Update: Rite Aid Wellness+ Program
Ok, these are several pertinent posts about this program
On Friday, Janel discovered you could sign up for the program (it opened early for sign ups) and she posted the amazing Rite Aid Printables.
On Friday there were no area restrictions. If you printed them Friday, or saved the coupons to your computer on Friday you should be able to use the coupons regardless of the market.
On Saturday, Christina asked why if the coupons were restricted to a few markets what was the big deal?
I looked at the coupons that I had saved to my computer after she posted that and went, “Huh”? I decided to click the live link and went “Oh shoot!”
That was when we got our first inkling that the program was in test-phase. I hesitated to call it that until I could get confirmation, and today it was confirmed to me. This is a pilot program for the Buffalo market (through to including Rochester), the San Diego market, the Harrisburg PA market (anyone know how far that extends? It could be quite a ways), and the Greensboro NC market.
The full program will begin nationwide in January. I was told that because they opened it up online, everyone would get their cards and be able to participate for points and awards, but they would not be able to use the bonus weekly coupons, nor would their ads include the wellness+ special sale items.
Today, I tried a phone number at two different stores after signing up online and it did not work. So, don’t be discouraged if your phone number did not work today, it was an obvious glitch.
Also, the Living More folks already have their Wellness+ cards in hand in the test markets. Those did not work either this morning. Another glitch.
The card I signed up for in-store this morning did work, and those amazing coupons scanned with no troubles at all (Thanks again Janel!)
Some new news:
• There will be new coupons emailed to wellness+ members weekly, and supposedly they are going to be every bit as good as what we got for this week.
• There will be special sales for wellness+ card holders in the test markets. Next week I was told the GE cfl lightbulbs will be 2/$3 and there was a $1.25 coupon in the 10/4/09 SS making them 25¢ each! This is only in the four test markets.
• I will NOT be writing up deals including the test market sales and coupons except to list them as available. It would be too confusing to those that do not have the same opportunity. I will mention a reminder every week to sign up for the program though!
I will update as we learn more. This looks like a fantastic program and for once I am so glad to be a guinea pig!
Well, we have more updates! Thanks Jan The RA site is now listing the four test markets as where the program is active. Sooooo the question is, can anyone outside of 100 miles of these four cities sign up now that they have posted this update?
I am in San Diego and my Rite Aid started signing up folks last Thursday. I didn’t know that San Diego was one of the test markets. We don’t have that many Rite Aids in San Diego so I assume that’s why we are part of the test market. We are big city but very few Rite Aids here. And I live in the city of San Diego.
Thanks for the info.
Ms Benjamins when you sign up would you mind asking how far the program reaches outside the city limits of San Diego, and then let me know? Rochester is an hour – 90 minutes from Buffalo, so this is pretty far out. I’m curious how far they are pushing the other market areas from the city limit.
Thanks!
Ann
Thanks so much for this update!
Just came back from Rite Aid, the cashier told me that RA is getting rid of all of their other cards and this card would be similar to the CVS card. I specifically asked her, “Can I use the card in Sacramento (northern Calif) b/c I have family there?” She said that I can use the card at ANY Rite Aid. I don’t know if that is true or not but I suspect it is. L.A. is just 2 hrs north of here and I can’t imagine not being able to use the card there!
Also, at the bottom of the my receipt is say: Your wellness+ Savings: $1.30
I only 3 misc items and the EOS Lip Balm which is normally priced at $3.29.
Thanks Ms Benjamins… I was actually wondering how far away from the city of San Diego the printable coupons would be accepted, since they currently claim they are only good in the four test markets.
What she told you about the card being accepted anywhere is the same answer I received, so that is a great reconfirmation. I was also told the same about replacing the cards, and the same about the card basically being a bonus card.
YAY! All the information they are telling customers is consistent. How often does that happen?
Hmmmm mine says Your wellness+ savings: $12.30. Should have been $13.30 so I guess the lubriderm was not added into that total discount for some reason.
Ann
Harrisburg, PA ! wow I can’t believe we made the cut! I live about 45 mins from Harrisburg so thats pretty far to me! I used the coupons and got ammmmmazzing deals today, will share with ya Ann later, I got to go pick up my two little lovies from grandmas!
Okiedokie Janel. Here’s the question for you…did you use the original one you shared with us, or the updated coupon that stated the four regions? If it was the updated one, we can assume Harrisburg is probably an hour out (like Buffalo and Rochester).
Hope the lovies had a great time!
Ann
New question above:
Well, we have more updates! Thanks Jan The RA site is now listing the four test markets as where the program is active. Sooooo the question is, can anyone outside of 100 miles of these four cities sign up now that they have posted this update?
Ann
I used the coupons with no problem (also used 4 cold ones in one order). Although they could not put my stuff on the wellness card. They didn’t know how to do it. I don’t have my card yet but it said in the email to use your phone number. I figure I will call and get them to add them later.
Today just with the regular stuff and the Glaxo Gift Card deal I spent $77 and will be getting a SCR of $167. YIPHEEE! I had forgotten to print the coupons for the Loreal deal so I will go back tomorrow. (I have 2 Rite Aids account–mine and my brothers)
Hi Andrea,
The phone number did not work for me in a test market. Definitely a glitch today. Are you within or outside 100 miles of the four listed cities? I ask because I am curious if everyone who previously registered outside the test-market-area will get their cards in the mail.
And weeeeeeee on the four per order. Ok, so they are just regular RA coupons that can be used multiple times like any other RA coupon. The fine print means the cashier can reject (as being more than one per customer) and be prepared for that possibility, but…
So now I have to see if I can find some Lubriderm tomorrow and get paid for “buying” a few more.
Ann
I live in Cary, NC (suburban of Raleigh). Is the test market Greensboro NC instead of SC? That city is about 50 miles from me.
I just want to tell you that I discovered your website a few weeks ago and love it. Thanks for sharing. You always have the most deals from all my other blogs I look at.
Andrea
Thanks Andrea. It is looking more and more like a 100 mile radius for the program. We will know for certain when we compare ads next week and see how far the wellness+ bonus sales reach.
Thanks so much for getting back with that information!
I am now off to change the “S” to an “N”. *head bang* I probably should not mention that I’ve flown into that airport to shop High Point and should know better, right?
Ann
Oh, yeah I totally used more than one per order no problem at all, and BTW FYI—today my total wasn’t quite 20.00 so I added a newspaper and it still wasn’t quite there, so I went for something else quick, and the cashier totally took my 5/20 coupon and said its fine as long as its “close” (loving her and so going to her tomorrow)! but just thought I would share in case your justthisclose to 20.00 and your cashier will take it, it will work!
whoa… The RA minimum purchase coupons scan off without meeting the minimum purchase? Or did she push it through, Janel?
Ann
no it scanned, no problems twice
whooooaaaa
Ann