The Trader Joe's on Pico in SM is too crowded (Alhambra: credit card, home)

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by DinsdalePirahna

Sorry, but I love TJs.

I think we all do or we wouldn't shop there. No other competitor beats their prices, products and friendly employees. And if you read their Fearless Flyer, you can see how they really work to find those products and keep them at such competitive prices (like a bag of GOOD avocados for the same price as one lousy one at a giant supermarket). Regarding pricing: How Does Trader Joe
(But we can still complain about their parking lots. )

[Manzanita2012]

I've been to a TJs in San Francisco where they hire a person to direct traffic in the parking lot, and people just wait in line in the street to get in. What a horrible job that would be. At least its not the Whole Foods parking lot:
Whole Foods Parking Lot - Music Video [HD] - YouTube

[moonsparkle]

Last time I stopped at Trader joe's in West Des Moines IA there was a wait time of about 15 seconds.

Very busy when it opened, but that was it.

[Mr. Opinionated]

And what isn't too crowded in L.A? Especially in WLA, where lots of money havers live?
That's what goes with living in or near the City. Go near L.A. Brea and Melrose, Westwood, Venice Beach,The Media Center, etc... Happening spots where people love to hang out and find reasons to shop. I dig all that, but I still need more patience with traffic and waiting in long lines, crowds... The only reasons I no longer live there. But one should never imagine being the only one who loves L.A.

[Patrolman]

I always make it a point to hit the TJ's in Arroyo Grande when I'm on the Central Coast. Big store in a shopping center, so plenty of parking. Stock up time.

[moonsparkle]

One of the annoyances is probably half of TJ/WF shoppers go there to make an experience out of it. The amount of people on their phones always seems significantly higher than average as well in either of those, opposed to other grocery stores. Those stores are usually in yuppie neighborhoods as well, but I've noticed the attitude is a bit toned down when you goto one in a yuppie suburb.

There's a reason for that, we've been programmed to believe there's something really awesome about being on the phone while you're looking through multiple varieties of quinoa.

[MB8abovetherim]

Isn't that the Trader Joe's that's across the street from that French Pastry place?

[Dunbar42]

Originally Posted by trancedout

One of the annoyances is probably half of TJ/WF shoppers go there to make an experience out of it.

It's mostly because they're aren't that many TJ's compared to big box supermarkets so they tend to be crowded. Even my old TJ's in the inland empire was pretty busy although nothing like the west side stores. If you cram that many people into a small space don't be surprised when it turns into a Monty Python sketch.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by genjy

Trader Joe's never has sales and clearance either. That just rubs me the wrong way somehow.

Even Whole Foods has sales and Costco sends out coupons like once a month.

costco isn't a specialty store like T Joes and Whole foods..Of course they send coupons, just like Sam's. I love bargains, take advantage of them as often as possible but I don't expect them at a place like T Joes. Even fact I never even thought about that. If I want specials I will go to Aldi's, owned by the same family, but totally different concept.

[DinsdalePirahna]

It appears that Aldi will be taking over many of the Fresh and Easy Shops.

Even though Aldi is owned by the same parent corporation as TJ is is an entirely different concept. Lots of very weird "off brands" that are packaged to look like familiar name brands.

Shopping for groceries an an Aldi feels like shopping for food at a dollar store.

If Fresh and Easy couldn't make it in SoCal, im not sure Aldi will, either.