Shopping at Trader Joes (Tips)

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

I've convinced DH to (sometime soon) take a trip to Trader Joes. I can't stand seeing and hearing about how great it is any longer! It's an hour and fifteen minutes to the nearest store. Are some days better than others? What do you like best from TJs? Anything you can share about the store would be mucho appreciated it

Janey2 · ‎06-07-2010

I have a Trader Joe's 5 minutes from my house. I never go there. Went there a couple of times when they first opened and that was it. Nothing they sell appeals to me.

ROMARY · ‎04-28-2010

We have one within walking distance (if necessary).

Love the fact that their laundry section doesn't reak of strong chemical odors.

Nice, pleasant place to grocery shop.

And no weekly 'sales'.

Very good prices on just about everything.

Also, if one doesn't like a product, they are quick to refund / exchange / etc.

'More or less', 'Right or wrong', 'In general', and 'Just thinking out loud ' (as usual).

TheWanderingOne · ‎06-22-2024

My favorite buys at TJ's are wine and fresh flowers.

My fruit consumption is mostly berries, and the TJ's in my area has great quality and prices.

I also like their dark chocolate sea salt caramels.

I don't care for their meat selection. I can do better elsewhere in town. Same with staple items. Produce is ok. They have some interesting pre-packed salad blends, but nothing that's enticed me to purchase it.

Expiration/best by dates seem quite short to me - often just a couple of days.

I usually go later in the morning on weekdays. Weekends are a zoo, at least in my area. I can't speak to best days/times in any other areas.

~Not new, never been banned. Every time I take a break I have to re-register for some reason~

Scooby Doo · ‎03-14-2010

I got all excited when they first opened stores in my area. I went twice, years ago. I don't think they are all that and a box of cookies. I've never found anything I have to go back and get.

I keep hearing about Aldi. I would like to see what that's about, but the nearest one to me is in California.

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

Great and surprising feedback. Thanks so much, everyone. I think I'd still like to check them out sometime but I'm not as hot any longer to travel that distance to get to one.

Bookplate · ‎08-19-2011

I live in NYC and have one near me so I go there a lot. My experiences may be specific to an urban store; I really don't have anything to compare it to. I can't imagine driving over an hour to a food store, but then I shop every day, for the day, and carry it home.

Avoid weekends and after work hours if possible. Mornings are the least crowded, particularly Tuesday through Thursday.

Their egg prices are the lowest I am able to find. I like the fact that I can just grab a carton of milk off the shelf without looking at the date, because I know it will always be fresh, due to their huge turnover. Fresh farmed salmon is always 9.99/lb at my store, which beats everyone else. Ground turkey is also lower.

Their seasonal/holiday baked goods and confections are always a treat if you have a sweet tooth. A lot of people praise their frozen prepared food but I generally don't buy this category so I can't help there. I've heard criticism of their produce but I have never had a problem and always found it fresh.

If you do go, I hope you are happy with the result.

tansy · ‎01-02-2011

Are there other things to see or do on that drive, @monicakm? I like the store yet I don't stop in often. I mostly buy freezer items which might be tough for you to get back home.

The employees are usually fun to interact with though and seem to enjoy their jobs.

monicakm · ‎03-16-2010

@tansy

It would be a nice countryside drive for the fall leaves and it's an area I don't think I've ever been to. DH was just in that city last weekend. Freezer items is most likely what we would be looking for. We would carry a cooler. My back isn't up to cooking. I've barely cooked anything in the last 3 years with all that I've had go wrong.

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

I was excited about Trader Joe's just from reading about the store on these forums.

I was told it was a nice store, but not all that.

Finally, we got one about 15 minutes from me. I agree,it's nice,but not all that. I think I've been there 3x's in the last two years.

Most of what they sell is processed frozen food. Their produce is the same as everywhere else. The bakery items looked okay.

Their fresh flowers were nice.

The store is really small and laid out dumb. I went one Saturday morning, and got stuck and couldn't move. There were so many people that I couldn't even see what was in the freezers.

I do like their paper bags with the handles. I might stop in again sometime, but never on a weekend.

I would not drive an hour to shop there.