I work at Trader Joe's. AMA.

[Anonymous]

Have the meatless meatballs been discontinued? I've tried looking for them twice and there's not even a sign for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:TJs milk is cheaper but goes bad much faster than a traditional grocery store. Why do you think that is? Is it older?

I have no idea, sorry. I don't buy milk that frequently but when I do, I haven't had that problem. Is it all kinds, or a specific kind (like the organic 2%)? Maybe it's the specific store's refrigeration?

Different poster, but we have had this problem with TJ's milk for the last decade or two. It's less of an issue for us currently, as one of my kids drinks a lot of milk and helps us get through it fast. But before this, we'd avoid the milk.

I noticed that as well. I used to never buy milk from trader Joe's as a result I think it has something to do with the cardboard containers because I haven't noticed the issue when I've bought plastic jugs

We always buy the plastic jugs of milk and have never had a problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you name some of the brands that sell the same product for less with a tj’s name? I bet Carr’s crackers is one.

Ritz is another one.

[Anonymous]

why won't they do curbside pickup? I miss trader joe's but have only been in a few times last summer before delta/omicron hit and this thread confirms all the reasons why (not strict on masking, small stores, employees coming in sick)

[Anonymous]

LOL at milk life! We used to get fresh milk from a cow milked that morning, and that was good for that day, maybe the next, but not meant to last for ages.
If you drink that little milk, just buy one of those long-life packages that do not even need refrigeration until opening.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The bread at TJ's definitely goes bad quickly too. I avoid buying bread products there.

Seriously? This is your complaint? This means that their bread is actually fresher!! Bread that last more than a couple of days is loaded with preservatives.

I've had bread get moldy in 2 days from Trader Joe's. That's unusable. Same thing with pita. This isn't freshness, something about how they store their bread is causing moisture problems. It may just be the store I shop at, but it's been a consistent issue.

I think they keep their bread frozen and then put it out on the shelves. Moisture builds up in the bag that facilitates mold.

Yes, I always see tons of condensation inside a lot of the bread bags so I don’t buy those.

Take it home, open the bag, let the condensation dry out, and use or freeze. This is not difficult.

If you leave food containers open, spores and bacteria can get in it making it spoil even faster, so I just don’t buy those. Fine if it works for you.

Enjoy your plastic bread!

No worries! I have no difficulty procuring bread that is neither quickly-molding TJ's bread nor plastic bread.

DP. Me neither! I bake it myself and the taste is beyond superior! And it has....yeast, flour, water, salt and occasionally a tiny bit of sugar.

[Anonymous]

Why is checkout so incredibly inefficient? Remove items from cart, stack items on counter, scan items, restack on other counter. Finally, bag items. You handle the same item at least three times.

[Anonymous]

Second, is there a reason TJ parking lots are the seventh level of hell? Is there some company policy that requires this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is checkout so incredibly inefficient? Remove items from cart, stack items on counter, scan items, restack on other counter. Finally, bag items. You handle the same item at least three times.

Two counters? What TJs does this? I've never seen it. But the TJs brand is kind of farmhousy, hence the wood checkouts. It's part of their look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is checkout so incredibly inefficient? Remove items from cart, stack items on counter, scan items, restack on other counter. Finally, bag items. You handle the same item at least three times.

Two counters? What TJs does this? I've never seen it. But the TJs brand is kind of farmhousy, hence the wood checkouts. It's part of their look.

My TJ pulls things from the cart. scans, stacks, and then bags. Same as other stores. I bag while they scan to be done faster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you still have find the monkey for kids? My kids are grown up but they loved that. And the stickers.

Love this. Ours was a bunny I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why is checkout so incredibly inefficient? Remove items from cart, stack items on counter, scan items, restack on other counter. Finally, bag items. You handle the same item at least three times.

TJ is the only store that bags well. I don’t care if they handle the item more often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second, is there a reason TJ parking lots are the seventh level of hell? Is there some company policy that requires this?

Seriously. Every single TJs I have ever been to. I think it is because they often add a TJs to an already established shopping center (even the new one in North Potomac - they just built a brand new TJs into a shopping center that was already there) rather than using the TJs as the anchor... and they don't add parking when they do it. The city TJs are even worse - they build an underground garage, but getting in and out of the garage is such a nightmare that I avoid those stores at all costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second, is there a reason TJ parking lots are the seventh level of hell? Is there some company policy that requires this?

Seriously. Every single TJs I have ever been to. I think it is because they often add a TJs to an already established shopping center (even the new one in North Potomac - they just built a brand new TJs into a shopping center that was already there) rather than using the TJs as the anchor... and they don't add parking when they do it. The city TJs are even worse - they build an underground garage, but getting in and out of the garage is such a nightmare that I avoid those stores at all costs.

It's on purpose, they save money by selecting locations with terrible parking that other retailers have passed up. Also they have the exact legal limit of interior space for a grocery store which is why they feel so cramped.

[Anonymous]

What does the training program look like at TJs?