Walgreens engaging in unequal pricing tactics in city branches

Walgreens has recently introduced the Balance Rewards program. Go get it, and let me explain why. How fair is it for two branches of the same store just blocks apart to sell the same items at drastically different prices? This is a practice that the Walgreens on Telegraph Avenue is regularly engaging in — and you should know about it, as the surest way to get Walgreens to end this practice is to shop elsewhere until it does.

At the front entrance of the Walgreens on Telegraph, there’s a small sign that reads, “Because we are a smaller than average Walgreens, we are unable to offer all advertised items.” Sounds fair enough. In reality, however, what they mean is instead this: They won’t offer advertised prices, not items.

Here are but two examples from last week’s ad. If I were to purchase Tide laundry detergent that gives an estimated 24 to 32 loads at the Walgreens on Telegraph, it would cost me $9.99. At any other Walgreens, it’s on sale for only $5.99.

Two bottles of Softsoap Body Wash are not two for $6 at the Walgreens on Telegraph like they are at any other Walgreens, such as the one on Shattuck Avenue.

What gives?

Theoretically, you can get the sale prices at the Walgreens on Telegraph, but only if you get the Balance Rewards card or bring in the weekly ad yourself and show the clerk. And you’ll need a lot of luck, too, as many clerks don’t know how to adjust prices at the cash register.

This is nonsense. We shouldn’t have to bring in the weekly ad or ask a manager to give us the price being charged at other Walgreens locations, without the card. Until and unless this changes, I suggest you join me in shopping elsewhere.

— Tony H. Lin,
Doctoral candidate, UC Berkeley department of Slavic languages and
literatures

Contact the opinion desk at [email protected]

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