CVS Overcharges in Greater Detroit

A recent check of CVS stores in Greater Detroit found overcharges at nine of 10 stores visited. A surveyor visited the 10 Greater Detroit CVS stores in October 2008 and identified and purchased a selection of items that had one price marked on the item itself and a different price shown on the shelf – or that lacked an item price.  A comparison of the shelf and sticker prices with the price CVS charged for the items found that discrepancies nearly always favored CVS.

Of 36 different item purchases, CVS charged more than either the sticker price or the shelf price for 33 of them. In only two cases did CVS charge less than the sticker price. (In one case an item had no sticker price, and the shelf and purchase price matched.)

Read more:

• "The price is right - mostly," Boston Globe, August 16, 2008
• "McCollum Signs Advertising Agreement with CVS to Modify Practices Concerning "Extra Care Rewards" Program," Florida Attorney General press release, December 10, 2007
• CVS's Assurance of Voluntary Compliance to the Florida Attorney General (PDF)