Last night, I went to Big Y (a local grocery store chain with stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts) because they were having the Buy 1, Get 2 free sale. I love the B1G2 sale. I picked up 3 dozen eggs for 2.19. I got 4 lbs of ground turkey for $5. I got 3 lbs of pasta for 1.69. Everything I bought was onsale. Even the milk. In all, I got over $140 worth of groceries for less than $65. Saving more than 50% on my food bill makes me a very happy camper for the week.
So I’m standing in the dairy section, by the eggs and this woman walks right past the store brand large brown eggs that are B1G2 to buy the store brand white eggs that are not on sale. She even looked at the sale sign then looked at the eggs I was purchasing and kept on with her white eggs. It’s times like these that I want to take my fellow shopper and shake her. She really didn’t seem to be budget conscious at all, because after getting the eggs she bought refrigerated cookie dough, also not on sale. Many times I will say something to someone if they are buying a product and there is something identical on sale right next to it. I’ve even been known to give out coupons in the isles but I get a lot of strange looks from people since this is Connecticut and all. I think it’s Connecticut state law that you aren’t allowed to be friendly to people in a retail environment. So I just went on my merry way, annoyed with people who completely ignore sales. When I got to the cashier, the front end manager was explaining to a woman how the buy 1, get 2 free sale works. “If you purchase three of an item, you’ll get two of them free, but if you only purchase one of the item, it’s full price,” she explained. Is it that hard to understand? Really?
The cashiers are always amazed when I walk out of a sale like this. I’m not really sure why since most things I bought were at least buy 1 get 1 free and I had a bunch of coupons. I guess that’s why they call them loss leaders. Most people are lead into the store by them and then buy a ton of other stuff. I just buy the loss leaders and call it a day. Jeff was laughing at me as I mumbled something under my breath about paying full price for eggs.
Am I the only person that reacts like this? I can’t be the only crazy one at the grocery store. Someone tell me I’m not the only one. Please?
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re not. And DUDE B1G1?? Crap. Just before we go on vacation. Thank goodness they run those sales regularly; we’ll just have to stock up sometime after we return.
no, you aren’t the only one. when i see a good sale, i’ll buy 10-20 of something sometimes, or i’ll go back every 2-3 days to stock up if there’s a limit. and 3 dozen brown eggs for $2.19? dude, i wish i could find that here (i’m getting a good deal getting a dozen farm eggs every other week with my csa for an extra $2).
I worked as a supermarket cashier during my undergrad days. I sometimes tried to point out coupons from the store’s ad flier that a customer could use to cut the cost of an order. I had a stack of the fliers right at my register. To my amazement I found that most of these customers did not want to bother and were annoyed that I suggested it!!!
My sister went shopping with me one day when I purchased about $150 in groceries for about $90. Not the best savings day, but she was converted to coupons and comparison shopping that day – so it was a win!
She was a lot like your egg lady. She would accept Loretta’s coupon offer, but she wouldn’t have looked beforehand. She would pay full price for something she thought she needed, rather than stick to a list and wait for a sale. She truly has been converted!
Actually Jenny it was B1G2! They seem to run these every 3 or 4 weeks now, just about the time that I’m almost out of eggs.
mamafitz, unfortunately the store limits you to 5 offers and because of the loyalty card, they really limit you. Thank God they offer these deals regularly.
Loretta,
I’m so amazed by your story. I’ve tried handing coupons to people at the store and sometimes people look at me like I’m nuts. Some people are very grateful to save a dollar or two. I’m always perplexed when I’m waiting for an appointment, sorting my coupons and people will tell me when don’t have time for coupons, as they are sitting waiting with nothing to do. Those are the same people who tell me they’d love to take up knitting, if only they could find the time (again usually telling me this as I’m knitting while waiting for a doctor’s appointment and they have nothing to do).
Kathleen,
I’m glad you were able to convert your sister. I think we should start a service to show people how to make meal plans, grocery lists and use coupons. We’ll even take them shopping. The cost should be 50% of the first week’s savings. We could make a mint.
OH, K, I know you know you are not the only crazy shopper in the store. You should have seen the freak show in Indiana today…I taught an 80 year old woman to cook tortillas and there wasn’t even a sale. Don’t forget the East Coast is not a thermometer for the rest of the nation.
Going to the grocery store with Anita is one of the great adventures everyone should have to take in life.