Price gouging CVS

[jebartle]

I don't mind a little profit but I was shocked when purchasing melatonin adult gummy same brand, $17.99, while at Walmart $8.88, even quantity at Walmart was more. Is this typical of CVS?????

[EdFNJ]

Assuming they are identical in EVERY WAY CVS and/or WALGREENS never pretends to be a discount store, more of a "convenience" store which always have higher prices except for their weekly booklet items. WALMART has ALWAYS claimed to be a discount store. Sometimes one needs "convenience" and other times one wants low prices. :D I just got 900 tabs ibuprophen at Costco for $8, probably a lifetime supply. I just finished a bottle of 800 which had a SELL BY of 2012! 50 tabs are 3 or $4 even at discount stores but I had to drive an hour to get it. Convenience or price? You have to make the choice.

[JoMar]

Which means it isn't gouging....just their business.

[Abby10]

I don't mind a little profit but I was shocked when purchasing melatonin adult gummy same brand, $17.99, while at Walmart $8.88, even quantity at Walmart was more. Is this typical of CVS?????

The answer to this is 2 fold -

Believe it or not, most pharmacies make more money overall from the stuff they sell out front, not from prescription medications, so the prices are often not going to be as competitive as say Walmart's, Costco's, or Sam Club's prices. Places like Walmart, for example, have many different departments to spread out their gains and losses and therefore can afford to be more competitive than a pharmacy chain where their concentration on merchandise is more limited.

The other factor is in the buying. I can often get better prices at Costco's or Walmart's for OTC items than I can get at cost buying them from where I work (an independent pharmacy). Owning a pharmacy is a tough business. It's not as lucrative as it may seem especially if you're a lone ranger so to speak. That's why you see so few independents out there anymore.

Hope this answers your question a little better.

[jebartle]

Looks like my hammer hands had a spelling hiccup!

[seoulbrooks]

CVS does not accept/support TRICARE (military/retiree insurance). So I do not support CVS.

[jpvillager]

Check out prices on Amazon. Search on the generic name. You will have to buy larger quantities but at a cheaper price per tablet.

[TimeForChange]

I will not shop at either. Publix has just about everything CVS and WalGreens has and I have found items 50% higher at Walgreens than even Publix.

[jebartle]

Check out prices on Amazon. Search on the generic name. You will have to buy larger quantities but at a cheaper price per tablet.

I love Amazon but they are $6 higher, same brand.
My husband laughs at my frugalness, oh heck, let's call it like it is, I'm tight! For me it's a game, I learned from my Mom, a depression baby, and it's hard to break.

[Nucky]

The answer to this is 2 fold -

Believe it or not, most pharmacies make more money overall from the stuff they sell out front, not from prescription medications, so the prices are often not going to be as competitive as say Walmart's, Costco's, or Sam Club's prices. Places like Walmart, for example, have many different departments to spread out their gains and losses and therefore can afford to be more competitive than a pharmacy chain where their concentration on merchandise is more limited.

The other factor is in the buying. I can often get better prices at Costco's or Walmart's for OTC items than I can get at cost buying them from where I work (an independent pharmacy). Owning a pharmacy is a tough business. It's not as lucrative as it may seem especially if you're a lone ranger so to speak. That's why you see so few independents out there anymore.

Hope this answers your question a little better.

Tonto here, Abby you know I know that you know a whole lot about the business and I like learning from your posts about these Big Chain Stores. I swear unless it's an emergency to never set foot inside Walgreens, CVS again. I know they are under the gun but they are disrespectful also. There are too many alternatives to pay their dopey prices and take their abuse. Anybody who does us dirty business wise is going to the curb, no more giving them another chance. I have found out that nice guy's finish NOTHING but last.

Benzer Pharmacy or Publix is it for me from here on out.

The disrespect towards people who are feeble and can't fend for themselves is sad and I saw it with my own eyes at Walgreen's on Bella Cruz. They should be ashamed of themselves. I'm voting with my wallet. We're out!

[blueeagle65]

Capitalism.