Comments on: How To Pick Out A Grocery Store After Moving – Or If You’re Looking To Save A Few Dollars http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: manwithaclue http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-425086 manwithaclue Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:05:35 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-425086 None of you guys get it… just as certain retail giants out there don’t get it. The proof is in the numbers… When you are talking about poor customer service vs. awesome customer service; the price difference is very trivial. I challenge you to shop your area grocery stores again, but this time look at it from a customer service stand point. Do grocers in stores other than Hy-Vee even act like they care that you’re there? Do these other grocers spend millions in marketing, bringing you simple and affordable meal solutions? How about an upscale magazine that is aimed at making your life easier (for FREE)? Do these other grocers sponsor an OLYMPIC qualifying Triathlon with thousands of participants or donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to a non-profit such as the JDRF Foundation? Do they have in store registered dieticians on staff for your inquiries? Do they even recycle? I could go on and on about how and why Hy-Vee provides “Awesome Stores” with “Awesome Customer Service” and how the others just do the bare minimum. I will gladly spend the trivial five dollars more in order to support a company that brings everything that it does to the table (literally and figuratively)…

]]> By: Toby http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-20369 Toby Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:27:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-20369 One factor that you didn’t consider in your calculations is which store has the meth addicts begging for money *in the back of the store* that make you feel uneasy…

Okay, I’m being facetious, but this actually happened to me. At one of my local grocery chains, which will remain unnamed, right next to the lady with the sample tray, I was approached by a strung-out looking 20-something who was telling me some sob story about not having gas and needing to drive someplace.

Let me just say that I avoid that store like the plague now. Although they have sucked me in with a loss-leader on occasion, but it is in-and-out when that happens, I never “shop” there. Do they have better prices than the competition? Possibly, but when shady-looking people are begging for money inside the store, that kinds of ruins it for me.

]]> By: Lisa Knight http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17718 Lisa Knight Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:56:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17718 It has been a while since I have moved anywhere, but when we did I just watched the local ads & went to the store that had the most items on my list on sale. I got to go to different stores, since week to week the deals changed, as did my list. It was a great way to learn the area as well.

]]> By: kellie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17599 kellie Thu, 12 Apr 2007 02:09:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17599 Trent,

Have you ever had any issues presenting coupons you print out at Hyvee? I printed coupons from our local newspaper’s website and took them in and the cashier looked at me like I was handing her counterfeit money! She was very aggressive when she asked me where I got them and called a manager over. The manager rang them in and then threw them away.

In case you didn’t know http://www.hyvee.com also has coupons and you can sign up for a weekly email of their flyer.

Last but not least do you have a Kwik Trip in your area? Kwik Trip milk is super cheap and I haven’t noticed any difference in taste. The only difference is is comes in bags instead of plastic cartons. It is always 99cents for a half gallon for Skim (not sure about the other kinds). Also you can get a punch card and after buying 10 you basically get one half gallon free ($1.00 off).

Happy Shopping!

]]> By: Madelaine Gogol http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17552 Madelaine Gogol Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:23:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17552 I’ll definitely try this. I’ve made a price book type thing before, but this approach sounds much better.

]]> By: Gale http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17549 Gale Wed, 11 Apr 2007 21:08:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17549 Where I live in E. Ohio, there is a Giant Eagle three blocks from my home. They pretty much bought/forced out most of the competition. They have a free fuel program at their gas stations, Get Go. You get 10 cents off for every $50 spent. Every two weeks when I fuel (with an additional 5 gallon gas can) I get 50-60 cents off. So I usually save about $23 every month on gas. I am sure if I shopped around I could save some at another store, but I am not sure I could save $23 each month. And 3 blocks away is pretty convenient.

]]> By: Bill http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17544 Bill Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:34:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17544 What, no making up a price book for the different stores? (ala Tightwad Gazette)

]]> By: Jamie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17537 Jamie Wed, 11 Apr 2007 20:00:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17537 I was as surprised as Julie. I just assumed Fareway was cheaper. They don’t take a Credit Card, so they can presumably avoid that markup. Hy-Vee has a better selection, too–but that probably ends up helping them more than me.

]]> By: Mitch http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17515 Mitch Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:30:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17515 I know that Hy Vee is a temptation–every time we are in Columbia, MO I try to make a special stop there for some beef jerky! The national brands I’ve tried are pretty dry and flavorless.

We have always had to make special trips for certain things, e.g. the WW pasta we like (Racconto/Bella Terra). We stocked up on that in St. Louis (100 miles) away, but sometimes are a little stymied when we want to try online recipes. We need to get our armor on to ask managers…. Country Mart does stock various dhals, though.

But Most Significant Digit did mention today wanting to get a new mortar and pestle (he left his behind) and use more fresh herbs, but he was concerned about wasting the herbs, e.g. crushing the wrong amount. I thought of starting a container garden, but I killed even my mother’s Non-Dead Plant.

]]> By: Ursula http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17511 Ursula Wed, 11 Apr 2007 19:17:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17511 Good article Trent! :)

For those of you in the western states (CA, NV, ID, OR and perhaps WA) …. if you live near a WINCO I suggest checking it out! I’ve been shopping there since the end of last year and I can save literally 50% on my grocery bill compared to what I used to spend at Raley’s or Safeway!

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17504 Trent Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:46:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17504 Julie: that’s the thing. Hy-Vee is far better than Fareway at stocking their shelves to distract you into buying incidentals, but their prices on staple items are a little better. I’ve learned to shop with my eyes on my grocery list pretty tightly. If I didn’t do that, I’m betting that Fareway would be cheaper.

]]> By: Beth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17502 Beth Wed, 11 Apr 2007 18:43:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17502 This is a great idea. One thing I would at least also throw in for consideration is distance and hours. If the store 10 miles out of the way has marginally better prices, it may not really make sense to go there.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17476 Amy Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:50:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17476 To go a step further you can compare which stores have types of food for better prices. Better prices on meat at Store A and better prices on produce at store B and don’t only shop at one store. This is of course balanced by time and gas and it depends on your area whether it is convenient. For me the various stores are located next to other activites and errands and I am able to combine trips.

]]> By: Julie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17475 Julie Wed, 11 Apr 2007 16:48:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/11/how-to-pick-out-a-grocery-store-after-moving-or-if-youre-looking-to-save-a-few-dollars/#comment-17475 Your findings totally suprise me. I am also a central Iowan and I always assumed Fareway was cheaper than HyVee. I live only a few blocks from a HyVee, but have recently started driving across town to the Fareway because I thought I was saving a few dollars.

Actually I do save money at Fareway. I really hate the layout of this store so I am usually in and out very quickly because the annoyance factor is so high. At HyVee I tend to linger around end up getting several unplanned items.

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