On Apr 24, 8:16*am, sf > wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:28:49 -0600, Janet Bostwick
>
> > wrote:
> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:07:41 -0700 (PDT), "
> > > wrote:
>
> > >snip
> > *And while Albertsons has a reputation for
> > >cheap, all 5 items were considerably higher than Safeway's regular
> > >prices.
>
> > snip
> > Not on my planet. *Albertsons is known for out-pricing the competition
> > around here. . .I thought that was universal.
> > Janet US
>
> It is here. *They went back to the "Lucky" name where I live, but they
> pretty much lost me as a customer during the time they went
> "Albertson" because they were so expensive and I wasn't getting
> anything upscale for the money. *As "Lucky", they're an equal with
> Safeway. *Maybe they have different sales and carry a few different
> brands, but pricewise - they're the same.
>

Two companies now own the Albertsons name: SuperValu and Albertsons
LLC. The Lucky Stores in NorCal (formerly Albertson's, formerly
Lucky's) are owned by Save Mart.

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:26:50 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> wrote:

>
>"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:07:41 -0700 (PDT), "
>> > wrote:
>>
>>>snip
>> And while Albertsons has a reputation for
>>>cheap, all 5 items were considerably higher than Safeway's regular
>>>prices.
>>>
>> snip
>> Not on my planet. Albertsons is known for out-pricing the competition
>> around here. . .I thought that was universal.
>
>Nope. Winco almost always beats Albertsons.
>
Winco more expensive than Albertsons? Wow! Around here you can save
25%+_ on your grocery bill by shopping Winco.
Janet US

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:31:56 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> wrote:

> On Apr 24, 8:16*am, sf > wrote:
> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:28:49 -0600, Janet Bostwick
> >
> > As "Lucky", they're an equal with
> > Safeway. *Maybe they have different sales and carry a few different
> > brands, but pricewise - they're the same.
> >
>
> Two companies now own the Albertsons name: SuperValu and Albertsons
> LLC. The Lucky Stores in NorCal (formerly Albertson's, formerly
> Lucky's) are owned by Save Mart.

To be perfectly honest, I don't care who owns what. I'm an end
consumer.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

spamtrap1888 wrote:

> for years they
> carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
> get it at Smart and Final.

When does KA make a diffference over Gold Medal or store brand?
I tried KA unbleached white once. I made cookies, brownies, and white
bread, and they were all indistinguishable from ones with regular
flour.

On 4/24/2012 11:24 AM, spamtrap1888 wrote:

> Similarly for years they
> carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
> get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
> both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
> business. So why the change?

Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
wondering.

Becca

On Apr 24, 10:26*am, Ema Nymton > wrote:
> On 4/24/2012 11:24 AM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
>
> > Similarly for years they
> > carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
> > get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
> > both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
> > business. So why the change?
>
> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? *Just
> wondering.
>
> Becca

I loved it when I was baking my multi grain bread. Their whole wheat
bread flour is fabulous.

On 4/24/2012 1:44 PM, ImStillMags wrote:

>> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>> wondering.
>>
>> Becca
>
> I loved it when I was baking my multi grain bread. Their whole wheat
> bread flour is fabulous.


Thank you for letting me know, I might give King Arthur flour a try.

Becca

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:53:45 -0500, Ema Nymton >
wrote:

>On 4/24/2012 1:44 PM, ImStillMags wrote:
>
>>> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>>> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>>> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>>> wondering.
>>>
>>> Becca
>>
>> I loved it when I was baking my multi grain bread. Their whole wheat
>> bread flour is fabulous.
>
>
>Thank you for letting me know, I might give King Arthur flour a try.
>
>Becca
>
I wouldn't buy anything but their white whole wheat bread flour. It
still tastes like whole wheat but lacks that (bitter?) taste at the
back of the tongue. The white whole wheat is naturally the result of
a light grain. The flour is not bleached in any way.
Janet US

On Apr 23, 1:49*am, "Julie Bove" > wrote:
> So I now know that these two are one and the same. *I do remember seeing a
> Smart and Final in Oakland. *I always wanted to go there but was never able
> to.
>
> So for those of you who go there... *What do you buy? *I don't necessarily
> need to buy large quantities of things most of the time. *However, once my
> husband moves back here I will be needing some things in large quantities..
> Amazing how much food one man can consume! *Anyway...
>
> We didn't have time to browse every aisle like we wanted to. *I saw super
> good prices on produce and cheese. *And the bread was cheap. *12 pack sodas
> were more expensive than the sale price at most groceries. *And this week, 2
> stores that I know of are giving out free stuff if you buy 3 of the 12 pack
> Coke products. *We got the skinny cans at Albertson's for free and Vitamin
> water at Target. *Target was also giving out chips if you bought the skinny
> cans but we didn't need the chips.
>
> Anyway... *What sorts of things should I look for there? *Thanks!

Leave it to food retailers to egg on consumers with extra junk for
buying junk. I'd hate to know how much money is spent on soda in the
US.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:26:50 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:07:41 -0700 (PDT), "
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >>snip
>> > And while Albertsons has a reputation for
>> >>cheap, all 5 items were considerably higher than Safeway's regular
>> >>prices.
>> >>
>> > snip
>> > Not on my planet. Albertsons is known for out-pricing the competition
>> > around here. . .I thought that was universal.
>>
>> Nope. Winco almost always beats Albertsons.
>>
> WinCo is more expensive than Albertsons? I thought it was cheap, like
> Cub.

Um... No. I said it BEATS Albertsons. Meaning better. Cheaper.

"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:26:50 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>"Janet Bostwick" > wrote in message
. ..
>>> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:07:41 -0700 (PDT), "
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>>snip
>>> And while Albertsons has a reputation for
>>>>cheap, all 5 items were considerably higher than Safeway's regular
>>>>prices.
>>>>
>>> snip
>>> Not on my planet. Albertsons is known for out-pricing the competition
>>> around here. . .I thought that was universal.
>>
>>Nope. Winco almost always beats Albertsons.
>>
> Winco more expensive than Albertsons? Wow! Around here you can save
> 25%+_ on your grocery bill by shopping Winco.

Read it again. I said it almost always beats Albertsons. I have gotten a
few things at Albies on sale that would be a better price. But that's about
it.

On 4/24/2012 4:11 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:

> I wouldn't buy anything but their white whole wheat bread flour. It
> still tastes like whole wheat but lacks that (bitter?) taste at the
> back of the tongue. The white whole wheat is naturally the result of
> a light grain. The flour is not bleached in any way.
> Janet US

Thanks for the info, Janet, I did not pay attention to what they had, I
just noticed it was King Arthur Flour and we have talked about it in the
newsgroup. I will see if they have white whole wheat.

Becca

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:35:27 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> > wrote:
>
>>
>> "sf" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:47:49 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>> > > wrote:
>> >
>> >> I *hate* the TJs here. Yes the clerks are in a good mood but they
>> >> sell
>> >> spoiled produce.
>> >
>> > My TJ's have produce that's fine, but I avoid their meat like the
>> > plague.
>>
>> They've had tainted beef far too many times to suit me.
>
> For that matter, they've had tainted packaged vegetables too. Trader
> Joe's started off being cheese, wine and canned goods. Stick to those
> and you'll do just fine.
>
No need to go there then! I don't buy wine. Usually buy cheese and canned
goods at Costco.

>> I don't know about the rest of their meats.
>>
>
> I was never big on buying meat there, but what really turned me off
> was the time hubby came home with a package of beautiful little t-bone
> lamb chops... the package was well under the sell by date, but the
> clear plastic was inflated. I knew immediately there was a problem,
> but opened it anyway and the stench was over powering. He took it
> back and was going to get a different package, but they were all that
> way. I don't trust how they handle meat and I'm talking about the
> entire process, not limiting myself to the retail level.

Ew.

spamtrap1888 wrote:
> On Apr 24, 2:14 am, "
> > wrote:
>> On Apr 23, 2:09 pm, "Kent" > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> "Julie Bove" ...
>>> "sf" > wroteinmessage
>>
>>> ...
>>
>>>> On Sun, 22 Apr 2012 22:49:06 -0700, "Julie Bove"
>>>> > wrote:
>>
>>>>> So I now know that these two are one and the same. I do remember
>>>>> seeing
>>>>> a>> Smart and FinalinOakland. I always wanted to go there but was
>>>>> never
>>>>> able
>>>>> to.
>>
>>>>> So for those of you who go there... What do you buy? I don't
>>>>> necessarily>> need to buy large quantities of things most of the
>>>>> time. However, once
>>>>> my>> husband moves back here I will be needing some thingsinlarge
>>>>> quantities.>> Amazing how much food one man can consume! Anyway...
>>
>>>>> We didn't have time to browse every aisle like we wanted to. I
>>>>> saw super
>>>>> good prices on produce and cheese. And the bread was cheap. 12
>>>>> pack
>>>>> sodas
>>>>> were more expensive than the sale price at most groceries. And
>>>>> this
>>>>> week, 2>> stores that I know of are giving out free stuff if you
>>>>> buy 3 of the 12
>>>>> pack>> Coke products. We got the skinny cans at Albertson's for
>>>>> free and>> Vitamin>> water at Target. Target was also giving out
>>>>> chips if you bought the>> skinny cans but we didn't need the
>>>>> chips.
>>
>>>>> Anyway... What sorts of things should I look for there? Thanks!
>>
>>>> Just walk down the aisles of the one you will shop at and scope
>>>> it> out, Julie. Theyoften have a really good price on butter, but>
>>>> Safeway just got a new brand that's veryinexpensive and other
>>>> brands> are usually on sale. I have 3 S&F/C&C nearby andthey're
>>>> all> different. Theydo haveindustrial sized cans of stuff
>>>> andincertain> stores (I think the ones labeled as Cash & Carry)
>>>> there are walkin meat lockers where you can buy whole cuts of
>>>> cryovac meat. The first> time I ever saw Mayocoba beans, it was a
>>>> 25pound bag at Smart &> Final. I like dried beans, but notinthat
>>>> quantity.
>>
>>> I didn't realizetheywere all different! Here, Safeway is one of the
>>> highest priced places to shop. I rarely go there. Only if I just
>>> need acouple of things and am by one or iftheyhave a sale on
>>> something. Theydo have good sale prices sometimes.
>>
>>> I think Safeway's exorbitant prices are pretty uniform everywhere.
>>> Theirservice is pretty marginal. Everyone frowns, unlike Trader
>>> Joes.
>>
>> Perhaps you should fill out a comment card. Safeway has a very big
>> service program, and it includes being friendly, greeting with a
>> smile, etc. Your description doesn't fit with my Safeway, or the ones
>> i go to when I travel.
>>
>> I hated Trader Joes. The people were nice, yes, but everything was
>> weird. I wanted to make a salad, and I could not find a normal Ranch
>> dressing. There was some light version, but that was the only one.
>> Most stores have multiple brands to choose from.
>
> Costco doesn't, but the lack of variety doesn't keep people from
> shopping there. Further, Trader Joes has housebrands wherever
> possible.
>
I shop at Costco knowing that I might not get what I want. I am there
looking for bargains.

<snip>

Julie Bove wrote:

> I shop at Costco knowing that I might not get what I want. I am there
> looking for bargains.

Good old common sense. Well said, Julie.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:20:30 -0700, "Kent" >
> wrote:
>
>> At our Safeway all the employees frown all the time, I think even at
>> lunch
>> and when they go to the restroom.
>
> Maybe the sourpuss attitude is just your Safeway, maybe it's a
> reflection of the customer's attitude.
>
>> That is consistent with the low service
>> rating Safeway received in Consumer Reports recently.
>
> Maybe they forgot to read and reflect the report. I can only say my
> experience is different from yours and I have several Safeway's to
> choose from.
>
>> I've never been
>> offered a produce taste anywhere. In the Moraga Produce market I just
>> mentioned, they have sample plates all around.
>
> I'm not talking about sample plates, I'm talking about good old
> fashioned open a box or cut whatever it is that's being discussed with
> the customer and give a taste. The produce person at the big Safeway
> nearest to me does that.... and sells a lot more because of it. I
> also noticed that their fish counter, the one that mimics an old
> fashioned fish monger, responded to something I said a few weeks ago.
> I told the counter person that I wanted to buy wild caught,
> sustainable (North American if possible) fish and that's what all of
> them point out now w/o me asking - it's also clearly noted as such on
> the tags.
>
> Food is an important part of a balanced diet.
>\
>
I didn't know that about the produce nibble. I haven't ever seen anyone
getting a nibble in the two Safeways near us. I've purchased mussels
recently at the Safeway. One clerk was very nice. One was overtly indignant
when I asked him to make sure the mussels were closed. BTW, mussels are
$3.79/lb there, for cardholders. Steamed mussels and mussels with pasta are
both great dishes.

Kent

On Apr 24, 3:53*pm, George M. Middius > wrote:
> Julie Bove wrote:
> > I shop at Costco knowing that I might not get what I want. *I am there
> > looking for bargains.
>
> Good old common sense. Well said, Julie.

And Costco charges only $55 a year for its bargain hunting license.

The only real bargain I ever found at Costco was an Optima battery.
Most things they have for sale are priced the same at Smart and Final.
Costco last week was selling Tide in the giant container for $2 more
than Target. My wife bought Michelins from a tire store near her work
for less than the Costco price. The Sony TV we liked was cheaper at
Best Buy. But my wife likes to shop there, so, so be it. I do like
their boxes of Campari tomatoes, but they're sure not cheap.

spamtrap1888 wrote:
> On Apr 24, 3:53 pm, George M. Middius > wrote:
>> Julie Bove wrote:
>>> I shop at Costco knowing that I might not get what I want. I am
>>> there looking for bargains.
>>
>> Good old common sense. Well said, Julie.
>
> And Costco charges only $55 a year for its bargain hunting license.
>
> The only real bargain I ever found at Costco was an Optima battery.
> Most things they have for sale are priced the same at Smart and Final.
> Costco last week was selling Tide in the giant container for $2 more
> than Target. My wife bought Michelins from a tire store near her work
> for less than the Costco price. The Sony TV we liked was cheaper at
> Best Buy. But my wife likes to shop there, so, so be it. I do like
> their boxes of Campari tomatoes, but they're sure not cheap.

We have the better membership so $110 a year. My husband buys all sorts of
things there. He said they have the best price on golf balls. I buy
cheese, meat, hemp hearts, flax seed (sadly none to be had last time),
canned goods, sometimes cat litter, paper products, supplements, shampoo,
body wash, makeup, beverages... And I use them to send presents to people
in other states. They don't charge postage and their gift baskets are
really good values.

On 4/24/2012 5:34 PM, Ema Nymton wrote:
> On 4/24/2012 4:11 PM, Janet Bostwick wrote:
>
>> I wouldn't buy anything but their white whole wheat bread flour. It
>> still tastes like whole wheat but lacks that (bitter?) taste at the
>> back of the tongue. The white whole wheat is naturally the result of
>> a light grain. The flour is not bleached in any way.
>> Janet US
>
> Thanks for the info, Janet, I did not pay attention to what they had, I
> just noticed it was King Arthur Flour and we have talked about it in the
> newsgroup. I will see if they have white whole wheat.
>
It's very tasty stuff- - I've been baking with it for many years.

spamtrap1888 wrote:

> > > I shop at Costco knowing that I might not get what I want. *I am there
> > > looking for bargains.
> >
> > Good old common sense. Well said, Julie.
>
> And Costco charges only $55 a year for its bargain hunting license.
>
> The only real bargain I ever found at Costco was an Optima battery.
> Most things they have for sale are priced the same at Smart and Final.

2-lb bag of Philippine mango $15
giant jar of pickled jalapeno slices $6
LOL butter $1.88 (other stores around here charge ~$4)
a dozen fresh croissants $8
KA Pro 6-qt mixer $350

Where I live, those are great deals. (I'm not a member so I don't go
there often.)

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:24:45 -0700 (PDT), spamtrap1888
> wrote:



>
> Similarly for years they
>carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
>get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
>both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
>business. So why the change?

Many possibilities. Selling to the big chains is not so simple. They
demanded the suppliers do thing they did not want to do. TJ's did not
pay them with reasonable terms. They would not pay a fair price. They
are difficult to ship to the warehouse and have special packing
requirements. and on and on and on.

I have limited exposure to these types of businesses and want to keep
it that way. It is not easy to meet their needs at times and it
really eats into the profits. Some truckers won't even deliver to
grocery warehouses because of the hassles.

On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:48 -0500, Ema Nymton >
wrote:

>On 4/24/2012 11:24 AM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
>
>> Similarly for years they
>> carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
>> get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
>> both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
>> business. So why the change?
>
>Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>wondering.
>
>Becca

My wife prefers it. She says breads rise better with KA and the
texture is better. I don't bake so I have no personal experience.

On 4/24/2012 10:50 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:48 -0500, Ema >
> wrote:
>
>> On 4/24/2012 11:24 AM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
>>
>>> Similarly for years they
>>> carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
>>> get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
>>> both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
>>> business. So why the change?
>>
>> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>> wondering.
>>
>> Becca
>
> My wife prefers it. She says breads rise better with KA and the
> texture is better. I don't bake so I have no personal experience.

Years ago I wouldn't have believed that, but having tested the theory
myself, I agree with your wife.

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 08:23:07 -0400, S Viemeister
> wrote:

> On 4/24/2012 10:50 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> > On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:48 -0500, Ema >
> > wrote:
> >
> >> On 4/24/2012 11:24 AM, spamtrap1888 wrote:
> >>
> >>> Similarly for years they
> >>> carried King Arthur Flour before abruptly dropping it. Luckily I can
> >>> get it at Smart and Final. Neither product requires refrigeration,
> >>> both have a long sell-by date, both manufacturers are still in
> >>> business. So why the change?
> >>
> >> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
> >> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
> >> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
> >> wondering.
> >>
> >> Becca
> >
> > My wife prefers it. She says breads rise better with KA and the
> > texture is better. I don't bake so I have no personal experience.
>
> Years ago I wouldn't have believed that, but having tested the theory
> myself, I agree with your wife.

So, bread is better with King Arthur and biscuits are better with
White Lily, the rest of us just work with what we can find at the
grocery store. Fortunately for me, I saw King Arthur on a shelf
somewhere within the last few months. Now I have to remember where I
saw it.

--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On 4/24/2012 9:50 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:48 -0500, Ema >

>> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>> wondering.
>>
>> Becca
>
> My wife prefers it. She says breads rise better with KA and the
> texture is better. I don't bake so I have no personal experience.

Thank you for your comments, I will have to give King Arthur flour a try.

Becca

On Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:46:37 -0500, Ema Nymton >
wrote:

>On 4/24/2012 9:50 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>> On Tue, 24 Apr 2012 12:26:48 -0500, Ema >
>
>>> Recently, I noticed King Arthur Flour on the shelves at the stores here
>>> in Texas (it is not advertised, here). This flour is at least twice the
>>> price of other brands. Is there some reason I should try it? Just
>>> wondering.
>>>
>>> Becca
>>
>> My wife prefers it. She says breads rise better with KA and the
>> texture is better. I don't bake so I have no personal experience.
>
>Thank you for your comments, I will have to give King Arthur flour a try.

I would say it can't hurt to try KA once, but unless you're a very
experienced and fussy baker you won't notice any difference. I
usually buy Heckers flour and find it works fine. If whatever you're
baking isn't turning out well the very last reason is the brand of
flour. The big national (Pillsbury, Gold Medal, etc.) brands are as
good as any but sometimes it makes a difference where you buy, some
markets don't store products properly, if they cheat on the A/C their
flour spoils. Also flour is date marked so check. I don't buy flour
at ethnic markets as it picks up odors of smoked meats. I don't buy
any dry goods at ethnic markets, no rice, no beans, not even salt and
sugar.