"More shoppers thinking twice in the checkout line"

**pecunierrant** · 08-23-2009, 01:40 PM

Shoppers Dropping Shopping Carts

Found this article interesting. Just the other day I was shopping at Costco, using cash as usual (learning from Dave Ramsey) and watched the register like a hawk. I always keep tabs but more so lately.

I've also asked the cashier to set aside items that were priced higher than I expected

Have you seen or felt this way also?

**CrazyHomemaker** · 08-23-2009, 01:56 PM

Been there. Done that...more than one time. More recently, I've been coming out of the grocery store under my budget. That's really nice.

**Ocean_Beach_Dweller** · 08-23-2009, 02:05 PM

This happened to me yesterday, i was picking up some items to make cookies, and I grabbed white chocolate chips, but later decided they were too expensive and settled on something else.

I've also left a pile of clothes at a register when a store turned down my coupon, whereas before I think I would have bought the clothes anyways out of embarassment or not wanting to inconvenience the employees, I didn't do that this time.

That's interesting that stores are tracking these trends though, thanks for the article.

**shoiji** · 08-23-2009, 02:36 PM

I started checking the register tape before leaving the supermarket. A couple of times I was being overcharged or charged more than I thought an item was. Say a can of artichoke hearts that I thought was $1.50 and rang up at $4.50 x 2!!!!! I would have never bought them if I knew they were that much!!!

I don't think twice now if a coupon isn't honored. I just pull the item out of the bag and tell the cashier I don't want the item. Having a pretty good stock pile also helps me do this.

All I know is that it is more important for me to stay on budget than to worry about inconviencing someone. Also, I am sure the cashiers understand where I am coming from.

**frugalfranny** · 08-23-2009, 02:38 PM

I just haven't been going out to 'spend' as often. Not even to the thrift shops. Don't NEED anything and need to finish some of the other projects I have started.

Carefully watch my grocery list and am letting my stockpile go down a little bit, thus not buying as much, and sticking to my list.

QM · 08-23-2009, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by shoiji

...Also, I am sure the cashiers understand where I am coming from.

And if they don't, that's what they're getting paid for. Putting unwanted goods back onto the shelves is part of their job description.

**C@rol** · 08-23-2009, 03:10 PM

Done it myself a few times recently. Especially online. I was looking for a couple of things and the price, color and size was right but chickened out and left the item in the cart. They sent me an email and everything. Oh well. Less money spent.

**Debbie-cat** · 08-23-2009, 03:10 PM

I am guilty of asking the cashier to take something back and I have no problem with it. If I decide it is too expensive once rung in...sometimes the shelves with prices are very confusing... I just tell them I don't want it. I will not be guilted into buying something I feel is too expensive or not worth the price because I am too embarrassed to ask them to take it back. Nope, nada, no way.

Glad to see others are doing the same thing. One thing I have noticed however is that the cash registers always seem to ring up the incorrect price for produce so watch that carefully everyone.

**pollypurebred39** · 08-23-2009, 04:27 PM

I've always been extremely careful in spending and know to penny what my tally should ring up to be before I even enter the checkout line, but in these last 2 years I've been militant about prices. I scour those sale ads for their meats and I know EXACTLY how much meat I'm buying before I hit their doors. I double coupon sale items check and make a list of items that are just a few cents or free. I know how much each week gets spent at the dairy farm store and in the off season how much I'm spending at the produce wholesaler before I hit their doors. I just make my rounds starting with meat, then dairy/farm store, produce in the off season, bread outlet, then coupon shopping. The only other food shopping I do is when I'm stocking pasta, cereal, grains, sugar, sweeteners. I have a special envelope set aside for the crazy sales like when I find pasta for .59cents a box, or boxes of taco shells 2 for $1, generic sweet-n-low $1 a box, and those baking sales and crazy cereal sales where I'm getting store brand for $1 a box. I just wait it out and each week I tuck a few dollars in the envelope. I do the same for HAB, I've got an envelope started and I just keep tucking a dollar here and there in until I find the mother load in 90% off face creams, or the dollar store has a shipment of expensive shampoos/lotions/deoderants/ect.

as far as clothing, or other things I'd say mostly thrift or clearance and ONLY if there's a need. 2 years ago even though I was careful with $$ I would have bought extra shirts, or underwear if I found them dirt cheap even if we really didn't need them, now unless we need it and I've set money aside for said item I don't get it. I leave it there for someone else to get the deal.

I think "maybe" people are starting to wise up and watch their $$$ more carefully. I've never had a lot to work with so I've always been careful, but I think with work hours getting cut back for a lot of folks their starting to feel the crunch of having less $$ to work with and that's making them more careful and looking for the best deals.

**dcompton** · 08-23-2009, 06:03 PM

I rarely abandon things in a store -- online, all the time, especially with places where you cannot see shipping until you begin the checkout process. However I did dump an item at Walmart last week. The cashier frowned, but too bad. I changed my mind. Ok?

She also didn't look too happy when I asked her to scan the pears for price. Identical pearss (by the little number stickies on them) were in two displays, one was $1 a pound, the other $1.90. When she scanned them, they were actually $1.12 a pound, so I accepted that, but it felt like, "and behind door # 3 -- pears!" Had it been $1.90, they would have been someone else's pears, not mine for sure.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 08-23-2009, 09:14 PM

Nah, I usually write the price down and add it up so that I stay in budget. If I get close, then I modify my list so that I stay in budget. I do ask for a verification on the price if it seems off to me.

**mauimagic** · 08-23-2009, 09:36 PM

I have no problem saying I don't want want something if the price is not what I would pay. Have been having some problems with Safeways coupons and sales lately, but have still perservered in my frugal ways. Agree that you really need to check things as they are being rung up also.

We owe it to oursselves to watch our dollars - who else will?

**dmarie** · 08-23-2009, 09:49 PM

I stopped shopping at safeway because of there coupons.

**Learningtobefrugal** · 08-23-2009, 11:14 PM

Other than groceries..I am finding with a little patience I do better shopping online for clothes etc..I do not order unless there is free shipping and rarely order without a coupon code. And it better be 30% off on top of 50% normally...minimum..I am a 80-90% off shopping or I don't buy. I have a deal site that has proven to be very helpful in my shopping online.
I picked up a Kitchenaid Mixer for 80 dollars..shipped! Brand new in the box..

I have had the cashier keep items at the counter..especially Walmart because they like to not accept some coupons manufacturers print..or you can print online..even though they say they will.

**calimomx2** · 08-24-2009, 12:44 AM

Very interesting article! I'm doing this more often now! I find that I really look at what I put in my grocery cart while I'm waiting in line to check out to make sure we really need this or that. I almost always have either dh or one of the kids with me so they know there is a good chance they will be putting stuff back for me!