5 Things NOT to Buy at CVS

You’d think that the core competency of a drugstore would be filling prescriptions, so why are the pharmacies at CVS (and all its competitors) in the very back of the store? Because that way, you’ve got miles of aisles to navigate — and baskets full of impulse buys to resist — on the way. The drugstore chains have been growing by offering higher-end cosmetics, more store brands, expanding their grocery offerings, and even selling prepared food. Would you like a CVS salad with your Lipitor? No store can be all things to all people all the time, though, so don’t let the one-stop shopping convenience empty your wallet. Here are five items you’d be better off buying elsewhere, for reasons of price, quality, or selection.