Grocery Shopping

[Amethyst]

Why depend on Costco? Listen to W2R, and try other stores. These days, we've got to be flexible and resourceful. We are become furtive scavengers, dashing here and there with our masks on.

I live in a bit of a shopping desert. The closest big stores are 15 miles away; the closest BJs, almost 30 miles; the closest Costco is 80 miles away, so we don't belong. And I hate taking the time to grocery shop. So my strategy is to hit BJs once a month and get whatever they've got, which as you point out, often seems to be lacking the ONE thing you really wanted.

Periodically, check Walmart.com for dry groceries/cleaning products, and order more than $35.00 so as not to pay extra for shipping.

The local small Walmart, now and then, for perishables...get there when it opens, and I can sometimes find hard-to-find items, like the rubbing alcohol I got yesterday.

Now and then...gas station convenience stores! It sounds funny, but our pest control guy (a native of the area) put me on to this when toilet paper first became scarce. He said people never think to get TP at the gas station stores, so that's where he's been buying TP for his family.

Good luck!

No cereal, no bread, restricted milk and eggs (until recently), no flour, rice is back but at 3x-4x the price, now meat is going short. Yesterday I bought my first potatoes since March (and they're a little soft... I've started planting potatoes in buckets in the yard but so far yield is not worth the water).
That all added up to skipping breakfast completely, a drastically smaller lunch (an apple), and then try for a normal dinner.

The "no soap" was just the last straw. This weekend my wife shared she wasn't eating the last blueberry muffin in the freezer because she didn't know when we'd be able to replace it. After she went to bed I dug it out of the freezer and set it on the counter so it would be thawed for her the next morning. Now I have to plot an expedition to Costco and hope they have muffins in stock this time.

 

[brewer12345]

If you have a Trader Joe's they still have plenty including the 2 pack 15.5 oz extra firm for $1.90. The single lb pack is less expensive but the 2 pk is easier

Generally not a Trader Joe's fan, but will look. For now we have a bunch of the soft to use up. I got lucky last week and picked up a half dozen 8 pound bags of pintos on Walmarts website. Out of stock later that day.

 

[ivinsfan]

For Tp if you belong to Sam's here is what I do. Can't access the club personally right now as it's 60 miles away in a hot spot.

Find several things you like to buy anyway put in cart.. randomly check online to see if they have any TP in stock, then buy the TP and other items ASAP. Don't put the TP in the cart and look around for other stuff, the TP will disappear. I don't have the upgraded free shipping membership, but I have noticed you can often ship 3 or 4 things for only a buck or so more then one package of TP.

Just got the Member's Mark big pack of TP delivered yesterday.

They are limiting to one per order so at least no single customer is wiping out the online supply.

 

[youbet]

I upgraded to the pricier membership at Sam's (think it was about $50 more than regular membership) and so far have found it very useful, especially for the free shipping. Just had a case of name brand PT and a 40# bag of wild bird food dropped off on the porch by Fed X with zero shipping costs. Same price as if I had picked them up at the local Sam's store (one mile away).

They have some items only available shipped, some only available at the store and some either way. Be careful at checkout that the items available either shipped or at the store are shipped if that's what you prefer.

For the items I wanted that weren't shippable (produce, meat, alcohol, etc.), I had them do a pre-pick and I was only inside for ten minutes or so as my cart was pre-loaded and I just had to pay and leave.

So far, all paper products we've needed have been available at excellent prices and delivered to my porch. A case of TP + a case of PT pretty much fills up the shopping cart so it's nice to not have to cope with them in person at the store. Hope this procedure continues to work well as I'm supplying my son's family too!

 

[Sunset]

Tomorrow will be interesting when I pick up our Walmart curbside order.
Our hamburger is supposed to be $3.78/lb for the same grade, a big price difference from what you saw.

I picked up our groceries from Walmart, and true to their form, Walmart charged me $3.78/lb for what I call regular hamburger.

Milk is now $2.87 a gallon, but I noticed in the flyers from other stores it has gone up there too.

Overall I'm again very happy with Walmart

 

[John Galt III]

Eastern Pa. Bought sweet corn for 20 cents a cob. Cheap. Also saw hamburger for $2.99 a pound. Almost bought some, but controlled myself. I have a ton of meat in the freezer, and a huge ham in the fridge. Cooked the corn, in the husks, on the charcoal grille. Awesome. Start a small pile of coals, plop the corn on (I did 5), close the lid almost all the way, turn them 180 degrees every 10 minutes. Remove after about 50 minutes. Perfect.

 

[jollystomper]

For the first time in a while, I decided to do a little shopping in the late afternoon instead of early as possible. I was prepared to turn around if a store looked crowded, but none of them were. Costco had everything except for sanitizer and wipes. Still quantity limits on some items, but nothing seemed excessively low. I visited a local grocery store as well. I have not seen it so well stocked since the hoarding panic began. The baking and paper products aisle shelves were fully stocked.

My spidey sense indicated that people were a lot more relaxed and calm. If it were not for everyone wearing masks and social distancing it would have looked like any normal day at the store .

 

[Squirrel]

You're right about the convenience of Sam's Club free shipping.

Right now, I have a partial cart set up. As soon as they get Rotel tomatoes in stock, I'm going to hit the 'BUY' button.

I kind of like the excitement of refreshing my screen a few times a day to see if my out-of-stock items have renewed. Born to be mild.

 

[Telly]

This past Sunday at Walmart, we paid $6.98 for a pound of 80/20 ground beef! It's been a while since we've bought any, and it was ~$3.98 then. We wondered if the $6.98 marked on the shelf was wrong, I looked around, nobody around to ask them to scan it for us to check the price. It displayed the $6.98 at the self-checkout, and the description was correct.

Will probably be at a Kroger tomorrow, will see what they are charging for same. This is in the DFW Metroplex.

 

[gayl]

Picked up two 10 lb pkgs of chicken, pasta, dog food, and beggin strips =19.92. That finished off 2 boxes for neighbors having a hard time. Didn't need anything

Seems like everything is marked down here. Must be an issue with shipping to other states

 

[ivinsfan]

This past Sunday at Walmart, we paid $6.98 for a pound of 80/20 ground beef! It's been a while since we've bought any, and it was ~$3.98 then. We wondered if the $6.98 marked on the shelf was wrong, I looked around, nobody around to ask them to scan it for us to check the price. It displayed the $6.98 at the self-checkout, and the description was correct.

Will probably be at a Kroger tomorrow, will see what they are charging for same. This is in the DFW Metroplex.

I have used WalMart pickup for around the last 3 months. Have had very good results getting hamburger. If you take a good look at the package you paid 6.98 for it very likely is labeled ground chuck and or perhaps ground sirloin. WalMart has ground beef labeled Angus which is more costly.


It easier to spot the upcharge for the "specialty" meat when doing the online shopping. Of course the regular less expensive ground beef sells first.

If you can get some "regular" ground beef in your cart often they will sub you up to the pricier beef for no upcharge. The key is you have to actually find it in stock in your store to be able to add it to your cart.

 

[statsman]

Generally not a Trader Joe's fan, but will look. For now we have a bunch of the soft to use up.

Depending on your local Trader Joe's, be aware that arriving any time after the store opens will likely find you in a line outside the store waiting to get in. Even during Senior hours if you aren't there early.

Our closest Trader Joe's (which isn't that close - 25-30 minutes away) really restricts the number of people in their store. Two weeks ago I happened to be nearby dropping off some items to our DD when I decided to drive by and shop. Around 10:30am. There was a line of at least 40 people waiting to get in, stretched down the sidewalk in front of the other stores in the retail area. That was a big PASS for me. Not because of COVID-19, but because of the wait.

I went last week during their 8-9am Senior hours, arriving 20 minutes early. I was 4th in line. By the time the store opened at 8am, there were at least 25 people in line, with several others walking from the parking lot and other cars just pulling in. When I left around 8:10am (I knew what we needed, so it was a quick shopping), there were people already waiting outside.

 

[sengsational]

Costco was busy as usual. Had a mountain of paper product, including TP and PT. No chicken whatsoever, other meat still available.

Anyone else having trouble finding chicken? A buddy who owns a restaurant says both chicken and beef have doubled in price in the frozen north.

I think earlier you reported that this was in Tucson? Any changes lately there?

 

[Spock]

Since you have problems finding so many things at Costco, I'd strongly suggest skipping your planned trip to Costco and instead trying a different store. Maybe the availability problems you are experiencing are just at your Costco? They have such a large customer base that apparently during this crisis many Costco stores have understandably had considerable difficulty in getting enough of everything put out on the shelves regularly. I have heard similar reports about shortages at our local Costco.

Our store is not a Costco, but a moderately priced local chain supermarket similar to Kroger or Safeway. It hasn't been out of anything (other than paper towels for a day or two) in recent weeks and has never had any restrictions on anything or exorbitant prices. Their produce has been terrific, very fresh and unbruised. Since you live in a city of about a million (somewhere in the US, I assume?) I am sure there are other stores there that might be better stocked than Costco.

Now, Amazon Prime Pantry is another matter.... They seem to be out of nearly everything most of the time.

The Costco was just for the muffins. I did one online order from Costco, which delivered great, but now the Costco website says they do not deliver to my address and won't let me place an order.

The empty shelf saga includes Super Walmart, Fry's (Kroger), and Safeway (Albertsons). The triggering post on Tues was the Walmart and Fry's.

Things had been on the upswing with fuller shelves until this week.

I did a online order/delivery via Fry's (which uses instacart) and it was a disaster. The order as placed was ~$70. Due to out of stock and substitutions to smaller sizes, the amount of the order actually delivered was $35-40. BUT. Some how the order got completely hosed and they (Fry's? Instacart? neither will own it) included numerous expensive items I would never order: 6 RockStar energy drinks and 5 very expensive highend steaks (this was before the run up in meat prices), which brought my bill to over $130... almost double. So Fry's is back to in-store shopping only.

 

[lucky penny]

I did a online order/delivery via Fry's (which uses instacart) and it was a disaster. The order as placed was ~$70. Due to out of stock and substitutions to smaller sizes, the amount of the order actually delivered was $35-40. BUT. Some how the order got completely hosed and they (Fry's? Instacart? neither will own it) included numerous expensive items I would never order: 6 RockStar energy drinks and 5 very expensive highend steaks (this was before the run up in meat prices), which brought my bill to over $130... almost double. So Fry's is back to in-store shopping only.

With Instacart, your itemized order is online (showing your instructions, if any, about substitutions) so it should be easy to complain & get a credit if you get something you don't want. (Instacart, not the store, is responsible since their shoppers put the order together.) BUT I quickly learned to specify "No substitutions" or any other instructions as to each item so it's very clear what you want; otherwise they substitute freely if your item is not available. If you do that & still get something you didn't order or want, or if they ignored your instructions, complain promptly. I've done that & gotten a full credit for the unwanted items (& kept them at no charge).

 

[brewer12345]

The Costco was just for the muffins. I did one online order from Costco, which delivered great, but now the Costco website says they do not deliver to my address and won't let me place an order.

The empty shelf saga includes Super Walmart, Fry's (Kroger), and Safeway (Albertsons). The triggering post on Tues was the Walmart and Fry's.

Things had been on the upswing with fuller shelves until this week.

I did a online order/delivery via Fry's (which uses instacart) and it was a disaster. The order as placed was ~$70. Due to out of stock and substitutions to smaller sizes, the amount of the order actually delivered was $35-40. BUT. Some how the order got completely hosed and they (Fry's? Instacart? neither will own it) included numerous expensive items I would never order: 6 RockStar energy drinks and 5 very expensive highend steaks (this was before the run up in meat prices), which brought my bill to over $130... almost double. So Fry's is back to in-store shopping only.

This sort of thing is frightening. Hopefully it is very localized and short term. Otherwise things will devolve quickly.

 

[FreeBear]

I think earlier you reported that this was in Tucson? Any changes lately there?

Around Tucson and surrounding 'burbs, we've been "open" for about a week. Some restaurant are allowing dine-in. Several cars in the Denny's parking lot, but many of the Asian ethnic restaurants that we favor are carry-out only still.

Costco is still crazy busy this week, but it was this way before covid. No chicken at all, still. They have re-purposed the chicken cooler and are now stocking it full of cheese! They have tons of pork and beef. I did notice that the price of pork is creeping up though.

Still a mountain of TP and PT, but it's no longer a pornographic experience (legions just rolling by to gawk). Only a few folks picking up a pack.

Costco is getting more lax on their entrance control. A free-for-all to get your cart at the entrance, unlike the orderly process they used at the start of the pandemic. I hate going.

We're hitting Super Walmart weekly for groceries. DW got 12 pounds of chicken breast (w/ skin, on bone) for $1.99/lb. Very happy to get it to keep our freezer stocked. To keep this in perspective, we paid 99 cents/lb for boneless and skinless chicken breast just a few weeks ago before this recent round of meat worries. Walmart wasn't too busy or stressful around 8 am when DW normally goes.

Around here, Costco, then Walmart, then the groceries (Fry's/Kroger, Safeway) start to run out, in this order. I'm thankful Fry's managed to keep us in TP, chicken breast, and ribeye steak throughout most of the panic. Since Walmart has chicken, things must not be too bad around here. Strangely enough, WM didn't have any salmon, for the first time in months.

On a different note, our church is opening up on service in person in early June. We're completely shocked. They are closing off every other pew. No problem, we'll keep watching online for at least a few more months.

 

[pacergal]

Picked up my order at local Kroger. They had everything except shredded bagged lettuce--weird thing to be out of.
And I have been able to order and get pick up time either same day or next day for the past 3 weeks. Previously stocked up on meats, so basically just getting fresh produce, milk, cereal and other dry staples.
They have Lysol, clorox wipes, paper products listed in store or on line, just not for pick up. I have plenty now, but that will be my next in person shopping trip--not looking forward to it. The curb side pick up has been wonderful from my experience.

 

[Sunset]

The Costco was just for the muffins. I did one online order from Costco, which delivered great, but now the Costco website says they do not deliver to my address and won't let me place an order.

The empty shelf saga includes Super Walmart, Fry's (Kroger), and Safeway (Albertsons). The triggering post on Tues was the Walmart and Fry's.

Things had been on the upswing with fuller shelves until this week.

I did a online order/delivery via Fry's (which uses instacart) and it was a disaster. The order as placed was ~$70. Due to out of stock and substitutions to smaller sizes, the amount of the order actually delivered was $35-40. BUT. Some how the order got completely hosed and they (Fry's? Instacart? neither will own it) included numerous expensive items I would never order: 6 RockStar energy drinks and 5 very expensive highend steaks (this was before the run up in meat prices), which brought my bill to over $130... almost double. So Fry's is back to in-store shopping only.

If you did an instacart recently (I think past week) , I believe you can go in and delete any tip you gave for a screwed up order.

 

[brewer12345]

As a public service announcement, I feel compelled to remind everyone that there are alternatives to the supermarket in times of a meat shortage:

 

[Dtail]

As a public service announcement, I feel compelled to remind everyone that there are alternatives to the supermarket in times of a meat shortage:

Do you buy it or just take it from the road?

 

[brewer12345]

Do you buy it or just take it from the road?

No such thing as farm-raised possum, so the road is your only option. I have picked up roadkill goose and it was good. Always keep my eyes open for a deer on the side of the road, but never been lucky enough to happen upon a fresh kill.

 

[Winemaker]

No such thing as farm-raised possum, so the road is your only option. I have picked up roadkill goose and it was good. Always keep my eyes open for a deer on the side of the road, but never been lucky enough to happen upon a fresh kill.

Move to PA. If I liked venison, and was slow on the reflexes, I could have 6 freezer full. I don't, but I have killed over 20 by vehicle when w@rking.

 

[audreyh1]

They are picking peaches nearby. I think we’ll have to drive out to the company warehouse/store, which is much farther than we’ve driven in 2.5 months. We haven’t been out of our low population county plus the neighboring low population county where DF resides.

And on the way we’ll go by some larger grocery stores that we also haven’t visited in 2.5 months. Dare we swing by to stock up on more wine and cheeses and some other items we can’t get locally? Maybe. So far we’re hoping to find it uncrowded. I guess it depends on the parking lot.

 

[audreyh1]

No such thing as farm-raised possum, so the road is your only option. I have picked up roadkill goose and it was good. Always keep my eyes open for a deer on the side of the road, but never been lucky enough to happen upon a fresh kill.

There was a giant armadillo that sometimes came out from under DF’s farmhouse during the day. One day a couple of yahoos were driving down the rural road. They saw the giant armadillo out in the yard next to the house. They quickly pulled into the driveway, grabbed the armadillo, slammed it on the pavement, threw it in the back of the pickup, and took off.

My BIL watched the whole thing in disbelief - it all happened so fast he didn’t even have a chance to holler at intruders on private property stealing “our” armadillo!

I hope they got leprosy.

P.S. it’s a bit freaky talking about bushmeat as an alternative source of protein when wild animal to human transmission is how this whole pandemic got started in the first place!