Huge price differences at CVS - why you need to price compare and use coupons!

[gmarie]

I had to do laundry and was out of detergent. I stopped by CVS and none were on sale, so I chose Arm & Hammer b/c it had a lower price than the others. The 50 oz was $7.49. Seemed kind of high, but I was in a hurry.

Later, I stopped by Stop & Shop to pick up coffee, and saw the 50 oz A&H on sale for $2.50!!

Hannaford (another grocery store) is selling the 50oz for 3.99. (not on sale).

I can't believe how expensive CVS is compared to my local grocery stores!

I haven't done a price comparison on anything but food in a while, and need to obviously need to start couponing, and get organized. What a ripoff!!

[Palooka]

CVS is very expensive unless you know how to work their sales. They sell Wisk HE for 9.99 and sometimes run a deal for buy one get one free. Not really a deal. Our family dollar has the same size, everyday price for 4.99!

[bumplett]

You paid for the convience of running in & out of a CVS vs. a larger grocery/walmart type store.

We've all done it.

Lesson learned is to never let yourself run out of laundry detergent

[gmarie]

ha ha true but in my previous price comparisons CVS was always competitive.

Although I have to admit I haven't done one that includes laundry detergent since before I moved to this state almost two years ago.

Wow, I feel lazy!

[Contrary Housewife]

OMG yes, for non drugstore items they are horrible. IMO even their sale prices aren't that good sometimes.

[bumplett]

Like all big corps, they KNOW what they are doing .... makes me feel like prey sometimes.

[gmarie]

That's why I try to stay out of stores in general. I stopped shopping as a hobby, buying the newspaper for coupons I never used, stopped looking at circulars, etc and I substantially decreased our spending. For me, it's so much easier to just stop using unnecessary products than to try to find things cheaper or for free.

But, it drives me nuts that I am overpaying for the stuff we do need: detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, dish soap.

I just have to find a balance.

[bumplett]

have you ever tried making your own??

there are dozens of homemade laundry det recipes online.

Also safe for HE washers.

[bumplett]

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes : TipNut.com

[Palooka]

That's why I try to stay out of stores in general. I stopped shopping as a hobby, buying the newspaper for coupons I never used, stopped looking at circulars, etc and I substantially decreased our spending. For me, it's so much easier to just stop using unnecessary products than to try to find things cheaper or for free.

I understand this and have fell into that trap too.

But, it drives me nuts that I am overpaying for the stuff we do need: detergent, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, dish soap.

I just have to find a balance.

Do you have a Dollar General or Family Dollar store?

[khaski]

I have found ALL drugstores to be major rip-offs on most items. Sales coupled with coupons are where the real savings are, or sometimes the 'discount' racks.

[Imarachne]

I used to get good sales there at CVS but now the "sales" suck. My prescriptions are there but I might start checking out other drugstores.

[gmarie]

Thank you. I thought about making my own laundry soap, but I'm worried that it won't work well... have heard mixed reviews.