By Keith Purtell
Phoenix Staff Writer
September 11, 2008 04:04 pm
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Originally published July 22, 2008
Editor’s note: One in a series of stories to help readers save money.
Brian and Tiffany Cathey went shopping for bargains Thursday afternoon at Save-A-Lot grocery store on North York Street.
With themselves and three children to feed, Tiffany said she has learned how to be a careful shopper.
Bulk shopping is usually a great way to save in quantity.
But, occasionally a little math comes in handy. Most grocery stores have labels on the shelves that reveal the price per unit.
“We get simple things the kids will eat, like cereal, hot dogs and sloppy Joes,” she said. “And fruit; I can buy most of those in bulk.”
However, Tiffany said she has learned that a giant container does not guarantee a good deal.
“It’s not always a matter of how much is in the package but what the price is,” she said. “It’s not always the big bulk items that you save money on. Sometimes you get a smaller size for the best price.”
Save-A-Lot Second Assistant Manager Judy Gumpert said their “just the basics” philosophy draws in a wide spectrum of deal hunters.
“We see everybody in here from blue collar to attorneys and doctors,” she said. “They’re all in here because everybody is looking for a bargain. We basically just carry the basics. There are no crabs in a tank where you can pick one, no bakery and no deli.”
Gumpert added that some customers like to buy quantity not only for the savings but also to reduce the number of trips to the store.
In our vegetable section, people will come in and buy a whole flat of 12 cans,” she said. “A lot of our customers are once-a-month shoppers.”
Although they don’t specialize in bulk products, several they did have included 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters for $6.79 (67.9 cents per pound), 10 pounds of bone-in pork sirloin chops for $13.99 ($1.40 per pound), 15 pounds of catfish nuggets for $19.99 ($1.33 per pound), 10 pounds of sliced bacon for $13.90 ($1.39 per pound), five pounds of cheese for $17.99 ($3.60 per pound), and 12 rolls of toilet paper for $2.88 (13.6 cents per roll).
At Marvin’s IGA on North York Street, Co-Manager Dexter Cantrell said he has noticed a pattern in bulk shopping.
“I see people shopping like that quite a bit,” he said. “Most of them are big families. The majority of families that come in and buy like that are saving quite a bit. They could save anywhere from $1.50 to $3 or $4 on an item; it all depends on what they are buying.”
Cantrell said two items top the list of most popular products bought in bulk.
“Meat is the biggest one,” he said. “Next comes non-food items like paper towels and stuff like that.”
Cantrell also advised double-checking the price per unit to make sure you get the best value for your dollar.
“If you know the number of items in a pack, you’ve got to do the math to make sure you get a good deal, because some things come out to be the same price,” he said.
15 ways to save at the grocery store
1. Make a list — and stick to it. This is the cardinal rule of shopping. The list represents your grocery needs: the staples you’re out of, and the food you need for upcoming meals. When you stray from the list, you’re buying on impulse, and that’s how shopping trips get out of control.
2. Compare unit pricing. The biggest package isn’t always the most cost-effective. Stores know that consumers want to buy in bulk, and so they mix it up: sometimes the bulk item is cheaper, sometimes it’s more expensive.
The only way you can be sure is to take a calculator.
3. Ditch the basket or cart. If you’re dashing into the supermarket to pick up milk and bread, don’t use a basket. Baskets induce people to buy more. If you’re limited to what you can carry, you’re more likely to avoid impulse purchases.
4. Don’t examine things you don’t need. The more you interact with something, the more likely you are to buy it. Stay focused.
5. Live on the edge. Health-conscious shoppers know that the perimeter of the store is where the good stuff is. The baked goods, dairy products, fresh meats, and fruits and vegetables are generally placed along the outside edge of the supermarket, while the processed stuff can be found up and down the aisles. But shopping the edges isn’t just healthier — it’s cheaper too. Stock up on the fresh food first, then venture to the middle of the store.
6. Discard brand loyalties. If you try a cheaper brand and are disappointed, it’s okay to return to your regular brand.
7. Choose generic. Better yet, try the store brand. Generic and store brand products are cheaper than their name-brand equivalents and are usually of similar quality.
8. Use coupons wisely. Clip coupons for only the things you need — staple foods and ingredients — not for processed junk food.
9. Make one large trip instead of several small ones. Each time you enter the grocery store is another chance to spend.
10. Buy from the bulk bins. Some stores offer bulk bins filled with baking ingredients, cereal and spices. When you buy in bulk, you get just the amount you need, and you pay less.
11. Check your receipt. Make sure your prices are scanned correctly. Make sure your coupons are scanned correctly.
12. Shop alone. People tend to buy more when shopping in groups than when shopping alone.
13. Use a grocery price book. A grocery price book is an ongoing list of the items you most commonly purchase and how much you paid for them. This list allows you to detect price cycles, spot bargains and plan your shopping trips for maximum savings.
14. Shop on a full stomach. Studies show that folks who shop when they’re hungry buy more.
15. Walk or bike. By walking or biking to the store, you can automatically limit your spending.
Source: getrichslowly.org
Reach Keith Purtell at 918-684-2925 or Click Here to Send Email
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Photos
Judy Gumpert, second assistant manager at Save-A-Lot, believes customers like to buy in bulk from their grocery store because they save money and make fewer trips to the store.