I want to thank everyone who voted in the poll at the bottom of this page. I've removed it and replaced it with a new poll (more on that later) but I'd like to go over the results and ask you for some feedback. Here's the final tally:
As you can see, the clear winner of this drugstore poll was Walgreens (136 votes), followed by CVS (115 votes), then Rite Aid (64 votes). There was a tie between those of you who shop at another store most frequently and those of you who shop them all equally (24 and 24). And then of course there were three of you who don't shop at drugstores at all (the three of you must get tired of me constantly talking about drugstores!).
What was the MOST shocking to me was the low number of you who shop at Rite Aid the most. I would love to understand this, because I feel that as far as beauty products are concerned, Rite Aid tends to have low prices, great sales (they still run true BOGOFREE sales!) and lots of member incentives that can benefit beauty lovers (+UP Rewards, monthly Video Values coupons which can be stacked with manufacturer's coupons, and Single Check Rebates). The also do seasonal programs like this one. Oh and let's not forget they also sell Prestige and Jane Cosmetics as well as some other harder-to-find brands that you can't get at certain CVS or Walgreens stores.
So with all these things they offer to beauty lovers, I'm trying to figure out why the number was so low. If you did NOT select Rite Aid in this poll, please answer the following question in the comments on this post:
I don't shop at Rite Aid often because...
The most important thing I learned from this poll is that so many of you shop at Walgreens the most. I will certainly try to accommodate that by bringing you more information about Walgreens sales if I can! And also, I'd LOVE to know why Walgreens is so popular with you, so if you selected Walgreens in this poll, please answer this question in the comments:
I shop at Walgreens the most because...
Thank you in advance for answering those two questions!
Now, on to the new poll! I'm starting a product-specific series here on Nouveau Cheap, so to kick it off, I'm starting with LIPSTICK. So please scroll down to bottom of the page and cast your vote. I'll report the results after the poll closes. Thanks!
No Rite Aids in my state, Walgreens and CVS everywhere :)
ReplyDeleteJust commenting regarding the Rite Aid shopping thing...we don't have Rite Aids in Florida! Atleast not in Central Florida to my knowledge :).
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because there's not one that's close enough that I'd like to drive to :/
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens because they can't track those "extra cash" stuff :]
The same goes for me. There isn't a Rite Aid within fifty miles of where I live. :( But when I go to Ohio to visit my boyfriend's family, you best believe I make him stop at the Rite Aid we pass every single time! :D
ReplyDeleteAlso, living in the Midwest, I have the benefit of shopping at Meijer. I don't know about Prestige, but they still carry Jane. :)
I don't shop at Rite Aid because there isn't one here :( But I've complained about that enough already from previous posts of you ranting how good the deals are lmao
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens most frequently because my boyfriend works there and I get an extra employee discount :D
I don't shop at Rite Aid often because... They so rarely have the best collections in our area. Since I'm interested pretty much only in nail polish, I go where the polish does.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because they don't have them in Florida! I am soooo envious of the people who have Rite Aids near them because I always see they have great deals! Come to Florida Rite Aid!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought regarding Rite Aid was that they aren't on practically ever corner like Wags and CVS, which the comments seem to support. That's the only reason I don't shop there often. The 2nd question doesn't apply to me because I shop at CVS more than Wags.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at RiteAid because my local RiteAid has a HORRIBLE selection, cosmetics-wise, and very rarely ever has any of the limited edition collections from ANY brand. To be fair, my local CVS is lacking, too, but at least they get *some* of those LE sets in- they just put them out 6 months after the rest of the world does. I always leave RiteAid disappointed, so now I just don't bother.
ReplyDeleteOf the "big 3", my local Walgreens has the best and most up to date selection of cosmetics, and usually the best deals around. And that's why I shop there most.
No Rite Aid in my area.
ReplyDeleteI cannot tell a lie, Walgreens is the spot for drugstore beauty goodies. There's is no Rite Aid near me but I would hit one up if it was. They seem to have some awesome deals.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid often because they never have anything new. They have had the same displays for like a year. It's right across the street from my Walgreens and I go there more often, but usually just for nail polish. But I shop at CVS the most because it's the closest!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Rite Aid! Plenty here in VA :) Not as many as CVS and Wags but enough! However, alot of times they don't get the new displays first (or ever). But the one near my parents' (2 hrs. from me) sells a ton of Jane, Jesse's Girl, Prestige and a great assortment of all the other known brands! Plus they run awesome promotions! The one near me has this stuff too but not as many as the one by them.
ReplyDeleteI shop more at Walgreens bc they are def more closer while Rite Aid is out of the way.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to shop at Rite Aid but sadly there are none where I live (Kansas City) w/in a 100 mile radius of my ZIP code! I'm a little jealous of the amazing deals you are able to score there.
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens more because they are a little closer to me than CVS. Their stock levels are much better as well.
I didn't vote in the poll because I don't usually shop at any of the drug stores. I tend to go to Wal-Mart and Fred Meyer (Kroger) for beauty products. I don't have any local Walgreens. The closest is about two towns away. And my local Rite Aid sucks, for a lack of a better word.
ReplyDeleteI never use to shop at rite aid because I hate the slanted aisles. They drive me crazy, and a few years ago they closed them all down.
ReplyDeleteI shop at walgreens because it is right next to my house and there is also one right by my school. Its convenient, even though their prices tend to be higher.
I actually shop at CVS the most because of the ECB's! CVCS also seems to carry more beauty brands, except the two CVS stores near where I live don't have any Wet 'n' Wild! So to get my cheap makeup fix, I have to go to Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteI would LOVE to shop at Rite Aid, but all of them are so far away! I really wish they would open a Rite Aid store near me because then I would shop there ALL the time for great deals and that Wellness Card you talk so much about! :) I'm super jealous of anyone who has a Rite Aid in their area!
No Rite Aids in Florida.
ReplyDeleteI really do shop CVS only about 5% more than Wags. I know I can find certain unique stuff at each.
No Rite Aids in Texas!!! Need to start a petition to get one! I shop at Wags the most because they carry ALL of the most popular drugstore brands-not some of them like CVS.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because they don't have any in Texas. I would totally love to-I see the deals you post and I'm envious.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't shop at CVS because those extra bucks things are too confusing for me to figure out.
I don't shop at RiteAid because there are none near where I live. I was very pleased with their cosmetics selection when I went out of my way one day for a visit, but I can't justify the cost of gas and its negative effects on our environment to fulfill a beauty fix. I'm a hippie AND a cosmetics junkie, you see!
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid (OR at CVS) because there is Walgreens monopoly in my city. Seriously, there are 14 Walgreens here, 0 Rite Aids and one CVS that is in an out-of-the-way location I can't get to. I would shop elsewhere if I could!
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens the most because there are no rite aids in Florida. If there were Rite Aid would be my drugstore to go too! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat as other Floridians. I live in Miami, and there're no Rite-Aids to be found. I used to shop at Walgreens almost exclusively, but now that CVS prints out all those coupons, and has that Green Bag tag thingie, I've been redirecting my business. It's taken me about 5 months, but I'm shopping at Walgreens less often. For me, I sometimes find myself shopping in the wee hours, 12-2 AM, and the walgreens close-by is 24 hours, so that's a no-brainer. If I'm planning a purchase, CVS. If I'm wandering around aimlessly, Walgreens.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because I live in Texas and they aren't here!
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens the most because there seems to be on every street corner and its easiest to hit them all in a row when searching for a limited edition collection! Plus, they seem to carry the limited edition collections more often than CVS.
Regarding the Rite Aid business: I can't shop there because there are no Rite Aid stores in Nebraska. I think the closest one is in Denver.
ReplyDeleteSadly, there are no Rite Aids where I live. In fact, I don't think there are any in Florida. As for Walgreens being my most frequent place to visit for makeup...that's probably because they receive new collections and put out the displays faster than any CVS I have seen down here. I'm so jealous of those of you who have access to Rite Aid; it sounds like an awesome place to shop for the best deals.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I (and most others who have commented on this post...) do not shop at Rite Aid is because there are none in my area.
ReplyDeleteAnd I shop at Walgreens so much because there is one literally one block away from my house and it's pretty convenient :)
i dont shop at Rite Aide because there isn't one close enough to me :(
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because I've never heard of it before reading your blog and there is no Rite Aid in my city or in the cities next to them xD.
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens the most because...well, my CVS doesn't have wet n wild, idk if they ever did, and I started liking Walgreens more when the holiday palettes came out.
No Rite Aid or Meijer located anywhere in the state of North Dakota. CVS and Walgreens both are a 2 hour drive away so I don't get there very often. I'm stuck with a White Drug, Wal-Mart and KMart in the closest "big" town, 30 miles away.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because there aren't any in my state, or even the state below! I signed up for a card anyway so I can shop there when visiting family once a year.
ReplyDeleteI would shop at Rite Aid the most if there was one in my area - up to an hour away, even. They're the best for prices and deals.
oops, forgot to answer the second question:
ReplyDeleteI don't. I shop at CVS the most. Wags usually only has something worth buying every so often. For me CVS has the better coupon offers that reel me in.
I don't shop at Rite-Aid because we don't have one in Madison, WI.
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens the most because they are the most prominent drug store here. We've technically only got one CVS in Madison but there is another in a neighboring city. I love CVS (they have a better selection than Walgreens), but Walgreens is closer to me.
I don't often shop at Rite Aid because there isn't one in my city. I try to go everytime I'm near one though!
ReplyDeleteI actually shop more at CVS than Walgreens because my roommate works there. And my Walgreens is a total pain with coupons now and they're always telling me I can't use them and stuff. Plus, the Register Rewards are only good for two weeks, as opposed to CVS Extra Bucks being good for a month.
I shop at Walgreen's the most because it is closest and I get my prescriptions there. I've recently started going out of my way to go to Rite-Aid and CVS when I can't find something at Wags that you featured on your blog. I've noticed both stores have cosmetics displays that are more well-stocked & neater/cleaner than at my local Wags. The sales rock too! Thanks for that ;D
ReplyDeletenever been to a Rite Aid (am super jealous of those who have one) because we don't have one in Texas. Also, I am more keen on CVS than Wags. I like both but CVS has a better rewards system in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because the two stores in my area are always messy and sometimes even dirty!
ReplyDeleteI shop at walgreens beacuse the people are great, and I can always find what I go in for! (Also, living in WA we don't have CVS)
The RiteAids in my area seem to be sorely lacking compared to yours. The magical clearance sections are nowhere to be found, and the new collections rarely show up with such abundance. :( Basically, they suck. Sales and coupons don't help if they don't have what I want!!
ReplyDeleteI shop at CVS frequently because I get my prescriptions there. There's literally 2 that are each around the corner from my house (just 2 different corners! lol).
Walgreens runs are because they're open 24 hours, so if I am bored sometimes I'll go troll walgreens late at night.
OH I forgot to mention, I also have a Harmon near by in my Bed Bath & Beyond. It's near the Rite Aid, so if I'm going that way I'd rather go to Harmon. :)
ReplyDeleteI shop at Walgreens because it's everywhere in my city, but the closest Rite Aid is about 45 minutes away by car and I have to cross a bridge to get there, so I only go when I'm visiting a friend. The closest CVS is at least twenty minutes away by car, but I don't have a car....
ReplyDeleteSo Walgreens it is. :D
I live in IN, no Rite Aid. I do have a Wellness card as I'm not far from MI, and when I have occasion to travel I'm always on the lookout for Rite Aid store!
ReplyDeleteI shop Walgreen's more often bcs I live in a small town with 2 Wags & 1 CVS. The CVS is poorly managed and rarely has any of the new releases you post about. So Wags it is!
i shop infrequently at RA because....
ReplyDeletea) the ones near me are all poorly stocked (i have gone into one of them 4 times and seen the same empty shelves or MU racks)
b) some of them are dirty
c) some of them actually don't have proper displays of those hard-to-find brands
d) honestly i get better deals at my CVS or Ulta, for the most part
and yes, i am part of the Video Values program.
I used to shop at Rite aid all the time. When Walgreens came into the neighborhood i decided to give it a whirl and i was hooked. The prices are almost always cheaper and the customer service is sooo much better and nicer than the rite aids by me!
ReplyDeleteI dont like Rite Aid in Central NY because they never get the newest make up items that everyone talks about, there are now "display" areas in cosmetics when you walk in the door. Walgreen is just the opposite!! Every Rite Aid in my area has a Walgreens right across the street!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because there's not one in my state (Indiana).
ReplyDeleteI can't remember which store I voted for, but Walgreens seems to have new displays and products FAR more than CVS stores in my area do.
I don't have any Rite Aids where I live and I voted for Wag b/c I used to work there and there are so many more Wags than Cvs'.
ReplyDeleteEchoing comments I've already seen - we don't have Rite Aids in my state, just Walgreens and CVS.
ReplyDeleteI would shop at Rite aid more, but in my area(east coast) they never get anything new in. I won't go in for months and they still have the same old stuff up.
ReplyDeleteNo Rite Aid's at all in Oklahoma or I'd be shopping at all of them! Love me some Drugstores!
ReplyDeleteI live in Central NY and have THREE Rite Aids within 1 or 2 miles! Two of the three are usually pretty good about the new stuff, and the third is hit or miss. There is also a Walgreens near by. The CVS is more out of the way, so I only go there for really good deals. But between Walgreens and Rite Aid, I shop at both, depending on where the deals are.
ReplyDeleteim kinda new to rite aid, but they are by far my favorite. my wags and cvs are....somewhat lacking i guess. they never seem to get new displays (or when they do they are always understocked/already pillaged). i'm also not a huge fan of wags and cvs rewards programs because i can't convince myself that extra bucks/register rewards are real sales!
ReplyDeleteRite Aid is more difficult to get to and out of the way than CVS for me.
ReplyDeleteThere's no Rite-Aid where i live! The deals you post always sound great but the only chance i have to go is when i visit my grandparents several hours away. I chose CVS because its probably 2 minutes closer than Walgreens for me lol.
ReplyDeleteI've only see Rite Aid in California. I know both Texas and Florida don't have them.
ReplyDeleteI tend to shop at CVS and Walgreens more than Riteaid due to proximity. However, the Riteaid that is close to my workplace is the best place for new collections, especially for polish! For the most part, if you or another blogger posts that they have seen a new collection, I can count on Riteaid to have it!
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid as often as the other drugstores due to the fact that all Rite Aids near me have scaled back the beauty department. I asked a SA what had happened. She stated that some Rite Aids are still fabulous while others have been downsized. So that means less nice drugstore beauty items available to me at Rite Aid.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a Rite Aid anywhere near or else I'd be all over it! :p
ReplyDeleteNo Rite Aid anywhere near. Only Wags in my town. If I'm in the city two hours away there is now CVS.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aide, because there aren't any in my state. I shop at Walgreens && CVS because you can find one or the other on every corner :)
ReplyDeletethis makes me sad, too =( I voted Rite Aid! I totally LOVE my Rite Aid.<3 Looking at the comments, I think the only reason it didn't get enough love was because not many people have one near them, which is quite surprising to me since I have AT LEAST 3 of them at a commutable distance THAT I KNOW OF. Then again, the same goes for Walgreens and CVS... haha!
ReplyDeleteI have CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid in my town but Rite Aid is still the one I visit the least. Oftentimes, they don't have any of the limited edition displays I'm interested in. Also, they don't keep the permanent displays stocked and a lot of the time products have been tampered with (wnw lipsticks have the shrink wrap torn off and lipstick's all over the display). In addition, and this may just be me being fussy, they have the worst ambiance. The two CVS, and two Walgreens in my town have upgraded their indoor lighting and been completely renovated. The Rite Aid, in comparison, has dark, dim lighting and the grungiest, dirtiest looking carpeting ever. I feel gross just walking into the store.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid because there are none where I live. I shop about equally at CVS and Walgreen's.
ReplyDeleteWe have no CVS stores in eastern Washington where I live. However, Walgreens are as prolific as Starbucks with one, seemingly, on every corner (I exaggerate ~~ LOL). I suppose that, and their large building facade, caused me to shop there over Rite Aid (yeah, add sprinkles to my fancy drink or sesame seeds to my hamburger bun and I'm a thoughtless pushover). That and the Rite Aids near me seemed dowdy. HOWEVER!!! Two things got me going to Rite Aid recently. #1: A nearby Rite Aid built a brand new fancy, schmancy building across the street from their old one. Still, I did not go but read on. #2 Your blog got me thinking about Rite Aid so I wandered in, then wandered in a second time, got a great deal on fingernail polish AND FIVE (5) $1.00 coupons. I felt like I hit the jackpot. I'm a Rite Aid believer now. Thanks to you! Brynne
ReplyDeleteThere are no Rite Aids in my state. (:P) Otherwise, I'd shop there, if only for the awesome Blue Cross polishes (pumpkins/snowmen).
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, there are no Rite Aids in my state (Nevada). I recently went to California, and while I was there I stopped by a Rite Aid and finally got my hands on some of those cute Snowman polishes!
ReplyDeleteIn my area,(Philly suburbs), CVS is the most prevalent, Walgreens next. The Rite Aid's near me are pure crud, old small stores with crowded aisles, hard to find anything. When I am out & about & see a nice new big Rite Aid I pop in to check it out. I wish we had an updated Rite Aid near me. It's only lately that we got any updated Walgreens (or Happy Harry's, as they are called in DE)
ReplyDelete@d'Olivia: i'm in the Philly burbs too! and that is precisely the problem i have with Rite Aid. after many fruitless visits i have given up unless i happen across a very new one.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid often for the simple reason that the nearest one is two hours away. :) And I shop at Walgreens because the nearest CVS is also two hours away...so Walgreens is pretty much my only available option, drugstore-wise.
ReplyDeleteI don't shop at Rite Aid often because...
ReplyDeletetheir UP reward card didn't actually start until early this year, and prior to that card, their selection tend to be pretty pricey and I never really noticed any fantastic sales. In fact, i stopped shopping at walgreens for the same reason, they have sales BUT they don't have all those stackable coupons like extrabucks and $4 off $20 that CVS send out so often.
Of course, now that RiteAid has the UP card, i've started shopping there just a bit more, since now I can stack more and save more.
Also my RiteAid seems to be the slowest in terms of coming in with new products, and certainly the slowest with clearing out the old products. Where CVS would start their 75% off to clear out stock, RiteAid would still keep those same clearanced product for months and months before they finally clearance it. AND my local RiteAid has really crappy clearance section. :\
I shop at CVS more due to their easily stackable coupons and I can save more with a little extrabuck when i buy. due to the easily stacked coupons, i now shop there more than at Walgreens (which usually have better prices, but without the extra coupons, comes out more expensive than if i buy at CVS).
I shop more at CVS since that's where I get my prescriptions filled. I have been hitting Rite Aid much more since reading about the great deals here, but their regular prices in my area are higher than either CVS or Walgreens. Walgreens is the most difficult to get to for me, otherwise it would get more love since that one has better prices than the other two and more brands/ranges. I especially like that if there is no good sales or something else that piques my interest, I can always pick out something from Jordana or a polish or two from the huge selection of Sinful polishes. I still get a cheapie treat! lol
ReplyDeleteWhen I started reading Nouveau Cheap, I lived in Boston. At the beginning of the year, I read about the fabulous beauty deals at Rite Aid and wanted to go, but didn't because I don't drive and the Rite Aids were located in out of the way places.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm in New Jersey, there is a Rite Aid in my town, but I don't shop there as much because I don't get my prescriptions there. I get my prescriptions at CVS. The Rite Aid used to be an Eckerd and they were awful with prescriptions, which is why I moved my prescriptions over to CVS and do most of my drugstore shopping there.