Saturday, November 3, 2018

Complexities of Grocery Shopping: 15 Helpful Hints


Grocery shopping. Most of us have shop for groceries at least once a week.  It should be easy, but its not. Preparation for grocery shopping has to take place before your stepping out of your door.

Just this week, posted:  Green onions at 2 bunches at 0.89. No problem. Once home, I noticed the cashier charged me $1.89 instead of 0.89! Cashier rung up each bunch separately at 0.89 instead of 0.45 each.   I  suspect this happens a lot.  Cashiers are ignorant and know no better. So, here are some steps I recommend before grocery shopping to prevent getting "robbed at the cash register"!

1. Plan out your meals for the week. Have an idea of what needs to be purchased.

2. Do an inventory of your pantry. See which food items are near depleted.

3. Make a shopping list. You can be flexible. But at least you will have purchased what you needed.  Its cool to also purchase what you want AFTER essential food needs are cared for.

4. Use the notepad on your cellphone to enter your list. Paperless lists are nice... as long as you do not mess up the entries. Otherwise, stick to paper and pen.

5. Check the online grocer circulars.  I have two favorite low cost grocers. Store circulars will show which store has the best bargain and that will be the store I select.

6. Determine the best time of day. I prefer mornings... but not too early. Baggers do not arrive until late.  Cashiers are too lazy to help with bagging.  I actually prefer stores where I do my own checkout and bagging.

7. Avoid grocery shopping on the 1st day of the month.  Usually too many folks there.

8. You may want to avoid the days when senior citizens are bused in.  No shade to our seniors.... I'm just saying.

9. Eat before you leave home!!! Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach!!! You have been warned!!!

10. Don't be lazy!!!  Park at a remote spot in the parking lot. Folks are inconsiderate,  rude and vicious!  They will damage your car with carts or their own piece of junk!  Most fiends will park close to entrance. Stay clear of that area.

11. Cashiers do not know the different types of veggies and fruits. They will over-charge. So, always place complex items on the conveyor belt LAST when you can identify the produce and verify the charge. NEVER place produce items first, you will miss the cashier's incorrect price.

12. Bring an ink pen or fine tip felt marker to write price on bags and labels, but do not write on food! You can't remember every price, but you can record as you shop.  This is important until such time grocers devise methods where customers can track real time price to verify with cashiers.

13. Cashiers are tricky and sneaky. Shoppers need to be able to view prices at time of checkout. So, always get in line where at least 1 or 2 shoppers are already in line. Hurry and place items on conveyor belt so that you will be positioned to see each rung up price. 

14. Do not get distracted while transacting with cashier.  Beware of crack heads, meth-addicts and other fiends are on the prowl to steal your paid items on conveyor belt.  Always keep you eyes on items that you paid.

15. If you are computer competent, always do the self-checkout. You can verify your prices.  There is always an attendant assigned to self-checkout stations.  They attendant will NOT assist with bagging, but they can do overrides.

Happy Grocery Shopping!

No comments:

Post a Comment