their name, the time the incident occurred and then call CS. When you speak to CS, let them know that you have gone as far in the store as you can and need a call back from the DM (District Manager).
CUSTOMER SERVICE
(800) 925-4733 or (877) 250-5823.
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday
Now, if your DM is an @$$ (mine was ok, but I did have to call Corporate on him once and he shaped right back up), you will need to call Corporate. Do not do this over anything small. Do it if he/she is not adhering to Wags Q policy or is violating the law (selling expired food, you are being overcharged -and in certain states you if are not being compensated for it per the law), holding you to imaginary limits that are not posted when they have invited us to clear their shelves, etc. These are things that many have to go hand in hand with contacting your state Attorney General.
Walgreens Corporate
200 Wilmot Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: (847)914-2500
Fax: (847)914-2804
President and CEO: Greg Wasson
I personally find that a well crafted letter faxed to the CEO gets the best response.
If the SM (Store Manager) is an @$$, simply ask them to void the transaction and leave. Note their name, the time the incident occurred and then call CS. When you speak to CS, let them know that you have gone as far in the store as you can and need a call back from the DM (District Manager).
CUSTOMER SERVICE
(800) 925-4733 or (877) 250-5823.
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday
Now, if your DM is an @$$ (mine was ok, but I did have to call Corporate on him once and he shaped right back up), you will need to call Corporate. Do not do this over anything small. Do it if he/she is not adhering to Wags Q policy or is violating the law (selling expired food, you are being overcharged -and in certain states you if are not being compensated for it per the law), holding you to imaginary limits that are not posted when they have invited us to clear their shelves, etc. These are things that many have to go hand in hand with contacting your state Attorney General.
Walgreens Corporate
200 Wilmot Rd.
Deerfield, IL 60015
Phone: (847)914-2500
Fax: (847)914-2804
President and CEO: Greg Wasson
I personally find that a well crafted letter faxed to the CEO gets the best response.
Last edited by HoratioHoney; 03-08-2010 at 12:56 PM..
Very well done! An excellent primer (and required reading) for those getting started on WAGs.
and "Big Little Sister" 
's... 
Coupons in my state do NOT take off or can be applied towards tax. As the subtotal does not break down how much is for the products and how much is for the tax, I constantly get coupons that beep.
