It’s official: Walgreen’s is buying out Rite Aid. I didn’t find this news surprising because five years ago, a Rite Aid manager told me he thought the chain was in big trouble.
As consumers, we should expect to see changes—specifically, I’m predicting less deals. Of the 3 drugstore chains, Walgreens is the least coupon friendly. Because of that fact, I shop there less frequently and buy less when I do (Black Friday week being a notable exception).
Those of us who’ve couponed for a long time have been through it before. After all, when I first started, stores were still using rebate catalogs and now we have digital coupons and apps. No matter what the restrictions and availability, I will always coupon—in some form or fashion. Do I miss the days when I could get 20 free items in a single transaction? You bet! But I still enjoy getting any kind of sale.
Do you think this merger will be positive or negative?
I am not happy. I gave up on Walgreens long ago. I will be curious to see what happens but I do fear there will be less deals and more hassles. I will be paying closer attention to what they have on sale in the near future and stocking up my pantry as much as I can.
Walgreens is tough; I don’t blame you for quitting them. I never skip their Black Friday deals, but most of the year, it’s too much of a bother.
Definitely a negative for Rite Aid shoppers, I think, and from what I read about yours and other bloggers deals at Rite Aid.
I spent 30 minutes shopping at Walgreens yesterday only to leave everything on the counter when the cashier first wouldn’t scan my Walgreens coupon before scanning the manufacturer coupons and then when the manager blamed the “manufacturers” for not accepting a Natrol coupon good off ANY Natrol product because his register beeped and he said he couldn’t accept the coupon with any other offer (the Natrol was on sale). I told him “funny how other retailers never seem to hassle me as much about coupons as Walgreens does, I’ll just go shopping somewhere else”. I had forgotten about how insane their coupon policy is because I usually just get the milk or eggs that are on sale and some cereal (they do let me use coupons on the cereal when it’s on sale). I don’t even get my prescriptions there anymore.
Oh, that is just infuriating! I am so sorry they were rude to you. Obviously they don’t even know their own coupon policy. The Natrol deal was exactly as you described and the coupon was valid, even if it beeps. Have you tried contacting Corporate directly? Sometimes that can help.
As for prescriptions, they are VERY high. I only go to Target or Walmart. All their generics are only $5.00 or $10.00 for most common meds. Once I was quoted $119.00 at Walgreens for the same thing. I’ve also heard the warehouse clubs have good prices and you don’t need a membership to use the pharmacy.