Thread: High prices, brand loyalty and question about store brands

"Samois2001" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cindy

IMHO store brands are a hit and miss proposition. Some generics are as good
as the national brands some are inferior. As example I have never found a
store brand as good as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese but that is my taste.
However if you walk into a store it will cost you over $1.00 per box maybe
more. A multi pack at Costco or Sam's Club will be 20% or 30% less.

Just because it is the store brand does not mean it is less expensive than
the national brand. You need to know what is the price range for any and
all item you use regularly. Then watch the sales and if it's a good price
buy more than the usual amount. In the long run you'll save money.

Pay attention to the unit pricing on the store price tag. Generally there
will be a cost per unit or ounce.

There are no shortcuts to doing your homework.

Dimitri

"Samois2001" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cindy

IMHO store brands are a hit and miss proposition. Some generics are as good
as the national brands some are inferior. As example I have never found a
store brand as good as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese but that is my taste.
However if you walk into a store it will cost you over $1.00 per box maybe
more. A multi pack at Costco or Sam's Club will be 20% or 30% less.

Just because it is the store brand does not mean it is less expensive than
the national brand. You need to know what is the price range for any and
all item you use regularly. Then watch the sales and if it's a good price
buy more than the usual amount. In the long run you'll save money.

Pay attention to the unit pricing on the store price tag. Generally there
will be a cost per unit or ounce.

There are no shortcuts to doing your homework.

Dimitri

"Samois2001" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cindy

It depends on the store brand. The brand IGA stores carry tends to be
inferior on some things, I think it's Shurfine. The once or twice a year
when I drink a pop I'll get that brand of cream soda though, it's the best.
Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to time.

Ms P

"Samois2001" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Cindy

It depends on the store brand. The brand IGA stores carry tends to be
inferior on some things, I think it's Shurfine. The once or twice a year
when I drink a pop I'll get that brand of cream soda though, it's the best.
Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to time.

Ms P

"Ms P" wrote
> "Samois2001" wrote

>> Any brand loyalty that I had has gone out the window....

>> aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
>> opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going

> It depends on the store brand....

> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
> items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to
> time.

I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. I generally suggest folks
try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do as
Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
brand more expensive.

Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
store brand, may not for you.

"Ms P" wrote
> "Samois2001" wrote

>> Any brand loyalty that I had has gone out the window....

>> aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
>> opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going

> It depends on the store brand....

> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
> items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to
> time.

I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. I generally suggest folks
try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do as
Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
brand more expensive.

Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
store brand, may not for you.

"cshenk" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:vAsNj.106030$[email protected]..
> "Ms P" wrote

>> It depends on the store brand....
>
>> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
>> items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to
>> time.
>
> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products,
> but I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. I generally suggest
> folks try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of
> the cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if
> that one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure
> to do as Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the
> store brand more expensive.
>
> Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> store brand, may not for you.

The last time Dillon's had a side by side taste comparison they had a Ritz
cracker, A-1 sauce and something else. I liked Kroger A-1 better and Ritz
crackers better but the Kroger Ritz would be an acceptable sub for some
things. If I remember right it was a texture thing and not taste with the
crackers.

We use the Kroger brand of Miracle Whip. It does taste a little different
but hubby doesn't care and I'm used to the slight taste difference now.

We've been using Kroger canned and frozen veggies for several years now. I
think they're just as good as any national brand.

Ms P

"cshenk" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:vAsNj.106030$[email protected]..
> "Ms P" wrote

>> It depends on the store brand....
>
>> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national brands on many
>> items. They do side by side taste testings in the store from time to
>> time.
>
> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products,
> but I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. I generally suggest
> folks try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of
> the cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if
> that one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure
> to do as Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the
> store brand more expensive.
>
> Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> store brand, may not for you.

The last time Dillon's had a side by side taste comparison they had a Ritz
cracker, A-1 sauce and something else. I liked Kroger A-1 better and Ritz
crackers better but the Kroger Ritz would be an acceptable sub for some
things. If I remember right it was a texture thing and not taste with the
crackers.

We use the Kroger brand of Miracle Whip. It does taste a little different
but hubby doesn't care and I'm used to the slight taste difference now.

We've been using Kroger canned and frozen veggies for several years now. I
think they're just as good as any national brand.

Ms P

> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
> I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. *I generally suggest folks
> try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
> cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
> one works. *If it works for you, swap when it saves money. *Be sure todo as
> Dmitri says and check unit prices. *Sometimes a sale can make the store
> brand more expensive.
>
> Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> store brand, may not for you.

I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
Dmitri thoughtfully suggested. I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
home blowing any savings. I'll definitely try the one store brand
product at a time approach. The Dominicks is hit or miss with
accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.

> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
> I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. *I generally suggest folks
> try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
> cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
> one works. *If it works for you, swap when it saves money. *Be sure todo as
> Dmitri says and check unit prices. *Sometimes a sale can make the store
> brand more expensive.
>
> Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> store brand, may not for you.

I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
Dmitri thoughtfully suggested. I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
home blowing any savings. I'll definitely try the one store brand
product at a time approach. The Dominicks is hit or miss with
accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.

cshenk wrote on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:38:06 -0400:

c> "Ms P" wrote
??>> "Samois2001" wrote

??>>> Any brand loyalty that I had has gone out the window....

??>>> aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was
??>>> wondering what your opinions of store brands are, canned
??>>> or otherwise? I’ve been going

??>> It depends on the store brand....

??>> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national
??>> brands on many items. They do side by side taste testings
??>> in the store from time to time.

c> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store
c> brand products, but I agree that Kroger tends to be better
c> than most. I generally suggest folks try 1 can/box etc of
c> an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the cans etc
c> by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if
c> that one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves
c> money. Be sure to do as Dmitri says and check unit prices.
c> Sometimes a sale can make the store brand more expensive.

In many cases, the store brand is indistiguishable from the
original. I'm willing to try a store brand *once* if it looks
the same and the saving is more than 10%. Giant ketchup tastes
like Heinz made it on contract and the same applies to Kellog's
Bran Flakes and RichFoods's to mention two recent experiments.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

cshenk wrote on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:38:06 -0400:

c> "Ms P" wrote
??>> "Samois2001" wrote

??>>> Any brand loyalty that I had has gone out the window....

??>>> aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was
??>>> wondering what your opinions of store brands are, canned
??>>> or otherwise? I’ve been going

??>> It depends on the store brand....

??>> Kroger store brand is as good if not better than national
??>> brands on many items. They do side by side taste testings
??>> in the store from time to time.

c> I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store
c> brand products, but I agree that Kroger tends to be better
c> than most. I generally suggest folks try 1 can/box etc of
c> an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the cans etc
c> by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if
c> that one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves
c> money. Be sure to do as Dmitri says and check unit prices.
c> Sometimes a sale can make the store brand more expensive.

In many cases, the store brand is indistiguishable from the
original. I'm willing to try a store brand *once* if it looks
the same and the saving is more than 10%. Giant ketchup tastes
like Heinz made it on contract and the same applies to Kellog's
Bran Flakes and RichFoods's to mention two recent experiments.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

Samois2001 wrote:

> > I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
> > I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. *I generally suggestfolks
> > try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
> > cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
> > one works. *If it works for you, swap when it saves money. *Be sure to do as
> > Dmitri says and check unit prices. *Sometimes a sale can make the store
> > brand more expensive.
>
> > Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> > store brand, may not for you.
>
> I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
> Dmitri thoughtfully suggested. I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
> within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
> refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
> home blowing any savings. I'll definitely try the one store brand
> product at a time approach. The Dominicks is hit or miss with
> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.



Man, if you are pretty much limited to the Jewel's or Dom's then I
feel sorry for you, both places are STUPENDOUS rip - offs...

Are you able to take public transport, or...???

I live on the north side of Chicago and I'm car - less, my main
stupormarket is the Treasure Island on North Broadway. I supplement
this with trips to the Asian stores up on Arglye St., and now that
it's FINALLY warmer I'll hit some of the ethnic places on Devon or
farther afield. I also buy a goodly amount of grocery items at
Walgreen's, they can have good sales on stuff. Once in a whiles I hit
the Market Place on Diversey, they have the ocassional attractive sale
items. I'm a very savvy shopper and I eat well whilst keeping to a
reasonable budget...

Del Monte and Green Giant canned veg is routinely on sale at
Walgreen's for IIRC twofer a buck or lately 59 cents per can (prices
ARE rising!). Check out their weekly flyers in - store or online...

In my vicinity there is also a Whole Foods on Halsted and the new Aldi
on N. Broadway. I'll be checking them both out soon, prolly this
weekend. The Jewel by me is terrible, ghastly in fact...


--
Best
Greg

Samois2001 wrote:

> > I've yet to find a store where I like _all_ their store brand products, but
> > I agree that Kroger tends to be better than most. *I generally suggestfolks
> > try 1 can/box etc of an item in the store brand (getting the rest of the
> > cans etc by brands since you generally get 3-4 at a time) and see if that
> > one works. *If it works for you, swap when it saves money. *Be sure to do as
> > Dmitri says and check unit prices. *Sometimes a sale can make the store
> > brand more expensive.
>
> > Not all our tastebuds are the same so a product that works for _me_ in a
> > store brand, may not for you.
>
> I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
> Dmitri thoughtfully suggested. I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
> within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
> refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
> home blowing any savings. I'll definitely try the one store brand
> product at a time approach. The Dominicks is hit or miss with
> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.



Man, if you are pretty much limited to the Jewel's or Dom's then I
feel sorry for you, both places are STUPENDOUS rip - offs...

Are you able to take public transport, or...???

I live on the north side of Chicago and I'm car - less, my main
stupormarket is the Treasure Island on North Broadway. I supplement
this with trips to the Asian stores up on Arglye St., and now that
it's FINALLY warmer I'll hit some of the ethnic places on Devon or
farther afield. I also buy a goodly amount of grocery items at
Walgreen's, they can have good sales on stuff. Once in a whiles I hit
the Market Place on Diversey, they have the ocassional attractive sale
items. I'm a very savvy shopper and I eat well whilst keeping to a
reasonable budget...

Del Monte and Green Giant canned veg is routinely on sale at
Walgreen's for IIRC twofer a buck or lately 59 cents per can (prices
ARE rising!). Check out their weekly flyers in - store or online...

In my vicinity there is also a Whole Foods on Halsted and the new Aldi
on N. Broadway. I'll be checking them both out soon, prolly this
weekend. The Jewel by me is terrible, ghastly in fact...


--
Best
Greg

"Samois2001" wrote

>> one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do
>> as
>> Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
>> brand more expensive.

>I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
>Dmitri thoughtfully suggested.

There have been several threads here on wise shopping and Dmitri's advice is
good though I didnt see him type in the other threads.

>I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
>within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
>refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
>home blowing any savings.

Grin, you just hit a serious help with that one. I just moved back about 6
months ago from Sasebo Japan. For the first 4 years we lived outin town and
did not have a car. Due to 9-11 results, no taxis were on any usable route
for getting groceries home. Had a car the last 2.5 years but then we moved
to base housing and were so close, we didnt really need it!

I used a pull cart, slightly larger than a large paper grocery bag. This
cart was vinyl and had pockets here and there which we could put 'blue ice'
bags in. It is frequently 115F in Sasebo and about 100F is the norm for 3
months of summer. (Web looks will not show this as the monitor station is
the other side of a mountain in a cooler zone).

http://www.atrendyhome.com/foshca.html

Thats a decent one from the picture. If you need to carry food back, you
can put blue ice bags in there from home and it will keep things cool well
enough. I cant tell if this one is waterproof (mine is since I often had to
walk home in the rain with groceries).

Do *not* get the loose open metal frame @$^%@$^ carts. They are not only
cheaper and will break (often at the wheels), they have no insulation from
the heat and no way to really add any.

I used more often than not, a bicycle to get about and had a nice basket at
the front for small trips.

Grin, foot based shoppers learn that sometimes it's better to get a smaller
box for a higher price so it fits in vice having to use a cab to get home.
In your case, possible net savings the others may not think of. It worked
out for us that we saved 1,200$ a year on car costs (gas, Japanese
insurance, taxes in Japan) but spent an extra 35$ or so a month due to
selecting smaller sized boxes we could carry home. About 800$ a year saved.

We turned a neccesity into a family outing and used it as entertainment
value, just shopping our way down and back. Charlotte's 'backpack' also has
wheels and she'd bring the bulky but light stuff, I'd use my cart, and Don a
backpack. All frozen food went in my cart with the ice packs.

> I'll definitely try the one store brand product at a time approach.

I find at least 60% of the store brands work for us. Our selection criteria
is often based on sodium levels (Don had a mini-stroke some time back and is
sodium restricted). Some store brands are very sodium high so have never
been tested, but others are _radically lower_ and are better tasting than
the 'name brand' stuff.

> The Dominicks is hit or miss with
> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.

Unfortunately many scammers have made it so that online coupons are often
not accepted at all. People learned how to edit them.

"Samois2001" wrote

>> one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do
>> as
>> Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
>> brand more expensive.

>I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
>Dmitri thoughtfully suggested.

There have been several threads here on wise shopping and Dmitri's advice is
good though I didnt see him type in the other threads.

>I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
>within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
>refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
>home blowing any savings.

Grin, you just hit a serious help with that one. I just moved back about 6
months ago from Sasebo Japan. For the first 4 years we lived outin town and
did not have a car. Due to 9-11 results, no taxis were on any usable route
for getting groceries home. Had a car the last 2.5 years but then we moved
to base housing and were so close, we didnt really need it!

I used a pull cart, slightly larger than a large paper grocery bag. This
cart was vinyl and had pockets here and there which we could put 'blue ice'
bags in. It is frequently 115F in Sasebo and about 100F is the norm for 3
months of summer. (Web looks will not show this as the monitor station is
the other side of a mountain in a cooler zone).

http://www.atrendyhome.com/foshca.html

Thats a decent one from the picture. If you need to carry food back, you
can put blue ice bags in there from home and it will keep things cool well
enough. I cant tell if this one is waterproof (mine is since I often had to
walk home in the rain with groceries).

Do *not* get the loose open metal frame @$^%@$^ carts. They are not only
cheaper and will break (often at the wheels), they have no insulation from
the heat and no way to really add any.

I used more often than not, a bicycle to get about and had a nice basket at
the front for small trips.

Grin, foot based shoppers learn that sometimes it's better to get a smaller
box for a higher price so it fits in vice having to use a cab to get home.
In your case, possible net savings the others may not think of. It worked
out for us that we saved 1,200$ a year on car costs (gas, Japanese
insurance, taxes in Japan) but spent an extra 35$ or so a month due to
selecting smaller sized boxes we could carry home. About 800$ a year saved.

We turned a neccesity into a family outing and used it as entertainment
value, just shopping our way down and back. Charlotte's 'backpack' also has
wheels and she'd bring the bulky but light stuff, I'd use my cart, and Don a
backpack. All frozen food went in my cart with the ice packs.

> I'll definitely try the one store brand product at a time approach.

I find at least 60% of the store brands work for us. Our selection criteria
is often based on sodium levels (Don had a mini-stroke some time back and is
sodium restricted). Some store brands are very sodium high so have never
been tested, but others are _radically lower_ and are better tasting than
the 'name brand' stuff.

> The Dominicks is hit or miss with
> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.

Unfortunately many scammers have made it so that online coupons are often
not accepted at all. People learned how to edit them.

cshenk wrote:
> "Samois2001" wrote
>
>>> one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do
>>> as
>>> Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
>>> brand more expensive.
>
>> I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
>> Dmitri thoughtfully suggested.
>
> There have been several threads here on wise shopping and Dmitri's advice is
> good though I didnt see him type in the other threads.
>
>> I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
>> within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
>> refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
>> home blowing any savings.
>
> Grin, you just hit a serious help with that one. I just moved back about 6
> months ago from Sasebo Japan. For the first 4 years we lived outin town and
> did not have a car. Due to 9-11 results, no taxis were on any usable route
> for getting groceries home. Had a car the last 2.5 years but then we moved
> to base housing and were so close, we didnt really need it!
>
> I used a pull cart, slightly larger than a large paper grocery bag. This
> cart was vinyl and had pockets here and there which we could put 'blue ice'
> bags in. It is frequently 115F in Sasebo and about 100F is the norm for 3
> months of summer. (Web looks will not show this as the monitor station is
> the other side of a mountain in a cooler zone).
>
> http://www.atrendyhome.com/foshca.html
>
> Thats a decent one from the picture. If you need to carry food back, you
> can put blue ice bags in there from home and it will keep things cool well
> enough. I cant tell if this one is waterproof (mine is since I often had to
> walk home in the rain with groceries).
>
> Do *not* get the loose open metal frame @$^%@$^ carts. They are not only
> cheaper and will break (often at the wheels), they have no insulation from
> the heat and no way to really add any.
>
> I used more often than not, a bicycle to get about and had a nice basket at
> the front for small trips.
>
> Grin, foot based shoppers learn that sometimes it's better to get a smaller
> box for a higher price so it fits in vice having to use a cab to get home.
> In your case, possible net savings the others may not think of. It worked
> out for us that we saved 1,200$ a year on car costs (gas, Japanese
> insurance, taxes in Japan) but spent an extra 35$ or so a month due to
> selecting smaller sized boxes we could carry home. About 800$ a year saved.
>
> We turned a neccesity into a family outing and used it as entertainment
> value, just shopping our way down and back. Charlotte's 'backpack' also has
> wheels and she'd bring the bulky but light stuff, I'd use my cart, and Don a
> backpack. All frozen food went in my cart with the ice packs.
>
>> I'll definitely try the one store brand product at a time approach.
>
> I find at least 60% of the store brands work for us. Our selection criteria
> is often based on sodium levels (Don had a mini-stroke some time back and is
> sodium restricted). Some store brands are very sodium high so have never
> been tested, but others are _radically lower_ and are better tasting than
> the 'name brand' stuff.
I shop almost exclusively at Kroger's and find that they have many
varieties of canned goods with "No Salt Added" on the label. I've been
sodium restricted for about 25 years now and don't miss it. Kroger has
their card that, supposedly, saves you a percentage on each purchase. It
also tracks your purchases and I get a mailing once a month with several
dollars worth of coupons from them. One was $12 off on a $100 purchase,
that was nice. In addition I buy my gasoline at their fuel stop. By
using the card I get ten cents per gallon off the listed price. That is
also nice when you realize my truck takes 20 gallons to fill up. It all
adds up in the long run. There's a regional market on the way back home
that often has good deals on meat. I often stop there and buy things
like rump roast, buy one get one free of lesser or equal value. I make
sure it's equal. I then take them home, cut them half, vacuum bag them
and use them to make meals for the two of us down the road.
>
>> The Dominicks is hit or miss with
>> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.
>
> Unfortunately many scammers have made it so that online coupons are often
> not accepted at all. People learned how to edit them.
>
>

cshenk wrote:
> "Samois2001" wrote
>
>>> one works. If it works for you, swap when it saves money. Be sure to do
>>> as
>>> Dmitri says and check unit prices. Sometimes a sale can make the store
>>> brand more expensive.
>
>> I'm definitely trying to do my homework and watch unit pricing as
>> Dmitri thoughtfully suggested.
>
> There have been several threads here on wise shopping and Dmitri's advice is
> good though I didnt see him type in the other threads.
>
>> I have a Dominicks and a Jewel both
>> within walking distance but the distance to Jewel prohibits buying
>> refrigerated items with the current outdoor temps, unless I take a cab
>> home blowing any savings.
>
> Grin, you just hit a serious help with that one. I just moved back about 6
> months ago from Sasebo Japan. For the first 4 years we lived outin town and
> did not have a car. Due to 9-11 results, no taxis were on any usable route
> for getting groceries home. Had a car the last 2.5 years but then we moved
> to base housing and were so close, we didnt really need it!
>
> I used a pull cart, slightly larger than a large paper grocery bag. This
> cart was vinyl and had pockets here and there which we could put 'blue ice'
> bags in. It is frequently 115F in Sasebo and about 100F is the norm for 3
> months of summer. (Web looks will not show this as the monitor station is
> the other side of a mountain in a cooler zone).
>
> http://www.atrendyhome.com/foshca.html
>
> Thats a decent one from the picture. If you need to carry food back, you
> can put blue ice bags in there from home and it will keep things cool well
> enough. I cant tell if this one is waterproof (mine is since I often had to
> walk home in the rain with groceries).
>
> Do *not* get the loose open metal frame @$^%@$^ carts. They are not only
> cheaper and will break (often at the wheels), they have no insulation from
> the heat and no way to really add any.
>
> I used more often than not, a bicycle to get about and had a nice basket at
> the front for small trips.
>
> Grin, foot based shoppers learn that sometimes it's better to get a smaller
> box for a higher price so it fits in vice having to use a cab to get home.
> In your case, possible net savings the others may not think of. It worked
> out for us that we saved 1,200$ a year on car costs (gas, Japanese
> insurance, taxes in Japan) but spent an extra 35$ or so a month due to
> selecting smaller sized boxes we could carry home. About 800$ a year saved.
>
> We turned a neccesity into a family outing and used it as entertainment
> value, just shopping our way down and back. Charlotte's 'backpack' also has
> wheels and she'd bring the bulky but light stuff, I'd use my cart, and Don a
> backpack. All frozen food went in my cart with the ice packs.
>
>> I'll definitely try the one store brand product at a time approach.
>
> I find at least 60% of the store brands work for us. Our selection criteria
> is often based on sodium levels (Don had a mini-stroke some time back and is
> sodium restricted). Some store brands are very sodium high so have never
> been tested, but others are _radically lower_ and are better tasting than
> the 'name brand' stuff.
I shop almost exclusively at Kroger's and find that they have many
varieties of canned goods with "No Salt Added" on the label. I've been
sodium restricted for about 25 years now and don't miss it. Kroger has
their card that, supposedly, saves you a percentage on each purchase. It
also tracks your purchases and I get a mailing once a month with several
dollars worth of coupons from them. One was $12 off on a $100 purchase,
that was nice. In addition I buy my gasoline at their fuel stop. By
using the card I get ten cents per gallon off the listed price. That is
also nice when you realize my truck takes 20 gallons to fill up. It all
adds up in the long run. There's a regional market on the way back home
that often has good deals on meat. I often stop there and buy things
like rump roast, buy one get one free of lesser or equal value. I make
sure it's equal. I then take them home, cut them half, vacuum bag them
and use them to make meals for the two of us down the road.
>
>> The Dominicks is hit or miss with
>> accepting online coupons as well which is frustrating.
>
> Unfortunately many scammers have made it so that online coupons are often
> not accepted at all. People learned how to edit them.
>
>

On Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:57:26 -0700, "Dimitri" <[email protected]>
wrote:

>
>"Samois2001" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]..
>I live in downtown Chicago and we are seeing the price increases on
>top of what have always been inflated prices. Any brand loyalty that I
>had has gone out the window in favor of what is on sale or cheapest
>and in some cases I’m going with store brands. I wasn’t raised in a
>household where cooking as given high priority but I do remember as a
>kid my mom saying the store brand of canned green beans was inferior
>to the Del Monte. When I asked why I remember she said there might be
>screws or misc. parts from where it was canned. Given the contents of
>the can were just going to get nuked and served anyway I couldn’t
>imagine I wanted anything less edible and so have always had an
>aversion to store brands, especially canned. I was wondering what your
>opinions of store brands are, canned or otherwise? I’ve been going
>with the store brand pasta and cream cheese among others with no
>problems. Sometimes I simply find the packaging off-putting which is I
>realize is just silly. Thanks in advance for any opinions.
>
>Cindy
>
>IMHO store brands are a hit and miss proposition. Some generics are as good
>as the national brands some are inferior. As example I have never found a
>store brand as good as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese but that is my taste.
>However if you walk into a store it will cost you over $1.00 per box maybe
>more. A multi pack at Costco or Sam's Club will be 20% or 30% less.
>

this has been my experience. you sort of have to try and see.

sometimes the store brands are packed by the same people in different
product runs. for many cleaning products and the like, i can tell no
difference. looking at ingredient lists can help.

your pal,
blake