Grocery Stores

**mn30** · 07-31-2008, 04:12 PM

I have question for all those who do the grocery shopping...

Would you rather shop at a nice merchandized store and pay more for groceries? (employees get paid more)

Or shop at a store that is less "pretty" and pay less for groceries?
(employees get paid less)

I have worked in both of types of stores.

What do you think?

**spyzvixxen** · 07-31-2008, 04:15 PM

My store is an absolute dump with a lot of shoppers who are not the most courteous but I get the bet deals there. The bottom line for me is $$$ saved. I may shop at a higher end store for quality ingredients.

**alarosalpn** · 07-31-2008, 04:15 PM

I prefer to shop where items are cheapest. However I will shop at the better store when there is a good sale. I just went to BigY ( I consider to be an expensive store) because they had bread,eggs and 1/2&1/2 on sale. I only go in that store when I see something I need in the online flyer.
I try to save money when ever possible.
I should add that if I walk in a store and I see bugs, I would turn around. The store has to be somewhat clean. I can overlook the clutter.

**mn30** · 07-31-2008, 04:45 PM

so here's the back story to my question...

I work for a grocery chain that is owned by one man, which includes four different grocery stores. All of them vary in price and classyness. Right now I work for the 2nd from the top before I was working for the 3rd from the top. I enjoyed working for the store that charged less, but my pay was less so in the end I had to ask for transfer into the other store (better pay and better benefits). All is good except for conscience who does NOT like the prices nor seeing customers spend $20 on sandwich meat. The frugal one in me wants to tell customers to stop spending so much on sandwich meat when there are oodles of fab. stuff you can make for much cheaper. But I can't say anything because those customers pay my wage. LOL

Any thoughts, my DH has suggested the "loony house" LOL

**pinkdaisy** · 07-31-2008, 05:06 PM

I shop both levels and when it comes to staples like boxed and canned items I will buy it where ever its cheapest, whether that be the everyday price at one store or a good sale at another. However, I will pay more for higher quality items such as produce and leaner meats or I will wait until they are on sale at a price I can afford. I won't buy crappy produce or fatty meat just because its cheaper.

However, let me tell you about my mom. She does 85-90% of her shopping at the expensive stores. She knows she can get things cheaper at other places but she does not want to make multiple trips and she likes that her store is neat & tidy, more upscale and caters to her. So its worth it to her to pay the higher prices for the convenience she gets.

Sometimes what's right for us isn't right for others. Its worth it to me to shop the sales, find the deals and to be creative to stretch the dollar. In fact, I really enjoy figuring out how to get the most for my money. But my mom is older, she is tired and has rheumatoid arthritis. So she'd rather go to her one store, pay higher prices and have someone bag her groceries and bring them to the car for her. So for customers like her, you aren't cheating them or ripping them off. You are giving them what they need.

**jas** · 07-31-2008, 05:22 PM

I shop at a variety of stores. One nice store that I usually only buy the bogo stuff with coupons and meat. Walmart I would consider the middle of the road store for the things I need at the moment and are not on sale. Everyday lower price. And then one on the lower end a Save-a-Lot. It is a very clean store though. I have shopped at a few that were down right nasty. That almost did not make the savings worth it.

**hugxlaughxsmilexlove** · 07-31-2008, 05:29 PM

Depends on the day. A "higher class" store for me (here) is Meijer.. but lately I've been finding some really good deals at places I wouldn't normally walk into.. like Rite Aid, haven't been there for YEARS - granted they don't have groceries (food) but wowza, good stuff! Meat, etc - usually pay full price on because DH is picky about his beef or turkey burger, eh..

**cheles2kids** · 07-31-2008, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by mn30

I enjoyed working for the store that charged less, but my pay was less so in the end I had to ask for transfer into the other store (better pay and better benefits). All is good except for conscience who does NOT like the prices nor seeing customers spend $20 on sandwich meat. The frugal one in me wants to tell customers to stop spending so much on sandwich meat when there are oodles of fab. stuff you can make for much cheaper.

Well I think it's a perfectly sane thing in order to move up to another position, or in your case, another store in order to make a better salary. That is just a smart move.

As for wanting to inform the customers, I believe that most people shop where they get the best deals.
That being said, there are those few that want the "atmosphere" over saving on their grocery budget.
For those people, they honestly don't care what they spend, so it probably wouldn't even matter to them if you told them about a better deal in another store.
Sometimes it's also a convenience thing, whichever store is closest to their work or home will always be the one they shop at, regardless of price.

I used to shop at only one store, where they always had cheaper deals overall.
BUT, I've learned that I can sometimes find certain items cheaper at other stores, so now I've taken to shopping at two or three stores throughout the month.

**Sundae** · 07-31-2008, 05:39 PM

Here we have only 2 stores, #1-- more economical and way better meat, not as fancy though, and very, very friendly--#2 fancy, more money, employee owed as they advertise, and much more merchendise. I only go there when I need a product my store doesn't carry or Sunday's
For me it is the savings that I go for.

And for one thing, we tried it in the past when the super walmart came to town and never again!!! Buying meat from them yuck!!

**frugalandsimple** · 07-31-2008, 05:51 PM

I shop at store "A" where it has a huge variety of grocery items to choose from. So, I shop there most often so I'm not going to many places to get the things I need. I know I may be paying more, however, I'm saving time by not driving to a bunch of stores.

Another store "B" is a small, health store. I shop there occassionally to get my bulk items, vitamins, tea, fresh produce. I also like going there because the employees are always friendly and helpful.

I've been to one of those lower end grocery stores like Sav-a-lot and don't like it. There isn't much variety of grocery products to choose from and the produce section is small.

**nancycg56** · 07-31-2008, 05:58 PM

I shop every week at the store where I get the most bang for my buck but there are things that I wouldn't purchase there if they one cent. Fish comes to mind. So for those things or if I am looking for something unusual, I shop at a higher end store. I can't shop there every week ~ I'd go broke.

**mn30** · 07-31-2008, 06:02 PM

It's nice to know that many people split up their shopping. I shop at about 3-4 different stores myself depending on what I need.

Thanks for the thoughts!

**WV_mom_of2** · 07-31-2008, 10:09 PM

I shop at different stores. I sometimes shop at the little locally owned grocery store because it's 10 minutes from my home. They run great one day only sales. However his produce is nasty so I rarely buy any of it other than potatoes and bananas. His employees not only bag your groceries but carry them out and put them in your car for you!

I shop at Kroger in the next town for sale items only and dog food. Their Old Yeller dog food is the ONLY kind one of our dogs will eat LOL. I find Kroger very expensive on everyday items and especially meat. However they run pretty good sales so I hit those.

I do most of my shopping at Walmart. I get most of my everyday items there far cheaper than any other store. I also like that I can get everything I need in ONE store and that I can price match! Today I price matched items from two other stores which saved me from having to stop there.

I want good prices, a clean store, and somewhat friendly workers!

**Karla** · 08-01-2008, 03:09 AM

Like so many others I have to get the most for my money...but I will add our cheaper stores, Walmart & Winco are at least clean and have a good variety..
The more expensive stores I will shop only there sales if its a good one.

**MTS04** · 08-01-2008, 03:40 AM

Well, for things like brownie mixes, odd frozen things etc. I am a lower end shopper.

However, I value good produce and alternative meals. Being vegetarian, it's important to me to have the alternative meal ideas available. The bulk of my shopping is done at Whole Foods. I know I pay more, but the quality is there - Shaw's and Stop and Shop in this area are gross and should be ashamed at the quality of their produce. Hannaford is a nice market, but tough to get to.