Hey CVS Shoppers: Hang On To Those Friday Ads

In the CVS stores I frequent, the circular flier near the front is empty. I have been told by  three managers that, from now on, I should bring my circular with me. One of these managers shared a internal corporate memo with another CVSer stating that regional CVS stores will be checking the effectiveness of newspaper advertising. One way is to remove the circulars from the store.

Here's the tricky part: sale prices may not be marked and, in rare cases, will not be entered into the register. In those cases, you may need the circular to prove it's in the ad. Can you believe this? Is this just my local manager trying to get rid of us? Has anyone ever heard of this in their area? Are the circulars still around?

I have e-mailed CVS but have not received a response. I find this very troubling, as many shoppers may miss out on details. And I hate the idea that I may have to argue with overworked clerks even more, as I often have to argue with them about coupons as is.

There are better ways to test marketing ploys than subjecting loyal customers to more grief. This ploy could lead CVS to believe newspaper circulars don't work, when in fact their own corporate policies have ran off customers.

Thanks for letting me vent.