On Apr 23, 5:47*pm, "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> "sf" > wrote in message
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> > On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:09:22 -0700, "Kent" >
> > wrote:
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> >> I think Safeway's exorbitant prices are pretty uniform everywhere.
>
> > Agreed.
>
> >> Their service is pretty marginal. Everyone frowns, unlike Trader Joes.
>
> > I have to disagree on both of those points. *I think we consider
> > Safeway to be sub par service to Trader Joe's because we see fewer
> > people stocking shelves at Safeway and therefore have fewer people in
> > the aisles to ask for assistance. *The smile factor is the same as is
> > the style of service once you find someone to help... and I've never
> > seen a produce employee at TJ's crack open anything to offer tastes on
> > the spur of the moment.
>
> I *hate* the TJs here. *Yes the clerks are in a good mood but they sell
> spoiled produce.

Not counting TJ's brand name bananas, I am leery of everything but
their bagged greens, except for the rare occasions that they have
brussels sprouts on the stalk. Their broccoli in particular tends to
be all sinewy stalk.

> And if they do get an item that I like, like the
> vegetarian pizzas, they never get it again.

Some things they carry for years, but much is hit or miss. Coffee is
the thing that they discontinue most annoyingly for us. But they used
to have Hanover pretzels and King Arthur Flour.

>
> I've never seen anyone at Safeway offer a taste of something except for the
> day they were having some kind of party and they were giving out samples all
> over. *Ours has some really nice clerks. *We know some of them personally.
> But there is one really oddball one. *I try to avoid his line.