blood pressure monitor

[redbird]

Our home blood pressure monitor is broken, which is a nuisance. Only a nuisance, because it turns out that we can just buy another like it. That was a pleasant surprise, because the brand name on this is RiteAid, and that drugstore chain was bought out by Walgreens a few years ago. I went to the Consumer Reports website, and looked for ratings. They are still recommending this model, and there was a "shop" link, to Amazon, which has it in stock, and one is now on its way to us.

Comments

Not actually bought out

[ng_moonmoth]

Rite Aid is actually still a going concern. The FTC vetoed the Walgreens/Rite Aid merger on anti-competitive grounds, so Rite Aid wound up selling its stores in some areas Walgreens was less common to Walgreens and exiting those regions. Yours, apparently, but not mine (northern California). Which I am thankful for, because I have been filling my prescriptions there for about 15 years since the drugstore I used previously closed -- mainly because I can walk in with a refill and walk out most of the time in 10 minutes or so. As opposed to Walgreens, which offered a time to fill of "at least 45 minutes." So not for me. Plus, the staff there recognizes me and takes care of things when things need taking care of.

Re: Not actually bought out

[elbren]

yup, rite-aid is still common in nh-me, and also dc-md-va

Re: Not actually bought out

[calimac]

I find our local RiteAid superior to Walgreens for a few shopping items, too. They have a bigger selection of button batteries, a superior brand of pocket comb, and a terrific little ice cream counter - how many pharmacies still have one of those?

Re: Not actually bought out

[redbird]

That all makes sense, and thanks for the information.

I was filling prescriptions at Rite Aid in New York and then Washington, and then switched most of mine to CVS because it was more convenient. I'm now using a mix of Capsule, which delivers and not via the Post Office, and the CVS nearest my doctor's office, so I can pick a new prescription up immediately.)

I did appreciate, nine years ago, being able to transfer prescriptions from a Rite Aid in Manhattan to one in Bellevue just by asking. They even called my New York doctors about refills, while I was still getting settled in Washington and finding doctors there.

Re: Not actually bought out

[ng_moonmoth]

Yeah, Rite Aid is very helpful with their prescriptions. There have been a couple of times where I've been traveling and running out of something, found a Rite Aid, and they were able to look me up and fill the prescription right then and there. That may be standard, but it was still nice.

Re: Not actually bought out

[dewline]

All of that reads as very good news. I wish Canada's business rules and regs weren't so oligarchy-friendly some days.