[leapinglizards]

I'm new to this wonderful site; & kind of new to the above stores as well. Totally new to couponing.

I've started shopping at Walmart & Target for the past yr. on a pretty steady basis (Walmart more than Target; Target when Walmart was out of something I needed).

I was just recently in Rite Aid for the first time when they had the GC promo for RX's.

I was in Kmart a couple of times almost 10 yrs ago.

Never shopped at Wags till AFC, till now.

FORGOT TO MENTION CVS; sorry! ;o) (Just added it in now when I saw someone's post; thank you!)

I have a CVS EC card; they're not too close & I usually go once a month to get their brand of Tylenol that is the only thing that works with one of my DH's other medications. Other than that, I don't shop there. I know I really need to get into it; because while passing through the aisles, the prices may look high to me; but I know with the ECB, you get some great buys.

I wanted to know everyone's opinion on which store is their favorite; pros & cons of each store; etc.
I've read a ton on AFC in the past month; & realize different people have different experiences; naturally; like anything else in life.

The main reason I'm asking is, I will be taking advantage of the CG promotion for RX's that Kmart currently has; seems it is a maximum of $100. for 4/$25. GC's.

So I guess I will be shopping at Kmart some!
(Oh; BTY, I know there weren't any Kmarts by me that participated in the double q thingie)

It's not too convenient for me, as they are some miles away; & it would mean going out of my way there to get to the store; & there's no other reason for me to go there, to that area (except to use the $100. in GC's; I guess a good enough reason.

Wags is in the shopping center near my house; & I pass another Wags, as well as a Walmart & Target 5 days a week, so I get to go to those stores more often; basically because of location.

For the items I buy, Walmart & Target have the best prices; they are literally the same; with differences of a couple of cents.
I notice that Wags & Rite Aid are alot higher with their everyday prices, than Walmart or Targets everyday prices; but I realize things are different when there are sales & q's.

Anyway, just curious on everyone's opinions; as you guys are all experts in this!

Thanks in advance for any input/opinions!

[catlover7731]

In my area we have all these stores and more( CVS, Walmart ect..). I only shop Kmart when they have doubles or around Back To School time ( next week they will have 12 count colored pencils for $.25 ) otherwise I hate Kmart, they are understocked and overpriced. I don't shop at Rite Aid, because I shop at Walgreen's and CVS so I really can't give an opinion there. I like Target but am not a big shopper there either, because I can't seem to get in to their sales. Walgreen's would have to be my choice of the four. I am not a weekly shopper at Walgreen's but when they have really great sales I go. Right now I am doing the Back to school sales.. $.29 erasers and sharpeners are a great deal for me, but truthfully CVS has my heart. I find their ECB program easy to use, and they have had some great deals in the past. HTH.

[joshmamabear]

from my observation, in recent years the ripple effects of fake IPs, proliferation of questionable pdf IPs, gross misuse of coupons, highly demanding customers, etc have made stores tighten their policies. there have been a rise in cherry picker shoppers too, i.e., people buy only what's on sale at a store and hop on to the next to buy the best bargain.

for me, any store has the right to come up with their policy. I have the choice to either give them my business or take it elsewhere that I agree with the policies, especially if such policies benefit me.

the spread of info on the 'net over the last few years that coincided with the economy going south has brought positive and negative effects. I'll take the good and the bad while still making all efforts to find the best deals.

the smart, savvy shopper will prevail in whatever economy

[kmeiding]

Originally Posted by catlover7731

In my area we have all these stores and more( CVS, Walmart ect..). I only shop Kmart when they have doubles or around Back To School time ( next week they will have 12 count colored pencils for $.25 ) otherwise I hate Kmart, they are understocked and overpriced. I don't shop at Rite Aid, because I shop at Walgreen's and CVS so I really can't give an opinion there. I like Target but am not a big shopper there either, because I can't seem to get in to their sales. Walgreen's would have to be my choice of the four. I am not a weekly shopper at Walgreen's but when they have really great sales I go.

I pretty much agree. Walgreen's has great sales with their RRs and coupons but I don't shop there for much else. I don't have a Rite Aid near me and I only shop Kmart for the doubles and the nearest Kmart doesn't double. I mostly shop at Walmart, Target, and HyVee (for groceries).

[leapinglizards]

Originally Posted by catlover7731

In my area we have all these stores and more( CVS, Walmart ect..). I only shop Kmart when they have doubles or around Back To School time ( next week they will have 12 count colored pencils for $.25 ) otherwise I hate Kmart, they are understocked and overpriced. I don't shop at Rite Aid, because I shop at Walgreen's and CVS so I really can't give an opinion there. I like Target but am not a big shopper there either, because I can't seem to get in to their sales. Walgreen's would have to be my choice of the four. I am not a weekly shopper at Walgreen's but when they have really great sales I go. Right now I am doing the Back to school sales.. $.29 erasers and sharpeners are a great deal for me, but truthfully CVS has my heart. I find their ECB program easy to use, and they have had some great deals in the past. HTH.

Thanks for the great info; very helpful!

[leapinglizards]

Originally Posted by joshmamabear

from my observation, in recent years the ripple effects of fake IPs, proliferation of questionable pdf IPs, gross misuse of coupons, highly demanding customers, etc have made stores tighten their policies. there have been a rise in cherry picker shoppers too, i.e., people buy only what's on sale at a store and hop on to the next to buy the best bargain.

for me, any store has the right to come up with their policy. I have the choice to either give them my business or take it elsewhere that I agree with the policies, especially if such policies benefit me.

the spread of info on the 'net over the last few years that coincided with the economy going south has brought positive and negative effects. I'll take the good and the bad while still making all efforts to find the best deals.

the smart, savvy shopper will prevail in whatever economy

Everything you said is very true; very wise & very insightful!

Thanks for the reply!

[leapinglizards]

Originally Posted by kmeiding

I pretty much agree. Walgreen's has great sales with their RRs and coupons but I don't shop there for much else. I don't have a Rite Aid near me and I only shop Kmart for the doubles and the nearest Kmart doesn't double. I mostly shop at Walmart, Target, and HyVee (for groceries).

Those are also the 2 I frequent the most; Walmart & Target. I'' have to watch Kmart for sales to get the most out of the GC's.

Thanks for your reply & the great info; very helpful!