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.
Walgreen’s is our favorite store we are there constantly. I like the Walgreen’s Sinus relief pills.
msjem2001 at yahoo dot com
I buy a combination of the two. Some products I have to buy the name brand, like Kraft Mac & Cheese. Other products I don’t mind either way, like cough drops.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/livelovelynn/status/46307681950109696
I buy a mix of store brands and national brands. We usually choose store brands over national brands when they seem to have comparable quality. Thanks for the giveaway!
Blogged http://icefairys.blogspot.com/2011/03/win-1-of-7-100-walgreens-gift-cards.html
I buy mostly name brand, but ONLY on sale. I do occasionally buy store brand – it really depends what is least expensive!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Store brands are great! Walgreens really leads the way for this…
Love the Warm Steam Vaporizer
http://twitter.com/#!/mtdoonmesiter/status/46384891272757248
I buy a combo of the two. But I do really love Walgreens! I bought Walgreens Cold/Flu Relief (compare to Nyquil) just about an hour ago!
Tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/denyse_g/status/46397224766283776
I’m one of those “combination” shoppers. I do agree that Walgreens OTC medications are on a par with national brands and I typically buy the Walgreens brand.
When I’m in walgreen’s i find their products are comparable to sometimes better than the more expensive brands. I try to get their brand
http://twitter.com/#!/rewcath/status/46400529391292417 tweeted @rewcath
I typical buy the store brand to save money.
I buy store brands as much as I can. I have saved alot of money that way.
i always buy store brands, anything to stretch the few dollars i got
I don’t know why anyone would pay so much more for Brand Names. If you read the ingredient labels, they are identical ingredients for the most part. They always have better sales on the Store Brand also — like B1G1F, etc.
Digicat {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I usually buy what is cheapest. I can never tell the difference from the store brand and the national brand.
tdlsfm(at)gmail(dot)com
i buy store brands. same thing, normally made at the same place, different label… and MUCH cheaper than brand name! No brainer.
I buy whatever is more affordable.. and that’s usually the store brand!
I buy store brands a lot! I love that they are lower priced than name brands with the same ingredients and SOMETIMES they are actually better than the namebrands both in chemical makeup and in how they work!
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/46614161010069505
I admit that I usually stick to national brands, except at my favorite stores. Target, for example, has high-quality store-brand products. I can go either way at the grocery store. Store brand is good (and cheaper), but I can be a label snob when it comes to certain ingredients. :)
for me, its all about the price. sometimes you sacrifice a little bit of quality and
sometimes you get surprised and like it better…its rare that I dislike the store brand
enough to pay extra for the name brand’s advertising budget! LOL
tweet http://twitter.com/#!/RePurrPussed/status/46615307565019136
I usually buy the store brand over the national brand due to it being a better value
I usually buy name brands and then feel guilty that I got suckered into paying more for the name. I am going to try Walgreens!
I use a combination of the two, depending on what I have tried and liked or haven’t, and what is on sale.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/mail4rosey/status/46655615283634176
I typically buy store brands in anything that isn’t going to have taste or texture issues. So.. I’ll always buy allergy, cold, vitamin, etc. tablets in the store brand, but I’m more cautious with things like the store brands of Nyquil and Coldeeze. I haven’t tried Walgreens “coldeeze” because they were out of them when they were buy 1 get 1 free, but a lot of the store brands of those make me sick to my stomach.
I buy both!
I buy a mix of the two, depending on the sale prices and the occaision.
http://twitter.com/lpauld68/status/46667460371423232
Thanks!
I buy a combination of store brand and national brand depending on the price.
I usually buy a combination of store and national brands, depending which is on sale, but on the whole I probably buy more store brands these days, especially for items I can tell no difference with, like cereal, salt and seasonings, pain killers, and vitamins. Thanks!
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/guettel78/status/46707213426888704
I typically buy store brands instead of national brands? Normally they are more affordable and are pretty much equivalent in quality. However, if I have a buy the national brand. So most often it is a combination of the two, money and budgeting are truly important in our family.
I compare quality and when it’s equal I’ll definitely get the store brand. Some things just aren’t as good such as plastic trash bags, but Walgreen’s health care products are a great buy. I always get the ibuprofen as well as several other Walgreens brand items.
Tweet – http://twitter.com/willitara/status/46727207112032257
I use a combination of store brands and national brands. It depends on what is on sale, what I have coupons for and what it is I am buying.
I buy store and name brand products. Depends on what I’m buying
Many of my everyday purchases are store brands. I personally have never seen or experienced any major type of difference between store brands vs. national brands. Though I don’t purchase alot of products from Walgreens (this entails a drive instead of a walk) I have not been disappointed with what I have purchased in the past. I usually purchase store brand, mostly because when I need this, I haven’t prepared with coupons!
tweet: http://twitter.com/?status=%57%61%6C%67%72%65%65%6E%73%20%47%69%76%65%61%77%61%79%20%2D%20%68%74%74%70%3A%2F%2F%62%6F%6F%6D%61%6D%61%2E%6E%65%74%2F%32%30%31%31%2F%30%32%2F%31%38%2F%77%61%6C%67%72%65%65%6E%73%2D%67%69%76%65%61%77%61%79%2F#!/pauline15/status/46762568949309440
I love to buy store brands. I find them very high quality epecially the store brand items from Walgreens and Target. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Tweet
http://twitter.com/SewMuchStuff/status/46773948687462400
sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com
Typically, I buy store brand unless I have a coupon for national or the store brand is out of stock.
I buy store brands now save so much money and works so good. Im taking walgreens cold meds right now I like cough meds liquid DM works well. We buy alot of store brands when shopping for food these days. Great Giveaway thank you so much!
tishajean@ charter.net
Tweeted too
http://twitter.com/#!/latishajean/status/46783319819554816
tishajean@ charter.net
I buy a little more of the store brands than the brand names. There are a few things that I will not buy the store brand of…ketchup for one. When it comes to vitamins and other health and beauty items, I will definitely buy the store brand.
I always buy what is priced the best although there are a few things where my husband prefers the national brand so I get him those.
With a large family I always buy store brands. Even cereals, etc. They are just as good as the name brands if not better.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/mrssquigg/status/46793825536053248
We buy a combination of store brand and national brand products. If the prices are similar, we’ll usually buy name brand. If we try a store brand and don’t feel it works or tastes as well as the brand-name, we won’t use it again, though we don’t just write off a store’s whole line of products based on one experience.
I buy store brands whenever I can, to save money.
I admit it I save money by buying generics but for my son and husband my daughters and I get name brands. See if they need something the put in a request for a specific brand, scent, color, size etc–but my son and husband don’t even bother -I have to keep track of their soap, body wash, shampoo etc–so if they don’t even ask I get the best deal–sometimes it’s generic.
kakihararocks@gmail.com
I usually buy a combination of the two. Some things I get name brand, because nothing else will work. I generally get private brand most of the time although.
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/MistySunrise/status/46851709925986305
itsjustme62613 at gmail.com
It depends on the item but usually whatever’s cheaper.
Our family uses a combination of store and national brands. We try diffenerent brands to find the one that best suits us.
I tweeted about this giveaway as @nikalann28
http://twitter.com/?status=%57%61%6C%67%72%65%65%6E%73%20%47%69%76%65%61%77%61%79%20%2D%20%68%74%74%70%3A%2F%2F%62%6F%6F%6D%61%6D%61%2E%6E%65%74%2F%32%30%31%31%2F%30%32%2F%31%38%2F%77%61%6C%67%72%65%65%6E%73%2D%67%69%76%65%61%77%61%79%2F#!/nikalann28/status/46867072797511680
Thanks for the giveaway…we regularly switch between name brands & store brands, depending for the most part on price and prior experience with the particular item.
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/brianpiero/status/46872858487562240
senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com
http://twitter.com/#!/gatransfer
We buy both – using coupons, we’ll buy name brand if it’s cheaper or we’ll go with store brand.
I love Walgreen’s for its sales although the closest store is about 35 miles away so I don’t get there every week.
I buy 90% private brands…usually whatever is cheap. sometimes national brands have sales I just cant pass up
Store brand products are great for their low prices w/out sacrificing quality. WalGreens just rocks!
I usually buy a combo, whichever has a better price or better quality.
txhottie_86 at yahoo dot com
I buy a combination of store brands and national brands. Most store brands are just as good, but stuff like Band Aids, for example, just aren’t as good as the national brand.
oinkmoobaa@yahoo.com
I buy store brands whenever possible – can’t afford not to.
store brand, mainly, or whTevr is on sale
I always buy store brand, best quality at a cheaper price
I regularly buy store brands of 80% of my stuff including food. Price makes a difference and I’m not afraid to try a store brand of something before I buy a name brand.
crys19 AT gmail DOT com
We do a combo- best price factors, but only when the private label lives up to the name brand- usually it does, but not always.
I buy a combination of national brands and store brands — often depending on cost but also based on my history with the products.
I try store brands, and only buy the name brands for the few things we don’t like the quality of.
I blogged:
http://lunaj14568.blogspot.com/2011/03/walgreens-giveaways.html
I buy store brands whenever possible. I always compare the size/ingredients and the price between store and national brands. Most of the time the store brand wins, with the same quality at a much lower cost.
I buy store brands to save money!
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/Ardy22/status/47016805633490945
ardy22 at earthlink dot net
I buy a combination of the two, whatever is cheapest. Most of the time the store brand is cheapest even when the national brand is on sale.
I buy some of both, definitely store brands for some over the counter medicine. I try a lot of store brand items and if they seem to be just as good as the national brands I keep buying them.
I always compare store and national brands and then make my decision based on price and the item I’m considering. I usually buy store brand medicine unless it’s something I’m particularly looking for :D
I tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/ShesAnAngel417/status/47031068116791296
As a farm mom, I love being able to save some extra money without having to sacrifice quality. Walgreens helps make our budget work. Thanks!!
I both store brands and name brands, depending on the item.
momznite_at_yahoo_daught_com
I buy a combination of the 2 – I buy private labels for equivalent products if they work the same, and I don’t have a coupon for the national brand.
I buy whatever is affordable but make it a habit to stock up on staples when they are on sale.
I use Walgreen’s stuff all the time…love it…
I normally buy the store brand since it’s a lot cheaper. thank you!
I typically buy the store brand, especially at Walgreens. I’m like you, I shop at Walgreens all the time, and love it. It costs less and works just as well. This gift card would mean the world to me!
Firemarshall21@yahoo.com
I also tweeted this post: http://twitter.com/#!/tnytwtr
I like name brand as you can use coupons on those and get the quality and I feel its a better value than store brands unless we’re talking canned corn then yes store brand is ok. Prescriptions especially I found arent doing the same for me that generics do. Just my own observation and opinion
I will typically buy only store brands unless I can get the national brand cheaper.
I love Walgreens in my smaller town. Glad they are open later and carry everything.
I buy whichever is cheapest!
I buy a combination of the two. Typically, I try to buy the best deal. When you are a family of six, any savings helps? :)