12 Precautions Floridians Should Take When Shopping at CVS

You stop at CVS for a quick errand—just need a birthday card and maybe some Advil—and suddenly you’re $42 deep into clearance candy, shampoo deals, and weird beauty products you didn’t plan on buying.

CVS is a trap in the best and worst way.

But with a little know-how, you can avoid the common mistakes Floridians make while shopping there and come out ahead.

Be Mindful When Using the Pharmacy Kiosk

The digital check-in kiosk by CVS’ pharmacy is super handy for things like flu shots or picking up an order of birth control.

But it collects sensitive personal information—name, birthdate, prescription number—and people often forget to log out when they’re done.

If you’re scheduling your Moderna booster or checking in for your shingles vaccine, make sure you hit the “Done” button and wait for the screen to reset.

Otherwise, the next person might see your information.

And when entering your phone number to verify your account for pickup, make sure no one is peeking over your shoulder. That number can access your prescription profile, which could include medications like antidepressants or diabetes treatments you’d prefer to keep private.

Handle Clearance Items with a Sharp Eye

The clearance section at CVS can feel rewarding. You might find Burt’s Bees lip balm for $1.50 or last-season Wet n Wild nail polish marked down 75%.

But not all that glitters is gold. Some clearance products are damaged, open, or past their expiration date, no matter how thoroughly CVS checks them.

Let’s say you find a $2.99 bottle of CeraVe moisturizer. That sounds amazing—until you open it and find that someone already tried it in-store.

A “marked down” Reese’s holiday tin might have dented packaging or a near-expiration date.

Meanwhile, some makeup items, like Revlon mascara or Almay foundation, can dry out or get crusty if they’ve been sitting around too long.

Always inspect before you buy. If you’re not sure, ask a cashier if you can check the item at the counter or open it in front of them.

And remember: clearance items are often final sale, so don’t expect to be able to return them.

Ask About Substitutions in Prescriptions

Let’s say you’ve always taken brand-name Synthroid for thyroid issues, but this time the bottle looks different.

CVS sometimes switches to generic equivalents like levothyroxine based on insurance or inventory. While generics are FDA-approved and generally better for your wallet, the change can catch customers off guard.

If you have allergies or are sensitive to certain fillers, always ask the pharmacist about substitutions.

The same goes for common meds like Adderall, Lipitor, or Wellbutrin—generics work the same for most, but not all, people.

Hold onto the info sheet that comes in the bag. Even if it’s something you’ve taken a dozen times, the new manufacturer might list side effects or warnings you haven’t seen before.

Don’t Skip the ExtraCare Card

If you’re buying Cetaphil cleanser, Dove deodorant, or even a bag of Lay’s chips at CVS without using your ExtraCare card, you’re missing out.

CVS ties a lot of its deals to its rewards system, including 2% back in ExtraBucks and discounts like “Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off” on products like Olay body wash or Garnier shampoo.

The key is to either scan your card at checkout or use your phone number.

The CVS app makes it even easier. You can digitally clip coupons for items like Tide Pods, Colgate toothpaste, or Hershey’s candy bars right before you shop.

These offers often stack on top of sale prices, letting you walk away with a $6 item for closer to $3. And don’t forget about those “$5 off $20 purchase” coupons—they often show up after a few purchases.

Even if you’re only picking up a quick snack or a greeting card, scanning your ExtraCare card could unlock a surprise coupon or reward.

Check the Expiration Dates—Especially on Health Items

When you’re buying health-related products like Vicks NyQuil or Flintstones vitamins, expiration dates matter.

Like any store, CVS doesn’t always rotate its stock perfectly—employees are human.

From our experience, items on clearance or in the seasonal bins are particularly at risk for being outdated, as they’re often close to their expiration dates to begin with.

Grabbed a tube of Neosporin from the bottom shelf?

Flip it over.

Want to stock up on Emergen-C packets near the front display?

Check the expiration date.

Don’t assume something is good just because it’s still on display. You’re better off spending 10 seconds checking the date than dealing with a useless product or having to drive back for a return.

Don’t Trust the Sale Tags Without Checking

You might spot a yellow tag advertising a deal like “Buy 2 Get $4 ExtraBucks” on Crest 3D White toothpaste. But when you get to the register, nothing comes off.

That’s because sometimes CVS leaves expired sale tags up by mistake. Alternatively, the deal might be for a different size or variety, like only the twin-pack of the product.

It also happens with snacks. You might see “2 for $4” on Gatorade or Cheez-It crackers, but the deal might only apply if you buy in exact quantities.

Buying just one? You’ll often get charged the regular price.

And that small bottle of Gold Bond lotion you grabbed thinking it was $3.99? Check again—it might’ve been the larger 14 oz version that’s on sale.

To avoid surprises, use the red price-check scanner if your store has one, or scan the item in the CVS app. That’ll tell you the current price and whether the deal applies to that exact size, brand, or flavor.

Don’t Overlook the Beauty Product Return Policy

CVS has one of the more generous return policies on beauty products, even if you’ve opened them.

That Maybelline foundation that looked like your shade in the store lighting? If it turns out too orange at home, you can usually bring it back with your receipt, no questions asked.

The same goes for products like L’Oréal mascara, CoverGirl lipstick, or even CVS brand acne cream.

Many customers assume opened beauty items are final sale, but CVS allows returns within 60 days, even for lightly used makeup. Just be sure to hold onto your receipt or use your ExtraCare account to make tracking easier.

If you bought it using your card, they can often pull it up digitally.

This policy is a lifesaver if you’re trying new skincare or haircare items. That SheaMoisture conditioner might not be a good match for your hair, and that Neutrogena face wash could cause irritation.

Test products with confidence, but don’t abuse the system. Returning half-empty containers is a quick way to ruin it for everyone else.

Watch Out for Impulse Buys at the Front Counter

The front checkout area at CVS is a danger zone for impulse buys. You might just be waiting in line, and suddenly you’re holding a $7 lint roller, a Bluetooth key finder, and a novelty PopSocket you didn’t plan on grabbing.

CVS fills these shelves with last-minute temptations like Reese’s Big Cups, Eos lip balms, and mini hand sanitizers in cute scents—easy to toss into your basket without thinking.

These items often aren’t on sale and can be overpriced compared to other stores.

That $3 bottle of Fiji water might only be $2.00 elsewhere. And those trial-sized beauty items like mini Batiste dry shampoo or Garnier wipes might seem harmless, but they add up fast at the register.

Before you check out, take a second to scan your basket. Ask yourself if you really need the CVS-branded manicure kit or the glittery keychain.

Being mindful can help you avoid buyer’s remorse before you even get to your car.

Use Self-Checkout Carefully With Coupons

Self-checkout is convenient when you’re just grabbing a quick item at CVS, but it’s not always coupon-friendly.

Trying to scan a manufacturer coupon for Garnier Fructis shampoo while using a digital ExtraBucks reward? The machine might freeze or reject one of the discounts.

If you’re buying several items with complex deals—say, you’re stacking a “$3 off $15 in hair care” offer with a digital manufacturer coupon and ExtraBucks from a previous transaction—just head to a real cashier.

They’re usually better at figuring out the right order to apply deals and can manually fix problems if a barcode doesn’t scan right.

And don’t forget to print your receipt at the self-checkout kiosk. If you just tap “no receipt” and your $10 in ExtraBucks doesn’t load to your app, you might be out of luck.

Respect the Pharmacy Process—It’s Not Instant

If you’re picking up a prescription for something like a Z-Pak or Atorvastatin, give the pharmacy team a little grace.

CVS pharmacists often juggle hundreds of prescriptions, vaccine appointments, and walk-in customers. Showing up 15 minutes early and demanding to know why your inhaler isn’t ready won’t make things faster.

Also, make sure you’re standing in the right pharmacy line. One is usually for drop-off, the other for pickup.

It’s awkward when someone holding a slip for a new hydrocodone script is standing behind a line of folks picking up already-filled meds. And if your prescription was just sent over from your doctor, wait for the confirmation text or app alert before heading inside.

Once you’re at the counter, check the label.

That bottle of Metformin might look the same, but always confirm the dosage and instructions. Mistakes are rare, but not impossible—and your health’s too important to rush through pickup.

Read the Fine Print on Coupons and ExtraBucks

It’s easy to think you’re stacking deals when you’ve got a “$2 off $8 in candy” coupon and a “$3 off 2 Hershey’s Kisses” digital coupon.

But CVS systems sometimes reject overlapping discounts—or worse, apply the wrong one.

Read the digital coupon details closely. Some are brand-specific, some are for CVS Health versions only, and others require you to hit a spending threshold before they kick in.

Trying to use ExtraBucks on a transaction that drops below a required total?

That $5 coupon might disappear.

One more thing: digital coupons often have short windows—sometimes just a few days. That “$6 off $30” CVS purchase offer you saved on Monday? It might be gone by Wednesday.

Call Ahead If You Need Something Specific

Need Children’s Motrin during a fever outbreak or Pedialyte for a sick toddler?

Don’t just assume CVS will have it. Smaller stores can run out fast, especially during flu season or right after a big storm.

It’s frustrating to drive over just to see empty shelves where the Tylenol used to be.

Check the app for local stock before you go—or better yet, call and ask someone to hold it. CVS staff can often see real-time inventory or suggest nearby locations.

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