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Part of me relished my doctor’s prescription because if any prescription transfer coupons came up, I would be eligible. These offers – typically a $10 to $30 gift card to transfer a prescription to a new pharmacy – come and go through the year as mainstream pharmacies try to recruit new customers.
In the past when I’ve written about taking advantage of certain coupons, like opening a new bank account to get $100, readers have charged that fulfilling the deal was unethical. Here is why I think it is fair to use prescription transfer coupons (like I did last month to earn $25 at Walgreens).
- It is the business’ decision to offer the coupon
- I am fully eligible for earning the gift cards according to the terms the business sets
- For every person like me who is going to transfer a prescription for the gift card, there are many, many more who will sit tight
- The pharmacy is most likely making money off filling my prescription, even after the gift card, because of reimbursements from my health care provider
- The gift cards push me to test more than one pharmacy and eventually I will choose one
http://www.bargainbabe.com/2010/02/23/j-crew-20-off-borders-30-off-prescription-transfer-earns-25/
Welcome to Bargain Babe! I’m Mara, and I’m so glad you’re here. I am an obsessive bargain hunter and penny pincher, and I am determined to live a full life without EVER paying full price.
i would your helping the economy by spending more than the gift card there have you really not spent over it and spend the 25 and only that no thats what they count on so go for it i have tried many pharmacys because i have had bad experences with each the only one i like is costco but then i have to pay cash so i have to put up with crappy service for my free prescriptions oh well
I applaud you for your website and how it saves people money. However, some things to consider on these prescription transfer coupons. A pharmacist is there to monitor your drug therapy and disease state, to detect drug/drug interactions, side effects, provide consultation to patients on their medications, etc. Very common to have multiple physicians/specialists, do they all know what each of them are prescribing? By jumping from pharmacy to pharmacy for these gift cards a pharmacist no longer has your complete medical history thus cannot detect interactions, duplications, side effects, etc. Ask yourself this, would you chose a physician if you saw an ad with a $25 off coupon? Get your car serviced by the “cheapest” mechanic around? Don’t forget, we are talking about your health! Find a pharmacist/pharmacy who will provide these services. If not a chain with those lost leader coupons, then the many independent pharmacies in yoiur neighborhood. If anything to get out of this, ALWAYS GO TO THE SAME PHARMACY
You’re a lucky girl! In NJ you need to be 65 years old or older to take advantage of prescription transfer coupons. (wah!!!) Have fun!!!
I agree on the transferring prescriptions for gift cards – especially in this economy….however – beware of pricing differences at different pharmacies….for example a generic of one prescriiption i get at Target or Walmart is only $4….the same one at CVS is $15! so the next month I switched back to Target & got another gift card 🙂 I don’t ever feel unethical about transferring prescriptions for gift cards – that’s what they’re out there for. Sure it takes a little extra effort but, the extra cash makes up for it 🙂