I live pretty equidistantly from all the big three drugstores– CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid. I do most of my drugstore shopping at CVS, since it happens to share a parking lot with my local Kroger and saves a few precious moments of travel time.
However, I’ve begun to think more seriously about which chain in fact has some of the best deals or the best rewards system. I can think of pros/cons of all three chains, but what does everyone else think? Sincerely, Ellen
Great question and I’m fascinated to hear input from everyone on this!
I personally can’t give a very educated answer since I’ve never stepped foot in a Rite Aid store before — we’ve always lived hundreds of miles away from them!
When we lived in Topeka and Kansas City and had both a CVS and Walgreens, I chose CVS over Walgreens nine times out of ten because I found that I paid much less money out of pocket on the CVS deals. I only went to Walgreens when the deals were smoking hot — which happened to be about once every 6-8 weeks at that time.
Now, we live in a town with no drug stores but Walgreens (sniff!). I only shop there occasionally because they usually aren’t very coupon-friendly and I’ve often found it to be more hassle than it’s worth. But if I have extra time or there’s a can’t-miss deal, I still find it worth it sometimes.
I think which drugstore has the best deals will depend somewhat upon the area you live in and what kinds of items you routinely buy. Some stores are notorious for being out-of-stock of the weekly deals. Some stores, like our Walgreens, aren’t coupon-friendly. These types of factors will play into which drug store has the best deals for you.
So if you have easy access to all three drug stores, I’d suggest trying out each of them (preferably one at a time) for a few months. At the end of this experiment, decide which drugstore(s) seem a good fit for you.
What about you? Do you prefer CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid? Why? I’d love to hear!
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I totally prefer CVS over Walgreen’s. Better deals, more coupon-friendly, don’t have to have ‘filler’ items, etc. I still venture into Walgreen’s occasionally but sometimes find it to be more of a hassle than it’s worth. CVS rocks!
@Misty, I completely agree! I used to think Walgreens was IT but mainly because of their clearance racks. When I go in I still look thru their clearance. I thought CVS was a waste of time and money. I can’t believe I missed out all those years!
I, too, live fairly close to all three stores and I choose CVS over the other 2 almost every time.
I don’t like putting out cash at rite aid and turning it in for the SCR and I always get nervous jitters before I check out at Walgreens. With CVS, there is hardly ever a hassle and I can usually get the same deals if I wait a little bit.
All that being said, I’m now looking really hard at walgreens deals though because the commissary takes RRs like cash!!
@Heather, the commissary takes RR as cash!?!? how did you find that out? how does that work?????
@Sonja, ’tis true, ’tis true!! I actually found out via deca’s facebook page – since the RRs say manufacturer coupon at the top, the commissary will accept them like a regular coupon!
There are some reports of people having trouble, but stand your ground of they give you a hard time!
@Sonja,
I put together a post with a couple letters taken from the wonderful blogger that I link up commissary deals with.
Readers in my area (VA) have reported being able to use them without a problem. I always suggest mentioning it to the manager when you get to the store that way your groceries aren’t sitting while they determine you can use them.
http://www.thecouponchallenge.com/2010/06/walgreens-register-rewards-accepted-at.html
@Heather, Heather – You should DEFINITELY check out Rite Aid again – They’ve released 2 new programs in the last 6 months that make it practically stealing to shop there… I’ve been taking an average of $600 worth of product out of the store EACH WEEK for the past 3 months with a TOTAL OOP of $15 in that time frame! Check out their Video Values program (lots of $ off total purchase Qs) combined with their wellness program, SCR program and new +Up program (like ECB) – they let you stack in ad Qs with Video Values Qs with MQs and their rebate and +Up programs – not to mention the constant supply of $5 off $20 and$5 off $25 total purchase Qs – There are so many programs it may take you a while to get the hang of it, but it is COMPLETELY worth it!!!! I get a 20% discount off of EVERYTHING with my wellness card as well – if they sell it at Rite Aid I won’t buy it anywhere else!!!!!!
@Lea, I agree. With all of the new programs, I pay pennies at checkout. I have even paid less than the tax amount several times. Also, I save my Single Check Rebate money to purchase items that have rebates, so I am rolling my same out of pocket amount every time. That way it isn’t coming out of my monthly grocery budget!
@Lea, We have a rite aid & I am a little scared of all their programs, shop the other two a lot, there is so much to understand at rite aid, have any suggestions on where to get clarity so I can get the deals like above!!!
@Kara, what is video values?
@Kara, I see that you can Q’s, but I don’t know what a video Q is, where do you get that… I am starting to see where you save a ton! Then you get the money back, the rebates, & the 20% off- wow!!! How much do you have to spend to get to 20% off? I guess the only thing I don’t understand is a video q, are these all seperate cards, or does their card keep track of all this? I know I prob sound dumb, but I just started doing any of this last month:)
@Kara, Oh my & the stacking of all those rebates & coupons, etc. I am getting excited!Lol!
@Lea, I agree, RiteAid was great recently since they had so many programs going that “overlapped”. But just so you know.. they are supposedly ending the rebate program either the end of July or the end of August. Then it will be the +Up rewards which are just like CVS Bonus Bucks & Walgreens RR. However!! RiteAid’s +Up rewards expire in only 2 weeks!! So I think I will still prefer CVS since it give me a full month to roll over my Bonus Bucks.
Definitely CVS! I feel like the ECB program is easier to understand than RR’s at Walgreens, and at my stores the employees are so much nicer than the Walgreens! No Rite Aid anywhere around me.
We do not have a CVS anywhere near us
I would have to say Rite Aid for the most part is much more coupon friendly than Walgreens – at least in my experience. Although, it really depends on which location I go to. I have one Rite Aid that I really have never had any issues and there is another one where I have major issues every time.
I like CVS, but I just moved somewhere with a RiteAid and have found I like it too! The program is VERY similar to ECB and they also have “single check rebates” that also save you money. With last time’s P&G Crest coupons I got a bunch of toothpaste and mouthwash for practically free!
I used to prefer Walgreens but lately CVS has been having the better deals. I look at both ads every weekend and decide what I’m going to purchase…sometimes they have the same things on sale but one will have a better deal because of Register Rewards or Extra Care Bucks. No Rite Aids around me in Florida. I usually go to both every weekend.
I’d have to agree and pick CVS bc their rewards program is less problematic than Walgreens ex. you can’t roll rrs on the same manufacturer… cmon Wags, get with it lol
CVS all the way. I think they have much better deals than Walgreens. I find that when I do Walgreens one week the next two weeks are not good enough deals to go back. So either my RR expire or I go in and get something just to use them and not roll them. CVS is the best because you can go in and scan your Extra Care card at the coupon machine and typically the coupons that print are good for that weeks sales or for the next weeks sales. Using those in conjunction with a mnf cpn saves good money. Rolling thei ECB are easier for me! Another great thing is if you register your Extra Care card on CVS’s website they send you coupons for $4 off $25 or $5 off $30 purchase and that helps bring down your oop cost! Love CVS!
I agree with Mindy in picking CVS bc of ALL the reasons she cited. I shop Walgreen’s but I’ve become a much more satisfied customer at CVS.
CVS all the way. I think they have much better deals than Walgreens. I find that when I do Walgreens one week the next two weeks are not good enough deals to go back. So either my RR expire or I go in and get something just to use them and not roll them. CVS is the best because you can go in and scan your Extra Care card at the coupon machine and typically the coupons that print are good for that weeks sales or for the next weeks sales. Using those with a mnf cpn saves money. Rolling ECB are easier for me! Another great thing is if you register your Extra Care card on CVS’s website they send you cpns for $4 off $25 or $5 off $30 purchase & that helps bring down your oop cost!
I find CVS to be much easier. I don’t have an RR card and I have never been offered one despite shopping at Wags somewhat frequently, but I can say that they often have coupons in the circular that you have to point out to the cashier or you won’t get the discount. It makes it very confusing and I find it a little deceptive that they don’t give everyone the advertised price, you have to ask for it. I have never experienced that at CVS.
Hey there, Erin. I totally understand everyone’s frustrations with Walgreens. I just was reading your post and thought I’d point out that they do not have an RR card. It is just a catalina that prints out on a machine next to their register, when you make a qualifying purchase from their weekly ad. I too have found Walgreens to not really be worth my while, but there are sometimes that I can get things FREE or almost free from stacking q’s, using RR’s, and rolling them for the next week’s ads!!!
@Cindy,
Hey Cindy! Actually they do have a RR card in some areas. They are testing it in a few areas to see how it goes for them. So maybe everyone will have it soon! I love walgreens but it takes more time and effort to score things for free!
Wags doesn’t have a card in WA but when I visited OR I needed a card to get all the great deals. My concern is that the card will somehow limit all those great purchases that makes Wags a good deal.
Oh WOW, then I apologize for my mis-statement. I was very much unaware of them trying out a new RR card in some areas. Thank you for correcting me!!!
@Cindy, When I first started couponing WAGs was it for me. Now I’m into CVS b/c they offer rainchecks that include the ECBs! However, the trade-off between the two stores is the limits CVS imposes. At WAGS, you can seriously stock up when the price is right (provided they are stocked, which is another WAGs problem.) Although, that may change if they implement a shopper card program.
@Lisa Rose,
While visiting my mom last week, we made a shopping trip to Walgreens. I was told by a very nice clerk that they will be having a savings card available in all markets very soon.
I am lucky enough to have all 3 stores and will shop at all them depending on the deals. I have been happy with all 3.
@Lisa Rose, No limits is the one main thing WAGS has in their favor.
I like Rite Aid and Walgreens. My local CVS won’t take the printed coupons. And all three are at the same intersection!!!
CVS used to be #1 for me but just found out that Rite Aid is much much better. I love all of the programs they have (even if its taking them a few weeks to get them all in order) Single Check Rebate- I rather get a check than store bucks. Also the $5/$25 coupons help bring your OOP down. It can be a little difficult to start shopping at Rite Aid but once you start you can keep rolling your checks/Giftcards.
@Maria, Totally agree! Rite Aid rocks…once you get the hang of it. I have MADE so much money shopping there the last year thanks to their rebate program, Video Values coupons (store coupons) and $5/$20 coupons. In fact I totally stopped Walgreens and only get a few things at CVS anymore!
No RiteAid nearby for me… I definitely prefer CVS (when they’re out of something they offer rain checks…. Our Walgreens just says “uh… sorry….” which is especially frustrating when you only went IN for those one or two hot deal items. What I do like about Walgreens: I can go in multiple days for the same deal (last week stopped in a few different times to grab the toothpaste that was free after RR’s) and I think at CVS you use a card and therefore can only swipe it for a deal one time in a week. So, definite pro’s and con’s to both. I just go based on sales, and bite the bullet when it’s a less favorable scenario
I have all the stores within 5 min. driving distance. I love CVS the best. Their workers are nicer and coupon friendly, and they have good deals consistently, so I can roll ECB. Also, ECB has longer exp. date than RR so I can wait another week if I don’ t see good deals. I like that we can use ECB even if it’s greater value than the total price, so I don’t have to buy something I don’t need in order to fill the couple of cents. On the other hand, I would say Wags is the worst. They don’t let me use more coupon than the number of items (e.g. if I buy 5 items, they let me use only 5 or less coupons) and most RR is flat numbers like $3, $4, where as the item prices are $2.99, $3.99, so because it’s just 1 cent less, I cannot use RR and have to buy something I don’t want and more money out of pocket. I hate it! I like Rite Aid too. I never had problem with SCR and it’s good that I can get money which never expires and can use anywhere else.
I LOVE CVS! I used to shop Walgreens and Rite Aid before we had a CVS. I took a break from doing major couponing while preggo with my last baby about the same time we got a CVS. Most of the time Walgreens didn’t have items that we wanted and the employees/ managers just were not friendly at all. Rite Aid was ok with the customer service but it took a couple of months with the rebates before seeing any savings and to be able to roll the rebates- we had more money tied up. I haven’t even tried RA since they added the new programs. If we were to move somewhere with no CVS and just Wags and RA then I would do RA. CVS is so so easy and friendly and just awesome!
I have a Walgreens, Rite Aid and now CVS (previously Longs) all under a mile from me. If I had to pick a fave for deals a year ago, I would have said Walgreens and then Rite Aid. When Longs became CVS it took me a while to get used to their ECB program, but now I find so many deals at CVS. CVS is by far my favorite now. I still love Walgreens, and agree that it’s awesome to be able to get multiples of RR deals. I do find it annoying that RR expire so soon. Since Rite Aid started their new card/video coupon program, I haven’t gotten into it.
I’ve only been a couponing queen for about 10 weeks now, but I’m obsessed with it, already have a blog! lol I’ve done deals at Walgreens and CVS both. I prefer Walgreens for the most part because I can do good deals over and over. I like that feature. You have to finagle it a bit by alternating your purchases so you can pay with the RR you earned from the previous transaction but I’ve found nice wonderful helpful staff and great managers there. When I’ve found deals I like at CVS I’ve gone there. They’re always been very helpful as well. I like both but prefer Walgreens I think. That and its literally at the end of my street practically while CVS takes me about 5 to drive. I know, lazy but Walgreens is so close!
I like Rite aid the most then Walgreens. No CVS around, never have even seen one. I save the most money at Rite Aid. Both have good managers and customer service but friendlier at Rite Aid. My Walgreens is ALWAYS out of most of the hot sale items and that is frustrating. Rite aid sometimes is out but not always.
Having shopped all 3 to answer this question for myself, I prefer CVS. Rite Aid is just too confusing with their rebates and their new rewards program. Walgreens in my area can be difficult about coupons and their RR expire too quickly. I have found the best deals for me at CVS. I still check the sales at Walgreens because I will stop by to pick up free items if they are free without RR.
I have to come to the defense of Walgreens here; this seems to be the question of the ages. While CVS has good points such as being able to use ECBs on anything and not expiring for a while, I actually pay more OOP there. I LOVE WAGS and will continue to be loyal as long as the current system works for me the way it does. We have FOUR Walgreens just within our city and so many more less than 20 minutes away. Plus, our WAGS are very coupon-friendly, many of them actually cut coupons out and tape them to the products. I love that we have no limits on RR deals, like at CVS. It has to be a good week for me to stop by CVS, mostly I find it a burden to have to go there and roll my ECBs before they expire. I do all my “extra” shopping at WAGS too, such as paper plates and trash bags if I don’t want to pay for it. I made over $250 from the “Great Triaminic Deal of 12/09!!” That is how I paid for most of my children’s Christmas presents that year and it was wonderful! I heart WAGS!
@Stacy G.,
I agree. I shop at CVS and Wags, I avoid Rite Aid even though I have one nearby just because I can’t take any more shopping and planning of scenarios. I love Walgreens. I agree that you have to know how to properly use coupons there but I have used overages so many times to get milk, eggs, chicken broth… I never do that at CVS because of the limits. In turn, I happily donate my surplus to my church’s food & supply pantry. Walgreens gets my vote.
@cheryl, Some of us who hate Walgreens do know how to properly use coupons. I know more about their practices and rules than the employees there usually. It’s just that we find it not worth it. Even if I have a plan laid out perfectly, they usually end up being out of something which throws off my coupon to item ratio. And if I use my RR on other stuff that is not producing more RR then I didn’t really get the original bottle of shampoo (or whatever else) free. Now I do understand that some instances you really do get some great overages but spending them on full price items just seems to defeat the purpose to me
CVS is much better than Walgreen’s. We don’t have Rite Aid here. It’s so hard to find items at Walgreens, even though it’s a small store. They are often out of the sale items and are not coupon friendly. The ECB’s don’t expire as fast as the RR’s and I think CVS has better prices.
I was wondering why in your vlog you said that you haven’t found any toothpaste deals! That must not be very fun not living by any good drugstores!
I think right now Rite Aid is my favorite but I’m sure once they fix the “kinks” in the UP Rewards program, CVS will be my favorite again : )
Yes, when we lived near CVS, I had toothpaste running out my ears! I miss the days of getting paid to buy toothpaste!
It has to be Riteaid right now with their new programs. They have so many store coupons, and it gets better with the 5 off 25 purchase or 5 off 20 purchase coupons. The up rewards, and rebates. They always take my coupons without problems.
I love love love Rite Aid! The new UPR program has made it even better. The last two months I made money at Rite Aid, that’s after taxes. I roll my rewards to pay for the next months deals. I shopped at Wags and CVS. I had too many problems with the Wags here. CVS is alright, but once my gift cards are gone, I’m going to only shop at Rite Aid. At CVS, I still must pay OOP for sales tax. This is true at the other stores, but I’m able to work the deals at Rite Aid with coupons, etc so that I get back more in SCRs than my total OOP. If Rite Aid ends the SCR program, then I might change my opinion to CVS being my favorite because the ECBs have a longer expiration date. If I end up moving to somewhere that there is not a Rite Aid, I might cry…lol
Rite Aid has UP rewards, single check rebates, wellness card, and don’t forget video values coupons (google Rite Aid video values)! Love, love, love Rite Aid. I’m going back for more free stuff tomorrow.
Unfortunately Wags is my only option – like you Crystal. And even worse, we don’t have much more than an overpriced grocery store and Wal-mart in our town, but that changes next week when we get an Aldi {SO EXCITED here!} but one thing that I like about Walgreens is that for non RR deals, I can almost always get a RainCheck. I have a small stack of rainchecks and they never expire at our store, so when I’m desperate for goldfish, pens, legal pads, or whatever else – I can get a good deal any time. That’s about the only thing I like about Walgreens. I hate how most deals say how low it is, but then when you look at the deal, it’s really that you are spending xx.xx and then getting potentially worthless RR (that either expire or they give you issues to use them again). I haven’t gotten many deals in the past few months at Walgreens.
Yay for Aldi!!!!
Definitely CVS. There is no comparison with Walgreens to me. I don’t do Rite Aid because I just don’t have the time to learn a new system. Walgreens is not coupon-friendly here, either. In fact, the manager has gotten nasty about them sometimes.
I shop all 3, but I feel the deals at CVS are the best. But often there are times I cannot pass up deals at Walgreens and Rite Aid. If I estimate my percentage I would say, CVS = 60%, Walgreens = 30%, and Rite Aid = 10%!
I live right outside Atlanta and have equal access to all three – and several of each store – on my regular travel path (church, school, soccer, etc).
I’ve really slacked off this year with the coupon clipping and RR/ECB rolling but I am getting back into it. Our “reserves” are getting low. I’ve actually paid full price for at least 3 toothbrushes now!
I am partial to CVS. I have 3 CVS stores within 2 miles of each other. My church (and kids homeschool school) is right in the middle. Even with those 3 stores right in line, it is hard to get the deals if you don’t get there on Sunday or Monday. They sell out fast. They are super friendly though which helps and several cashiers at each use coupons themselves.
Now that my Publix takes the Walgreen’s Register Rewards, I will shop there if there is an item I want that is free or close to it. Like a toothbrush. I turn down many free weekly deals just because I don’t want to deal with the hassle of uneducated cashiers (w/coupons).
I have all multiple locations of all three within minutes of me. CVS is by far my favorite. Early in the year, I got loads of $5 off $25 coupons at the coupon machine. Combine that with the ECBs and cpns, I was cookin’ with gas.
Walgreens used to be second. The closest one has one cashier in the cosmetics dept who hoards coupons. She keeps the leftover Sunday flyers and has stacks of tear pads from manufacturers (I didn’t even know they got them.) She will tell you, “Always come to me first to see what coupons I got in this week.” She must hit up the distributors for the tear pads. AND she knows the sale flyer by heart and can tell you how to stack q’s to get the best deals. If she isn’t there, the mgmnt and rest of the staff are surly and act like I’m bothering them by giving them my money. One time I had to go back to get the manager to give me the sale price on an item they charged me full price for. Grrr. Plus, I don’t think their deals are nearly as good as CVS.
I used to avoid Rite Aid like the plague. The stores were dirty and there just weren’t any decent deals. I’m trying the Up+ and Single Check Rebates. I’ve watched the videos and got the coupons to prove it. Still, I find the store confusing, sale items missing or not shelf-tagged. I just don’t want or need what they have on sale that often. I’m not convinced yet, but I haven’t given up either.
CVS always has what I want on sale. The staff is nice and very, very helpful. The cheer for me when I get $60 worth of stuff for $7 and they had me $25 in ECBs. Rite Aid is getting there. Walgreens is lagging way behind these days.
@dee,
I’m sorry, but where do you live. We have a coupon hoarder at our cosmetics dept. in Walgreens as well and the rest of the staff are just grumps.
@karla, Hi, Karla,
I’m in Milford, CT. Where are you?
@dee,
I’m @ the OBX of NC
Yay…for great customer service. I love to hear stories like!!
Rite-Aid, then CVS. I only go to Walgreen’s when the deal is really good and free or close to it. I’ve finally figured out the game at Rite-Aid using manufacturing coupons with Store Coupons, Video Values and SCRs. I shop with Up Rewards constantly now, rarely using ‘real’ money. I usually go to CVS once a week unless it’s something like the SoBe deal, then I go many times. Also figured out the ECB game too, but I usually end up using a little of my money too. So, Rite Aid is my favorite now.
I love CVS. I don’t have a Walgreen or a Rite Aid close to me so that may be the reason.
I love how I can get a lot of stuff for practically free and the cashiers (certain ones ) even help me out with deals and ask if I have a certain coupon to help me get more off or suggest a website they go on to get a good deal.
RITE AID by far! You get back MONEY to spend at any store you please and without an expiration date like the RR and EB from the other two. I hate being forced to go back to Walgreens or CVS just to spend bucks that I will lose, even when I don’t want anything from their store.
The rebate system takes a minute to figure out, but there are plenty of websites to show you how it works. Now it’s as simple as coming home and typing in a few numbers to submit my receipt, then I get back a large check at the end of the rebate period! You do spend a little more out of pocket up front but it comes back to you in cash!
I like CVS the best BY FAR! I shop at all 3. Rite Aids in my area never have the good deal items in stock. I have on occasion been able to score some great deals, but not very often. I don’t like Walgreens as well, because they are not coupon friendly, the sale items are usually not in stock, the RR expire in 2 weeks and they don’t give out rainchecks.
At CVS, ECBs list an expiration a month out, but I’ve heard that they never expire. Their rainchecks never expire. They have a magic coupon machine! They are VERY coupon friendly, they usually have the sale items in stock, and the customer service is outstanding. I often ask myself, when I go into the other two stores, “Why did I even bother coming in here?”
My Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and CVS are ALL notorious for being out of the sale items, so I can’t find the motivation to shop at any of them. lol
Rite Aid is the best! I’ve been doing their Rebates for about 8 years now – got started long before I did any other couponing. It is so easy. Just sign up on the website. After you make your purchase, go home and enter some info online from your receipt. They even email you now when your rebate is ready. There have been times over the years when I have forgotten to request my check at the end of the month, and they have sent it to me anyway.
I think Rite Aid is easiest to start with for beginning or casual couponers because you don’t have to worry about rolling over ECB’s to make sure you’re really saving money. Buy a tube of Crest for $2.49. Use a coupon. Get $2.49 check in mail. REAL MONEY.
But I am now worried that Rite Aid is going to phase out the SCRebates, since they have recently started this new Up program – which is just like CVS. Anyone know if this is true?
I do go to CVS when the deals are tempting, but it’s a pain for me to make sure those ECBs don’t expire, AND to find something else good to roll them over. Once I lost my envelope with $25 of ECBs in it. Don’t
have a Wags.
Disclosure: I am not a hard-core couponer. I do not get more than one paper insert, so I rarely have more than one of the same coupon. I will not do multiple transactions. I will not buy stuff I don’t need, like glucose meters. I do try to only get certain items for free or very cheap, like shampoo and dental items. If I were more hard-core, I might prefer CVS.
RITE AID for me! Yes, it’s true it’s confusing, but if you figure it out and really work the system then you will make out like a bandit! They are counting on people not being good at their programs IMO. But for those who are- yippee! I find that I pay more OOP, but when the SCR’s are taken onto consideration I often PROFIT! Since their programs are changing all the staff are confused too. I have to explain things to them! But since I sound like I know what O am talking about they always give me the deal. It is more time consuming becasue of having to check your receipt and argue, but you really can’t compete with making money for buying items!
@staceypunk,
Hey, if you like to, I really want to know more about RA. could you please spend some time to explain RA’s programs?
Thank you!
@Qingyang Li, Check out Bargain Briana’s primer on Rite Aid shopping (it’s the first one I found on google). http://bargainbriana.com/stores/drug-store-deals/rite-aid/ It’s helped me understand the programs better!
@Megan,
Thank you very much Megan! you are awesome!
I have done both CVS and Walgreens and find that CVS is better by far. The ECBs have a longer shelf life than the RRs, so I have more flexibility to save them for a week or 2 instead of buying something I don’t really want or need. I really want to start trying Rite Aid, but there isn’t one that is really close. We just moved back to Pittsburgh and I’m a little nervous to explore too much without the hubs to help me navigate. After we get settled, I think I might try them out because I also enjoy the thought of getting cash back instead of something to use at a particular store.
I am quite spoiled to have all 3 stores and all 3 are coupon friendly. I like them all for different reasons, and I usually rotate between the 3 and whichever has the best deals. (Sometimes I do all 3 but not often because I have two babies in tow.) As someone else mentioned, Rite Aid is great because you can get actual cash back from the rebates, and if you use your $5/$25 coupons wisely, you can spend very little out of pocket.
CVS and Walgreens are across the street from one another 2 minutes from my house. I prefer CVS because the ECBs are easier to use. For whatever reason my WAGS RR never seem to print or my coupons get rejected for various reasons. When I introduce people to the “Drugstore Game” I always tell them to start with CVS. No Rite Aids around here, so can’t compare that one.
CVS for SURE! So much easier there – doesn’t matter how many q’s you have, I always can spend less oop and you get your quarterly ecb’s also. I don’t have a Rite-Aid. We have lots of Wags and they are just not as easy as CVS.
Definitely Rite Aid! With the overage they give on their coupons I can almost keep my family of 8 in milk at all times! I rarely spend more then .50-.75 cents OOP after using their +UP rewards.. which I love, btw!! Last evening got 15 items (including 1- 1/2 gal. of milk) for .33 and got back 11.00$ in +UP for next time! Whoo-Hoo!!!!
I used to love Walgreens when they had the easy saver rebate program. And think I would like Rite Aid for the same reason, but we don’t have any here in Knoxville, TN. So my vote goes for CVS for the ease of use, longer expiration dates, and rolling capabilities.
I prefer CVS because the ECB’s don’t expire for about a month. At Walgreens it’s more like 2 weeks. Rite Aid is about 30 min away so I don’t even bother with that.
I’d have to say Rite Aid. I think this store takes more work b/c they do have in ad coupons, rebates, video coupons, and now up rewards and its hard to keep them all straight. But, that also means they have more deal scenarios.
I’ve been going to CVS more and more b/c there are some ECB deals I can’t pass up. But Rite Aid is still my favorite.
Plus it helps that the cashier at my Favorite Rite Aid is a couponer herself and makes my life so easy when I shop there.
I just moved into a Rite Aid area and now have all 3 stores nearby. In the interest of time and sanity, I decided to quit doing Walgreens deals in favor of Rite Aid and I’m so glad I did! If you take a bit of time to learn about their programs you’ll be able to get more (useful) items for free or MM there than at Walgreens. But this is definitely a personal preference – others might benefit from the items Walgreens has RR deals on. Like Crystal said, try giving each a try, but don’t kick yourself if one doesn’t work out for you. Every drugstore has a learning curve and you need to give yourself grace
I have Walgreens and CVS here…and I prefer Walgreens! CVS is much more expensive and more likely to be out of stock. I’ve gotten tons of great deals over the last 8 months at Walgreens!
Definitely Rite Aid!! The store where I shop is always well stocked. Great cashiers(who are also couponers) are extremely helpful. Very little out of pocket , easy rebates. Store #11828 rocks!
I live in an area where CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens are all pretty convenient. I choose Rite Aid over the others partly from habit, but also because I feel I understand their system a little better. The only problem I’ve encountered recently is that when I go online to enter my receipts in order to get my single check rebates, they have been denied. This has cost me quite a bit of money and I’ve stopped shopping there until I can get it sorted out. For example, I bought an advertised BOGO deal which wasn’t accepted when I sent it in. The email they sent me said that my receipt was not recognized by the system. This cost me about $16 as a result, which has made me furious. Maybe someone has some advice!
This has happened to me once or twice. Other than making sure I am buying exactly the right item, I now save my purchase in its bag with the receipt, unopened, until I find out if it is accepted. I’ve returned things that are not accepted.
@Michele, When you have a problem with one of the single check rebates, don’t hesitate to contact customer service. They can usually straighten it out for you. I had an issue with a certain item not being recognized as part of an offer, but when I called the lady looked it up for me and adjusted my rebate accordingly. Definitely keep the item and receipt until you know the rebate is for sure.
I agree that Walgreens is generally not worth the trouble. They are not coupon friendly and they seem to hate redeeming register rewards. I find great deals at CVS but sometimes get sick of the ECB system. I actually like Rite Aid a lot and when they have good deals (which unfortunately is not every week), they are easy to work with.
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