Do you shop in a bunch of stores to get the best price, or do you shop in only one or two, looking for sale items? Why?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Some, if not most of us, in this forum, are on fixed incomes. Do you shop in a bunch of stores to get the best price, or do you shop in only one or two, looking for sale items? How about when you're on line? Why?
 

I keep in mind the things I need and go to different stores to look around and get some walking in. When I run across the item I've been looking for, I get it on one of those trips. Nothing I want is ever so urgent that I can't wait to come across a good price.
 

First, I love to shop for groceries. Pre-Covid I would have gone to about four stores a week to just pop in and pick up the sale items and fresh items I wanted. Now it’s just reading the flyers and deciding which one store has most of what I want. I’ve now started online shopping, so if I need something extra it’s a very quick trip in and out.
 
we shop for best price, but mostly between three stores and on line. Kroger, Meijer,
Sam's a and our local grocery store. Kroger with coupons and for gas points, Meijer with coupons for lower price and Sam's because my wife shop for our church and they gave us a membership.
 
I definitely like to shop around, however, depending on the savings... how significant or marginal they are, there are times when I bite the bullet and get all of my shopping done in one place, because all too often the added time, the running around, the gas used, the hustle and bustle of traffic and people, I find peace of mind just getting it out of the way and done at one location.
 
What I have found is that the store I shop at, has sales all the time on various items, so I stock up on whatever we use that is on sale. It seems to me that doing it this way, I doubt I would come out ahead by driving all over the place looking for food bargains, especially considering the gas I would use.

There is a program called Fair For All that we go to when it comes to our area once a month or so. They have pre-selected packages of meat, another of vegetables, etc. One would think this would be for those who can't otherwise afford groceries since these packages are incredibly inexpensive. However, they want everybody to purchase these packages because that provides more money for them to buy more of this food and reach more people. We get a month's worth of meat and vegetables for around $40! It is a great program. They sell overstock and that sort of thing. It is all good food, nothing rotted or at the end of its useful life. One stop shopping that beats ANY bargains to be gained by driving all over the metro area.

Tony
 
I used to go several stores to get the best prices. I even did super-couponing for several years and got almost everything free or extremely cheap. I love shopping for groceries. With Covid, I no longer do that. Now I alternate between 2 stores for food and buy almost everything else on-line, usually from Amazon or Walmart. Even with food, I do curb-side pick-up now. It works fine.
 
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Shopping, and saving money, are seldom the same, for most people. "Pre-shopping" on the Internet helps if a person is looking for a specific item...then goes to that store. Buying Online is proving to be a boon for most people, as that saves on helping pay for the huge costs of maintaining a real brick and mortar store/shopping center.

Aimlessly wandering around in a store....looking for bargains....is usually a waste of time and money. A couple of years ago, the US Chamber of Commerce did a study that showed that people spend an average of $3 per minute in a store....the Only way to shop effectively at a store is to have a list, and stick to it, and get Out ASAP.
 
I don't go to the stores anymore except I do plan to go to Krogers to spend the $40.00 I have in free checks. I have a Kroger Mastercard that gives points so I pay all my insurances with it and I now have 4 ($10.00) checks to spend. They are good for a year so I still have a couple of months before one of them expires. I intend to stock up on some things as I also have a Kroger gift card with $100.00 left on it.

I have been using delivery now for awhile from HEB as I don't mind the 3.99 delivery fee as I don't have to drive there, wear my mask and be among people that have God knows what. Kroger offers free pickup too so I use that also.

The last Heb delivery was incorrect as I had ordered a gallon of milk and they brought half a gallon. When I got their survey about the delivery I mentioned it and they applied the price of the gallon milk to my account. So I got the half gallon free. I only ordered the gallon as I was going to start eating cereal for dinner and wanted to be sure I had enough for awhile. I am very specific about certain things when I order. I say I want the longest expiration date on my milk, sour cream, etc. that is possible and so far they have been acceptable. So far the produce has been exactly as I have requested.
 
This topic is probably the number 1 cause of arguments between the wife and I
We are way out in the country, have one supermarket about 5 miles away.
In town .12 miles, were we work theres a different supermarket, and 5 miles further is a another same one thats by us.
Now we have 3 directions we can go to get to larger towns with multiple shopping options 25-35 miles away.
Me drive the 5 miles and pay what ever or stop in town after work....
Her.... will put a 100 damn miles on the car over the weekend going to at least 2 of the 3 to get the best deal and save $10
 
This is pre-Covid, of course.

I go to grocery, clothing, discount stores over and over again at different times of the week and in different areas. I check flyers for sales. I drive out of my way too. My family (composed of 3 males) just don't get it so I just give a time of leaving and approx. time of returning.

Why do I do this: I think most of the appeal of this is the fact that I walk around to do this but I am pleased if I do find a favourite item on sale. Stopping for a coffee to enjoy all to myself and park beside a forest or lake - just heaven!

Keep in mind I do almost all the driving; food shopping (cooking), clothing shopping, appointment visits and financial upkeep.

Now everything is done online - boring, boring, boring.
 
Before covid I used to makes the rounds of the grocery chains to pick up the loss leaders and a few things only available in certain stores.

These days I normally check the flyers and pick one store to do all of my shopping for a two-week period in one stop.

Before covid, I also used to graze the thrift shops looking for a shortlist of clothing and household items but now I buy the few things I need online or at Walmart on one of my grocery runs.

I thought that I was thrifty/frugal before covid but I've been amazed at how much money I save by doing nothing other than staying home and making do with the things that I have on hand.
 
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Don M. said:
The Only way to shop effectively at a store is to have a list, and stick to it, and get Out ASAP.
Click to expand...
That's me
When we lived 50 miles from town, at the cabin, lists were imperative
Once, maybe twice a month
Get in, get out.....before the snow flies
One, maybe two stores
Kroger was my 'go to' as I knew where everything was and knew the sales (if it was what I was shopping for)
I did the shopping

Now, in town, my lady is the grocery shopper
She hits Grocery Outlet first, because she knows what prices should be (Their suggested value is BS), and gets incredible buys
Then hits Wally World
Then, the Dollar Store
Then, a place called Sherm's (Used to be Food for Less)
It's very few miles between stores, and she has fun with it

When we initially moved to town, she stocked up (I bought a small freezer, and built extra cabinets to accommodate)
Now, since stocked up, she put herself on a budget of $25/wk
I watch things, mainly because if it was up to her, we'd be dining on lentils and oatmeal, and some sorta gruel and powdered milk
If my Adam's peanut butter is getting low, I go get some.

Hardware items, there's two main stores
Home Dopey and it's competition, Diamond Home Improvement (local chain)
There's others, but I don't care to 'shop'....get in get out

What's cool about our little town is it's small enough to not be clogged with traffic, but big enough to support competition.....I do love that (that's a lie....too busy...not enough stores....don't move here!....stay put)
 
old medic said:
This topic is probably the number 1 cause of arguments between the wife and I
We are way out in the country, have one supermarket about 5 miles away.
In town .12 miles, were we work theres a different supermarket, and 5 miles further is a another same one thats by us.
Now we have 3 directions we can go to get to larger towns with multiple shopping options 25-35 miles away.
Me drive the 5 miles and pay what ever or stop in town after work....
Her.... will put a 100 damn miles on the car over the weekend going to at least 2 of the 3 to get the best deal and save $10
Click to expand...
Sounds like our neck of the woods so I make lists of needs and wishes and before this virus, I would bum a lift and fill my boots! I do a lot on line now and have curbside pickup so no problems...one adjusts.
 
Nope. I do not love to shop...be it for groceries, household goods or clothes. So I am basically my local grocery store, Walmart and Amazon. I am not much into a lot of material stuff now a days, and do not buy a lot. In the spring I do plan to hit up Walmart for some basic clothes. I used to shop the Dollar store often, and will probably again.
 
Pre covid, I'd sometimes shop 2 different local stores for best prices.

Now I get a lot delivered. My fav supermarket had home delivery for years and it was only $5.00! Since Covid, they don't deliver themselves anymore, but contracted out to Instacart for $10.94 per delivery PLUS, a $5.00 shopping fee! Curbside is still 5.00.

Aldi also uses Instacart but is cheaper, so I use them more. While there are bargains there, selections are limited. .

I went out shopping yesterday to another store and enjoyed it!
 
I use Flipp to check prices. Greatest app going. Saves time and money. Using the Flipp list I can price match most groceries with my phone. I do use coupons also but most are for overpriced convenience food so not many.

Clothes shopping, not a biggie for me. Costco once every couple of weeks, and online with amazon, walmart and costco for other stuff.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Some, if not most of us, in this forum, are on fixed incomes. Do you shop in a bunch of stores to get the best price, or do you shop in only one or two, looking for sale items? How about when you're on line? Why?
Click to expand...
I do my shopping with Google, then drive to the actual store that has the product / best price.
 
If the opportunity presented itself to go and peek at an unusual shop curio for possibly finding an elusive treasure...be it a book, an antique brooch, etc...etc, I am your girl...I am not dead yet! Perhaps this is because of my European travels as well as Canada, Alaska, etc. Food shopping is a necessity, the other is fun!
 

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