I see a lot of bloggers posting about the CVS Brand $3 off coupon. Everyone is going in and getting a bunch of stuff for free with this coupon, and I’m sorry to say that I am going to have to step up and say something.
First off, this is an unauthorized reproduction of the coupon done online by a newspaper. I have heard straight from corporate that this is an illegal copy. And the wording on the coupon states: “CVS/pharmacy will not accept offers printed from unauthorized internet postings or reproductions, copies, or facsimiles of this offer.” So why are the stores still accepting these coupons if the printed ones are illegitimate? Can you imagine the confusion and chaos that would ensue with our cashiers and managers if corporate sent out a mass email to all CVS stores not to accept these printed CVS coupons? They would probably start refusing all of our legitimate coupons that we receive via email from CVS. Not to mention ALL couponers would be scrutinized and probably looked at like thieves. Not good for customer relations, right? I imagine this is why CVS is still accepting these coupons. They do not want the legitimate coupons to be refused, thus causing problems with honest customers.
My second issue with this is that everyone is printing multiple copies of this coupon and using it to get a bunch of stuff for free. CVS does NOT get reimbursed from a manufacturer for this $3 coupon. The same goes for all of the unauthorized $3/15, $4/20 coupons that get put out on the internet. Can you imagine if just 500 people used 10 of these $3 coupons? That is $15,000 that CVS is loosing. Imagine if you had your own business, and you put a coupon in a local newpsaper. Then that newspaper posted that coupon online without your permission, and thousands of customers came in trying to get you to honor the printed version.
Here’s my question for you: Do you want to continue to get deals at CVS? Then stop using these coupons! It’s only going to hurt CVS, and in turn make it harder for us to get deals there. They will become stricter with coupon usage, there will be less deals to be had and CVS will stop putting out coupons.
In the past, I have linked to and notified you when coupons like these come out, and I am sorry that I have. Newspapers are not authorized by CVS to put their coupons in the online form of the newspaper. Usually the coupons are just put in a local paper, and are not meant for mass distribution.
I am of the opinion that if you can’t get a deal honestly, then it is not worth doing. There are plenty of deals to be had by using coupons legitimately.
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