I'm an Amazon fan who shopped at CVS and Walgreens for my toiletries, and I preferred the more expensive store
- I usually shop for my toiletries on Amazon, but I decided to try out CVS and Walgreens.
- The Walgreens I visited had toiletries locked in security cases, and the store felt poorly organized to me.
When it comes time to buy more toiletries, I typically turn to Amazon for its quick and easy delivery.
Each month, I buy my soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and other toiletries on Amazon because everything arrives at my doorstep the next day. Typically, I spend about $30 to $50 per month on these toiletries.
But recently, I've been trying to avoid Amazon and, instead, get back into shopping in person at stores. That's when I decided to try buying my toiletries at the two drug stores near my home in New York City — CVS and Walgreens — to see how the shopping experiences would compare.
Both companies operate more than 9,000 stores across the US, and they sell everything from toys to candy to greeting cards, but I wanted to scope out the best spot for buying toiletries.
After shopping at both stores, I had a definite favorite.
My first stop was CVS, which has a location within walking distance from my apartment in Brooklyn.
This CVS is typically very busy because it's located in the high-trafficked neighborhood of Park Slope.
I went around lunchtime, so most of the aisles were packed with people, reminding me why I typically prefer to shop on Amazon these days.
I quickly found the toiletries section because it was located at the front of the store in front of the pharmacy.
At this store, the toiletries spanned four aisles right in front of the entrance.
The aisles had clear signage that really helped me while shopping.
This CVS had large signs hanging from the ceiling, listing most of the items that could be found down each aisle. Plus, there were smaller signs down the aisle so that customers knew exactly where the items were located on that aisle.
I found this system extremely helpful and was able to find everything quickly.
I also noted how the aisles felt cozier than a typical store.
The carpeted floors and narrow aisles made the store feel less sterile than other retail stores I've been to.
However, I was surprised to find some of the items I needed were in security cases, which was frustrating.
The more expensive items, like my deodorant, were locked behind security cases, which meant I had to press a button and wait for a CVS employee to grab it for me.
Thankfully once I pressed the button, I had to wait just a few seconds before someone came over to help.
The CVS also had a self-checkout lane, which is always my favorite when shopping in stores.
The self-checkout lane was much quicker than the regular line, which made the process much easier.
After CVS, I headed to Walgreens — there's also one in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
The Walgreens was conveniently located just a block away from the CVS.
When I first entered Walgreens, I noticed it had fewer shoppers and seemed less new than the CVS.
The atmosphere in Walgreens was very different from CVS. The tile floors looked damaged, the security guard at the front was menacing, and the aisles seemed dirty to me.
However, the store was much less crowded than the CVS, which I liked.
The toiletries were also located at the front near the entrance and spanned three aisles.
These aisles were much longer and wider than the ones at the CVS I visited, which made it easier when I had to pass another customer. As a result, this store did feel less cozy than the aisles at CVS.
However, the aisles were not as clearly marked as CVS' aisles.
There were no large signs that listed all the items down each aisle. The signs in Walgreens were much smaller and only listed general items.
I found it so confusing that I had to ask an employee where to find the bar soap because I couldn't find it anywhere. Strangely, the soaps were not with the rest of the toiletries; they were located on the other side of the cough and cold aisle.
My biggest problem was that every item I needed was locked behind a security case.
Walking down the aisles, it felt like a prison for toiletries. Everything was locked behind secured cases.
I had to press the customer-service button located on the aisles twice, and each time it took the employee a couple of minutes to come help me. The second time, I just asked the employee to walk around the store with me to help open the cases because I needed access to many things.
It felt like I was dragging a personal shopper around the drug store.
The store didn't have a self-checkout line, so I waited for a cashier.
Unfortunately, the store only had one register open, so I had to wait longer than usual to purchase my items.
Most notably, however, Walgreens was a bit cheaper than CVS.
For example, the Dove deodorant I usually buy cost $8.29 at the CVS I visited and $7.29 at the Walgreens.
Surprisingly, the same deodorant is significantly cheaper on Amazon, costing $4.99.
I also saved money at Walgreens when I bought Dove bar soap.
The Dove bar soap I like cost $4.99 at CVS, but it cost $3.99 at Walgreens.
For comparison, Amazon charges $3.59 for the same soap.
Listerine was also cheaper at Walgreens when compared to CVS.
The same size bottle of Listerine cost just $6.29 at the Walgreens I visited, but the price reached $7.49 at CVS. On Amazon, it costs $9.29.
Although the prices were slightly cheaper at Walgreens, I will probably stick with Amazon or return to CVS.
Walgreens had the cheapest prices for most of my items, but the confusing aisles, the security boxes, and the check-out line made the shopping experience feel like a hassle.
On the other hand, CVS was slightly more expensive, but it had an easy layout so I found everything quickly, it had a self-checkout line, and it had everything I needed.
While Amazon is still easier for me and most likely my first choice, I would consider returning to CVS in the future for my toiletry needs.
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