Jeff Campbell

Hi! I'm Jeff Campbell. I was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades. I worked in 9 stores in 4 states, not counting the hundred-plus stores I've assisted in other ways. I was a Global All-Star, a Gold Pen Winner, and won Top-10 Store (company-wide) 3 times in addition to Best New Store (company-wide). Click Here to learn more about me. Click Here to learn more about my site. Editorial Policies.

Kroger vs. Walmart: Which Is Better?

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Kroger is the second-largest grocery store in the US after Walmart. But many Kroger shoppers wonder if it’s really worth paying more money for groceries than if they shopped at Walmart. So today, we’re looking at Kroger vs. Walmart.

Kroger vs Walmart: They are 2 of the largest grocers in the US. You can save money shopping at Walmart, but Walmart picks inventory based on low price more than quality. At Kroger, you’ll get better quality meat & produce, and Kroger’s Simple Truth private label lines mean low priced natural & organic food items too.

But there is much more to know to find out if Kroger is better than Walmart, and how.

We’ll compare their prices and produce quality. We will also discuss if being unionized has any effect on the working, produce quality, or prices of a grocery store. 

Just keep reading to find out!

No matter which you prefer, skip the lines and hassles, and order from Walmart or Kroger through Instacart.

Just CLICK HERE to learn more and get your groceries on their way!

Is produce cheaper at Walmart or Kroger?

Overall, grocery prices at Walmart are about 4% less than they are at Kroger. However, Kroger is cheaper than Walmart when it comes to proteins, dairy, and overall produce. (source)

Kroger offers steep discounts on a few of the most purchased items, like apples, green grapes, baby carrots, and bell peppers. However, most of the remaining produce, like bananas, spinach, pre-cut produce, and organic produce are more expensive at Kroger. 

Kroger is also one of the largest organic-food sellers in the country. They sell more seasonal products and work with startups to make their produce last longer. 

Both Kroger and Walmart are constantly working on expanding their produce departments. While Kroger is adding more new stores, Walmart is widening aisles and installing bins to give their produce departments a more “farmers market” feel.

The price of produce is important, but the freshness is key. If the produce isn’t fresh, shoppers won’t want to shop at the store.

Another important factor is meat. Walmart may have cheaper produce, but their meat quality is lacking.

The best meat, especially steaks, can be found at Whole Foods. Check out this recent article about what makes a good steak and why Whole Foods is the best place to buy them.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is Kroger higher priced than Walmart?

Generally, yes.

Walmart and Kroger have been in a price war for quite a while.

According to Business Insider, Walmart’s groceries are about 4% cheaper than Kroger’s. Besides, the most expensive groceries on Kroger’s shelves are nonperishable and frozen items.

Kroger is 3.3% cheaper in the “fresh” category for things like proteins, dairy, and vegetables. But that’s mostly because of steep discounts on staple items like eggs, green grapes, baby carrots, and chicken breasts.

Without those items, Kroger’s “fresh” items were 15% more expensive than Walmart’s.

Even though Kroger has been aggressively reducing prices to better compete with Walmart, they just can’t seem to get at Walmart’s price point.

Even though they both sell groceries, Kroger and Walmart are considered “supermarkets.”

While the terms grocery store and supermarket are often used interchangeably, grocery stores are usually more focused on a specific category of food or targeted demographic.

Supermarkets have lots of choices, counters with butchers, and fresh seafood. To read more about the differences between grocery stores and supermarkets, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How does Kroger vs. Walmart quality compare?

When it comes to fresh items, like meat and produce, Walmart’s quality is not as good as Kroger’s. In fact, most grocery stores will have better quality meat and produce than Walmart.

I’ve found that Walmart’s produce tends to go bad quicker than Kroger. And their meat is not very good.

Walmart’s goal is to keep prices low. Sometimes that means sacrificing quality for lower prices.

While Walmart is still cheaper, Kroger has a better variety of processed foods. For example, if there is a certain brand of cereal bar that you like, and Walmart sells it, it will likely be cheaper at Walmart. But if you want more choices to pick from, Kroger will be the better option.

Kroger also carries more and better name brands than Walmart. Many times Walmart will only have one or two brands to choose from.

Therefore, if the price is your most important factor, Walmart is a better choice. You’ll save more money at Walmart. But if quality and variety are important, Kroger will be your better option.

Is Kroger bigger than Walmart?

Walmart is the largest grocer in the US, with more than 5,000 locations nationwide.

Stores under the Walmart umbrella include supercenters, discount stores, Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs, and small-format stores. And they can be found just about everywhere. In fact, they are in 49 of our 50 states here in the US (Hawaii is the lone exception).

According to Forbes, Walmart exceeds $500 billion in sales every year. And it’s really no surprise.

Their prices are low. They are constantly making it easier for customers to make purchases. Shoppers shop online for groceries or for retail items.

Customers can then have their groceries delivered to them, or they can pick them up without ever having to go to the store.

As far as retail items, Walmart has again made it easy to pick up purchases at Pickup Towers. This makes it super convenient to purchase what you want without spending time roaming the store and waiting in long lines at checkout.

As the second-largest retailer, Kroger has 2,764 stores.

Stores under the Kroger operate supermarkets, multi-department stores, warehouse clubs, and convenience stores under 30 banners.

Though Walmart may have more stores, Kroger covers more ground. However, Kroger’s sales are significantly less than Walmart’s, which has about $121 billion in sales every year.

Also, Kroger’s chicken is likely better than Walmart’s chicken, which is known for low prices, but not quality.

To read about what grocery stores have the best meat, check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Are Kroger or Walmart Unionized, and does it make a difference?

Walmart is not unionized, but Kroger is.

People complain a lot about how Walmart treats their employees, but having a union doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be treated better as an employee or have better working conditions.

Take a look at Publix. Publix has never been unionized but has been on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For for 23 years in a row. They’ve made it on the list every year since the list started in 1998. 

And you’ll see similar positive results from Whole Foods Market, my former employer, which (for the most part) has remained steadfastly non-union since starting in 1981.

From what I could find, Kroger, despite being unionized, has never been on the list.

Labor unions were initially started to ensure that employees were paid a fair wage, received benefits, and had safe working conditions.

These days, however, those protections are covered under state and federal labor laws that didn’t exist when unions were needed.

Union membership is steadily declining, too.

There are many reasons for the drop in membership, but modern labor laws are one factor. That, and most (but certainly not all) businesses understand they have to treat employees decently in order to retain them.

As a GM at Whole Foods for many years, I hired probably hundreds, if not thousands, of former union grocery workers from other stores.

I’d estimate that over 90% were very happy to be working non-union, and overall felt they had a better work environment, pay, and benefits.

As far as cost to the consumer, it doesn’t really have any effect.

So in the big picture, being unionized doesn’t really matter. Unions played an important role in protecting workers, especially in the early to mid-1900s. But in many regards, the protections they offer are no longer worth the dues to workers.

I’m sure there are exceptions, especially in other industries, but that’s how I see it in this day and age.

Final Thoughts

Kroger and Walmart are two of the largest supermarkets in the United States.

In this article, I compared prices between Kroger and Walmart. We learned how Walmart is bigger than Kroger in size and sales. Besides, Walmart has limited variety, but better prices. On the other hand, Kroger has a better quality of fresh foods, more variety of processed foods, but higher prices.

I also talked about whether Kroger and Walmart are unionized and whether it makes a difference to you, the consumer. 

So, which supermarket do you prefer?

No matter which you prefer, skip the lines and hassles, and order from Walmart or Kroger through Instacart.

Just CLICK HERE to learn more and get your groceries on their way!

Photos which require attribution:

Kroger Cahokia, IL 5 by Mike Kalasnik and Walmart by Mike Mozart are licensed under CC2.0

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”pWaRqdgw” upload-date=”Fri Sep 11 2020 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)” name=”Kroger vs. Walmart: Which Is Better?” description=”Kroger is the second-largest grocery store in the US after Walmart. But many Kroger shoppers wonder if it’s really worth paying more money for groceries than if they shopped at Walmart. So today, we’re looking at Kroger vs. Walmart. Here’s what I discovered: Kroger vs Walmart: They are 2 of the largest grocers in the US. You can save money shopping at Walmart, but Walmart picks inventory based on low price more than quality. At Kroger, you’ll get better quality meat & produce, and Kroger’s Simple Truth private label lines mean low priced natural & organic food items too. But there is much more to know to find out if Kroger is better than Walmart, and how. We’ll compare their prices and produce quality. We will also discuss if being unionized has any effect on the working, produce quality, or prices of a grocery store. Just keep reading to find out!”]

ShopRite vs. Wegmans: Which is better?

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Wegmans stores are enormous, selections are excellent, and pricing is reasonable for the quality provided. ShopRite, on the other hand, is known for its low prices and tons of coupons and promos. So I decided to compare ShopRite vs. Wegmans.

Shoprite vs. Wegmans? Wegmans has an overall higher level of quality of products. They also put more money into the aesthetics of the store and attention to the shopping experience. Shoprite, on the other hand, focuses more on conventional grocery store items, low prices, and lots of coupons.

But that’s not all of the story. 

You might want to know how these two hugely successful grocery chains differ. If you love shopping at Wegmans, but you’re curious about ShopRite, you might have a few pressing questions.

You might wonder which grocery store is cheaper, why ShopRite is so popular, and whether they have organic produce or not.

Keep reading to find out all the details!

Is Wegmans the best grocery store?

Best is a subjective term. They are great. But since they are currently limited to the East coast of the USA, I would be hard-pressed to call them the best in the world.

Wegmans is a popular supermarket chain on the East coast with 100+ stores.

It annually appears on Fortune’s list “Top 100 Best Companies to Work For”. In 2020, Wegmans has been listed as the top three best companies to work for. With 21 years in operation, it has now become a go-to supermarket for shoppers who want affordable, high-quality groceries in a comfortable environment.

They are also well known for their customer service, amazing food bars, and their wide selections of products.

Wegmans has some of the largest stores, which means more selection; particularly in gourmet, organic, and all-natural products.

The stores range between 70,000 square feet and 120,000 square feet, with about 60,000 products each. A typical grocery store is about 45,000 square feet and carries about 42,000 products.

However, Wegmans is more than just a grocery store.

Visit their Cheese Shop, and you’ll find more than 300 kinds of fancy cheeses. They even offer reservations at some locations. You can find traditional Italian cuisine at Amore by Wegmans as well as fine Italian wines. Wegmans Next Door serves specialty dishes like sushi and foie gras.

If those aren’t wow factors, Wegmans stores always have free samples, cooking demonstrations, and recipes to try.

What is ShopRite known for?

If you’ve heard of ShopRite, then you know the popular grocery cooperative is well known for its organic products. They are also known for their low prices and every day promotions.

In October 2019, ShopRite introduced its Right Price Promise program. It allows customers to buy frequently purchased items without waiting for sales. Flour, cheese, apples, and yogurt, among other things, are always in the program. You can identify them by tags throughout the store.

ShopRite has a wide selection of national brands, but they also have a more diverse selection of foods. Organic, Kosher, Asian, Polish, and Halal foods can all be found at ShopRite. If you’re on a special diet, you can find items in ShopRite that wouldn’t be available in a typical grocery store.

Under their private brand, Black Bear of the Black Forest, ShopRite has gluten-free cheeses and deli meats.

ShopRite’s Wholesome Pantry brand is well known since all its organic products also fall under this brand. Their newly added brands are gaining accolades, though. If you want prepared salads that don’t cost an arm and leg, then you should try ShopRite’s brand – Bowl & Basket.

The brand has sixteen different salads, including Asian and Italian. It also has cooking oils like avocado oil and peanut oil.

Want to learn how ShopRite compares to another top grocery chain?

Check out my recent article on Whole Foods vs. ShopRite. I compare their prices, quality, and overall experience, so this is a must-read!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Is ShopRite cheaper than Wegmans?

The simple answer would be yes. But read on to find out all the details!

As with all grocery stores, they each have items that you would find cheaper at one than the other. Wegmans and ShopRite both sell national brands, which usually cost the same or very close across the board. They also have their own private brands that are cheaper than many national brands.

ShopRite’s many, many promotions will give you the impression that you are paying very little, but that isn’t necessarily the case.

That’s not to say the promotions are not valuable. At ShopRite, you can stack digital coupons with manufacturer coupons. Some can even be reused up to five-time per day.

Incorrect pricing is nothing to look forward to, but if you do happen to get overcharged for an item, you’ll get it free.

Wegmans doesn’t have as many promotions as ShopRite, but they do have the advantage of their own distribution, and what this means for you as the shopper is overall lower prices! ShopRite outsources its distribution, so they have to pay a third party. Wegmans controls its entire distribution process.

Wegmans also has a reputation for excellent waste management, and their turnover is very high. This allows them to maintain those low prices.

Does ShopRite have organic produce?

Yes, definitely.

Their organic produce items include salads and greens, carrots, spinach, tomatoes, and much more. 

Then, on top of produce, ShopRite’s Wholesome Pantry Organic brand is USDA Certified Organic. These products are free from 110 preservatives and artificial flavors.

Wholesome Pantry Organic has introduced more than 210 products since its launch, and you can find their specials in the weekly flyer.

The Wholesome Pantry brand can be found in more than 270 stores in New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

In 2017, Wholesome Pantry Organic brand received two Salute to Excellence Awards by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). More than 560 private label brands were assessed, and their Spring Mix Salad and Creamy Almond Butter were awarded.

Does Wegmans have better meat than ShopRite?

Yes, they do! Wegmans has a long-standing reputation for providing top-notch meat.

Wegmans source their meat from small family-owned farms in Uruguay. The majority of their meat is under their own brand. Unlike ShopRite, Wegmans is clear about their animal welfare philosophy.

If you know your meat as I do, then you know that grass-fed and free-range cattle tastes better than caged and grain-fed.

Wegmans takes pride in providing meat that is USDA Certified, free of antibiotics, and Humane Farm Animal Care Certified (NAMI).

In September 2019, ShopRite was recognized for Excellence in Beef for its Certified Angus Beef.

They were awarded for their brand leadership in sales, marketing, and meat quality. ShopRite also rolled out the Prime option so customers can get restaurant-quality meat. The Certified Angus Beef brand is world-famous for its generous marbling, and only 3% of beef achieves its quality. You can imagine that it is pricey and, therefore, only available in small amounts at large grocers.

ShopRite has good meat, but their lack of transparency about their standards is a little concerning.

If you’re a meat-lover, you know that grades, marbling, texture, and taste are extremely important. My recent article is a must-read as I unveil, which grocery store has the best meat!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Final Thoughts

It’s no doubt that Wegmans is one of the best grocery stores.

It’s a haven for cheesemongers and pizza lovers. And if you’re a loyal Wegmans shopper, you also know their customer service is like no other. They have a 365 competitor advantage due to their massive sizes, quality products, and affordability.

At ShopRite, you get what you pay for, and that’s okay for some people. Don’t be discouraged against trying ShopRite! They do have great products at reasonable prices.

In this article, I talked about what ShopRite is known for discussed a few of its most popular brands. I also told you about some of the great promotions that are available to save you money at ShopRite.

You learned that ShopRite has a brand of quality organic produce that is USDA Certified and also affordable.

Though the two competitors have quality meat, you learned that one clearly provides sustainable and wholesome meat that you’ll feel good about purchasing.

Photos which require attribution:

ShopRite North Bergen, NJ 2 by Mike Kalasnik and IMG_1313 (Wegmans) by John M are licensed under CC2.0

Can Instacart Shoppers Skip Lines? (Yes! Here’s how)

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If you are new to working for Instacart as a Shopper you may not know all the tricks yet. But even customers who see people cutting in front of them have wondered can Instacart Shoppers skip lines?

Yes. Instacart shoppers can skip lines to ensure they meet delivery times. But some stores allow Shoppers to work early or late hours (when there’s no general public) and check out in separate checkouts. They are also given prepaid Master Cards for faster checkouts.

But every store is a little different and that doesn’t even answer questions about how Instacart shoppers enter places like Costco. So let’s dive right in…

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Do Instacart shoppers have to checkout?

Yes, they do. They are advised by the company to always use manned checkouts. The company has provided each shopper with a prepaid Mastercard, which is used at the checkout, to make payments for what’s been ordered.

The Instacart app (and other apps) does not yet have the functionality that enables the shoppers to completely skip the checkout process in the stores.

The technology is being worked on. But, for now, they have to check out, just like everybody else.

But how do they enter Costco and where do they check out there? Coming up next!

Do Instacart Shoppers have to wait in line at Costco?

No is the short answer.

In a recent article of mine, I went into a bit more detail about whether Instacart shoppers can go to Costco. Just click on the link to view it on my website.

Costco and Instacart are partners.

It’s a partnership that makes a lot of sense if you think about it.  Costco is a retailer that sells products at discounted rates (and charges membership fees). Luckily, Instacart or Shoppers don’t have to have a Costco membership to buy or shop through Instacart.

And, Instacart shoppers don’t have to wait in line.

In some cases, they have a dedicated checkout to use. Other times they are given preference over the general shoppers. In short, it varies a little from location to location.

In some cases, there’s a dedicated staging area for Instacart shoppers too, and they can go in and out of Costco through another door.

Okay. But how do they pay for the groceries? I’ll answer that next.

How do Instacart shoppers pay for groceries?

Once you’re formally hired by Instacart and have gone through the onboarding process, you’ll be provided with a uniform, a bag, lanyard with your ID attached, and with a dedicated, prepaid Mastercard, which is linked to the company’s app.

This is what Instacart Shoppers use to pay for groceries.

You’ll never have to use your own card to pay! So, after you’ve selected all that’s on a customers’ grocery list, you simply walk to the manned register and pay with the prepaid Mastercard.

Instacart and some other top players in the industry are working on a technology that’ll make it unnecessary to use the traditional checkout systems we’ve all grown up with.

When it’s ready, the technology will allow a shopper to electronically intimate Instacart of the total amount of an order. Instacart pays the retailer. That means shoppers simply walk out with the goods after the payment has been confirmed.

There’s also a mobile payment solution (where users can use Apple pay or Google pay) in the works.

This will remove the need for using a physical credit or debit card. This will save a lot of time. Once a user has a phone and is using the Instacart app, they’ll be able to pay with a tap! How cool is that?

When both are operational they’ll dramatically reduce the queues, we often experience at grocery stores.

It’s then, that Instacart Shoppers would be able to truly skip lines, all the time.

But, can they use self-checkouts, now? That’s the next thing…

Can Instacart shoppers use self-checkout?

Yes, they can, but the company advises that Instacart Shoppers should use manned checkouts.

However, there are times and places, when you, as a shopper, may have to do what’s best in your particular circumstance. There are stores that’ll allow you to use self-checkout. Perhaps, there’s a very long queue, and you don’t want to be late.

So, you’ll have to use your discretion.

If the manned checkout will ultimately lead to a shorter time, that’s really the way to go. But, if there’s a really long line, and you’re sure you could work the self-checkout register fast, then go for it.

Now, let’s check out (pun intended) an overview of what being an Instacart shopper really entails.

How does being an Instacart Shopper work?

Working as an Instacart Shopper is a great way to earn an income because you get to set your own schedule. And, as you probably know already, there are two options available:

You could be an in-store shopper or a full-service shopper.

In the first category, you’ll only focus on shopping in a store. While in the second category, in addition to shopping, you’ll also need to go and deliver the items to those who have ordered them. In both cases, you’ll be using the Instacart app to check orders, make payments, receive tips…

You’ll agree that it stands to reason that you could earn a lot more if you opted for the second category (which involves shopping and also delivering).

You can also decide to make it a full-time or part-time work. So, it depends on you. It’s a nice way to earn a living if you think about it. Folks will always need groceries, right?

You could earn an average of $10 per hour, payable each week (instant cashouts available, too).

This does not include tips. Your income is determined by the work you do. It’s not a bad gig if you ask me. However, I do get complaint emails from Instacart Shoppers complaining about low tips, and Instacart combining multiple orders onto 1 ticket (so they only get paid for 1 order rather than multiple).

So it’s not everyone’s dream job.

In a recent article of mine, I spent time exploring something that’s really on your mind: when does Instacart pay me?

Does Instacart pay for mileage? How long does its direct debit take? What to do if you’re not satisfied with Instacart? And a lot more.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

If you opt for the in-store category, you don’t need to have a car

Since you won’t be making deliveries. You’ll also be an employee of Instacart rather than a contracted employee. That, theoretically means you could be eligible for benefits.

However, it’s worth noting that nowhere on the Instacart Shopper website does it say anything about benefits or eligibility. It’s also worth noting that the benefits category for Instacart on their Glass Door page rates them a 1.8 out of 5-stars. (source)

So clearly their Shoppers are not thrilled with the current benefits package.

 The following are the key requirements for both positions:

  • You’re 18-21 years old (this depends on the state you live in)
  • You must be eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada
  • You can lift 30 pounds of groceries
  • You have a passion for customer service
  • You have your own car (for the full-service shopper role)
  • You have a new model phone (Android 5.0 or later / iOS 9)

You may check for the lastest Instacart openings on this page.

Final Thoughts

In order to be able to meet the delivery time the grocery delivery platform has promised, there are many cases when its shoppers have to skip lines.

Some stores make special provisions for them, such as a dedicated register, entrance, and staging areas.

In fact, in some stores, they’re also allowed to come in earlier than the general public and also shop much later.

I looked out what’s required if you’re new to or considering becoming an Instacart shopper.

Ultimately, the job of Instacart Shopper isn’t for everyone. In fact, many people also have another job too. But if you get laid off from another job, how does Instacart income affect your unemployment?

In another recent article, I looked exactly how it will be affected and by how much $$. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Why Don’t Grocery Stores Have Fruit Flies?

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Fruit flies. Those pesky little flies that seem to love every fruit and vegetable on your counter. But it may have surprised you that grocery stores that have tons of produce rarely have fruit flies. Why don’t grocery stores have fruit flies?

Grocery stores don’t have fruit flies as they take all the precautions to prevent them in the first place. Since fruit flies go after rotten produce, grocery stores pay special attention to cull items daily. They also keep the shelves & racks clean, quickly wiping away any stray produce juices.

But, it is also essential to learn what attracts fruit flies, and why they may swarm in your kitchen but are hard to spot in stores. Besides, there’s much more to know about how grocery stores prevent and kill fruit flies.

Just keep reading to find out!

What causes fruit flies to appear?

Fruit flies generally appear out of nowhere. One day, there are no fruit flies anywhere to be seen. The next day, a swarm appears.

So what gives?

Fruit flies lay their eggs directly on rotting fruit and vegetables. They may also lay their eggs inside drains or on countertops that are not kept clean.

Besides, Fruit flies may produce up to 500 offspring, and the entire life cycle only takes about a week to complete. As a result, they can get out of control quickly.

Fruit flies are attracted to the smell of ripening fruit and decomposing produce.

I can’t think of anything stronger smelling than overripe bananas. So if your bananas, or any fresh produce, has been hanging around on the counter for too long, you’re likely to attract Fruit Flies.

At the grocery store, if the fruit is close to being overripe, or is otherwise not able to be sold, like a bruised apple, it might be transferred to another department like the Juice Bar. There it will be refrigerated if not used immediately.

That way, the produce department doesn’t get fruit flies. And it also helps the store reduce waste by using it in a different department.

But unfortunately, not all damaged or dated products get reused. So you may be wondering what happens to other food that isn’t sold.

If you are wondering what happens to unsold food in supermarkets, just read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do grocery stores use pesticides to kill fruit flies?

It’s unlikely that grocery stores use pesticides to kill fruit flies because they cannot be easily controlled with pesticides and insecticides. Plus most grocery stores have organically grown produce that can’t be sprayed with most pesticides.

The best solution to control flies is to prevent them in the first place.

The workers in the produce department are continually making sure surfaces are kept clean and dry. The high turnover of produce means they don’t need to inspect every piece of food necessarily. But they do remove produce with spots and bruises as quickly as possible.

Plus all stock gets rotated daily and anything damaged, bruised, or past it’s prime gets culled daily.

If they see a fruit fly, they head towards it to take a look at what it’s attracted to. Then they remove the source and clean the area around it.

In fact, one of the reasons that people love Whole Foods Market so much is that they genuinely care about the quality of their products.

They care so much that they have gone above and beyond the standards set by the FDA. As there is no definition of “natural” food, Whole Foods has compiled its own list of unacceptable ingredients.

These unacceptable ingredients include, but are not limited to:

  • Hydrogenated fats
  • High-fructose corn syrup
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Preservatives
  • Artificial colors and flavors

If a food contains any of these unacceptable ingredients, you won’t see it on their shelves.

To read more about what makes Whole Foods so popular, just check out this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Do grocery stores use traps to kill fruit flies?

Some grocery stores probably have traps in the back rooms.

Bugs of all kinds, not just fruit flies can get in near the trash compactor and loading docks. So they will likely have either sticky traps or zappers in the room near the trash compactor and receiving area.

Regardless of what they use, they won’t be out where the customers can see them.

This talk about the back room and the trash compactor may have you thinking about all of the other sections of the grocery store.

And there are many of them!

Almost all grocery stores start with a produce department and then line the walls with meat, seafood, deli, and bakery. Then the center of the store encompasses the grocery department, along with beer and wine, and health and beauty products. The front end is where the cashiers and baggers finalize the shopping experience.

But that just scratches the surface! To read all about the different sections of a grocery store, read this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How do you get rid of fruit flies in a grocery store?

Fruit flies can be challenging to get rid of.

Prevention methods are the best way to ensure fruit flies don’t make an appearance. That’s why it’s so important to remove any bruised or overripe produce promptly.

But if an apple falls off the counter, and gets kicked under the display, it will start to rot. When it starts to decay, fruit flies will know and will start to swarm.

That’s when the cleaning begins.

The produce department will have to do a deep cleaning of the area. Not only to find the food source for the fruit flies but to prevent more from coming.

When they find that hidden onion, they’ll clean the area thoroughly with bleach. They’ll clean the floor where the onion was, as well as any surrounding surfaces. They’ll remove any other potential food sources as well.

If they are bad enough, they may call in a professional service to get rid of them.

What is the best product to kill fruit flies?

The first thing worth doing is to make sure it’s actually a fruit fly and not a gnat.

Fruit flies range from tan to reddish-orange and brown. Gnats are a common look alike, but they are gray to black in color.

If you do have fruit flies, first and foremost, clean all of your surfaces and discard any overripe or rotting fruit. If you’ve cleaned and cleaned, but you’re still seeing them, there are a few ways to get rid of fruit flies.

Apple cider vinegar. Fill a glass or bowl with apple cider vinegar, and cover it with plastic wrap and seal with a rubber band. Poke tiny holes in the top. Fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar, but won’t be able to escape.

Apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Secondly, you may use a drop of dish soap in a bowl of vinegar and mix. Since soap decreases the surface tension, the flies become immersed and can’t escape.

Old beer or wine. If you have a bottle of beer or an old bottle of wine, leave it out near where the fruit flies have been congregating. They will be attracted to the old, sweet beverage, but will be unable to escape through the narrow neck.

Final Thoughts

We talked about how fruit flies gravitate toward rotten fruit.

Grocery stores do their best to make sure that there are no rotten fruit or fruit juices on display. We also discussed how grocery stores prevent the appearance of fruit flies. And how fruit files are handled if they do make an appearance.

Grocery stores hate fruit flies just as much as you do because they know that you won’t want to shop where there are swarms of those pesky bugs.

Can Instacart Deliver to a Hotel Room? (Yes, here’s how)

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Instacart is a huge time-saver when it comes to groceries. But what about when you’re staying at a hotel? While we know restaurants often deliver to hotel rooms, I wondered can Instacart deliver to a hotel room?

Yes, Instacart will deliver to a hotel room. They recently added a service allowing hotel guests to get their groceries delivered to their rooms. The customers can order through the Instacart app and inform the front desk that they are expecting a delivery. However, not every hotel chain currently allows this.

So that leaves us with many more questions.

For instance, do ALL hotels allow grocery delivery from Instacart? Or will Instacart deliver to Disney resorts while you are hanging with Mickey? And most importantly, can you receive the delivery even outside of the hotel?

No worries! I will help you find the right answers to all your queries.

Keep reading to know more.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Does Instacart bring groceries inside a hotel?

Yes, Instacart does bring groceries inside a hotel.

If you want the shopper to deliver to your room, mention the correct room number and contact details when ordering. It would be helpful if you notify the front desk that you are expecting a delivery.

If you’re not in your room at the shopper’s arrival, the staff will not send the order to your room.

The customer has the advantage of deciding whether he wants Instacart to deliver to the hotel room directly or wants the hotel staff to deliver it to him.

The front desk staff might hold your items until you arrive but will not necessarily store them. So if you order ice cream or anything that spoils quickly, you should be in your room to store it.

Do all hotels allow grocery delivery?

Some hotels do, but not all. Some hotels have partnered with Instacart, Peapod, etc., to deliver essentials to hotel guests. For instance, Disney hotels are partnered with Instacart and Graden Grocer.

However, hotels that offer dining facilities are less likely to allow grocery delivery.

Some hotels partner with grocery delivery services like Instacart for service convenience. Guests can enjoy what they would at home while spending days in a hotel. To order or change your delivery address from your home to the hotel address in the Instacart app, you’ll have to visit their website.

Also, you must add specific delivery instructions (room number, hotel security requirements, etc) to avoid any delays in receiving your order.

Just like home delivery, your shopper will need to reach you in case a substitute item is needed. Remember to give the shopper your room number! A general requirement is that you must be in your room to receive and properly store the items.

It is worth mentioning that some hotels do charge for grocery delivery to guest rooms.

This does not include the Instacart delivery charge. If you have been using Instacart for a while, you might have noticed that the costs fluctuate when you order from different stores.

Check out my recent article on why Instacart charges more than the store. I’ll let you know what stores charge higher markups and why! Just click the link to check it out.

Does Instacart deliver to Disney resorts?

Instacart is one of the top three grocery delivery services at Disney World. Guests can easily enjoy the feeling of being at home by having groceries delivered to them.

A Disney vacation isn’t cheap, especially if you have a large family. Eating every meal at the park can cost a boatload. Ordering groceries through Instacart will save lots of money and time.

But, since the policy update in 2019, you can no longer have items delivered to the room or the front desk. At least not from Instacart or other third party companies.

You must pick up your groceries from outside the resort.

Even though deliveries aren’t allowed inside the resorts, tons of people still use Instacart for their grocery deliveries. It is more time saving compared with Garden Grocer. With Instacart, you can get your order within 1-2 hours.

What is the Disney grocery delivery policy?

As of October 1, 2019, the Disney grocery delivery policy only allows grocery deliveries to your resort from Garden Grocer. It is a longtime partner of Disney, and they do not charge any fee.

Instacart and other 3rd party services can only meet you outside the resort.

Garden Grocer can deliver to the front desk. And there’s no additional charge for Bell Services to take the order to your room or store the items for you.

So to get groceries delivered from Instacart and other third-party companies, you will need to collect them from outside the resort. This change might have occurred because of the high volume of deliveries from grocery delivery services like Instacart. The hotel staff had many items to check, and the risk of spoilage or breakage of items also increased.

Before the implementation of the new policy, Bell Services would hold your items or take them to your room. They would usually charge $6 for delivery to your room. This is no longer the case. With any third party delivery service, you’ll need to arrange for your items to be delivered, pick them up and store them in your room.

Overall the new policy takes away some of the convenience of grocery delivery, but ordering through Instacart is still a great idea.

Can I receive Instacart deliveries outside of my hotel?

Yes, you can receive delivery outside of your hotel.

Although Instacart can deliver to a hotel room, some hotels do not allow this. In such a situation you’ll have to pick the order from outside the hotel. It is no different from a curbside delivery at home. Even though it might not be convenient, it will save you money.

Remember to tip your shopper even though you meet them at the curb.

Not sure how to tip your shopper? Here’s my recent article on how much you should tip a shopper. I have tried to cover all you need to know about Instacart Pickup, why you must tip, and how much the delivery costs.

Just click the link to find out more!

Final thoughts

In this article, you learned that having groceries delivered to your hotel is indeed possible and, above all, very satisfying. But you have to be available in the room to receive the order.

Furthermore, we got to know that Instacart can deliver to a hotel room directly or meet you outside the resort, depending on the resort policies.

You also learned that Disney’s grocery delivery policy restricts Instacart from delivery inside the resorts. Not all hotels get your orders to your room, but for the ones that do, you must expect a charge for their service. Besides, curbside delivery is a good option if your hotel does not allow grocery delivery.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Can Instacart Shoppers Go to Costco?

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Being an Instacart Shopper is one of the most challenging and responsible jobs. Instacart works with Costco. But of course, normally you have to have a membership to shop there. So, can Instacart Shoppers go to Costco?

Yes, Instacart Shoppers can go into Costco. They do need to wear an Instacart uniform or have the Instacart lanyard. Shoppers can also show their Instacart profile via a smartphone to identify themselves. They cannot, however, shop for themselves unless they have their own Costco membership.

I am quite aware of the online grocery delivery space, seeing as I spent twenty years as a general manager at Whole Foods.

I’ll share a few that relate to Instacart shoppers and Costco. Do Instacart shoppers have to wait in the cash register lines at Costco? And can non-members can buy from Costco through Instacart? And what if the customer you’re shopping for doesn’t have a Costco membership?

Let’s dive right in to clear all the doubts.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Do Instacart Shoppers have to show ID to enter Costco?

We are now aware that an Instacart Shopper can go to Costco, but how do you enter the store?

Since you’ll be going into the store as a representative of Instacart, it makes sense that you’ll need a valid means of identifying yourself. If you are wearing your Instacart uniform or have the lanyard, you don’t need to show an ID.

You could also use your Instacart profile via a smartphone to identify yourself.

Do Instacart Shoppers always need to be attired in a uniform and have a lanyard? No. Your actual ID or a scannable copy that has your picture will suffice.

Now, let’s check out if you’ll have to join the queue to shop at Costco?  

Do Instacart Shoppers have to wait in line at Costco?

As I have mentioned before, Instacart and Costco are partners.

As such, they are interested in what’s of mutual benefit. Think about it. If you owned a warehouse club, wouldn’t you love to have a partner who can help facilitate sales and delivery? In my recent article, I explained in some detail how Instacart works.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

It would be grossly inefficient if Instacart shoppers have to wait in line (just like everybody). After all, they always have deadlines to meet. You’ve probably seen the adverts that promise that groceries will be delivered in two hours.

So, Instacart shoppers don’t have to wait in line.

Some Costco locations give preference to Instacart shoppers (and, not to the detriment of the other general shoppers).

In some cases, they’re allowed to come in hours earlier before the Costco opens its doors to the general public, and a few hours after it’s closed to the public.

In some cases, there’s a dedicated staging area for Instacart shoppers, and they can go in and out of Costco through another door.

Can an Instacart Shopper buy items for themselves at Costco?

No is the short answer.

Not unless you have your own Costco membership already. If you’re thinking you could just buy a few things while you’re there doing a shop for a customer, think again.

When Instacart Shoppers check out, they pull up a scannable membership card for the customer being shopped for. The order gets charged to that account. Or it gets charged to Instacart’s Costco account if the customer doesn’t have a Costco membership.

But either way, a Costco account is necessary to make a purchase. Shoppers who try and make a personal purchase would most likely be fired!

Does Instacart mark up prices at Costco?

Yes, it does.

The markup varies between 10% to as high as 23%. In a recent article of mine, I explained in-depth why Instacart charges more. The markups are not applied in all stores.  In the article, I shared other vital info you’ll need to know about how Instacart works.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Are the markups too high? It depends on the individual. In most cases, they’re not. To put things in perspective, you’ll need to estimate how much you think your time’s worth if you were to go to the grocery store (if you’re not an Instacart shopper, just a regular person), go from aisle to aisle, and go back home.

What’s the estimated dollar cost of the time spent?

It also helps to remind oneself that these online grocery delivery services are businesses that employ thousands of people, some full-time, others, part-time. So, the markups are their primary source of revenue.

Another vital thing that’s related to markups is tipping. 

Should you tip Instacart drivers and shoppers? Tipping is a normal part of how business is done. It’s a sign of appreciation, and it’s also a way to encourage others who provide vital services and goods for us.

In another recent article of mine, I shared some info on this issue. How much should you tip? What’s recommended by Instacart? Should you tip in cash? You’ll find the answers to this and others in the article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Can a customer who isn’t a Costco member buy from Costco through Instacart?

Yes is the short answer.

You don’t need to be a Costco member to be able to buy online via Instacart. But, being a Costco member will, of course, make the cost lower.

So, if you’re not a member, you’ll have to be ready to pay a 5% surcharge to do the shopping.

It’s also important to know that some of Costco’s prices are steep. Some can be 20% higher than what’s ordinarily charged in the stores. So, if you’re wondering if it’s worthwhile, I’ll suggest you make a comparison.

Compare what it’ll cost you to buy straight from the store yourself, to buying through Instacart, alone, to what it’ll cost to buy from Costco through Instacart.

That’s three costs to compare.

If you’re incredibly price-sensitive, it’s smart to make the comparison. Of course, you’ll have to make an estimate of the cost of driving to a grocery store to do your shopping and of the time involved.

If you’re a very busy person who loves convenience, it makes a lot of sense to use Costco through Instacart. It’s smart to outsource grocery shopping while you focus on the more important stuff. However, you’ll have to be an Instacart user to be able to take advantage of this option.

Before I wrap up, let me share a recent article of mine, where I wrote about Dash Door and Walmart’s alliance. It’s an informative complement to what we’re explored in this article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final Thoughts

Online grocery delivery has taken the world by storm. And, it’ll continue to get stronger as AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more powerful.

In the preceding paragraphs, we’ve learned that Instacart shoppers can indeed do their shopping at Costco, they do need IDs and might have to wait in lines but not always.

We also learned that Instacart marks up purchases made at Costco. This is understandable; after all, it’s a business. The markups vary from about 10% to 23%. They don’t charge extra on products bought from stores they’re partners with.

Unhappy working for Instacart? Consider DoorDash!

DoorDash is a great alternative to working for Instacart.

See how much you could be earning. Available in over 4,000 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. All you need is a mode of transportation and a smartphone to start making money.

CLICK HERE to learn more about working for DoorDash!

Photos which require attribution:

Costco by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC2.0

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Does Instacart Deliver Cigarettes? (No, but one service does!)

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Online grocery delivery has taken the world by storm. Even in the remotest of locations, a lot of things can be ordered from the comfort of one’s home. But what about things like cigarettes? Does Instacart deliver cigarettes?

No. Instacart does not deliver cigarettes. In fact, they don’t currently deliver any tobacco products. However, since they have started delivering other restricted and regulated products such as alcohol, that could change in the future.

But, sit a spell with me, and I’ll tell you why, and I’ll also tell you about other options for buying cigarettes online. What about platforms like Doordash and Ubereats? Do you know if it is even legal to deliver cigarettes? We are going to find that out in this article.

Ever wondered why different cigarette packages come in different colors?

Click here to read my complete guide to cigarette package colors and what they mean. I even get into how to compare the colors of 1 brand to another, and the 1 exception when it comes to color packaging and different brands.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Will Instacart deliver cigarettes?

The short answer is no.

I spent 20 years working as a general manager at Whole Foods. So I know a thing or two about the grocery business, although it’s true that for the most part, Whole Foods Market never sold cigarettes.

Instacart is an app that allows you to order from pharmacies, specialty stores, and grocery stores. It has shoppers who pick the items and deliver the same to you. You can even order ahead or have them delivered to you hours after you’ve placed your order.

For now, cigarettes are not delivered via the Instacart platform. This is not meant to punish cigarette smokers in any way. There are a few other items, such as alcohol, that they didn’t use to deliver either. But now they do deliver alcohol in 14 states, so tobacco products could be next!

Which states do they deliver alcohol for?

I’m glad you asked. Actually I break down all 14 states, including limitations, restrictions, and if liquor is included, in this recent article.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Okay. No cigs. What else won’t Instacart deliver?

Instacart’s website shows they don’t deliver the following items:

  • Live animals, including feeder animals for pets
  • Appliances
  • Electronics and electronic peripherals
  • Furniture
  • Non-alcoholic age-restricted products like tobacco and over-the-counter items containing nicotine
  • Items containing pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine
  • Holiday trees
  • Currency
  • Photos
  • Lottery Tickets
  • Gift cards

So, which delivery platform can you order cigarettes from? We’ve got you covered below.

Can you order cigarettes on DoorDash or Ubereats?

Yes, you can order cigarettes from DoorDash, but on one condition.

Before the “shopper” hands it over to you, you’ll be required to provide ID that proves that you’re at least 21 years old. And, they’ll take their time to check that it’s indeed your ID and that it is not expired.

But, note that DoorDash does not allow its representatives to deliver cigarettes to the following locations:

  • Other businesses that sell tobacco
  • Locker or similar package storage facility
  • P.O. Boxes
  • Prison, reformatory, veteran’s home or state capitol grounds
  • College campus (e.g. frat house)
  • Sport venues
  • Hospitals and health care facilities
  • Public or private school

I’ve also had people tell me that not every state allows this. So double-check with DoorDash.

As of the time of writing this article, Ubereats does not deliver cigarettes. But they deliver alcohol, subject to certain checks.

If you’re not familiar with DoorDash, you can read a recent article of mine. Just click the link to read it.

As at the time I wrote the article DoorDash delivered in 46 states. I also shared other info, such as how it works with Walmart, the states it’s not operating in, how to get your groceries via their platform, whether you should tip their drivers or not…

Why doesn’t Instacart deliver tobacco products?

As per the law, there are pre-conditions that must be met before a person can order and have cigarettes delivered to them. For Instacart to deliver cigarettes, it’ll have to put in place a mechanism to ensure that these conditions are being met or it may have to face the wrath of the law.

It may be in the process of ensuring that these mechanisms are in place, or it may have decided that it’s not worthwhile to deliver tobacco products.

Apart from a few items, Instacart would deliver most things you need.

It’s a highly reliable platform. Should you tip its shoppers when they provide products to you? This is an issue some people find a tad confusing. This is why in a recent article of mine, I took the time to answer the questions and also shared some vital info you’ll like to know about Instacart. Just click the link to read it on my site.

Does this mean that the delivery of tobacco products is illegal? Let’s check that out in the next section…

Is it legal to deliver cigarettes?

Yes, it is. But some conditions must be met. Vendors are not contravening the laws when they deliver cigarettes, as long as they’re complying with the provisions of the law. For example, cigarettes must not be distributed or sold to minors (under 21 in this case), and the relevant taxes must be paid.

That’s to say, only folks who are 21 and above can buy and have cigarettes delivered to them.

And, before the cigarettes are delivered, the law requires that it’s actually being delivered to someone who’s 21 or above. That implies that the person delivering is required to check and confirm that this is the case.

Cigarettes and some other products are regulated.

So, it’s assumed that those selling and delivering have also complied with the relevant regulations, such as ensuring that the requisite taxes are being paid. As long as they ensure this is being done, it’s legal to deliver cigarettes. There are federal and state laws in this regard. So, it’s helpful also to check the state laws where you reside just to be doubly sure.

Does this mean that you can go ahead and order cigarettes online? And if so, is it cheaper that way compared to the store?

Click here to read my complete breakdown of ordering cigarettes online. I get into how to do it, if it’s cheaper, and which websites to go to.

Can we order cigarettes online?

Yes, you can. There are still many stores that sell cigarettes online. So many of them. All you need to do is simply Google it so that you can be sure that the stores can deliver to you.

The law does not prohibit the sale of cigarettes.

It merely restricts defines the age-group it can be sold to. It helps to see what precisely the Food and Drug Administration wrote. On its website, you’ll find:

“It is now illegal for a retailer to sell any tobacco product — including cigarettes, cigars, and e-cigarettes — to anyone under 21. FDA will provide additional details on this issue as they become available.”

You can see that the main requirement relates to the buyer’s age. As long as the buyer is 21 and above, they can order cigarettes online.

Final Thoughts

In the preceding paragraphs, I shared what the laws say about the sale, ordering, and delivery of cigarettes online. The law is not against the sale of cigarettes per se.

It only seeks to prevent its sale to minors (now defined as anyone below 21) and to prevent tax evasion on the product. The bottom line is that it is not prohibited to sell cigarettes online but an order is supposed to be followed.

There’s something you ought to know about Instacart, which I covered in detail in a recent article of mine. Just click the link to read it.

So, just to remind you: You can order cigarettes from DashDoor and many other stores, but Instacart and Ubereats do not deliver cigarettes.

Ready to start ordering from Instacart?

CLICK HERE to go to the Instacart order page.

Can’t wait for a delivery and think you’ll grab some smokes at TJ’s? Does Trader Joes even sell tobacco products in its stores?

The answer I give in a recent article might surprise you. That’s especially considering that the brothers who started Trader Joe’s and Aldi had a huge falling out over selling cigarettes.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

Whole Foods vs. Fairway: Which Is Better?

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Fairway Market is known to attract shoppers seeking fresh baked goods, cheeses, and specialty foods. Since the opening of its first store in 1933, it now has a treasured presence in the area of New York. But do you know which is better when it comes to Whole Foods vs. Fairway Market?

Read further to find out what my research uncovered!

Whole Foods vs. Fairway Market? Fairway Market is almost exclusively in the NYC area. While Fairway Market is better in terms of pricing, sales & coupons, Whole Foods Market is more trusted for quality, selection, and standards. In addition, Fairway, which filed for bankruptcy again in 2020, only has a few stores left.

Whole Foods Market is famously known as the world’s largest natural and organic supermarket chain. So if you’ve been shopping at Whole Foods for a while, you might be wondering if the brand nicknamed a “Whole Paycheck” is worth it, or should you consider shopping at Fairway? 

In addition, what is making Fairway lose its business lately, and are they going out of business? Keep reading for the details.

Is Whole Foods cheaper now that Amazon bought it?

Whole Foods is still among the most expensive grocery stores. But the short answer is yes. Whole Foods Market prices are cheaper since Amazon bought them.

In 2017, Amazon acquired the company and has made price cuts three times. In fact, they cut prices at Whole Foods an average of 20% in 2019.

But the price cuts aren’t across the board.

Amazon Prime members get up to 40% off all products from select brands. These include 35% off all Justin’s brand products, 40% off all Kite Hill’s plant-based products. Members even get 20% off ready-made sandwiches and wraps. Amazon has gone further to include weekly exclusive deals store wide.

But they can still be pricier than other grocers, even on the exact same products. Want to know why Whole Foods is more expensive than other grocers?

Check out my recent article where I give out all the details! I’ll compare prices, quality and give you a behind the scenes scoop based on my 2+ decades working with Whole Foods!

Just click on the link to read it on my website. 

Is the Fairway Market expensive?

Compared to Whole Foods, Fairway Market is not that expensive. But at the same time, though not known for crazy high prices, Fairway Market does have some items that are just as expensive as Whole Foods.

Fairway has a large variety of specialty items, including meat and organic produce, much like Whole Foods. Customers swear by their bagels, hand-sliced fish, and a wide range of cheeses.

Produce and meat are not very far off at both Whole Foods and Fairway because they both offer a variety of wild-caught fish and grass-fed beef.

Are you a meat lover? Here’s my recent article on which grocery store has the best steaks! I talk about grades, cuts, quality, and so much more. Your next steak purchase will be the best one yet!

Just click that link to read it on my site.

With its many weekly promotions and coupons, you can easily save when shopping at Fairway Market. On any given day, Fairway has up to 50 active coupons. A few of these such as the $10 coupon can be used up to 5 times a day. Others are $15 and $20 off coupons.

If you use the Instacart grocery delivery service, there is a $10 off coupon for your first order.

Fairway’s free shipping promotions offer an even bigger way to save. If you’re a coffee-lover, order four bags of coffee or loose tea, and just like that, you get free shipping. Some free delivery promotions are only available online.

Is Fairway going out of business?   

The short but no less painful answer is Yes! Fairway Market has been struggling with its private equity debts for years now, and they have finally been caught up.

Fairway first filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Their expansion plan failed to generate enough sales to offset their debts, and competitors like Whole Foods and Sprouts made it that much harder to stay afloat. They eventually emerged from bankruptcy with new owners, but the downward spiral continued.

Now less than four years later, Fairway Market has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Three successful bidders have purchased six of its fifteen stores in their March auction. The remaining stores will be sold through a supervised sale by the bankruptcy court.

Both Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Markets have caused Fairway’s sales to plummet since they came into Fairway’s territory.

But Whole Foods and Sprouts are even closer competitors with each other. Check out my recent article to get a scoop on which of the two supermarket chains is better. Just click the link to check it out!

How many stores does Fairway have compared to Whole Foods?

The first Fairway store that opened in 1933, still operates at West 74th Street, Manhattan.

It was little more than a produce stand back then, but by 1997, they expanded to include a café. Since then, Fairway Market has opened 13 other locations, 6 of which have now been sold.

At its peak, Fairway Market has been set up in 15 locations while Whole Foods has 500+ stores.

Its Harlem location is especially worth mentioning. It has a 10,000 square foot space called the “Cold Room.” Customers can browse the enormous freezer that is filled with the store’s meats, seafood, dairy, and beer.

As you probably already know, Whole Foods Market is the largest American supermarket chain offering natural and organic products. 

Their 500 locations are spread throughout North America. Whole foods also acquired seven Fresh and Wild stores in the UK, adding to the existing 500. As shown on the Whole Foods Market History site, a lot of their growth came from buying other smaller chains.

Ironically back when I started with Whole Foods Market in 1988 (I left the company in 2013), there were only 5 stores. So the humble beginnings of the now giant empire seem quaint in retrospect.

Did Amazon buy Fairway Market?

The short answer is partially yes, but not really.

The biggest winner during the March bankruptcy auction was the owner of Village Super Markets. That company purchased 5 of Fairway’s stores.

Amazon did purchase two Fairway leases, but not actual Fairway stores. Amazon plans to open new stores at the locations of the 2 leases they purchased. As far as anyone currently knows, those 2 stores will be something new, and NOT Whole Foods Market stores.

Also included in the bid was Fairway’s production and distribution outlet. Village Super Market went as far as buying the parking lot of the fifth store but not the store itself. All this was purchased for approximately $76 million.

You might now be wondering how ShopRite, another hugely successful supermarket chain. compares to Whole Foods Market.

Here’s my recent article where I dissect which of the two comes out on top based on quality, pricing, service, and the overall customer experience.

This is a must-read, so click that link to view it on my site!

I hope I have covered everything you needed to know about Whole Foods vs. Fairway?

At almost a century year old, Fairway has been a neighborhood anchor for New York and surrounding counties. While it may not have been able to stay ahead of its large competitors, it’s no surprise that it is going out of business. Whole Foods has a reputation for quality that just never disappoints.

Their stability is unquestionable at this point.  

In this article, we compared Whole Foods and Fairway Market. You learned that since Amazon acquired Whole Foods, there have been significant price cuts.

But I also talked about how you can make your shopping experience at Fairway cheaper with coupons and promotions. Lastly, I spoke about how Fairway is going bankrupt and the results of their auction in March. 

Photos which require attribution:

Whole Foods Market at Woodbury City Place by Tony Webster and IMG_1663 by Austen Squarepants are licensed under CC2.0

How to Separate Plastic Grocery Bags – Step-By-Step Guide

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Sometimes, the little things in life can be the most frustrating. One thing that people find irritating is opening plastic bags at the grocery store. Whether it’s for meat, produce, or even regular grocery bags, it is still challenging to open them. So here’s the step-by-step guide on how to separate plastic grocery bags.

Here’s how to separate plastic grocery bags: Though finger-licking is a common approach to separate plastic grocery bags, it is very unhygienic. Instead, hold the top corners of the bag between your finger and then clap or rub your hands together. 

However, you might also be interested in knowing what other tricks can be used to open a plastic grocery bag in a store. And why do they stick together in the first place?

There’s much more to know about opening plastic bags, and I’ll answer all of these questions and more.

Just keep reading!

How do you open a plastic grocery bag without licking your fingers?

Those little plastic bags can be a real pain to open.

And it seems like the only way to get them open is by using your damp fingertips to do so. If there’s no water nearby, you may be tempted to lick your fingers. Sometimes, it may even be an almost reflexive act because you’ve done it so often you may not even think about it when you do it.

Licking your fingers to open a plastic bag is also a great way to get sick and spread germs, isn’t it? You’ve been touching the grocery cart that hasn’t been cleaned in, for who knows how long. Touching the products that other people have touched repeatedly could be another menace.

Besides, you’ve been touching produce that hasn’t been washed yet. And then you’re going to go around touching other things people will purchase. And now you’ve picked out some beautiful apples, and you need to put them in the produce bag.

So what do you do?

Do not lick your fingers because we are going to introduce you to some feasible and hygienic tricks to open a plastic bag.

If you’re in produce and you see a nearby refrigerated case with a mister system, go for it! The moisture on the case is a lot better than licking your fingers.

But the tricks below will help you open plastic grocery bags. These methods will work for any plastic bag, whether it’s for produce, meat, or your groceries.

Step-by-step guide on how to separate plastic grocery bags

The clap method

With the clap method, there is no finger-licking involved, but it can be a little tricky to master. So, if you don’t mind practicing and looking a little silly at first, this is a good one to try.

  1. Hold the top corner of the bag in between your index finger and your middle finger. It should be a pretty good-sized corner – about 2 or 3 inches.
  2. Shape the palm of your hand into a bowl shape.
  3. Now clap, 2 or 3 times. This will force air into the bag and open up that corner. Just grab the open edge and give it a good shake or blow in it to fully open up the bag.

This is a pretty straightforward method, but as I said, you will look a little silly. You’ll also make a lot of noise, possibly disturbing other shoppers.

The rubbing method

Similar to the clap method, but less noisy, the rubbing method can also be a little tricky to master. But at least you won’t look silly, and you won’t disturb other shoppers.

  1. Again, you’ll hold the top part of the bag between your index finger and middle finger. Pull it tight and hold in place between your ring finger and pinky.
  2. Rub the opening of the bag 2 to 3 times to separate it from itself.
  3. Viola. Open bag. Blow in it or give it a good shake to separate it and open it fully.

Pinch and rub

This method is the easiest, and the one I recommend. The best part is that it can be done with one hand. So you can open the bag without putting down those beautiful apples you picked out.

  1. Hold the top of the bag between your thumb and a finger – I like to use my middle finger.
  2. While pinching your fingers together, rub them together in opposite directions or tight circles. The friction will separate the bag from itself.

Easy peasy. This is my favorite because there’s no noise and it can be done with one hand.

Why do plastic bags stick together?

The answer is pretty simple—static electricity.

Have you ever tried rubbing a balloon against your hair? If you have, you know that it makes your hair stand up. This is due to static electricity. Your hair and the balloon possess opposite charges and are therefore attracted to one another.

Plastic bags stick together because of static electricity. (source) The bags pick up a small electrical charge. This is usually caused by rubbing against some other surface. In the case of plastic bags, it could be the conveyor belt or any other surface at the manufacturing plant. When they pick up opposite charges, they’ll attract.

More specifically, and most likely, it’s Van der Waals force causing the bags to stick together.

Van der Waals force is a type of static electrical energy that can cause neutral objects to stick together. Primarily, the plastic molecules are attracted to one another at close distances. Because of the large surface area in contact, the bags are most sticky when they are perfectly flattened or rolled together from the manufacturer.

What’s the trick to opening produce bags?

You can use any one method I talked about in the above section. Make a bowl shape with your palms and clap your hands together while holding on to the corner of the produce bag.

You can also hold the bag taught at the open end, and rub your hands together.

Both of these methods may get you some unwanted attention at the grocery store. So among all the ways how to separate plastic grocery bags: a step-by-step guide, I would recommend the pinch and rub method unless you don’t mind getting some side-eye from other shoppers.

The easiest way to open produce bags is to use the pinch and rub method. Pinch the top of the bag, and rub your fingers together in opposing directions. You can opt to rub in circles if that’s your thing. This rubbing motion will create the friction necessary to separate the layers of the produce bag from itself.

While you are hanging out in the produce department, working on getting that bag open, consider how many departments are in a grocery store. You’d be surprised at all of the different departments!

Of course, there’s produce, but there’s also meat and seafood departments, the health and beauty department, and the bakery. Many grocery stores even have hot food with dine-in seating.

I wrote this recent article that gives details about all of the different departments. The produce department isn’t the only place with those pesky little bags. Many meat departments have them, too!

Just click on the link to read it on my website!

Because who likes meat juice on their produce? No one, right? Just click the link to read it on my site.

How do you open grocery bags quickly?

You can use any one method I talked about in the above section.

Also, you can clap your hands together while holding on to the corner of the produce bag. Besides, you can also hold the bag taught at the open end, and rub your hands together.

Both of these methods may get you some unwanted attention at the grocery store. So I would recommend the pinch and rub method unless you don’t mind getting some side-eye from other shoppers.

Just like with the produce bags, the easiest way is also the quickest way. That is the pinch and rub method.  Pinch the top of the bag, and rub your fingers together in opposing directions. You can opt to rub in circles if that’s your thing.

Blow in it or give it a good shake to open it completely.

Final Thoughts

Plastic grocery bags, whether they are produce bags, meat bags, or the bags you bring your groceries home in, can be little devils. In this article, I talked about why they stick together. I also explained how to separate plastic grocery bags: a step-by-step guide using simple methods.

How do you prefer to open grocery bags?

Do you like to let everyone in the store know you are opening them by clapping? Or do you prefer being more discrete and use the pinch and rub method? Do not forget to blow in it to open it completely.

Ever wondered what makes a grocery store different from a supermarket? I wrote this recent article to answer this question. Just click the link to read it on my site.

How Do Grocery Stores Keep Meat Fresh?

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Grocery stores order a lot of meat from suppliers. But if they order too much, they have to throw a lot away. Too little and they run out. So when ordering, cutting, and packaging the meat, how do grocery stores keep meat fresh?

How do grocery stores keep meat fresh? By only cutting what’s needed for the day, and closely monitoring & logging temperatures. Once cut or ground, the risk of bacteria increases resulting in shorter shelf life. Grocery stores usually keep fresh meat for 10-14 days. However, frozen meat can last for up to 12 months.

But you might also be wondering if grocery store meat is better than that from a butcher? Or how butchers keep meat fresh? Ultimately, how safe is the meat you eat, and what are the standards that grocery stores have to follow?

So just keep reading to get answers to all your doubts.

How long do grocery stores keep meat?

Grocery stores keep meat up until their use-by date.

This can be 10-14 days, though it depends on the kind of processing. That being said, in many cases, they are stickering the meat in house; especially stores that have butchers on hand who are cutting and grinding the meat on-premises.

In those cases, they are going off of the date codes on the products they ordered from the suppliers. But they also use their eyes and nose as color and scent changes are easy to spot as well.

Ground meat won’t last long as steak as it has a higher risk of contamination. State and local laws determine what happens when they remove meat from the shelves.

If use by date is approaching fast, some grocery stores will put the meat on sale. Roasts or steaks may get turned into ground beef. Other stores may take steaks and chicken breasts that are still in date, but past their prime, and add a sauce or marinade to it.

Some grocery stores toss meat when close to expiring while others refreeze or donate it.

But, you must also be careful about buying short-dated meat on sale if you’re not planning to use it the same day.

In those cases, freezing it the day you buy it works well.

How do butchers keep meat fresh?

Going to a butcher shop can be intimidating.

Their display case is not as appealing as a grocery store. Many people also believe that butcher shops are inferior because they don’t inspect them as rigorously as grocery stores. Surprisingly, butchers often have better quality meat than grocery stores.

Proper meat storage is essential to prevent spoilage, so you might wonder how they keep their meat fresh.

Stores take measures to prevent contamination and spoilage of meat by strictly monitoring cooler or freezer temperatures. These are logged not only daily, but many times throughout the day.

They also limit human contact with the meat and offer custom cuts only when a customer requests one. This lowers down the risk of cross-contamination, and meat gets to age longer because the cuts are not all displayed.

Then, of course, they also have specific cutting boards, saws, and grinders for beef, chicken, pork, etc. And if they don’t have separate equipment, then the follow strict washing and sanitizer procedures when switching from one type of meat to another.

Is supermarket meat previously frozen?

Not all. Generally speaking, most grocery stores sell some frozen and some fresh meat.

The nicer and more high-end a store is, the more likely they are to have in-house butchers who cut the meat at the store. This means they will have more fresh meat and less meat that was previously frozen.

The main reason for freezing meat is to maintain freshness while they transport it to the grocery store from the supplier. Besides, frozen meat is easier and safer to deliver as the chances of spoilage and contamination are reduced, especially over long distances.

That’s one of the many reasons to look for stores that buy locally from nearby ranchers.

Before distribution to the grocery store, meat goes through a few important processes. They age it in a cooler for 10 to 14 days, though it can be longer. The longer meat is aged, the better the quality and texture.

And then, of course, aside from fresh vs frozen meat, you also have the USDA grades of beef such as Select, Choice, or Prime.

In this recent article, I examine if prime beef is worth the extra dollars we have to pay. I did a taste test (video included) where I compared 4 different types of ribeyes cooked on my Traeger.

Just click on the link to read it on my site.

How accurate is the use-by date on meat?

A grocery store will label meat based on their judgment of how long the meat can last.

It’s based on whether the meat was previously frozen. But they also take into account the date the meat arrived in their store, when it was cut or ground, as well as the color and smell.

It’s a combination of art and science, but it’s not foolproof.

Meat is labeled with use-by dates so that customers know how long it will last before going bad or losing some of its quality. This is not to say that meat can’t be contaminated before the use-by date.

With pantry items like cereal, you could probably risk eating it after the use-by date, but don’t try it with fresh meat. One must use fresh meat within two to three days of purchasing.

Only a handful of states require grocery stores to use date labeling on meat. (source)

And Federal laws on date coding don’t exist except for baby formula. (source) Because the law doesn’t make it necessary to label meat with used by dates, it might be a little tricky to choose your meat.

Ultimately, you should only purchase meat from reputable grocery stores that are transparent about their meat handling and policies.

We’ve talked a lot about beef, but what about chicken?

Check out this recent article on which grocery stores have the best chicken. I’ll compare grading, sourcing, and quality from various popular grocery stores.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

What grocery store has the best meat?

It is no secret that many grocery stores use carbon monoxide to keep their meat looking fresh for a very long time. (source)

This won’t affect the actual shelf life or risk of bacteria growth. It only affects the color, keeping that nice red color on steaks and other types of beef.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods never uses carbon monoxide or other tricks to fool shoppers.

Their meat is about as pure as you can get. While other grocery stores can claim to have the highest quality meat, Whole Foods Market has kept its standard since the beginning.

Their 5-Step Animal Welfare program ensures that not only do they know exactly what ranches their meat and poultry come from, but also how the animals are raised and fed from birth to slaughter.

Want to learn more about Whole Foods meat versus other grocery stores?

Check out my recent article on which grocery store has the best steaks. I’ll go into details on beef grades, quality, and even how the You might not know it, but this affects meat quality and flavor.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Publix and Kroger

Publix is most famous for fried chicken baked goods and sandwiches. On the other hand, Publix is not very transparent about their meat.

There’s very little information on their website about their meat and poultry standards; mostly fluff and talking points.

And as a consumer, this should be very concerning. Back in 2018, Publix recalled beef from 18 Florida counties due to possible E-coli contamination.

Not that all grocery chains don’t occasionally have issues with things like this. But personally, I prefer to buy meat from stores that are a little more transparent and open about suppliers, standards, and processes.

Kroger is a little more transparent.

Their website states that the simple truth organic brand is 100% grass-fed beef. The USDA certifies it, but it doesn’t speak specifically about how they raise animals despite having an “animal welfare policy”. Meat tastes better when animals are raised humanely. You can eat guilt-free, knowing the whole process was ethical.

Once again, Whole Foods comes out on top.

If you’ve never been to Whole Foods Market, you might question why shopping there is so expensive. Here’s my recent article on why Whole Foods is so costly. I’ll cover everything from pricing to quality and compare them with other top grocers.

Just click on the link to read it on my website.

Final thoughts

In this article, we covered the standard time for grocery stores keep meat.

Besides, frozen and fresh meat are stored differently and discussed them in detail. I talked about the accuracy of use-by dates and compared meat from three top grocers.

You learned how butchers store their meat and the importance of proper storage. USDA-certified, Publix, and Kroger are the best stores to buy meat from.

Can Instacart Shoppers Rate Customers? (Yes, and no)

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Being a Shopper for Instacart or any other grocery delivery service has its pros and cons. The flexibility to work when and where you want is great. But one bad customer can sour that quickly. So both Shoppers and customers sometimes wonder can Instacart shoppers rate customers?

Can Instacart Shoppers rate customers? No. Instacart does not have an official rating system to allow their contracted employee Shoppers to rate customers. However, Instacart Shoppers can choose what customers and orders they want to take. They can also decline orders with a low tip. 

Ultimately, though nothing is preventing an Instacart shopper from keeping track of both great or terrible customers. They just can’t place their opinions about that customer in the Instacart system.

But they can track that information personally and then use it to accept or decline future orders. So a friendly customer who tips 20% will almost assuredly have that Shopper wanting to work with them again.

But the jerk who complains about everything lives up 3 flights of stairs who tips 3% might very well find themselves with no Instacart Shoppers willing to continue delivering to them.

But let’s dig in a little deeper and see exactly what Shoppers and customers alike can do to help each other make this more of a win-win.

Ready to apply with Instacart and see how much you could make?

CLICK HERE to fill out your application now on the Instacart website!

Do customers get rated on Instacart?

While there is no official way to rate a customer, shoppers have the right to identify good and bad customers from previous experiences.

Based on how frequent you deliver to a customer in your area, it should be reasonably easy for Instacart shoppers to rate the customers. While you’re likely going to remember the customer name of someone exceptionally awesome or outstandingly rude, a simple notepad app can help you keep track of them too.

Then, as I noted above, Instacart Shoppers do have the right to say yes or no to any order or any customer.

Since many customers place a tip directly in the app, Shoppers can also see the tip involved for an order and could also accept or decline an order based on a low or great tip also.

Can Instacart Shoppers choose what orders or customers they take?

Yes, is the short answer.

It would be unfair to pay a $3.50 tip to a Shopper who spent 45 minutes at the grocery store. If a customer lives five miles or more from the grocery store and only wants $70 worth of groceries, shoppers might feel it will not be worth the effort if the tip is only 5%.

Shoppers have up to 30 seconds to decide if they want to accept or decline any order. The Instacart agreement clearly states that a Shopper is free to do so.

Orders are not only declined for low tips but also tips that seem too good to be true.

Tip baiting is when customers place great tips in the Instacart app to attract a shopper. After delivery, the customer reduces the tip or eradicates it. What makes it more frustrating for Shoppers is that before June 2020, there was no minimum tip required.

There was a “none” option for giving tips. Instacart has since removed that option.

Want to know more about tipping a shopper? Here’s my recent article on how much it is reasonable to tip your shopper and why. I will also cover how you can tilt your shopper in the app if you want them to leave the delivery at the door.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Instacart has recently addressed the tip baiting, and they finalize the tips within 24 hours instead of three days. Three days to decide on a tip was ridiculous anyway.

They need a minimum of a 5% tip to confirm the order and proceed further. The Instacart algorithm does penalize Shoppers for turning down a request, though. Shoppers sometimes have to wait up to an hour for a new job to be available if they decline one.

Ultimately, This can cause them to have fewer hours than agreed on or prematurely end their shift.

Can an Instacart Shopper complain about you?

Shoppers can complain about customers. But that doesn’t always mean Instacart is going to take action.

If a customer is extremely rude to a Shopper, then that warrants a complaint. Shoppers have families and are risking themselves to provide great convenience. They should not be forced to tolerate rudeness or harassment from customers.

But a gruff customer is not the same thing as one who harasses or misleads an Instacart Shopper.

Customers, who lie about missing items or falsely accuses you of stealing, will be reported. If a Shopper is a victim of tip baiting, then they have the right to refuse any other orders from that customer.

Instacart Shoppers should also provide feedback to Instacart Support, so they are aware of the fraud.

Low tips, however, are not valid for complaints. A customer has to pay a minimum of 5% of the total cost of their order. Customers who feel they weren’t satisfied with a shopper can decide to pay that 5% and no more.

Sometimes, the customers might not pay the Shopper more than the 5% if they weren’t satisfied with a substitute item or items were damaged. 

As a customer, you know Instacart markups can be very high, depending on the store.

$80 worth of groceries can easily cost you well over $100 when all the taxes and fees are added. Here’s my recent article on why Instacart charges more than the store.

What really surprised me was which stores Instacart marks up by 25% compared to others. Just click that link to read it on my site.

What happens when an Instacart Shopper complains about you?

If there are constant, valid complaints about a customer, their account are flagged. If fraud such as tip baiting has occurred, then shoppers can submit a ticket to close the customer’s account. A representative would file another ticket to review later.

Actions are taken depending on what the offense is. Keep reading to get the details!

A customer can open another account, but using the same credentials will immediately send a red flag to Instacart. To avoid losing the convenience of Instacart, customers must be fair to Shoppers. 

For Instacart Support to take any action, the shopper’s complaint must be valid.

The Shoppers must have proof like the receipts to show that all items requested were purchased. False claims against customers can have a Shopper’s account deactivated as well.

Can customers get banned from Instacart?

Yes is the short answer.

As a customer whose house or apartment is a health hazard to the Shopper, you can be blocked. Or, as we’ve discussed above, any activity from the customer that is intentionally deceptive or fraudulent could lead to a ban.

If the shopper feels harassed by the customer, he has the authority to request and block the customer.

In a Medium post, Instacart stated that customers who regularly deceive shoppers with tip baiting would be banned from the platform.

Got banned from using Instacart delivery?

If so, try Instacart Pickup. Although depending on your offense you may need to use a different email address. Not sure how to go about it? Check out my recent article for details on this. This is a great way to use e-coupons, and I’ll show you how!

Just click that link to read it on my site

Final Thoughts

In this article, you learned that Instacart shoppers couldn’t rate customers in the app, but they can decline any order they think is unreasonable.

If you’re a customer who has been paying only the 5% tip, you might want to consider adding a little more on delivery. Most Instacart Shoppers put in a lot of effort to provide you the best services.

And tips provide them with a huge chunk of their income.

I also talked about how and why can shoppers complain about a customer. You learned that tip baiting could get you blocked permanently from the service. As a customer, you should be fair when deciding on the tip. Consider the hassle the shopper will go through on your behalf.

Remember, you can always use Instacart Pickup if delivery is unsafe or unavailable in your area!

Walmart is among America’s cheapest grocery stores, but when using Instacart to do their delivery, the total cost becomes a little expensive. Depending on your area, you might have the option to save loads more with another grocery delivery service. Check out my recent article on Walmart deliveries through DoorDash.

The article is a must-read if you want to save money!

Ready to apply with Instacart and see how much you could make?

CLICK HERE to fill out your application now on the Instacart website!

The Grocery Store Guy, part of the Middle Class Dad family of websites, is reader-supported and when you make a purchase through some of my links, I  may earn a small commission from the sale, which in no way increases the cost to you. Learn more HERE.

How Do Grocery Stores Keep Track of Inventory?

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You’re on your way out of a grocery store, and you’re annoyed and frustrated. Some of the products you wanted were out of stock. It happens all the time, and often leaves us wondering how do grocery stores keep track of inventory?

Most grocery stores use inventory management software, which manages stock lists in real-time. This software scans products in when received at the backdoor. Then keeps track of what gets sold through the register. Some stores even use automatic purchasing systems that re-order when items get low.

But every store does this a little differently!

Despite the different methods adopted by different grocery stores, you might be curious to explore further the methods they use. Besides, you might also be wondering about how often and why grocery stores actually physically count their Inventory.

So, lets read further to understand the whole process associated with grocery store inventory.

How do grocery stores manage Inventory?

Inventory management is primarily about keeping records of products that the store receives and products that go out of the store. They consider the returns as well.

The “outgoings” include sales. But it also includes damaged items, expired items, and theft. Collectively those last ones are called shrink, or sometimes spoilage.

In the old days, and even when I first started with Whole Foods Market in 1988, grocery store inventory had a lot of challenges. Most of it was done by hand and involved a lot of guesswork and human error.

But these days, digital equipment and inventory management software is the essential tool to manage inventory. How? First, these products (known in the industry as stock-keeping units, SKU) are captured by the software system when they are brought into the store (from the warehouse).

All products (except maybe small, local products) have bar codes, and this helps make it easier to keep track of them. So, they’re all captured as “inflows.” Barcoding is an integral part of these software systems, and it’s so common, we often take them for granted.

And yet, they’re vital.

The quantity is reduced from the records when the products are bought and paid for. That’s a reduction in Inventory. As soon as the cash comes in, Inventory leaves. In addition to collecting the payment, the cash register (integrated with the inventory system) also helps to keep track of the stock. The software system can also generate a replenishment list.

Or in some cases order it automatically.

Employees can make adjustments concerning damaged goods, returns, expired items

The net difference should approximate the closing Inventory, which now becomes the first Inventory for the subsequent fiscal period.

Then when the store does a physical count of their inventory, the 2 numbers get compared. Some do a physical count monthly, and some annually. But most do it quarterly or even monthly.

Essentially the difference in the 2 numbers is a loss of profit, hopefully small. But you can bet they investigate to figure out where the slip-ups are occurring!

Let’s move on to look at the steps in its inventory process.

What is the supermarket inventory process?

Before we check out the inventory process, you might be thinking: what even makes a supermarket different from a grocery store?

Are they the same thing?

I have taken the time in recent articleof mine to highlight the key differences. In it, you’ll discover, for example, the primary purpose of supermarkets, examples of some excellent supermarkets, and other fascinating facts.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Supermarket Inventory Process

The main steps involved in the supermarket inventory process:

  1. Goods are ordered/purchased 
  2. As they’re received, the bar codes help in ensuring data about each SKU is captured
  3. There’s now an accurate record of all the available products
  4. When goods are sold, the bar codes help in updating Inventory
  5. Damaged goods, expired goods, pilferage are also deducted
  6. The software system helps generate a replenishment list
  7. The system has preset reorder levels
  8. New Inventory is brought in
  9. The cycle is repeated as appropriate

How often do grocery stores count their Inventory?

It varies from store to store. Some stores employ a perpetual method. Doing that, they rely on the software systems to track products entering and leaving the store. Then they rely on their employees to manually subtract the shrink.

Easy for sure. But there’s no way to track theft doing this system unless you catch the thief.

Other stores, most probably, do a physical count of their inventory. Often this is done by an inventory service like RGIS. But some stores may just use their own employees. There are pros and cons to both.

No matter which method of counting they use, some stores count it monthly, and some annually. But most probably do it quarterly. And yes, it involves counting every single box, bag, can, and cucumber in the whole store. Although in produce, it’s often done by total weight for each type of item.

Of course, some departments are easier to count than others.

By the way, what are the main sections of a grocery store? It’s good to know as you can easily navigate most stores (that’ll save you time). In a recent article of mine, I went into great detail on how a grocery store is laid out.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Overall, the more frequent the physical counting, the more accurate the financial reporting. But physical inventory does take its toll on the store, employees, and managers. The counting is typically done in one night. But the preparation and follow-up reporting can last a week or more.

And when everyone is focused on that instead of the store’s appearance and customer service, those things tend to suffer.

Why do grocery stores count Inventory?

You might be thinking why they would do this?

Essentially it comes down to profit. You really have no idea how much profit (or loss) you’ve made unless you count your inventory and see if it matches what the computer says you have.

Any difference between your count and what the computer says should be on the shelves is loss (of product and profit). Now certainly, if the error was in counting, then you’ll get that back the next time you count.

But the reality is that there are always counting errors. So in a way, the cycle of counting and estimating profit and loss is ongoing. And there’s never really a perfect number.

But another important reason for a good system for inventory management is the need to ensure they always have enough products. If they don’t have enough, they lose money. Since a customer can simply go to another store.

Grocery stores deal mostly with perishable, fast-moving goods, making sense that they ought to know what they have at any time. Some products have expiry dates and need removal at a specific time if they’re not bought.

There’s a need to prevent spoilage and ensure that stock remains full all the time. 

If out of stocks occur frequently, they may lose a large number of customers, as word spreads that they are not reliable! That’s something no smart business wants.

Another reason is for accounting purposes.

They need to prepare financial statements, and inventory count and valuation are vital components. Financial statements are mandated by law if a company is publically held (meaning traded on the stock market). They’re also essential for proper overall management.

Final Thoughts

A lot goes into running a first-rate grocery store or supermarket.

As we’ve seen in the preceding paragraphs, the inventory management process is one of the most critical factors. Besides, we’ve looked at how grocery stores track inventory process entails, how often grocery stores count Inventory.

We also explored the reasons. It’s only smart business to keep on top of Inventory. Just as wise people keep records of what they own.

Inventory management demands for accurate financial reporting.

Although Inventory management software and digital equipment help in making the process a lot easier, do not negate the need for conducting physical stock counts now and then.

Can You Buy Prime Rib at the Grocery Store?

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Prime Rib, as its name suggests, is not your run-off-the-mill grade of meat. It’s precisely what you need if you’re planning something special, as its aroma, and taste is to die for. But can you buy Prime Rib at the grocery store?

Yes. Prime Rib can be bought at higher-end Grocery Stores. However, the ones that do have it, don’t usually sell it labeled as Prime Rib. Instead, it can be found by the name of Beef-Bone-in-Rib-Roast or standing rib roast. To get the best Prime Rib, ask the butcher for the most marbled, tender, and flavorful one. 

I know a lot about meat, considering that I spent over twenty- years working in 9 different stores owned by Whole Foods.

But I also enjoy eating really good beef too! After reading this short article, you’ll be confident about being able to select the right kind and grade of prime rib.

So let’s begin and learn all about getting Prime Ribs from the Grocery Stores.

Continue reading!

What is a prime rib called at the grocery store?

Most grocery stores don’t offer prime rib (it’s expensive, so the demand for it is low).

But you can get it in some. Note that “Prime rib” can also be a style of cooking. So, you’ll have to be sure about what you want. It’ll all become clearer as you read on. Beef-Bone-in-Rib-Roast is what’s it’s known by in many stores.

Prime Rib is also known as a standing rib roast. The formers’ name simply indicates the section the cut is from (beef ribs), while the latter (standing rib roast) derives its name from the fact that when it’s being roasted, it’s often positioned standing on the ribs.

And depending on what you prefer, you could have it bone-in or boneless. The bone-in option is often preferred by many because when the bones are cooked with it, it enriches the flavor.

So, when you’re ready to buy, you could simply say you’ll like “rib roast” or “prime rib roast” at the grocery store and tell them whether you prefer the bone-in or the boneless option.

But if they’re not available at the store, how do you get them? You could also get them from some butchers.

How do you order a prime rib from a butcher?

It’s helpful to understand that the label “prime” can refer to two different things.

Knowing what both are will help you order the right prime rib from a butcher. The label can either refer to the cut or the grade. The cut relates to which part of the cow it’s from, while the USDA determines the grade.

The best grade of beef has the most marbling; it’s tender and flavorful. It’s designated as USDA Prime. This is what you want. And you should let the butcher or the person attending to you at the supermarket know this. Because it’s expensive, Prime often ends-up in high-end hotels and restaurants.

The next grade below Prime is Choice; this is not what you want if you want the best. You could simply walk-in and talk to a butcher, or if it’s a first-rate butcher, you could place an order online.

Let’s continue to check out some important stuff that’ll help you choose the best prime rib.

What is the best prime rib to buy?

Go for a roast that’s brightly-colored, and that has milky-white fat.

Flee from those that are dull-colored and full of yellow fat! Yes, the fresher, the better. You want to choose the most marbled meat. This is a critical criterion in the grading because the more marbled prime rib is from young, well-fed breeds.

You must stay a little wary to ensure you get the genuine article, because the label “Prime,” alone, does not prove that you’re getting both USDA Prime grade beef in addition to prime rib.

But in all honesty, USDA prime alone doesn’t always mean better.

I actually conducted a live taste-test challenge that I detailed in a recent article of mine. I bought 4 types of steaks, cooked them identically, and then my family and I did a taste test with really surprising results (there’s a video in that article if you’d rather watch than read).

Just click here to read it on my site.

The best is sometimes the most expensive (that’s how the world works, right). But not always. So, choose Prime in most cases, or grass-fed choice. But, if you’re short on budget, then opt for Choice. ‘Prime’ is the highest USDA grade. It’s followed by ‘Choice,’ and lastly, you have ‘Select.’

I would recommend you steer clear of select, or any beef that doesn’t tell you the grade.

In a nutshell, be guided by the USDA grade shields, they’re so simple and easy to see. Don’t believe that simply because you saw the word ‘prime,’ that you’d got the best. Only about 2% of all beef qualifies as USDA Prime. But, if you can afford it, that’s the best prime rib to buy.

How much does a 10 lb prime rib cost?

At the risk of sounding a tad repetitious, I’ve mentioned that the prime rib is expensive. And because you’ve read this far, you know why that is so. But you’ll agree with me that there are some special occasions when nothing but prime rib suffices, right?

So, let’s say you’ll like to buy 10 lb of prime rib. By how much would that set you back? 

Be ready to pay about $349.99. It’ll be cheaper if you opt for Choice or Select rather than USDA Prime. Naturally, the cost also differs depending on where you’re getting them from. You’ll probably need to place an order to ensure that it’s available when you need it.

Now, let’s check out something many people find a tad confusing. (And, I don’t blame them).

Is prime rib the same as ribeye?

No, it’s not.

Prime rib and ribeye are similar. The similarity means they can be easily confused. In a bit, you’d be able to distinguish them easily.

So, let’s check out each one and what differentiates them. The word ‘rib’ is common to both, and that’s a pointer that both are from a cow’s rib section. (Interestingly, ribeye steaks are what you get when you cut prime rib roast into steaks).

They are both from the rib area but differ in terms of the specific part of the rib they’re from, how they look, how they are cooked, and even how they taste.

Think of the milder and well-marbled part of the rib, that’s where the ribeye is from.

It’s usually from the 6th to 12th rib, and it’s a portion of the longissimus dorsi muscle. Marbling means the meat contains intramuscular fat that has white specks – which looks similar to marble (if you look at it with a fresh eye).

The prime rib, on the other hand, is from the center of the primal beef cut and often contains significant parts of the rib bone.

It’s also known as standing rib roast or beef rib roast. Besides, it’s a large roasting joint. It’s usually more flavorful (because it has more bones, fat, and connective tissue) and more massive than the ribeye.  Naturally, it’s more expensive.

But aside from the USDA grade, you’d be surprised to learn that some grocery stores have better meat quality than others.

1 USDA Prime steak is not always the same from store to store.

Luckily, I break down which of the top grocery stores has the best meat in a recent article of mine. What really surprised me was how much Prime beef gets rationed to larger chains due to small supply.

Just click it to read the article on my site

Final Thoughts

It has a rich flavor, and it’s tender. It’s high-quality and pricey, and the demand for it is low. It’s considered the “Holy Grail” of all beef cuts. Naturally, it’s a bit rare. But you can get it to buy at some grocery stores and butchers.

So now we know what is prime rib, how to order prime rib from a butcher, and the other names it’s called. We also looked at its cost, the difference between ribeye and prime rib, and naturally, what to look out for to make sure you buy the best prime rib.

And so, I hope that you will get your delicious Prime Rib from the nearest grocery store and have a lavish meal.

Can I Sue a Grocery Store for Selling Expired Food?

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It can be really frustrating when you bring home your groceries only to realize that your canned corn is past the expiration date. Or worse yet, your milk or orange juice. But if you got sick from spoiled food, you may have asked the question, can I sue a grocery store for selling expired food?

Yes, you can sue a grocery store for selling expired food. But, unless it led to injury or illness & significant expenses, or losses, it may be hard to find a lawyer willing to take the case. You can file yourself in small claims court, but in most cases, you’ll be better off just returning the item & getting a refund.

But that’s just a quick answer. In this article, we’re diving deep into grocery stores, expired foods, and the rights shoppers have.

So what can you do about a grocery store that consistently sells expired food?

Can you sue them? What happens when a store sells out-of-date food? Do they get penalized somehow?

We’ll answer all of these questions and more.

Just keep reading!

Can you sue Walmart for selling expired food?

It depends.

If you bought food from Walmart and it somehow injured you because it was expired, you can sue. If you chipped a tooth, for example, on old hard candy, then you can sue.

Or if you drank milk that was out of date and it made you sick, then you can sue.

Unfortunately, you can sue people for just about anything. But the question shouldn’t be whether you can sue. It should be whether you can find a lawyer that will assist you.

Lawsuits are very expensive, and if you don’t have enough in damages to cover the costs, it won’t be worth it for an attorney to take your case.

So if you chipped a tooth and have a $200 dentist bill, an attorney likely won’t take your case. But if you ate a can of old corn and spent several days in the hospital, racking up tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills, they are more likely to take the case.

That’s because the damages, meaning the monetary expenses you are on the hook for, are higher.

However, if you chipped a tooth on candy that was out of date, and you want to file a claim, you can. You can either do it through small claims court, or you can reach out to Walmart directly.

Every state’s small claims courts run differently, so if you choose to go that route, you should call your local court to find out the process.

But if you want to contact Walmart directly to notify them of the incident, save your receipt, remaining product, and the packaging.

You should also see a dentist, and keep any bills related to the incident. It may even be helpful to have your dentist write up something about the extent of the damage and whether you’ll need additional care.

Walmart may settle with you if you have the needed proof to support your claim, but it probably wouldn’t be feasible to litigate your case. (source)

What happens if a supermarket sells out of date food?

Unfortunately, most out food date food ends up in the landfill.

Food that is either close to the expiration date or no longer at peak quality is unfit to sell. This is regardless of whether it has met its expiration date.

Fresh vegetables and meat that is past its prime, but not yet expired may be cooked up for the in-store deli and salad counters before they spoil. And while some of it ends up in the landfill, expired food may be given to local food banks, sold to salvage stores, or given to employees.

If you do happen to purchase something that is out of date, like milk, you can simply return it to the store. Most stores will give you a refund.

But for the most part, stores can sell out of date food without consequence. Especially canned goods.

According to the FDA, there is no uniform dating system. In fact, manufacturers aren’t even required to put quality-based labels on food, unless it’s baby formula. So those dates put on canned food is arbitrary. They are there just to make the consumer feel good about what they are purchasing.

And according to the USDA, low acid foods are good for 2 to 5 years. If cans are in good condition, with no obvious signs of damage, they are safe to eat indefinitely.

To learn more about what happens to unsold food in supermarkets, read this recent article. What really surprised me was the percentage of food that could be eaten or given to homeless shelters and food banks get thrown away.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

How much can a shop be fined for selling out of date food?

I couldn’t find any exact figures on this, but I did find where 21 stores in Port Chester, NY, and White Plains, NY were fined a total of $59,600 for selling outdated food in 2009. (source)

So, in the grand scheme of things, stores won’t be fined very much for selling outdated food.

Because expiration dates are not federally mandated, each state will likely have its own rules and regulations regarding the sale of outdated food. Which is probably why I couldn’t find much about it.

Also, know that I could walk into ANY grocery store right now and find outdated products if I looked hard enough.

All grocery stores have tens of thousands of products. And most have fewer than 300 employees (some have a LOT fewer). It’s just not possible to catch every can, bag, box, and carton. And even the best store manager has to trust their employees to be checking dates when they stock, rotate products and face the store.

By now, you know that canned foods are good indefinitely. Milk and fresh meat clearly don’t last as long. But what about products in other sections of the grocery store?

What are the other sections of a grocery store anyway?

Read this recent article to learn more about the different sections of grocery stores. While all stores have things that make them unique, the surprising truth is that almost every store follows the same core systems and layouts.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is it a legal offense to sell out of date food?

It depends. Also remember that in most cases, these are “best by” dates. They are not usually dates telling you when something is bad or inedible.

No. Most dates on food are there to tell you when the maximum flavor and freshness will start to diminish.

Federal law doesn’t require manufactures to put an expiration date on products. If there is no requirement to do something, then you can’t be penalized for it legally.

But baby formula must have an expiration date on it. And in California, all baby food must also have an expiration date.

Even if it is illegal to sell out of date food, you need to take some personal responsibility, too.

Check the dates on products before you purchase them. And then check the dates again before you consume it, especially if you’re feeding it to your baby.

If you see expired food on the shelf, particularly baby formula or baby food, notify the store manager, so they can handle it.

If you inadvertently purchase something that has expired, take it back to the store for a refund or exchange.

What if I bought expired food?

Simply put, in most cases, – eat it.

If it’s milk or yogurt, you may not want to eat it. If that’s the case, just return it to the store or throw it away.

Same thing for meat or seafood. And always remember – when in doubt, throw it out. If you don’t want to throw it out, and you still have the receipt, return it to the store.

For canned goods, as long as the cans aren’t damaged in any way – there’s no swelling, rust, or dents – the food inside is still good to eat.

Expiration dates are arbitrary. There is no federal regulation regarding the dating of canned goods. That’s why you see so many different labels. In fact, unless it’s baby formula, there is no federal law stating that canned goods even need expiration dates.

If you bought it from Whole Foods, you can rest assured that they’ll refund your money. Whole Foods really cares about the products they sell and the customers they serve.

I couldn’t tell you how many times customers had the gall to come into my store and want a refund for something they threw away AND no longer had the receipt for. And more often than not, we gave them that refund.

That is just one of the reasons why Whole Foods Market is so popular.

To learn more about what makes Whole Foods so popular, check out this recent article. While I don’t work for them now, I did work there for over 20 years. So I know a thing or two about them.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Final thoughts

Unless you get exceptionally sick from eating expired food, you likely won’t be able to find a lawyer to help you file a lawsuit.

Canned goods are shelf-stable for years and years. And if you accidentally purchase expired milk, cheese, or other fresh goods, you can take it back to the store for a refund.

It’s not necessarily illegal to sell expired items. But each state will approach it differently when it comes to fining stores for selling outdated items.

Will you throw away that can of corn that is a year out of date, or will you eat it?

I know what I would do!

Photos which requires attribution:

bad salsa by flicktoast is licensed under CC2.0

What Grocery Stores Sell Stamps? (Stores, Prices & Options)

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Nothing beats the feel and charm of the old-fashioned letter, greeting card, or postcard. However, these days it is getting hard to find stamps to send them. So I wondered what grocery stores sell stamps?

Almost all Grocery Stores sell stamps, including Walmart, and pharmacies like CVS, and Walgreens. However, these are available only in bulk, in the form of booklets. You may also purchase Stamps online on Amazon or Grocery Store websites. 

But where do you buy them once you’re in a grocery store and can you pick different designs or just buy 1 stamp?

In this article, I have not only answered those questions, but I also cover the best places to find stamps, and how much they cost, among others. 

Let’s dive right in!

Do they sell stamps at grocery stores?

It’s an interesting question. Honestly, grocery stores are not the first place that comes to mind when we need stamps, right?  But, the truth is that the big grocery stores sell all kinds of stuff, even stuff we hardly associate with them.

So, stamps are sold at virtually all major grocery stores. But, as you’d expect, they sell in bulk, in booklets, with each containing 20 stamps, and, this is the way to go. It’s not economically feasible but also saves you time.

You could buy what you’ll need for the next few months. This signifies that if you just need a couple of stamps, the grocery store isn’t the right place to go. You’ll have to visit the post office.

This leads us to the next question.

Where precisely in the grocery store would you get the stamps or some other specific items to buy? Most grocery stores are organized similarly. But of course, slight differences in how the stores are laid out are possible.

That’s not a challenge as you’ll find out in a recent article of mine where I explained the different sections, whether they’re designed to’ trick’ you, some typical food terms you need to understand, and a host of other helpful info.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

After picking up what you’re there to buy from several aisles, you can rest assured that you’ll quickly pick up stamps at the cashiers. That’s where most stores keep the stamps.

 If you prefer, you could order your stamps online from the grocery store. If you’re already ordering groceries online from the same store, it makes sense to order stamps at the same time. Just remember that most grocery stores sell in sheets or booklets.

Now, let’s consider another interesting question. Do drugstores or pharmacies sell postage stamps?

Do they sell stamps at CVS or Walgreens?

We often assume that pharmacies only sell drugs. The reality is that some carry other items, too. Not all pharmacies sell stamps, but you’ll get stamps at CVS or Walgreens and other pharmacies.

As you probably know, Walgreens is virtually everywhere. They have about 8,200 stores in this country. You can bet that there’ll be one close to where you live or work.  

But note that what they offer are necessary stamps. That is the first-class forever postage stamp, which you can keep using even if the price of stamps increases. Walgreens doesn’t offer postcard stamps and parcel stamps. So, if you need some other kind of stamp, you’ll need to visit the USPS.

As I hinted at before, it’s best to buy in bulk. A single stamp sells for $0.55. At Walgreens, you’ll save 5 cents on each stamp when you buy a book of stamps. Say you’re buying 20 stamps; you’ll need to pay only $10.

Some Walgreen stores are open 24/7. While others are only open between 8 am and 10 pm, on weekdays. It may differ at weekends. Wonder if there’s a Walgreens near you? You can use the link to find out.

What I shared about Walgreens, applies to CVS, too. So, you can also get stamps to buy at CVS.

And, how much are postage stamps sold for at the grocery store, CVS or Walgreens?

How much do stamp cost at the grocery store, CVS, or Walgreens?

A single stamp sells for $0.55. At Walgreens, you’ll save 5 cents on each stamp when you buy a book of stamps. Say you’re buying 20 stamps; you’ll need to pay only $10.

And, you might be wondering whether supermarkets also sell stamps. Yes, most do. So, if you live or work close to one, just pop in.

Do you ever wonder what differentiates a grocery store from a supermarket?

What’s even the main reason there are supermarkets? Or, have you ever scratched your head over what’s a convenience store, if you were asked to define it, or what is a hypermarket? I went into great detail in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Can I get stamps at Walmart?

Walmart sells everything, right? Can you get postage stamps there? Yes, you can.

Walmart, as we all know, sell most things. Naturally, they sell stamps, too. And, it’s cool that they’re almost always open so that you can pop in at any time. But you’ll probably agree that it’s smart to stock-up.

It’ll be cheaper, and you can do a bit of planning before you buy it. To get stamps, simply go to their MoneyCenter or the customer service desk. If you prefer, you could order the stamps online.

Virtually all Walmart stores are open between 8 am and 10 pm. This may slightly differ from store to store.

Is it cheaper to buy stamps online or on Amazon?

Maybe you’ve rediscovered the joy of writing letters and sending postcards.

It occurs to you that you’ll be needing a lot of stamps. So, it makes sense to try and find out the cheapest sources. The cost naturally depends on the type of stamps you’re buying.

Different stamps have different prices. If you’re just buying a few, it’s probably not worth your time seeking the best bargains. Seeing as time itself is costly.

If you are buying stamps regularly and in a reasonable quantity, Amazon’s selection of stamps and stamps.com are great options. Besides, stamps.com offers lower prices, overall, and some related services make postage a breeze.

For the occasional buys, Amazon is excellent.

However, I recommend stamps.com if you’ll be buying in bulk. Since you’ll be posting the letters or packages if you’re considering a home business, try and look at the overall cost of postage, not just the value of the stamps.

Final Thoughts

The post office is anchored in our minds as the place to get stamps. But as shown in this short article, there are a couple of other sites, too.  You could buy stamps online from most major stores, and you could walk into some grocery stores, some drugstores, to pick up stamps.

But, most of them sell Forever postage stamps only. And, they sell stamps in booklets. So, you’ll still need to go to the post office if you need just a couple of stamps or stamps for parcels and postcards. 

Middle Class Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases if you click to Amazon from my site and choose to make a purchase. This is no way increases the cost to you.