Lessons from Rite-Aid

I went to Rite-Aid this morning with a plan to buy 8 16 oz jars of Planter's Peanuts. I couldn't find them! The shelf was empty.

I had a Plan B. There is another John Frieda SCR deal this month: buy one shampoo or conditioner and one styling product and receive the price of the shampoo/conditioner back as a rebate. I had a $3 coupon for shampoo/conditioner and a $2 coupon for a styling product. I also had a a $1 off RA register coupon for any hair care item and a $1 Frizz-Ease video values coupon. I got one Root Awakenings conditioner ($5) and one Frizz-Ease hairspray (6.99). I paid $5 plus tax and I'll get a $5 SCR. Bottom line: FREE

I told the cashier I was frustrated with the sale items being out of stock AGAIN. She called the manager over, and a few good things happened:

1) He pointed out an end cap where some more peanuts could be found. There were only 10 jars left, but I only needed 8. They are on sale for $1.99 ea. Now I could use my 4-$1/2 coupons and my $3/$15 RA coupon. I will also get a $3 SCR on them. Bottom line: .74/16 oz. jar

2) I told him that although I got a raincheck for the Albolene last week, the rebate period ended. He said if that ever happens, the manager can take your register receipt and raincheck and FAX it in from the store and you can still get your SCR! There happened to be just one jar on the shelf so I went for it. The regular price is $11.99, the raincheck was for $7.99 and the SCR was $7...so .99 seemed like a great price to try this product.

3) The manager, instead of FAXing the rebate in for me, just discounted the Albolene altogether and I got it for FREE and won't have to wait for a rebate!

4) The manager also taught me that their sales start on FRIDAYs. So by the time I get the insert in Sunday's paper, there is little if any product left. He said there are a few regular groups that come in and clean them out every week. Hmmm...wonder who they are?! Especially when many of the SCRs are limited to one per card. So the biggest lesson I learned today was to check Rite-Aid's circular online on Friday mornings!

So in all, I learned a few helpful tips from the manager of the Rite-Aid on Washington and Escondido Blvd. (darn I wish I could remember his name!). Kudos to him and his cashier for awesome customer service. After discounts, rebates and coupons I paid $6.07 for all this:

Oh, and by the way...the expiration date on those peanuts in August 15, 2011.