Whole Foods Too Expensive, No Real Savings For People

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually don't think it's that expensive now compared to regular big shopping stores (Stop & Shop, Wegmans...) since those hiked their prices. Trader Joe's remains the cheapest/most pleasant ratio for me, but then it's all a toss up.

What at Trader Joe's? Frozen items?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unlike some of you I don't have a political axe to grind so have no problems shopping at WF nor do I make up stuff about WF.

My experience as a savvy shopper who checks out a range of supermarkets on a regular basis, WF is the best value for the quality you get. Their produce is the most consistently reliable. And it is good! And it's not particularly more expensive than, say, Giant or Safeway. And it's cheaper than MOMs. Some people like to claim MOMs has better quality but I go there regularly and am not convinced by this argument. And it's definitely cheaper than the farmers markets.

Like for like items of the same brand are similarly priced af WF as at any generic supermarket. WF also has the 365 range, which is pretty inexpensive. And the Prime discount absolutely pays for itself.

WF historically was known as Whole Foods Whole Paycheck but it's cheaper now than it was 20 years ago, adjusting for inflation. You can definitely shop cheaper elsewhere but people making this argument are typically buying a different basket of goods for the most part, relying on a different diet and lower quality brands.

Yep

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whole Foods used t be way more expensive! Now at least in our area it’s cheaper than Safeway and much cheaper than our smaller regional high end grocery stores. However…this is only for produce that is in season, some basic meats, and pantry items when they are on sale. The frozen and prepared stuff and baking ingredients are far more expensive.

1. Costco for bulk items that we use frequently. I will wait for sales and buy one, two or maybe three to get through to the next sale on things like toilet paper, coffee, trash bags, laundry detergent etc. Costco milk, eggs, flour, olive oil etc is always cheaper.

2. Target or Safeway for boxed cereal but only when it is a significant sale.

3. Trader Joe’s for some frozen stuff, produce in small amounts that I plan to use immediately.

4. Whole Foods for meat and produce.

This. WF has the same or similar prices on meat and produce but it's usually better quality. Their canned goods are slightly more expensive but cheaper than non-store-brand organic and non-gmo, which I do sometimes care about.

Stay away from their prepared foods, that's where they gouge you.

TJs has some specific stuff that is a deal. Nuts for instance are always cheaper there. Dairy (especially eggs and yogurt) often a good deal. TJs prepared foods tend to be well priced.

Other stores you have to shop coupons and sales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually don't think it's that expensive now compared to regular big shopping stores (Stop & Shop, Wegmans...) since those hiked their prices. Trader Joe's remains the cheapest/most pleasant ratio for me, but then it's all a toss up.

What at Trader Joe's? Frozen items?

DP: Search for some of the TJ’s threads. I buy salmon, dried fruit, nuts, cheese, avocados, potatoes, sweet potatoes, flatbread, and bacon pretty regularly, as well as frozen foods.

[Anonymous]

WF is not what it used to be. Prepared foods and bakery have gone downhill, and produce is hit and miss. Some nonperishables and frozen veggies are still competitively priced.

It’s definitely a preferable option in some areas though. For example, the one in Reston is better than the TJs and Wegmans there.

[Anonymous]

Since at least 2006, when my now-wife and I had a “battle” as to which grocery store to frequent, Whole Foods has been comparable—and often less expensive—in every like-for-like comparison I have seen.

Whole Foods does have more options in the higher price point range and other stores have more lower-priced options; however, if you’re basket of goods will be the same, Whole Foods is a viable option for a price-conscious consumer.

During this lapse, I have spent some free time doing like-for-like comparisons of shelf-stable and dairy products and brands; Whole Foods consistently offers either the same price or a lower price.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WF is not what it used to be. Prepared foods and bakery have gone downhill, and produce is hit and miss. Some nonperishables and frozen veggies are still competitively priced.

It’s definitely a preferable option in some areas though. For example, the one in Reston is better than the TJs and Wegmans there.

I never buy prepared foods and will agree it's not the best bakery around. But find it hard to accept your claim that it's not what it used to be. I take cooking seriously and the two WFs near me have impeccable produce sections. Are there "better" produce elsewhere? Yes, but only on a selective basis. Right now the apples at the farmers market are better than anything you can find in any supermarkets. But on the other hand, much of the produce at farmers markets isn't "better" than at a typical WF at a given time, especially when buying non seasonal produce.

I do find Wegmans comparable enough but it's also further away than the two WF near me, so I rarely go there.

[Anonymous]

They have a lot of things I can’t get anywhere else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WF is not what it used to be. Prepared foods and bakery have gone downhill, and produce is hit and miss. Some nonperishables and frozen veggies are still competitively priced.

It’s definitely a preferable option in some areas though. For example, the one in Reston is better than the TJs and Wegmans there.

Good point! Not all Whole Foods stores are alike. Some are definitely MUCH better than others. Still, I agree with your overall assessment. There has been a downhill slide in quality.

[Anonymous]

I love shopping at Whole Foods and want to support stores that ban artificial ingredients and preservatives. The produce is so much better quality than elsewhere, and not more expensive. It's just that you can't let yourself be tempted by the fancy imported stuff!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WF is not what it used to be. Prepared foods and bakery have gone downhill, and produce is hit and miss. Some nonperishables and frozen veggies are still competitively priced.

It’s definitely a preferable option in some areas though. For example, the one in Reston is better than the TJs and Wegmans there.

I never buy prepared foods and will agree it's not the best bakery around. But find it hard to accept your claim that it's not what it used to be. I take cooking seriously and the two WFs near me have impeccable produce sections. Are there "better" produce elsewhere? Yes, but only on a selective basis. Right now the apples at the farmers market are better than anything you can find in any supermarkets. But on the other hand, much of the produce at farmers markets isn't "better" than at a typical WF at a given time, especially when buying non seasonal produce.

I do find Wegmans comparable enough but it's also further away than the two WF near me, so I rarely go there.

I think you're going to the wrong farmers markets.

I am wondering which Whole Foods you're going to, because the ones in DC definitely have gotten worse

For quality I generally like Mom's the best, after farmers markets, supplemented by Costco.

[Anonymous]

We could not afford it even before Bezos bought it. I have no idea why anyone would think it would be less expensive now.

[Anonymous]

the WF in Fair Lakes is disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love shopping at Whole Foods and want to support stores that ban artificial ingredients and preservatives. The produce is so much better quality than elsewhere, and not more expensive. It's just that you can't let yourself be tempted by the fancy imported stuff!!!

We can afford Safeway and Giant produce. We cannot afford WF produce, because it really is much more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand why the Amazon Wholesale Foods executives don’t get a clue already. Shopping there offers no savings or value for the money in the economic times we are living in. Bezos and his cronies are rich enough so why don’t they pass some of that wealth on to the consumers that made him rich in the first place. I don’t like all the biometric crap either. No I don’t want to pay with the palm of my hand you jerks. Enough already. Every time I would go there it’s a mass collection of my personal data and I feel nickled and dimed. I stopped going there three months ago and now prefer Trader Joe’s. Get a clue already Amazon/Whole Foods! You ruined a great shopping experience trying to corporate market your way out of everything in Whole Goods markets. Sucked the essence of what made Whole Foods great in the first place. Corporate clowns. All you care about are your Hamptons Beach Houses.

Is that what that thing is next to the self checkouts, a biometric hand scanner to pay? Who is their right mind is using that palm scanner thing? I've personally never seen anyone use it.