Kroger or Harris Teeter? (Chapel Hill, Wake Forest: chapel, to buy, organic)

[sls76]

Originally Posted by RDSLOTS

Wow, when did you see organic milk for that price? The cheapest I have ever seen it is about $2.98 or $2.99, at Target and WalMart. I buy Horizon Organic milk -- with the cow flying across the carton. I like all of their organic dairy products.

How does the Kroger variety compare?

I bought a half gallon of Naturally Preferred Organic yesterday at Kroger. It was right around $2.49. I usually buy gallons from Lowes or HT, but the half gallons last longer and I wanted one that wouldn't expire because we're going away for Thanksgiving. As far as how it compares I wouldn't know because my kids drink it. I think Fresh Market also usually has good prices and I've heard Trader Joes has very good prices on milk but it's not exactly organic.

[PDXmom]

Originally Posted by sls76

I think Fresh Market also usually has good prices and I've heard Trader Joes has very good prices on milk but it's not exactly organic.

The Trader Joes in Portland carried organic milk and the organic prices were good. I haven't been to the Cary TJs so I don't know if they carry organic milk. I plan to vist the CH TJs when it opens as it's closer to me.

[MAtoNC!]

TJ's is my 2nd choice for organic milk. I forget how much it cost. Right now it's cheaper at Kroger. TJ's has a great price on organic yogurt -- $2.79 for a big container. The only way I can beat that price is if another store has Stonyfield on sale.

[southward bound]

I posted something about shopping in the ALDI topic, but it seems more fitting to put it here...

Grocery shopping would be easier if they stopped their marketing nonsense of "sales" that aren't really, coupons, rebates, manager's specials (means its going to go bad soon if they don't move it), shopping cards (I've got more of those plastic tags on my key ring than I have keys!) etc. And what's up with Lowe's point system? I find their price tags maddeningly confusing. The item is this much regularly...and *this* much if you have a Lowe's store card, but, if you "pay" so many points, you can have if for THIS price. If I have the other car, or the spare set of keys without that particular store's tag, then I can pay a premium price. Now THAT makes for good customer relations!

I always marvel at how much more expensive groceries are here than even in New England, where we're from. I still can't figure out why that is! I resent being pushed into coupon clipping and reading all the sales flyers each week. I know we'd spend $10-20 more if we didn't bother doing that, but that means we're lining somebody else's pockets with money we all could use elsewhere. It does make me wonder, though, whether exchaging two to three hours (reading, clipping, driving here and there, waiting in multiple lines) of my life for a few dollars is really worth it?

To answer the question posed, I carefully shop Harris Teeter to get my $40 worth of groceries every week (to qualify for their give-aways); we like seafood, so I make sure I get my $35 worth of their "fresh catch" over the period of time they've set for their program ($5 off your total purchase once you hit the $35...we got a pound of wild shrimp for $2 - that was nice). I always make sure that I buy sale items in order to qualify for those expense totals. Btw, at HT the sales marked "VIC special" or "manager's specials" are items they have to move. The sales marked "Fresh Catch" are just that - fresh.

I shop Kroger's on Tuesdays (5% senior (55+) discount) and, again, I buy only sale items.
Occasionally I shop at Lowe's, but it's not convenient for me. Target sales are good, and staples' prices are best at WM. This week Walgreens has some great sales, but you need some of their coupons from Sunday's flyer to get those prices.

This week we had an opportunity to visit Whole Foods. What a delight for the senses. Had lunch there, too. You have to be careful if you're going to stay on a budget, but they have really good things there you can't get elsewhere. They're worth the little bit extra you have to pay there.

[RDSLOTS]

A-M-E-N, Southward Bound.

I am retired, and I can't stand having to sit and clip coupons -- just give me a fair price, and fair tactics, at the grocery store. It does seem like almost everything is a gimmick these days. I can't follow the Lowe's prices, either, unless they are trying hard to get you NOT to redeem those points for the Green Stamps' merchandise?

Still, overall, I like Harris Teeter -- it may have absolutely nothing to do with the foods available, or the prices, but just how I feel when I am in the store.

Thanks for the info on the organic milk, Guys. It is all I will drink. It tastes like the milk delivered to our door, from my childhood, and I worry about growth hormones and antibiotics in the other milk products.

[MAtoNC!]

I don't like Lowe's Foods at all and their silly points. If I want a little more selection and certain items on sale I go to Harris Teeter. I currently shop at Kroger, Harris Teeter, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods But I'm off Cary Parkway and none of them are that far from me.

Can someone explain Fresh Market to me? I have no use for that place. And I do not understand how it stays in business. It has less selection than Whole Foods and it costs as much if not more.

[DanielChang]

I go to Fresh Market for steaks and seafood and have always been happy with the quality there. While I'm there, I'll pick up some convenience items. I went to Fresh Market a lot before they moved from Kildaire Farm Rd to Cary Pkwy. Now go to Trader Joes.

I go to Harris Teeter to do my grocery shopping and use their pharmacy. I used to go to Lowes, but Harris Teeter is one block closer.

Whole Food seems very far (I'm in NW Cary).

[Flamingo13]

Guess I'm in the minority - I LOVE coupons and seeing what I can get for free and/or really cheap. (Yes, I have a minor grocery store in the basement but it's great )

[goat1of2]

This really really depends on what you shop for. People who buy "higher-end" foods and prepared foods seem to like the HT. I buy flour, rice, sugar, cheap meat, eggs...you get the picture, and make my own foods from scratch. Almost without fail, the Kroger is cheaper on these items, largely because their own "house brand" is cheaper. Occasionally I go back to a HT just to check myself and, sure enough, for the stuff I buy HT is more expensive.

However, the service at our Kroger, at least, sucks. I make sure I have time on my hands before I go. Don't be in a hurry, and you can expect to have some things ring up the wrong price! I deal. I have to.

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by goat1of2

This really really depends on what you shop for. People who buy "higher-end" foods and prepared foods seem to like the HT. I buy flour, rice, sugar, cheap meat, eggs...you get the picture, and make my own foods from scratch. Almost without fail, the Kroger is cheaper on these items, largely because their own "house brand" is cheaper. Occasionally I go back to a HT just to check myself and, sure enough, for the stuff I buy HT is more expensive.

However, the service at our Kroger, at least, sucks. I make sure I have time on my hands before I go. Don't be in a hurry, and you can expect to have some things ring up the wrong price! I deal. I have to.

At Kroger, if an item scans at the wrong price, go to the customer service desk afterward (don't take up the issue at the cash register, where they will just make you wait for a price check and give you the item at the right price); at the service desk, you will get the item free and twice the price of the item in cash (if I remember that correctly). (and, if you return an item because there is something wrong with it - such as broken seal that you didn't notice, or out of date, or not fresh (in case of meat, etc.), they'll give you your money back plus a gift card for $10 or so to use in the store on future purchases). Shhh...don't tell anyone...keep that to yourself.

Happy shopping, everyone!