Did you ever buy these items at gas stations?

Gas stations have become a staple stop when going on a road trip, especially when running low on gas.

However, gas stations nowadays have a wide variety of everyday items, from basic food items to sunglasses and other accessories, auto supplies, over-the-counter medication, and even lottery tickets.

This is what makes these spaces more than one would think of, since you can also grab other items, and they are usually open 24/7, making them a great spot to go and grab something when you are in a hurry.

While the temptation to run to a gas station to grab something you need is pretty big, you should think twice before you end up committing to some of their items.

Not only will they end up being overpriced when you compare them with other shops, but you can also expect them to be of lower quality than elsewhere when it comes to certain items.

Of course, if you are in dire need of a certain item and you do not have the time or means to get it somewhere else, gas stations are a lifesaver. For any other situation, think twice before you purchase something!

If you are curious about which gas station items you should definitely avoid unless in a pinch, keep on reading!

Fruits and Vegetables

This may be a surprise, but in some gas stations, you may be able to find some staple fruits, such as apples and bananas, while some may even carry some veggie packages too!

It may seem like a great idea to grab a fruit as a snack or even a pack of veggies for a meal; however, the chances of these fruits being fresh are pretty slim.

Some gas stations may have some fresh produce, but overall, they do not have the same turnover as a normal grocery store. This could mean that they have been sitting in the gas station for longer than any of us would be willing to admit.

While it may seem like a pleasant surprise, it’s possible to end up with a fruit or vegetable that is already spoiling.

Not to mention, no one expects these items to be in gas stations, so why would people look for them there in the first place?

Grocery stores are a better bet.

Dairy Items

This is one of the items that you should be avoiding as much as you can. Dairy items are generally overpriced in most gas stations, and the chance that they are from a reputable brand is extremely slim.

This is not to say that unknown brands would not have good products, but rather that dairy items in most gas stations are of questionable quality.

If you are drawn to something and it seems to be of a quality you are okay with buying, always check the expiration date. If there is one thing gas stations are notorious for, it is an abundance of expired products.

And when it comes to dairy, you do not want to risk it.

Headphones

There are plenty of phone and car accessories at gas stations, but headphones are the ones that make our list due to the sheer fact that their quality is so low and the price is so high for what they offer that it is an enigma.

A lot of people end up forgetting their headphones, or something may happen to their usual pair on a cross-country drive, so they end up stopping at a gas station to purchase a pair.

This is more often than not a mistake, as most customers report that they are extremely low quality and that they have barely lasted a couple of hours, which comes with subpar audio quality too.
The catch here is that they are usually twice if not three, the price you would pay if you got them online on Amazon, if you stopped in a specialized store, or if you made the pit stop at Target for a pair.

You can last with the radio until you get to see a bigger store in sight; don’t waste your money.

Lotto Tickets

Yeah, there are lottery tickets at the gas station counter. But while you may be tempted to get one because you are on vacation, twink twice.

If you are not a frequent player, even if you end up doing it for fun, the chance of winning something is very slim. You will pay money for the ticket, and there won’t be any return or value for it.

It is the most common way people lose money. Thinking they can win big, they keep trying. So do yourself a favor and avoid them, since the odds are definitely not in your favor anyway.

Snacks

We know this is surprising, but hear us out. Gas stations are known for being a treasure trove of snacks since they carry anything from chips to candies and jerky, making them a perfect spot to grab something for the road ahead and amazing if you need a pick me up.

However, you need to always check the expiration date on your snacks before you commit to buying them, especially if you do not like a very popular snack that is bound to leave the shelves fast.

Likewise, keep in mind that some of these treats are going to be marked up significantly. In the case of jerky, they are generally overpriced, but there is nothing else that could deter you from getting them.

That is, as long as you check the expiration date.

Soda Fountain Drinks

You may think that getting some soft drinks at the gas station is the way to go since they are generally less expensive than getting the bottled kind.

Yet, you need to be cautious about the drink you choose and what gas station you have stopped at.

Based on these things, the quality of the drink you get will vary substantially.

Sometimes you can end up with pretty flat and watered-down sodas, which, in the grand scheme of things, ends up negating the reason why you are getting a carbonated drink to begin with.

If you truly want a soda, make sure that the gas station you pick is one you trust. You do not want to know how dirty some of those soda dispensers are on the inside.

Over-the-Counter Medications

We’ve all been there before! On a road trip, you end up hit with a horrible headache or the environment decides to flare up your allergies, yet the only spot available within a couple-mile radius is a gas station.

Thankfully, there are over-the-counter medications stocked up in gas stations, and they are great for when you are in an emergency. However, if you can wait, it would be better to wait until you find a better spot to get these basic medicines.

In the gas station, the medicine may not be stored as properly as it should have been, and since people do not associate gas stations with spots where you can get medicine, the turnout of these pills is pretty low.

You can end up getting a pack of expired medicine, and while you cannot get sick from most over-the-counter medicine that is expired, its effects are going to dwindle and even not take effect at all.

If you can wait, it is better to hunt down a pharmacy than rely on these pills.

It may seem like the gas station is a prime spot for items that are not going to be good for you, but other big, popular stores fall into the same category. If you want to be safe, make sure you do not accidentally waste your money on these Dollar Store items!