I had $4 in ECBs that were going to expire tomorrow. My plan was to get the Fusion, pay with $4 coupon and $4 ECBs, get $4 ECBs back. Of course the Landenberg CVS was out of the Gamer, only one giving ECBs. I didn’t feel like looking around for another transaction to put together, so I figured I’d sacrifice $2 ECBs and get the Venus. The coupons out for this are only $2. I saw the gift pack and took it over to the scanner, said it was on sale for $7.99. So I figured I’d try it and see if it also gives the ECBs. It did.

Big green box, has shaving cream and Olay lotion in addition to the razor. Nice change from the zillion Fusions we already have.

ETA: I read that the Fusion gift packs work too. Whatever you choose, run it under the in-store scanner first, see if it says it’s on sale for $7.99. If it is, good chance it will produce the ECBs.

The Landenberg store is my ‘home’ store. Closest to my house and I have to pass it twice daily on my commute. Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten to know the staff, not by name but by face. They always were super-friendly to both Kevin and me. Mind you, I don’t do anything illegal or sketchy. I don’t try to push coupons for items I don’t have, or use expireds or anything. Let’s face it, there are enough deals to be had the legit way.

Around xmas time, the store personnel started to change. They moved the one mgr out to the Kennett store on Route 1, as I have seen him there. One by one, the young women who worked there (Landenberg) started disappearing. I noticed ‘help wanted’ signs up a few weeks ago. One of the young ladies who works there confided in me that she was unhappy with the new managers and was looking for something else.

Now I don’t recognize anyone when I go there. All new faces. The place is terribly understocked–the worst I’ve ever seen it. If anything is offering ECBs, you can pretty much bet they are out of it. I barely did any January deals because they never had anything. February isn’t looking much better.

Today an older gentleman waited on me, his name tag said “store manager.” I worked in retail enough to know that if the store manager is running register on a Saturday afternoon, things are not good–you’re understaffed. But the whole transaction did not go well. I was buying 4 Stayfree with 2 bogo coupons, and 2 L’oreal items with a $3 off 2 coupon, and 2 other items.

He looks at my L’oreal coupon and then just puts it aside. I question him on it–“Did that take the $3 off, because I don’t see it on here” I said, pointing to the screen thingy. He picks it up and says “It says you have to buy 2.” “I did” was my reply. So then he keys it in for $1.50. WTH? I push until he takes off the $3.

Ok, so he gives me my total-$25 and change. I was expecting $18 or $19, but thought maybe I made a mistake. So I start giving him ECBs. Sure enough, he didn’t key something correctly, because I ended up about $5 under. So then he had to void off some ECBs. I really hope that went correctly and I didn’t forfeit them.

When my receipt printed and he sees I’m getting another $18 in ECBs, he practically flung the receipt at me. This doesn’t bode well, if the store mgr isn’t coupon friendly. I’ll stick with it for a little while longer, but I have a feeling I’ll have to decide if I want to just go to Jennersville or give this up for a while.

I got my ads in the mail yesterday and have been checking the boards–still nothing to write about. I guess with the weather and being so pregnant, I shouldn’t complain. Down time is good and I don’t have to feel bad about missing a deal because I was too tired/fat/sore to go.

I plan on doing my weekly grocery trip tomorrow evening. If I see any decent deals I’ll post them, but there’s not much in the ad. Kellogg’s 50% off and coupons out, whoopee. We still have dozens of boxes of Crispix, Mini Wheats and GM stuff. Bogo chicken breasts.

CVS monthly deals are pretty lame. I’m getting worried as my ECBs all expire right around the 19th or so, I hope I have opportunities to roll them on something useful.