topic Re: Trader Joe's in Community Chat

Trader Joe's

JenJenMO1971 — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:16:53 GMT

I discovered Trader Joe's tonight. I normally shop at Safeway but Trader Joe's prices seem to be much better.

For those of you who shop Trader Joes, what do you think of their prices compared to other supermarkets?

Re: Trader Joe's

Tupe — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:24:33 GMT

I'm not a big fan. The prices to me are no better than other grocery stores. I have also found the quality of their food was not good. On more than one occassion in 3 different locations, items I bought were either stale or rancid. But that is only my opinion. I have many friends that swear by them.

Re: Trader Joe's

Reconnaissant — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:23:50 GMT

Welcome @JenJenMO1971.

We don’t have a TJ’s but when we are in a city that does we love the variety.

Re: Trader Joe's

MJDinVegas — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:26:09 GMT

Hi, @JenJenMO1971 ! Welcome to the Forums!

I've shopped TJ's for years off and on - off only when there wasn't one close to us. IMO, they have the freshest produce, good selection of unexpected and seasonal items and prices are reasonable. Years ago when I lived in Huntington Beach, CA and had close access, we'd buy our wine there: Two Buck Chuck, $1.99 for a 750 ml bottle of wine. The price has gone up since but still a good buy on many wines. It's worth it to get their Fearless Flyer monthly special newsletter.

Re: Trader Joe's

lovesrecess — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:38:08 GMT

One of my daughters loves Trader Joe’s....she rarely shops anywhere else. There is one about two miles from me that opened last year; I made one trip and walked through the store, determined to buy something. Very small store so they didn't have that many products. It seemed like almost everything was a convenience product like instant stir fry or instant this or that...or their famous cookie butter but things I don’t ever buy. Nothing peaked my interest enough to buy it. We house-sat for my daughter last year and there was almost nothing in the house but Trader Joe’s products. I sent DH for takeout.😬 the prices didn't seem very high but they seemed to pkg things in smaller quantities than what I see at the grocery store, so that may explain that.

Re: Trader Joe's

qbetzforreal — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:35:04 GMT

I find better deals at Trader Joe's. Tuna, produce, pasta, dairy and eggs.

And they have the best snack treats.

Re: Trader Joe's

happycat — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:38:40 GMT

We don't have a Trader Joes, but I wish we did.

Re: Trader Joe's

ValuSkr — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:38:48 GMT

For me, Trader Joe's draw is in its selection of unusual items, particularly frozen. In general, prices are okay, but nothing to write home about. I stay away from their produce - local supermarkets have better selection, quality, and prices.

Re: Trader Joe's

msgb — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:40:23 GMT

Love Trader Joe's.

They have items that other places do not have.

I am fortunate to be within 2 miles of one.

When QVC messed up my Christmas in July order and did not get it out and then cancelled it with out notice I went to Trader Joe's and bought some items from there and a gift certificate for my recipient.

Re: Trader Joe's

Ibby114 — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 18:00:02 GMT

I like Trader Joe's for very specific items- not general food shopping. Their own brand named products are really good, and for those type items they're better priced that a standard food store! I also like their haircare and skincare items. Just this year they finally started carrying chemcial free sunscreen!.

This matters to some (not so much for me), but at checkout they always pack your bags. Super helpful staff, the customer service is top notch.

Re: Trader Joe's

lovesrecess — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 03:58:01 GMT

Could be the their items get stale or rancid because they don’t turn over the stock in large volumes like big supermarkets.

Re: Trader Joe's

agb80 — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 04:00:25 GMT

Whole Foods is better than Trader Joe's. TJ's are small stores with low ceilings, narrow aisles and their selection of produce not as big as Whole Foods. If you go to TJ's you will bump into other shoppers as it's that small. I have no idea what they did for the pandemic as many stores had to reduce their occupancy by having a person count as they came thru the door. No way to social distance in those stores and the checkout lanes are an absolute misery so close to together. I will not be subjected to that and stopped going a few years ago certainly would never subject myself to that during the pandemic.

Re: Trader Joe's

Linmo — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 04:14:43 GMT

I shop Costco for everything that I need in larger amounts and Trader Joe's for smaller amounts of produce and their branded items. I use Safeway for basic staples.

Re: Trader Joe's

Etoile308 — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 04:39:40 GMT

TJ limits the number of people permitted in the store. So you do wait outside with distance markings on the sidewalk. I've only been there once since the pandemic since they were near my doctor's office and I needed milk.

I buy little produce there since they carry so little and I'm not impressed with their prices. They do always have a nice affordable selection in their very small grab and go floral department by the entrance. I like their dairy and selection of cheese. They have no butcher and the meats are prepacked. I never buy any. I also don't buy their bakery items.

I would often find some interesting beverages and juices.

They have different seasonal theme items. I never buy their mango products or the pumpkin stuff. Some people look forward to those products.

Re: Trader Joe's

Alter Ego — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 05:04:33 GMT

It’s not a place I go to regularly, but I like Trader Joe’s for specific things. They have some unusual items and usually find something. It’s just not really close, so is an event when we go. BUT, as noted, it’s a smaller store and they are serious about the number of people in there. I’ve been to three TJ’s since Covid and there hasn’t been one time that I didn’t need to wait in line outside.

I do miss the store samples though!

Re: Trader Joe's

SANNA — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 05:08:31 GMT

We are lucky here in NJ, we have every possible store. I have 2 of TJs in my vicinity.

But I never shop there. Maybe very very occasionally for particular items. Many of my friends love it. I find this chain very limited in choices ,especially top quality foods. Also it is always looks somewhat disheveled, messy. People who work there are super nice but they all look like potheads or recovering alcoholics ( same thing in California, my brother loves this store).

My favorite stores are Wegmans,Costco and my local Shoprite.

Re: Trader Joe's

Flatbush — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 08:26:15 GMT

Have a TJ a few miles from my house. I like the flowers by the front door, the sourdough sliced bread is very good too. I like to toast it with butter.

I enjoy looking and buying ~~many~~ some of the candies. I also like many of the frozen desserts. I don't buy every thing there, but I do like to shop for certain items.

They have also been exceptionally careful since the virus, no problems there.

Re: Trader Joe's

violann — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 12:02:11 GMT

@Tupe wrote:
I'm not a big fan. The prices to me are no better than other grocery stores. I have also found the quality of their food was not good. On more than one occassion in 3 different locations, items I bought were either stale or rancid. But that is only my opinion. I have many friends that swear by them.

Not sure, but TJ's sells many foods that are organic, or additive free, and in times of high stress on delivery, Ican think there might be problems of this type.

Haven't encountered any problems in my local store so far.........

Re: Trader Joe's

violann — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 12:08:13 GMT

@agb80 wrote:
Whole Foods is better than Trader Joe's. TJ's are small stores with low ceilings, narrow aisles and their selection of produce not as big as Whole Foods. If you go to TJ's you will bump into other shoppers as it's that small. I have no idea what they did for the pandemic as many stores had to reduce their occupancy by having a person count as they came thru the door. No way to social distance in those stores and the checkout lanes are an absolute misery so close to together. I will not be subjected to that and stopped going a few years ago certainly would never subject myself to that during the pandemic.

Your generalization of ".......small stores with low ceilings......etc." is interesting, and certainly not applicable to the two stores in my area.

Our Whole Foods is also a lovely store, but the aisles are narrower than our TJs. No generalization intended, just different experience.

Re: Trader Joe's

violann — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 12:10:04 GMT

@SANNA wrote:
We are lucky here in NJ, we have every possible store. I have 2 of TJs in my vicinity.
But I never shop there. Maybe very very occasionally for particular items. Many of my friends love it. I find this chain very limited in choices ,especially top quality foods. Also it is always looks somewhat disheveled, messy. People who work there are super nice but they all look like potheads or recovering alcoholics ( same thing in California, my brother loves this store).
My favorite stores are Wegmans,Costco and my local Shoprite.

"......potheads or recovering alcoholics......."?