Does this sound like a good deal?

[SammyS]

A local chain butcher shop is offering 20lbs of meat for $39

3lbs of extra lean ground steak
3lbs of boneless skinless chicken breast
3lbs of pork chops
3lbs of a beef rump roast
3lbs of bonless chicken thighs
3lbs of bonless ribs
2lbs of all meat hot dogs

[craftypam]

In my experience of watching that on TV you have to watch that. How much fat and bone is in the items. Works out to $2 a pound. I pay that anyway on alot of those items and I can choose the package I want.

[Contrary Housewife]

It doesn't sound like a _bad_ deal, you're not getting ripped off, but there are some variables. Exactly what kind of "ground steak" are you getting? Extra lean beef tends to be dry and not have much flavor. Which cut of pork chop? My guess is you aren't getting the nice meaty rib or loin chops.

Thighs, boneless "ribs", and hot dogs are usually very cheap anyway, and as Craftypam says, at an average of $2 a pound you can find most of it in a regular grocery where you can see how much fat and bone you're getting.

Butcher shop deals usually save you money when you buy the whole cow or pig. To see if this is a good deal, add up how much each of those items in the package would cost if you bought them separately. Then compare to grocery store prices.

[Grainlady]

I try to keep meat purchases to $2/pound or less (OR no more than $10 out of a $50/week budget), so you've certainly come under that amount with $1.95/per pound. BUT, not as good a deal when you consider you can certainly get many of those items for less than $1.95 per pound if you were to price them individually based on SALE prices.

I don't think it's a totally bad deal, much like Contrary Housewife, but I'd certainly think you can do better by shopping the clearance bin, fresh and frozen in bulk, sales items, and cutting-up whole chickens for thighs and breasts (and all the rest) yourself, a large pork tenderloin and you cut your own chops....

For comparison, this was this week's special at our meat market:

2 12-oz. K.C. Strips (steaks)
3-lb. Pork Sirloin Roast
1-lb. Beef Short Ribs
3-lb. whole fryer
1-lb. smoked sausage with onions
1-lb. ground beef
--------------------
10-1/4 lbs. for $27.99 ($2.73 per pound)

[SammyS]

They usually have their burger on sale for $2.49/lb. Bonless, skinless chicken, this week, is $1.88 lb...the pork chops and ribs are both boneless. The chops are $1.98/lb. I can't remember the roast or the rib price...

[Sassyclass]

I'd be leary of the quality of meat. I prefer to pick and choose the meat I buy. Do you get to see the meat you are buying before it is wrapped? I agree with OP's you can find meat on sale or at regular price just about anywhere at anytime. Just make sure you get to choose the meat.

Cat

[mombottoo]

It sounds like an okay deal to me, but only if the butcher has a reputible reputation. I think you could probably get a better deal though by watching the sales...I get Eckrich franks b1g2free all the time...works out to $1.33 a pkg.

[frugalwarrior]

If it were me I'd pass. I get the best deals individually. I buy 90/10 on sirloin burger. 1.98 for chicken breast and less for other parts. I usually get clearanced meat and freeze it. Depends on quality.

[Thevail]

It's an OK deal.. depends on what meat prices in your area generally are. But it's NOT a particularly awesome price...

Ask him to go 30 pounds for $40... that's a good deal!