Grocery Stores - do they think we're stupid? And are we?

[Anonymous]

I was in Blooms on Friday - which is the remodeled Food Lion grocery store. I'm naming them because that's where I was, not because they are the only ones that do this.

They have a section up front where you can just grab milk, eggs and bread, instead of wandering through the whole store. In the section they had a dozen eggs for $1.99. They also had a carton of 18 eggs for $3.59. I read it twice to make sure I wasn't mistaken. I pointed it out to my 14 year old, asking him if that was a good price. Uh - yeah, he got it. But while we stood there discussing it, a couple of people came, looked and took the 18 packs of eggs.

I understand that food prices are going up, and I understand that I'll have to pay more. But, what is that? My 14 year old said it's the Stupid Tax.

Does anyone see stuff like this? Does it make you angry?

[Anonymous]

Of course. This one is a little more justified but if you look toward the back of the shelf you can find items with longer expiration dates. Not a big deal if you go through things fast but can really help if you end up throwing stuff out b/c the date passed. The Safeway in our area is terrible about checking the shelf. Nothing worse then being distracted by my toddler and picking up something that has already passed the date!

I don't shop at Walmart but I understand that all the cheaper products are the ones in the middle highlighted to give you the idea that everything is cheaper there but many items are the same as other places.

I was so surprised organic products such as milk, Earth's best, and Yo Baby is actually chceaper at Whole Foods. Of course, you have to try to get through the store without buying anything else.

[Anonymous]

Stores, especially grocery stores, thrive on impulse buyers. Safeway, for example, thrives on "deals" like 10/$10 when sometimes it is cheaper to buy one of a different brands, for let's say, .79 (an example I saw the other day for gum).

Grocery stores know that there are more "careless" customers that don't have to time to bother checking the prices against the amount/weight - like you and your son noticed as people were buying the more expensive eggs.

Another marketing tactic is "advertising" a pair. Cereal may be a great bargain, but milk (or bananas or any other complement) may not be on sale or overpriced. Spaghetti may be buy one get one free, but the marinara sauce price(s) are no bargain.

Chalk it up to good marketing b/c obviously customers fall for it.

[Anonymous]

CVS is like that too. They jack up the prices on things that are "Extra Care" deals. One example this week: John Frieda Shampoo is $7.99, with $3 in Extra Care Bucks if you buy $15 worth. But the Rite Aid around the corner is selling it at the normal price of $6.49. Go figure.

[Anonymous]

OK I felt dumb yesterday because my husband told me Safeway had buy 1 get 1 free 18 eggs. The eggs were $5 and change for 18! Another tactic that is pissing me off is Tide. They have become "environmentally friendly" by making a smaller bottle that's supposed to be concentrated. The bottle is definitely smaller but the detergent IS NOT concentrated so therefore we are paying more for less. I have been shopping at places like Murry's and Save a Lot but even their prices have gone up

[Anonymous]

yea, I get pissed off at them taking an ounce or five away here and there, whether it's the juice, ice-cream, yoghurt drinks, etc etc. I mean come on, just raise the damn price already and don't try to fool me by giving me smaller portions! It just sux, because now I have to go more often or buy more at once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Safeway, for example, thrives on "deals" like 10/$10 when sometimes it is cheaper to buy one of a different brands, for let's say, .79 (an example I saw the other day for gum).

I don't think that's the same thing as what other PPs have said. A different brand is a different product, it may be similar or practically identical but it's not the same thing. Some people are attached to brands, others less so.

[Anonymous]

Oh, it gets me crazy too. 1 head of cauliflower at Giant for $3 or two heads at Shoppers for $3.49? And the eggs - oh, they are really having a field days with eggs. I finally went to BJ's (like Costco) and got 18 eggs for $1.79. I have to go back to planning my purchases and using the membership warehouses again. I can't afford to drive around shopping at five different stores, so I guess I am just going to do Shoppers and BJ's. I liked Whole Foods organic products, but I can't afford to drive over there just for those.

[Anonymous]

I think buyers should always look at price per item (or ounce, lb, etc..) and not the price of the package.

Actually I thought people do already.

[Anonymous]

food costs too much now between bills and gas I just feed my children and my husband and I eat if any is left over