Gas stations are great for refueling your car and grabbing a quick snack during a long drive. However, not everything available at these stops is worth your money. Many items are overpriced, low quality, or even potentially harmful. According to a 2023 survey, nearly 75% of U.S. consumers noticed price increases at convenience stores compared to the previous year.
To help you make better choices, here are a few things you should never buy at gas stations.
Hot Dogs, Potato Chips, Donuts
Hot dogs, potato chips, and donuts are the best-sellers that keep the gas stations’ business thriving. They are available in almost all gas stations. However, the freshness and quality often take a backseat. Hot dogs can be stale, donuts might look appealing but could be old, and potato chips are easy to munch on but come with extra calories. For the sake of your health, it’s better to skip these and opt for healthier options. These foods are also often highly processed and not the best nutritional choices.
Fresh Produce
First and foremost you should know that gas stations are not equipped with the same quality control, turnover rates, and proper storage conditions as supermarket or grocery stores. Hence, the freshness and nutritional values are compromised at gas stations.
While some of the produce may be fresh, generally, most of them are not. Moreover, compared to a supermarket or farmers’ market, gas stations have limited selections and lack variety and quality.
Meat and Dairy
Buying meat and dairy products from gas stations is akin to buying poison but in the form of edible products. Like the reason mentioned above for fresh produce, fruits, and vegetables, the same goes for meat and dairy.
Supermarkets and grocery stores follow certain standards, have high levels of hygiene, and have the necessary equipment and machines to keep meat and dairy products in a way that lasts long.
Gas stations, on the other hand, are meant for refueling and are not ideal places for grocery and dietary needs. So it is best to avoid buying meat and dairy products from gas stations.
Medicine and Supplements
Buying medicine and supplements from gas stations is not recommended. The selection is often limited, and the products may not be stored properly thus reducing their effectiveness. Additionally, the prices for these items are usually higher than at pharmacies or grocery stores. For quality, safety, and better value, it’s best to purchase your medicine and supplements from a pharmacy. This ensures you get the right products stored under proper conditions.
Packaged Baked Goods
Remember that gas stations do not make bakery products. They stock up on baked items in bulk that have been sitting on the shelves for pretty long—you never know. Moreover, the variety is limited to heavily processed items and sugary snacks that should be your last resort for your hunger needs.
Freshness is a far cry if you think of baked items at gas stations. So, stay away from packaged baked goods at gas stations. Instead, hop onto a local bakery or grocery for fresher, tastier, and healthier baked goods where you can find quality and variety.
Soda Fountain Drinks
While soda fountain drinks at gas stations may be cheaper than bottled ones, their taste and quality vary significantly. They are often either flat or watered down. Bottled soft drinks on the shelves are typically overpriced. Additionally, poorly maintained soda fountain machines can pose a risk of bacterial contamination.
Lottery Tickets
Lottery tickets at gas stations can be tempting, but it’s often best to avoid impulse buys. The odds of winning are extremely low, about 1 in 292.2 million for the Powerball jackpot. Spending money on lottery tickets can quickly add up, taking funds away from your essential needs or savings. Additionally, buying lottery tickets can waste others’ time as you stand in line deciding which ticket to purchase. Instead, consider more reliable ways to manage and grow your money.
Electronics
Before you get tempted by those colorful displays of headphones, earbuds, aux cables, and chargers at gas stations, think twice about whether they are worth the price. Not only are electronics at gas stations overpriced, but they are also of inferior quality and may fall apart after a few uses.
Moreover, business owners of the gas stations are well aware of the urgency of some electronic items such as phone chargers and aux cables. So they sell these things at a premium price. Even if it is an emergency you should prefer buying them at the store or supermarket so as not to get duped by the inferior quality and exorbitant price.
Sunglasses
Gas station sunglasses may look stylish but often lack the quality needed to protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays. It’s better to buy sunglasses from reputable brands or optical stores where you can be assured of their quality and authenticity. Proper UV protection is essential for eye health, which many gas station sunglasses fail to provide.
Skincare and Beauty Products
Avoid buying skincare and beauty products from gas stations. These products may be high-priced, outdated, and available in limited selections. For quality skincare and beauty products, visit a pharmacy or a specialty store. Outdated products can cause skin reactions and may not be effective.
Tourist Souvenirs and Gift Cards
Tourist souvenirs and gift cards at gas stations are often overpriced. They are usually not locally manufactured, despite what the labels might claim. With the convenience of smartphones, you can capture memories without spending money on trinkets. If you want a souvenir, visit a dedicated store for better quality and fair prices.
Alcohol
Buying alcohol at gas stations is often more expensive than purchasing it from a supermarket or liquor store. The selection at gas stations is typically limited, and the products may not be stored properly, affecting their quality. Additionally, impulse purchases can lead to spending more than planned. For a better selection and price, buy alcohol from dedicated liquor stores.
Magazines
Glossy magazines and spicy tabloids with colorful pictures are the most attractive sections at the counter in gas stations. They are there to lure you at the first instant.
However, if you bother to look at the editions when it was published you would be astonished to find them to be historic (pun intended). Moreover, the price at which these magazines are sold at gas stations is just double the price that you could get at newspaper stores.
