Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
some of which I question.

For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
deal when they buy them?

Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.

Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
stuff.

Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

nancy

On 1/26/2014 10:17 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
(snippage)

> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
> stuff.
>
> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
> nancy

Not in my house! I don't stick strictly to a list, but I do use a list
for things I *know* I need. (If I don't write it down, I'll forget it.
And no, I don't have a cell phone so no shopping list apps.) I'll
pick up the occasional splurge item, go a few bucks over what I planned
to buy. Certainly not $250 worth!

Jill

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
> stuff.
>
> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you?

Whoa...not nearly that much difference. I always take a list to the
grocery store but I always do add a few extra items each time. My $20
plan can turn into $30 or $40 sometimes, but NOT $250. That's just
very strange.

G.

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
> Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
> other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
> deal when they buy them?
>
> Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
> maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
> notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
> paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.
>
> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
> stuff.
>
> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
> nancy

Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
picking up other things on the way to the eggs.

Cheri

On 1/26/2014 10:24 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 1/26/2014 10:17 AM, Nancy Young wrote:

>> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
>> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
>> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
>> stuff.
>>
>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

> Not in my house! I don't stick strictly to a list, but I do use a list
> for things I *know* I need. (If I don't write it down, I'll forget it.

Sad, but true.

> And no, I don't have a cell phone so no shopping list apps.) I'll
> pick up the occasional splurge item, go a few bucks over what I planned
> to buy. Certainly not $250 worth!

I know if I need a whole lot of stuff, it wouldn't suddenly occur
to me after I got to the store. Oh yeah, I need 10 items from every
aisle, silly me!

On the other hand, I am not delusional enough to think that my
list is absolutely complete. Or than I won't come across something
I decide I want.

nancy

On 26-Jan-2014, Nancy Young > wrote:

> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
> Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
> other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
> deal when they buy them?
>
> Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
> maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
> notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
> paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.

I too am on the oblivious side. The only price I KNOW is Chiquita bananas
29 cent/pound. Eggs are around 1.50/dozen; plus or minus 30 cents. Coke
products are almost always on sale for about 3/12packs for $12. That's it.

On 1/26/2014 10:27 AM, wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young
> > wrote:

>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

> I have sometimes spent more, for instance, if I see chuck beef at a
> great price I might decide to make a stew or beef barley soup that I
> hadn't planned for on my list, so will buy onions/carrots etc that I
> then need. Not huge amounts though.

I know what they say, make a list and stick with it. Believe
me, there were times in my life I didn't have a choice. But assuming
you aren't living on the edge, I fail to see why you wouldn't take
advantage of a good price when you see it, just because it wasn't
On The List.

> What they do which I loathe, is that switching of shelves so that you
> are looking at stuff you didn't bother looking at before because you
> shopped with your list and knew where the stuff was you wanted.

I know that's why they do it but it's annoying as hell. Takes me
forever to find where they put everything.

> I like
> to get in and out quickly, usually go about 7a.m. to avoid crowds and
> I don't appreciate being jerked about and have told them so

Every store does it, it must be worth their while. I'm not a
morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
shop).

nancy

On 1/26/2014 10:41 AM, Cheri wrote:
>
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
>> some of which I question.
>>
(snippage)
>> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
>> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
>> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
>> stuff.
>>
>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>>
>> nancy
>
> Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
> picking up other things on the way to the eggs.
>
> Cheri

That's exactly why they put eggs, milk, etc. at the back of the store.

Jill

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young wrote:

> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts, some of which I
> question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the price of only
> four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs. Ninety-five percent of
> shoppers have no idea what all the other items cost and don't know if
> they're getting a good deal when they buy them?
>
> Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price, maybe I'm
> wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I notice when
> something's a good price or higher than I remember paying before. I
> don't actually know what milk goes for.

Ditto.


> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I just
> stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of stuff.
>
> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only planned to get a
> couple of items, but $250? Has it ever happened to you?

Guilty as charged. I've gone into a (big chain) supermarket for 'milk and
bread' and bought so much other food stuffs that the store manager offered
to help carry said stuff to my car himself... But that was because I went
shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?

> Happens enough that it winds up being mentioned in an article as if it
> happens every day?

As far as I am aware, none of my food shopping sprees have ever been
newsworthy. Clearly I am not related in any way to the Kardashians (sp?)
and their ilk. Oh wait, these 'celebs' don't buy food and/or cook anything
themselves; they have personal chefs etc. who do all that for them - so
maybe that's who these 'experts' base their research on ? <laugh>

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

On 2014-01-26, Nancy Young > wrote:

> Reader's Digest had comments.....

Reader's Digest still exists!?

nb

Nancy Young wrote:
>
> I'm not a
> morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
> a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
> shop).

hehheh
Years ago when I was also always shopping for a girlfriend, grocery
shopping on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm was a great place
to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
way. It *does* work.

G.

"Gary" > wrote in message ...
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> I'm not a
>> morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
>> a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
>> shop).
>
> hehheh
> Years ago when I was also always shopping for a girlfriend, grocery
> shopping on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm was a great place
> to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
> married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
> shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
> way. It *does* work.

This should begin a whole new thread: when shopping for a mate in a
supermarket, what should you be checking out in the shopping cart (after you
have first checked out the possible mate)? What a definate must haves? What
are your turn offs?

On 1/26/2014 11:13 AM, Gary wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> I'm not a
>> morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
>> a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
>> shop).
>
> hehheh
> Years ago when I was also always shopping for a girlfriend, grocery
> shopping on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm was a great place
> to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
> married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
> shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
> way. It *does* work.
>
> G.
>
It's funny you should mention that. I remember a *long* time ago, could
be 25 years, in the Memphis, TN area, Kroger tried to introduce "singles
night". (I don't know if that's what they called it, but that was the
idea.) They offered beverages and snacks for "singles" who apparently
didn't have anything else to do.

Jill

On 1/26/2014 11:00 AM, ChattyCathy wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young wrote:
>
>> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
>> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I just
>> stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of stuff.
>>
>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only planned to get a
>> couple of items, but $250? Has it ever happened to you?
>
> Guilty as charged. I've gone into a (big chain) supermarket for 'milk and
> bread' and bought so much other food stuffs that the store manager offered
> to help carry said stuff to my car himself... But that was because I went
> shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?
>
(snippage)

Oh yeah! Shopping while hungry is a no-no! If I haven't eaten or at
least had a small snack before I hit the store *lots* of things I don't
need wind up looking good. That doesn't mean I buy all of them, but the
temptation sure is there!

Jill

On 1/26/2014 10:49 AM, l not -l wrote:
> On 26-Jan-2014, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
>> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
>> some of which I question.

>> Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
>> maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
>> notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
>> paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.
>
> I too am on the oblivious side. The only price I KNOW is Chiquita bananas
> 29 cent/pound. Eggs are around 1.50/dozen; plus or minus 30 cents. Coke
> products are almost always on sale for about 3/12packs for $12. That's it.

I have a few more in my head, but not a lot. But when I see the price
in the store, I know if it's high or low. If that makes any sense.

I buy Coke around any holiday, sometimes you get as many as 5 12 packs
for $10. 3 for $12 is high for where I shop. It's one of those things
where there is such a huge disparity between full price and the sale
price that I feel ripped off if I don't get it on sale.

nancy

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:

>Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
>some of which I question.
>
>For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
>price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
>Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
>other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
>deal when they buy them?
>
>Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
>maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
>notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
>paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.
>
>Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
>Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
>just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
>stuff.
>
>Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
>nancy

I must be in the minority around here. We have cards for a couple of
local grocery stores and I am registered to get an email from our
favorite store on Sunday morning (when the new ads come out) with a
list of about a dozen things we normally buy that are on special this
month. There is a link to the full flyer. We make a list of what we
are out of or need for various meals. We also check to see what is on
sale. For example when coffee is on sale BOGO we stock up. If we see
other good deals we may plan meals around some of the sale items. Then
check the freezer and pantry to make sure that we have what we need
for the new plan. Meal plans in summer are whatever is ready in the
garden or what looks good at the farmer's market.

We still end up at the store at least 3 more times during the week. We
live just outside of a small town and a trip to any place is not that
far and if I see 10 cars on the road it is heavy traffic.
--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral,
48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

On 1/26/2014 11:13 AM, Gary wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>>
>> I'm not a
>> morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
>> a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
>> shop).
>
> hehheh
> Years ago when I was also always shopping for a girlfriend, grocery
> shopping on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm was a great place
> to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
> married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
> shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
> way. It *does* work.

(laugh) Are you all Oh, how do you cook this broccoli?

Better pick up line than most I've heard about.

nancy

On 1/26/2014 10:41 AM, Cheri wrote:
>
> "Nancy Young" > wrote

>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

> Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
> picking up other things on the way to the eggs.

I don't know that I'd actually go to the store if all I
needed was eggs, for that matter.

nancy

On 1/26/2014 11:04 AM, notbob wrote:
> On 2014-01-26, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
>> Reader's Digest had comments.....
>
> Reader's Digest still exists!?

No.

nancy

On 1/26/2014 11:45 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> On 1/26/2014 11:13 AM, Gary wrote:
>> Nancy Young wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm not a
>>> morning person, but I have found that shopping in the evening is
>>> a dream, too. You have the place to yourself (at least where I
>>> shop).
>>
>> hehheh
>> Years ago when I was also always shopping for a girlfriend, grocery
>> shopping on Friday or Saturday evenings around 7pm was a great place
>> to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
>> married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
>> shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
>> way. It *does* work.
>
> (laugh) Are you all Oh, how do you cook this broccoli?
>
> Better pick up line than most I've heard about.
>
> nancy
>
Hopefully he wasn't lurking by the melons. <wink>

Jill

On 1/26/2014 11:43 AM, The Cook wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young

>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

> I must be in the minority around here. We have cards for a couple of
> local grocery stores and I am registered to get an email from our
> favorite store on Sunday morning (when the new ads come out) with a
> list of about a dozen things we normally buy that are on special this
> month. There is a link to the full flyer. We make a list of what we
> are out of or need for various meals. We also check to see what is on
> sale. For example when coffee is on sale BOGO we stock up. If we see
> other good deals we may plan meals around some of the sale items.

Ditto.

> Then
> check the freezer and pantry to make sure that we have what we need
> for the new plan.

I can't say as I do that very often. In other words, I'm generally
surprised to find out we're out of flour or sugar. I'm not normally
the one using that stuff. But I never think to check.

> Meal plans in summer are whatever is ready in the
> garden or what looks good at the farmer's market.

I think of you as The Gardener.

> We still end up at the store at least 3 more times during the week. We
> live just outside of a small town and a trip to any place is not that
> far and if I see 10 cars on the road it is heavy traffic.

My store is right in town. Much more traffic than you but not bad
unless it's time for classes to start at the college. Then watch
out. Still, it's a hop and a skip, so I don't go crazy trying to
avoid making extra trips.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:

> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
> Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
> other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
> deal when they buy them?
>
>-- snipped --
>
> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
> nancy

Some trivia I've seen in the news on this topic. These type of reports
have also made it into local news and IIRC on "60 Minutes".

Some of the things I remember is that in some cases popular selling
items are put on the bottom shelf so that when you reach down you'll
see other stuff on the shelves and perhaps buy more. But stuff geared
to kids was put at eye level for them so that they can "remind" mom or
dad that they want that goodie. :-) There was also some statistic I
don't remember about how much of a grocery bill is for impulse items.
That's why they want you to linger and to walk the aisles. Like
someone else wrote, the longer you stay there, the greater the
likelihood you'll buy something more than you intended.

Perhaps complicating things these days is that, at least at three of
the national/regional grocers I shop at, the grocery chain actually
sells (rents maybe) shelf space to the food manufacturer and therefore
the grocery chain has limited control over what or how that
manufacturer's products are displayed or restocked. What are called
"end caps" (I think) are prime display areas.

So like the others I may get annoyed with the grocer re-arranging
things, but, if financial analysts' reviews of grocers are accurate,
then the grocer business may only earn 3-5% profit on sales volume so
that every trick that gives the grocer an edge to sell their product is
important.

On 1/26/2014 11:50 AM, jmcquown wrote:
> On 1/26/2014 11:45 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
>> On 1/26/2014 11:13 AM, Gary wrote:

>>> to go. The women you see in the store at that time of day was either
>>> married (look for the ring) or she was some lonely single woman going
>>> shopping just to get out of the house. I met and dated several that
>>> way. It *does* work.
>>
>> (laugh) Are you all Oh, how do you cook this broccoli?
>>
>> Better pick up line than most I've heard about.

> Hopefully he wasn't lurking by the melons. <wink>

(laugh) Hey lady, nice looking cantaloupes you got there.

nancy

notbob wrote:
>
> On 2014-01-26, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
> > Reader's Digest had comments.....
>
> Reader's Digest still exists!?

They're on-line now. I believe the
Telex address is RD1411.

On 1/26/2014 11:00 AM, ChattyCathy wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young wrote:

>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only planned to get a
>> couple of items, but $250? Has it ever happened to you?
>
> Guilty as charged. I've gone into a (big chain) supermarket for 'milk and
> bread' and bought so much other food stuffs that the store manager offered
> to help carry said stuff to my car himself...

Wow! A grocery store manager offered to help? Just kidding. it's
not common where I live but if you asked, someone would help you.

> But that was because I went
> shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?

I have no willpower. I will get a lot of extra stuff that way.
Not hundreds of dollars worth.

>> Happens enough that it winds up being mentioned in an article as if it
>> happens every day?
>
> As far as I am aware, none of my food shopping sprees have ever been
> newsworthy. Clearly I am not related in any way to the Kardashians (sp?)

Argh, why won't they fade away already.

> and their ilk. Oh wait, these 'celebs' don't buy food and/or cook anything
> themselves; they have personal chefs etc. who do all that for them - so
> maybe that's who these 'experts' base their research on ? <laugh>

Heh, you'd think, but this particular quote was from Michigan.

nancy

On 2014-01-26 10:17 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
> Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
> other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
> deal when they buy them?

I am not the most frugal person around but I have a pretty good idea of
the prices of a lot more than that, and for some of them I know the
prices of the same items in different stores. When I head out to shop I
consider the prices of the types of items I am looking for and usually
go to the place that has the best prices for the kind of stuff I want.
For instance, I like Shredded Wheat. One local discount store sells it
for $1.20 less than the other stores, and they often have it on sale for
$2.00 less. They also sell ground espresso for at least $1 per pack less
that the others. I go there every 3-4 weeks mainly for those two things.


>
> Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
> maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
> notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
> paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.

It's hard to keep up with some things. Fruit and vegetable prices vary
with the season. Meat and poultry prices are like yoyos.

> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

It is rare for me to walk out of the store with only what I went in for.
$250???? no way. Half that would be a big grocery bill for me.

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> some of which I question.
>
> For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.

Then I'm not average! I shop at a co-op where the prices are reasonable. I
buy what I need, when I need it.

>
> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
> stuff.

Only when I buy wine!

Graham

On 2014-01-26 11:48 AM, Nancy Young wrote:
> On 1/26/2014 11:04 AM, notbob wrote:
>> On 2014-01-26, Nancy Young > wrote:
>>
>>> Reader's Digest had comments.....
>>
>> Reader's Digest still exists!?
>
> No.
>

Yes. It is a lot smaller than it used to be. I still see them in medical
offices.

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:17:02 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?

I went to Fresh & Easy last week and all I needed to make an easy
dinner were a very few items that should have given me a good chunk of
change from a $10 bill. Both DD and SIL kept calling me with get
this, get that and of course everything had to be organic. I left $74
later.

Fortunately, DD had given me her credit card - so it was her money,
not mine, but how much I'd spent on so few items shocked me. I am
usually a more careful shopper than that.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:00:32 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

> But that was because I went
> shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?

I can't grocery shop any other way. If I'm not hungry, I won't even
buy what's on the list. It ain't gonna happen.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

Nah- I stick to my list which is geared to location, location - hence, I get to skip many aisles and get right to the checkout. I grab the BOGOs ONLY if it's stuff I normally buy. I do compare price per unit, but other than that, I have no other shopping strategy. I don't screw around looking at on sale items, as I can usually still make it cheaper from scratch.

That said, I do have a friend who loaded up on 128 dollars worth of stuff and paid out 28 bucks. She had coupons up the giggy, grabbed BOGOs, and the store even honored some 5 bucks off coupons from a competitor if she spent 30 dollars. I saw the receipt myself, and she was not lying.

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> On 1/26/2014 10:41 AM, Cheri wrote:
>>
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
>>> some of which I question.
>>>
> (snippage)
>>> Another one: We let you linger ... and it's good for business.
>>> Customers would tell me as they went through the checkout "I
>>> just stopped in for eggs" and they would have $250 worth of
>>> stuff.
>>>
>>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>>>
>>> nancy
>>
>> Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
>> picking up other things on the way to the eggs.
>>
>> Cheri
>
> That's exactly why they put eggs, milk, etc. at the back of the store.
>
> Jill

Yeah, but I really only buy things that I need, like canned milk, chicken
stock, and things like that on the way to the eggs. I am not an impulse
buyer most times, unless I am at the .99 Cent Store because I can try
different things without much of an investment.

Cheri

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
...
> On 1/26/2014 10:41 AM, Cheri wrote:
>>
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote
>
>>> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
>>> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
>>> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
>>> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
>> Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
>> picking up other things on the way to the eggs.
>
> I don't know that I'd actually go to the store if all I
> needed was eggs, for that matter.
>
> nancy

Depends on what you're making.

Cheri

On 1/26/2014 12:24 PM, Sqwertz wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 10:54:19 -0500, jmcquown wrote:
>
>> That's exactly why they put eggs, milk, etc. at the back of the store.
>
> It's much easier to keep most of the refrigerated items against the
> back wall because of the equipment needed for refrigeration. It also
> allows them to stock the quick-moving items from behind the units - in
> the warehouse - rather than constantly being in the customers way.
>
> I think that's more important to them than making you traverse to the
> back (or side) of the store.
>
> -sw
>

We've been through this before. Having dairy products and produce
closer to the loading dock and the coolers/freezers makes sense. Easier
re-stocking. But it also makes you walk to the back of the store.
Entice those people down the untrodden middle aisles...

Jill

l not -l wrote:

>
> On 26-Jan-2014, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
> > Reader's Digest had comments from supermarket experts,
> > some of which I question.
> >
> > For instance: The average customer tends to remember the
> > price of only four items: milk, bread, bananas, and eggs.
> > Ninety-five percent of shoppers have no idea what all the
> > other items cost and don't know if they're getting a good
> > deal when they buy them?
> >
> > Seems to me people here notice a dime's difference in price,
> > maybe I'm wrong. I am on the oblivious side, myself, and I
> > notice when something's a good price or higher than I remember
> > paying before. I don't actually know what milk goes for.
>
> I too am on the oblivious side. The only price I KNOW is Chiquita
> bananas 29 cent/pound. Eggs are around 1.50/dozen; plus or minus 30
> cents. Coke products are almost always on sale for about 3/12packs
> for $12. That's it.

That's a very good price on bananas. The major grocers around here
charge 49 cents/lb. What store are you buying them from?

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:48:06 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> On 1/26/2014 10:41 AM, Cheri wrote:
> >
> > "Nancy Young" > wrote
>
> >> Seriously, it's happened to me I spent $40 when I only
> >> planned to get a couple of items, but $250? Has it ever
> >> happened to you? Happens enough that it winds up being
> >> mentioned in an article as if it happens every day?
>
> > Never, though I have stopped in for one thing, like eggs, and ended up
> > picking up other things on the way to the eggs.
>
> I don't know that I'd actually go to the store if all I
> needed was eggs, for that matter.
>
7-11 is good for milk/cream and eggs. So is the green grocer...
although that can also lead to secondary shopping.



--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:42:50 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> It's one of those things
> where there is such a huge disparity between full price and the sale
> price that I feel ripped off if I don't get it on sale.

I know what you mean. Hubby loves those Lay's low salt potato chips,
but we wait for a sale to buy because they're $4 a bag if we don't.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 11:56:21 -0500, Nancy Young
> wrote:

> Still, it's a hop and a skip, so I don't go crazy trying to
> avoid making extra trips.

Me to. Lots of traffic, but I'm used to it and don't care. I shop
whenever the mood hits and if all I want/need is a single item, that's
not a problem. I have 12 huge Safeway stores within a 5 mile
radius... which doesn't count all the other large and small grocery
chains, independent markets, green markets, convenience stores and
ethnic food shopping.


--

Good Food.
Good Friends.
Good Memories.

On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 09:32:59 -0800, sf > wrote:

>On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:00:32 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:
>
>> But that was because I went
>> shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?
>
>I can't grocery shop any other way. If I'm not hungry, I won't even
>buy what's on the list. It ain't gonna happen.

I'm the same way. The cupboards would be awfully bare if I ate before
shopping. Nothing really appeals to me when I'm not hungry.

Doris

On 1/26/2014 12:32 PM, sf wrote:
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2014 18:00:32 +0200, ChattyCathy
> > wrote:
>
>> But that was because I went
>> shopping when I was hungry - which is usually a no-no, isn't it?
>
> I can't grocery shop any other way. If I'm not hungry, I won't even
> buy what's on the list. It ain't gonna happen.
>
>
Hmmm. That's odd.

Jill