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Many everyday items cost more because of where you buy them, not because they are better.
A quick comparison of some common retailers shows where people often pay more, and where the same types of items can be purchased for lower prices.
paper towels
Top name-brand paper towels priced at Kroger between 5 cents and 7 cents per square foot. However, Member Mark paper towels at Sam’s Club only cost About 2 cents per square foot and there are Said by Redditors Comparable to bounty paper towels.
over-the-counter medications
Buying over-the-counter medications at CVS or Walgreens usually means you’re paying more — even if you buy the store brand. Instead, compare your local drugstore’s prices to Walmart. At CVS, CVS brand of Zyrtec tablets It’s $34.79 for 120 tablets or $0.29 each. At Walmart, 90-count Similar version of Zyrtec Per tablet is $0.17.
batteries
According to Reddit, Costco’s Kirkland batteries are repackaged Duracell batteries. Some people like them, and some don’t.
48-pack of Kirkland AA Battery Per battery is $16.99 or about $0.35. At Walmart, 48-Pack Great value AA batteries Per battery is $14.99 or about $0.31. As far as quality goes, Great Value Batteries has over 3,200 five-star reviews.
laundry soap
Both 196-fluid-ounces of Sam’s Club member mark detergent and Walmart’s 154-fluid-ounce great value detergent Some of the most affordably priced detergent sizes are between $0.08 and $0.076 per fluid ounce. However, Target sometimes runs its own sales up and up laundry detergentThat could bring its price to between $0.05 and $0.06 per fluid ounce, depending on whether you buy a 92-fluid-ounce bottle or a 40-ounce one.
office supplies
Buying office supplies from Walmart may seem like a good idea, but Dollar Tree may be cheaper. It may be beneficial to compare prices. A 70-sheet, one-subject spiral notebook wal-mart It costs $0.97 and is a 100-sheet, one-subject spiral notebook. dollar Tree Cost $1.25. Although Walmart’s price is cheaper, the Dollar Tree notebook has 30 more sheets and is slightly cheaper per sheet.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of March 12, 2026. Prices and availability may vary by location.