Do most supermarkets get fresh produce on the same day of the week? When is the best day to go shopping for groceries?
Are checkout people mad when you bag your own groceries? I tried to do it last night (the line was long and the poor guy was swamped) but the checkout guy looked a little upset.
[ February 05, 2005, 03:46 AM: Message edited by: vwiggin ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Big ones get fresh produce every day. Others get it on varying schedules. Ask your produce guy.
Some stores have a policy against customers bagging their own merchandise; some don't care. If he looked upset, they probably care.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
<-- Clueless bachelor.
Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :
Never get seafood on Sunday.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
But that's when the crab legs are half price! Oh ... wait a minute....
Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Feel free to ask the produce manager when their shipments come in, they'll be happy to tell you. If they aren't, then find another store.
I was shopping once, and put some lettuce in my buggy and the produce manager came over and told me to put it back, finish my other shopping, and then come back - he would have all the fresh stuff out in about 10 minutes.
As for bagging groceries, some stores put a high emphasis on customer service - and it's not that they're annoyed when you do it, more than likely it's that the bagger or cashier felt that if their manager saw you bagging your own groceries, they would get in trouble.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Maybe you get special treatment due to your southern charm? Posted by Belle (Member # 2314) on :
Actually when I go to the supermarket, I get special treatment because my mother is the human resources executive for the supermarket chain.
If they're not nice to me, I'll get them fired. Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Somebody needs to petition Albertsons to get rid of those horrid round checkout counters they use. Not only do they slow everything down, but they make it so I have to send my cart down the backside of the aisle, behind the cashier, while I go in front of the cashier. Which is fine unless you have a kid in the cart. So if I have a cart at Albertsons, I usually end up taking my kid out before sending the cart through. It's that, or try to squeeze the cart around a very narrow curve with everybody frowning at me. That, and Albertsons' perennially high prices, send us across town to Macey's instead for any serious grocery shopping.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
I love Ukrops.
I hate their prices, but I can get a good, thorough hour of grocery shopping there, while the kids play in the Tot Spot.
Totally worth it.
Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Tot Spot. That is an awesome idea. I'm going to put it in the Macey's suggestion box.
But "Ukrops"? Sounds like an intestinal malfunction.
Posted by Salah (Member # 7294) on :
Oddly enough, I think it can sometimes be fun to bag your own groceries, Food 4 Less is the best place to do that- considering you HAVE to bag your own stuff. I can understand the idea of being a little upset if someone else is doing your job, or a job meant for someone else. For some people, I admit myself included, you really don't want someone helping your unless your about to break your back or have a nervous breakdown. Part of job satisfaction is knowing that you are capable of performing tasks on your own and with efficiency. Perhaps the grocery store employee did need help, but in my opinion it's generally best to let workers handle their own work load.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Wooo... I love Food4Less.
Welcome to Hatrack. Posted by advice for robots (Member # 2544) on :
Sadly, all the Foods 4 Less in my area seem to have been closed. I guess the money they saved by not hiring baggers didn't quite stretch far enough.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
We have Sack and Save here. Same idea.
I like Fiesta, though. Better produce, cheaper food, and you don't have to bag your own (although they don't argue too much if there are no spare baggers and you do).
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Just go to your local farmer's market, Beren - far fresher and tastier that way . . .
besides, you'll meet hip young things there, too.
Posted by esl (Member # 3143) on :
My Albertsons' have self-checkout aisles where the customer bags the groceries.
I don't have a best day for buying groceries, but I like to make sure I didn't miss anything that's on sale so I go on Tuesdays sometimes. Because the new sale stuff starts on Wednesday, though of course all the good stuff is gone by Tuesday so I don't know what I'm thinking. I also don't go grocery shopping very much. trying to improve my diet though.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Shan, are you giving me permision to cheat on you?
ESL, my sudden interest in supermarkets is also sparked by my desire to improve my diet. I can't eat chinese takeout and Pizza Hut deliveries for the rest of my life!
For all you Socal people - Is it my imagination or is Ralphs almost always cheaper than Vons?
[ February 05, 2005, 03:35 AM: Message edited by: vwiggin ]
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
quote: like Fiesta, though. Better produce, cheaper food
Well, I wouldn't say that the Fiesta here in Austin has better produce however, it's definitely cheaper and has the best international sectional. The Central Market (drool...) has the best produce and butcher section. Fiesta's defintely the cheapest of the grocery stores ann I adore it, however, my heart belongs to Central Market.
(P.S. - don't ever go to a Fiesta on Three Kings Day - it's not pretty..."
BTW- I absolutely adore Chicken-feta-spinach sausage. It's fantabulous (I can only get it at Central Market).
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Isn't Ukrops the chain that won't carry cigarettes and alcohol? I think they have them in Richmond, but none up here in Fairfax or down in Charlottesville.
Posted by esl (Member # 3143) on :
All the different supermarkets makes me think of the different banks and phone service providers (is that what they're called?) in our great nation. I once tried to find a bank that exists here in the bay area and in New York City. It took some doing.
Anyway, I'm eating better than Chinese takeout and Pizza Hut deliveries right now. I don't know if I could afford that. Mostly I live off the canned soup and pasta my mom buys from costco when I go home
[ February 05, 2005, 03:26 PM: Message edited by: esl ]
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
I would never give you permission to cheat on me, sweetie! But being the devoted and dedicated internet wife that I am, I of course care greatly for your happiness, and research shows that we eat more healthy food and less of it when we eat meals together. So, get on out there and find yourself a healthy food partner!
Edited to clarify: We eat more of the healthy sorts of foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc - and LESS food overall. Particularly when we prepare meals together and eat meals together . . .
*stops rambling and goes to make coffee*
[ February 05, 2005, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: Shan ]
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
vwiggin, that model holds true all across America. Ralphs is owned by Kroger, and Vons is owned by the Safeway company (I think, anyway, that's their brand). Out here, it's Kroger and Tom Thumb. Kroger is cheaper than Tom Thumb. However, for most things you're better off going to a smaller chain or a local market; better prices and often better meat, produce, and fish.
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
esl - Yay for mom! My mom still buys me food all the time, and I'm almost 30!
Shan - You send me cookies. Does that make us food partners?
kq - Thanks for that detailed answer. So good to know I'm not just imagining things.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
No wonder you colonials have such a large economy, when you invent makework jobs. In sensible nations, customers bag their own groceries.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Ah, Beren, m'dear . . . I think we only get to be real food partners when we grill steak and steam fresh asparagus together, topped off by homemade chocolate chip cookies - which of course, we make and eat together.
So, as you are in SoCal and I am the PacNW, I would advise the aforementioned trip to the Farmers Market - which is well worth the trip, even IF you don't find a hip young thing to cook and dine with.
Have you cleaned out your fridge and made soup yet? You do know that the way to a woman's heart is through her tastebuds and your abiity to clean the kitchen afterwards, don't you?
*raises eyebrows inquiringly*
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
With the exception of that week's advertised specials and certain staples, yes, Ralph's is overall cheaper than Vons/Pavilions. However, I will go to Vons on occasion when certain things are on sale (I like their brand of soda, for instance), or if I'm making a milk run.
Oh, and Salah, welcome to Hatrack! Your profile says California. Would that be north, south, or central?
[ February 05, 2005, 11:17 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
KOM - The person who types my posts for me says you don't know what you're talking about.
Shan - I had your soup tonight! It is really nice to come home after a night of clubbing and see yummy soup waiting for me.
I go to Farmer's markets all the time. But I always end up buying useless stuff like incense or hermit crabs instead of actual food. I guess I should try harder.
rivka - Grow that socal clump girl!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
I keep trying, Beren.
Um, so you'll be attending the next Shinda (whenever/wherever THAT is), neh? Hmmmmm? *meaningful glare*
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
Attend a shinda? And leave my freedom bunker? Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Looks a bit crowded for all of us to come there (and I get claustrophobic), so yeah.
Does Shan know about your "fat pregnant wife"?
Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
I live in indiana, we shop at Marsh
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Such devastating news . . .
*weeps loudly and with great abandon*
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
She's my bunker wife, you're my internet wife. All is well. Yup. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Oh, well in that case - party on!
How was the soup, by the way?
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
::laughing:: We'll never see bruinlawyer/berenonehand/vwiggin in person. They are all aka's of a computer program.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Beren = Kama?!?
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
No
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
Exactly!
Posted by bruinlawyer2002 (Member # 2264) on :
Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
I'm sorry. I'll behave. I always hate to see a grown program cry.
BTW, Bruin did you ever buy that hybrid car? My husband is looking to trade in his 1989 Volvo and he's considering a Prius.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
*tries to wrap head around this*
Ok, but . . . I shared a room with Kama! Does that mean I have met Beren? I'm so confused. Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
::twinkle in eye:: This is how rumors start. First Eddie and Kat share a room, now rivka and Beren have shared a room... hmmmm... more wedding bells on the Hatrack horizon?
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
LadyDove - Don't make me cry, fake tears algorithms are hard to generate!
*applauds LadyDove's husband*
I haven't purchased a hybrid yet. But if I do, it will most likely be a hubrid version of an established model, like a Civic or Accord. Since SoCal driving rarely goes over 65 mph, your husband really has nothing to lose.
Rivka - I am not Kama. I do belong to her harem though.... OK, I'm just the harem's waterboy. But still, I love my job. *spritz spritz*
Shan - I'd tell you I enjoyed the soup, but the rivka and LadyDove will only convince you that I don't really eat. Posted by LadyDove (Member # 3000) on :
Shan- Does this mean that you are virtually married to Kama too?
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
quote: Shan - I'd tell you I enjoyed the soup, but the rivka and LadyDove will only convince you that I don't really eat.
Wait, this Beren=Kama thing is all LD's idea! I'm still trying to figure out if it makes any sense to me.
I'll get back to you the next time I'm awake enough to think that deeply.
And what is this "the rivka" business?
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
quote:Isn't Ukrops the chain that won't carry cigarettes and alcohol? I think they have them in Richmond, but none up here in Fairfax or down in Charlottesville.
I don't know about the cigs and alcohol, since I'm never on those aisles anyway, but I wouldn't be suprised. They are also closed on Sundays.
They are pricey-- but they make up for it by extremely nice stores. My one gripe with the local Ukrops is that they don't carry a wide selection of hot peppers. Alas.
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
And what is this "the rivka" business?
It's like being the man, except cooler. Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
And female. Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
*whistles*
Ummm... pretend you didn't see that Shan. Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
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If they aren't, then find another store. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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