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There probably aren’t too many things, if any, you can buy in a convenience store that you can’t get at Walmart or your local grocery store, where the product selection is more extensive, less money and perhaps better in quality. The convenience of convenience stores sometimes comes at a premium price in terms of cost and quality.

The Electronic Payments Coalition calculated that the price markups on some convenience store product categories are well over 100%, and you may have eaten more than your fair share of questionable convenience store hot dogs.

With your wallet and health in mind, here are seven things you should never buy at a convenience store:

1. Slushies and Fountain Drinks

It’s probably no surprise that nonalcoholic beverages are one of the more profitable items for a convenience store. Of the many drinks you can grab on the go, fountain drinks and slushies are especially profitable for convenience stores, so you can bet the markup is considerable.

The main problem with fountain drinks is the cleanliness of some of the machines. A California study revealed potentially dangerous contaminants in 40% of soda fountain samples. Bottled soda might be better for you, even if it’s worse for your budget. 

2. Perishable Hot and Cold Foods

These days, most convenience stores offer hot and cold perishable food selections, from hot breakfast sandwiches to cold premade turkey sandwiches. The markup on convenience store food service is estimated at 120%, so those egg-and-sausage biscuits may cost considerably more than preparing breakfast at home.

Consider food safety when grabbing hot or cold convenience foods.

These foods require storage at specific temperatures to prevent bacteria growth, which can cause food-borne illnesses. Some convenience store employees may not receive the same food safety training as restaurant employees.

3. Groceries

You’ve probably noticed that the grocery products on convenience store shelves are often much smaller than the options you can find at a grocery store. Because shelf space is limited, the options are limited.

However, despite the smaller packaging, you may pay more per ounce than at a grocery retailer. Also, you don’t usually don’t get discounts like at grocery stores.

4. Health and Beauty Products

Whether you need a bottle of aspirin or sunscreen, you may find it on a convenience store shelf. However, it might not have much shelf life left.

Products in convenience stores don’t always sell as quickly as in larger stores, and they may remain on the shelf past the “use by” date.

Considering these products have an estimated 132% markup, you definitely won’t get your money’s worth if you have to toss them soon after buying. 

5. Sunglasses

If you’re taking a road trip, don’t forget your sunglasses. You don’t want to grab a pair at a convenience store, where the options might not provide enough ultraviolet protection for regular use.

Don’t forget your car charger, either. It’s hard to determine the quality of unknown phone accessory brands, so you could end up with a charger that won’t survive the trip.

6. Baked Goods

Donuts, muffins and other baked items might look fresh, but you usually don’t know how long they’ve been in the bakery case unless you happen to be at the store when the baked goods are delivered. Most convenience store baked goods aren’t baked in the store itself.

7. Impulse Purchases

How often do you dart into a convenience store for a drink but come out with a soda, a bag of chips, a pack of gum and five lottery tickets? Like all retailers, convenience stores use product placement and other marketing tactics to get you to spend.

A survey of 6,500 convenience store customers by the National Convenience Store Association’s “Convenience Voices” revealed that about one in five shoppers make an impulse purchase, and product displays encourage 19.2% of these impulse purchases.

If you go into a convenience store to grab something, keep your eye on the prize and off the many displays. Impulse buys are bad for the budget.

Alternatives for On-the-Go Convenience

Convenience stores are aptly named: According to NACS, the average time spent in the store is between three and four minutes.

However, thanks to self-checkout and the convenient placement of various products in grocery stores and Walmart, you can often get in and out almost as quickly, while spending much less.

Or you can stop at a dollar store. Even though some dollar store products no longer cost just a buck.

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