This is a compensated review from BlogHer and Walgreens.
I don’t think it’s overstating it to say that we are a family that loves Walgreens.
No. Let me rephrase that. We loooooooove Walgreens.
It’s shameful, really. We shop there two or three times a week. We know our cashiers. We know our pharmacy techs. And more than anything else, I know to check out in the cosmetics department when I’m stocking up on shampoo and make-up because they’re always well-stocked with coupons.
There’s one other thing I happen to know about Walgreens – and I know it from first-hand experience.
Their store brand is fantastic. Seriously. I buy the Walgreens Brand of, well, whatever as much as I possibly can, especially when it comes to any sort of over-the-counter medication. The Walgreens Brand is almost always significantly more affordable than a competing name brand, and I’ve never been able to tell one iota of difference in quality. If the Walgreens pharmacist recommends it, it’s good enough for me – especially since the Walgreens Brand has the same major active ingredient as other national brands.
A couple of weekends ago was perfect case in point. My husband came down with the man cold of all man colds – there was all manner of loud breathing and loud nose blowing and loud sneezing going on in our house. He was so congested, and one Saturday morning he just seemed miserable and tired and maybe even a wee bit cranky. That’s understandable, though. All that breathing through the mouth can be exhausting.
Given the husband’s condition, I decided that I was going to Take Action. We had plenty of cold medicine already, but I kept thinking that D would be so much more comfortable if we could get a vaporizer cranked up and running. I’m a big believer in using vapors to help a cold; it’s what my mama always did for me, and I think it’s a great way to get some relief without taking decongestant after decongestant. So I drove to Walgreens, grabbed a cart, and stocked up on some cold remedies. I bought a vaporizer, some liquid vapors for the vaporizer, some cough drops, some ibuprofen for the big man and for our little man (he was feeling a little fever-ish) – and every single item was the Walgreens Brand. I probably saved eight or nine dollars just by buying the store brand.
(If this photograph had a title? It would be “Mama Doesn’t Mess Around.”)
(Because Mama likes it when her people are happy and WELL.)
We weren’t at all shocked when everything I bought worked beautifully. We’ve used the Walgreens ibuprofen and the cough drops for years, but the vaporizer and the vapors were new for us. They’re FANTASTIC. I could get used to sleeping with the vaporizer whether anyone is sick or not; it’s a soothing presence in the midst of all the dry indoor heat, and the liquid vapors smell divine – they’re so, so soothing.
Here’s the best news of all (besides the fact that my husband’s cold is almost completely gone): I get to give away a $100 Walgreens gift card. I can tell you in all honesty that there are few things in life I would enjoy more than a Walgreens gift card. I mean, JUST IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES. Anyway, if you’d like to win a $100 Walgreens gift card courtesy of BlogHer, leave a comment that answers the following question: do you typically buy store brands or national brands? A combination of the two? Whatever’s the most affordable? Also, be sure to check out other participating bloggers. This giveaway is open February 18 – March 13.
Happy Walgreens, y’all! And by all means: Try Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness products. Visit the site for more information.
Rules:
– No duplicate comments.
– You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
– a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
– b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
– c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
– d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
– This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
– Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
– You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
This giveaway is now closed.
I am a second generation Walgreens customer. it’s where my mom always got our prescriptions filled and I have never had a complaint with the service at any of the Walgreen stores I have shopped at. I’m not brand loyal as much as I am company loyal. Thanks for the sweepstakes and giveaway, Boomama, BlogHer, and Walgreens!
I always buy store brand EXCEPT my husband will only take Name Brand cold medicines – he says it’s not the same but it IS-if it wasn’t I wouldn’t keep buying store brands.
I love the sales at Walgreens and they are very good with coupons. I never have a problem getting through the check out even with tons of coupons. :)
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/?status=Walgreens%20Giveaway%20-%20http%3A%2F%2Fboomama.net%2F2011%2F02%2F18%2Fwalgreens-giveaway%2F#!/Allhoneyhere/status/43459882057351168
I use generics as much as much as possible.
Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/sodahoney/status/43511813190582272
I nearly always buy store brands unless the national brand is on sale for less or I have coupons that make it less. The only exception is canned corn because my husband has heard horror stories. Beats me!! LOL
Tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/WeeMasonsMom/status/43705866389688321
Always the cheap stuff. At the drugstore that’s a lot of store brands.
I will buy the Walgreens brand, as I am…ummm… frugal. And with $100, I could buy all manner of deoderant and contact solution and shampoo, and chocolate covered peanuts!!
I generally buy a combination of ‘house brand’ and ‘national brand’ items. As I get older, I find myself leaning towards house brand for their overall value. Man, $$$$ is hard to come by and saving a couple of buckeroos on cough syrup can add up. But sometimes I lean towards the national brand because I haven’t read or heard anything about the product and don’t want to buy something that ineffective.
abitnerdygirl [at] gmail [dot] com
I usually buy store brands because they are cheaper. I only buy national brands if the store brand isnt in stock.
I usually tend to buy both, it really depends on the product. I love store brand asprin, but HAVE to have Hersheys Chocolate Syrup. Weird, I know. But I also know store brands are always cheaper. kytah00@yahoo.com
Second entry tweet @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/43837324483772416 kytah00@yahoo.com
I love store brands, Walgreens is particularly high quality and cheaper than name brand! :)
http://twitter.com/ms_fleur/status/43840969002582016
i will buy store brands when they are cheaper than national brands..i usually find no fault in store brands although i generally don’t like the band aids cause they don’t stick very well
nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net
For most over the counter medicines, we buy store brands. They’re just as good and a whole lot cheaper.
I buy store brands all the time. Walgreens’ allergy medicine works just as well as the name brand, and is so much cheaper.
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/44023888350425088
I usually buy the store brands, they are always cheaper and always work the same. Love it.
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
Tweeted here too.
http://twitter.com/#!/gmissycat/status/44031494364217344
gmissycat at yahoo dot com
I buy both store and name brands. I’m usually just as happy with the store brand and they almost always cost less.
patrice@everydayruralty.com
i usually buy a combination of the two, depends on sales, and the product!
I buy both – usually whatever is afforable, based on knowing the quality of the products (if I remember if certain national or store brands were bad quality, I won’t buy again).
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/#!/EverydayVibrant/status/44092952124993536
I buy mostly store brands – only buying name brands for certain specific products
I buy both – whichever gives me the best price – usually that’s the store brand, but sometimes with coupons and/or sales it’s the name brand
tweet! http://twitter.com/LAMusing/status/44179475025494016
i buy whatever is cheap and i have the money for .
i tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/purplelover04/status/44204582930362368
Great prices, and I like their store brands.
We are on a fix income and walgreens fit right on in our income thank.
I like storebrands.
I buy store brands whenever I can. I like that they are just as good as the name brands and much cheaper. Thanks for the contest.
blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/02/win-100-walgreens-card-from-blogher.html
I buy Walgreen Store Brands and other store brands as well. I’d rather pay less and get the same results. Plus, Walgreens is a name I can trust.
flophasit at yahoo dot com
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/victoria99999/status/44374087593762816
flophasit at yahoo dot com
I typically buy the store brands–I usually compare the ingrediants and they are almost identical for the most part.
http://twitter.com/#!/fostertam/status/44440728738349057
I like Walgreens brand Ibuprofen since I get a lot of headaches. Most of what I buy is store brand.
lazybones344 at gmail dot com
I always buy the cheapest–usually the store brand– as long as the active ingredients are the same. no sense in paying for marketing.
I check the ingredients. almost always the matching store brand has the same active ingredients and is cheaper so I buy that.
I use store brands almost always. I compare active ingredients (on over the counter medications) and if they are alike, then there is no question!
I buy a mix of store brands and brand name products. I find that it just depends on what it is.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
i buy national brands when I have coupond otherwishe store brandfs
I typically buy store brands when they’re available. They’re more economical and work just as well as the name brands!
there are a few national brands i’m committed to, but for the most part i buy store brands.
I use a combo of both national and store brands. Mostly store for non food.
For the past couple of years I have been typically buying more store brands over national brands
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/tnrina/status/45211606908542976
I’d love a Walgreen’s gift card.
I generally go for the store brands but there are some things where only the name brand will do. For instance, I could never buy generic mac & cheese. I always buy store brands when it comes to medicine though as that stuff can get pretty pricey.
I love “The Walgreens.” I am there at least once a week and I have absolutely no problem buying their store-brand merchandise. During this cold-flu plague season I was in Walgreens so often I feel like I should have stock options.
Depends on what the product is. For many products, I’m happy with store brand. One national brand I CANNOT substitute is soft drinks. NO MA’AM.
We buy store brands of medication most of the time. The savings add up and they seem to work the same!
I have a tendency to buy the store brand on most things, unless I know that I know that I know the name brand is better which is rare.
I like to buy a combination of the two, both store brand & national brand.
http://twitter.com/karlaneese/status/45244459109191680
I go with the best deal whether that’s store brand or not.
I just stick to what’s cheapest. For the most part, a lot of brands are super similar to each other – can’t even tell the difference between store brand and “name” brand foods
I always prefer store brand. THanks.
I love Walgreens, especially the cosmetic and hair care sections. They even have a great selection of pet care products as well. I am a bargin shopper so I am always looking for the most bang for the buck! A ;ot of times, store brands do just fine! ;o)
http://twitter.com/2boysblue/status/45316835855441922 ~ tweet
I buy both store brands and name brands depending on the product availablity and price. There are some things I feel more comfortable buying a name brand but for things like paper products and most toiletries I am fine with a store brand. Walgreens has some really good products and the $100 would be put to good use.
I don’t know what I did before Walgreen’s came to town. Love their brands also.
Great give away!!
I will typically go for whatever’s cheaper, which usually means generic! And that is a-okay with me :)
I buy a combination of name brand and private brands. It saves money without sacrificing quality.
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/DchrisG3/status/45386323334397952
dchrisg3 @ gmail . com
I buy both depending on the product and the price
thanks for entering me!
Janna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
http://www.FeedYourPigBlog.com
I usually buy national brands because they’re cheaper than store brand if you have a coupon and catch a sale.
We live 35 miles from the nearest Walgreens, but I’d love to have a reason for a little road trip! I buy a ton of store brands!
Both…I pretty much stick to national brands on food but I have a pretty good selection of Walgreens pain relievers and such.
Usually I’ll buy store brand-or, if it’s on a better sale, I’ll buy name brand.
Store brands!!!
Since I started couponing last August, I tried to buy store brand items when I needed to. Medicines were almost always store brand. However, once I began to coupon, I realized that by combining coupons with BOGO sales, I can buy the name brand items for a fraction of the store brand cost.
Hard to believe, I know, but I’m making my first trip to Walgreens this week! We’re in need of some season allergy medicine, so I’ll have to give the store brand a try. Thanks!
I do both. But at Walgreen’s, I feel confident in buying the store brand because I know it will work just as well as the name brand. Walgreen’s is da bomb, and The Boss said we ought to buy stock in the company because they surely know how to make money! Because he is a financial advisor, I generally listen to his advice ;-)
I tend to buy the store brand, its cheaper 98% of the time, unless I have a great coupon for the other.
I buy whichever is more affordable. Store brands usually and name brands if there is a deal and I have a coupon. :)
I buy store brands whenever I can!
I enjoy going to Walgreens for their good coupon deals and Register Rewards. I also enjoy the store brand!
Nearly always choose house brand over store brands! In my opinion it’s the same product for less, so why not?
I think the only exception is hair products or facial care. I think it’s because I’m so loyal to the brands I like, that it’s not worth switching, But everything else–medicine, hand soap, etc? Sure!
I usually buy name brands because they are not usually that much more. Some things are not good for trial and error. When you are sick for example. I do buy some store brand items like soup and pasta sometimes. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
I buy whatever is cheaper. Usually it’s store brands, but once in a while I can combine sales and coupons to get a better deal on a name brand item.
Store brand for sure.
i love walgreens- they have best coupon deals
Hi! I love walgreens’ store brand! Its just as good as the other brands and saves me money! In this economy every single dollar counts!! Good luck to me :-)
I love Walgreens vitamins! So much less expensive!
I love shopping at Walgreens, when my family has the flu. Straight to walgreens to get cough medicine. And I also love shopping at the photo shop:)
I buy store brands, gotta save a buck when you can.
spiersrp at gmail dot com
I usually buy the store brands because I’m a cheapskate… but there are some things that you can’t skimp on (the Walmarts parmesan anyone…?)
I almost always buy the store brand when it is available. They are usually a lot cheaper and work just as well as brand name products.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/tomandmollyk/status/45936084345036800
A combo of the two. But Walgreens vitamins are competitively priced and contain the same ingredients. I spend a lot of time in the vitamin aisle.
I buy Walgreens brand on almost everything. I also have one of the vaporizors and LOVE it! My grandson sleeps so much better in this dry old house when I run it.
Walgreens Vitamins are the best & less expensive!
clemensrhonda@hotmail.com
I usually by store brands but will buy name brands if I have a coupon.
I buy whatever is the cheapest and still looks like it’ll work! Recently, I actually got the Walgreens brand Sinus & cold medicine and it definitely worked for me.