I talked about the working for a grocery distributor in Grocery 101. I followed this up with Grocery 201.
Today is an elective course – Buying in Bulk
Bulk is a good value if you will use it.
I remember my uncle saying he bought a 10 pound jar of pickles at Sam’s Club. Buying a 10 pound container of pickles is only a good buy if you will use 10 pounds before it goes bad. If you wind up throwing out half, you may have been better off buying a smaller container.
Know your prices – Bulk stores can be more expensive.
Just because it is in a Costco, Sam’s Club and in a bigger package, it may not be the best value. Sure you can buy a case of toilet paper and you will use it but it may have a higher unit price than the even the Wal-Mart next door. I actually found this to be true. Toilet paper at Wal-Mart was cheaper than Sam’s Club when I compared. It may be cheaper today at Sam’s. The point is to know the normal cost where you normally shop before you think you have a deal.
In a regular store – Check the Sizes
Bigger is not necessarily the best value. Check the unit price. Some stores give you this on the shelf tag but carry a calculator. Why? I have seen on size unit price will be ounces and the same larger items unit price by the pound. So the shelf tag is no help. The calculator will give you a true comparison. Sometimes the smaller package is a better buy. Sometimes the middle size is the better buy. Sometimes the large item is the best buy. The Consumerist has had a picture of Target where Red Bull. A 4-pack is $5.89 and the 12-pack is $19.99. (3*5.89= 17.67)
Driving 15 miles – Is it worth the trip
Just because there is a warehouse club does not mean you will save money if you spend the savings in gas going there.
Time Value – Is it worth the trip
Ok your time has value too. So you have looked at the savings. The cost of the gas is not an issue because it is next door. But now you are shopping at two places. Each place is an hour visit. So now your once a week trips are taking 2 hours of your time not one. Not to mention the time to separate the bulk items in to usable quantities. Monthly you now spend 8 hours shopping and 2 hours separating your bulk purchases. You used to spend 4 hours a month. Is the extra 6 hours worth the savings?
Just my 2 cents. Jim @ ChangeJarSavings.com
© 2008 ChangeJarSavings.com
© 2011 ChangeJarSavings.com
I also love the stores that always advertise the 2 for $X deal. Most people think they have to buy both items to get the deal, however, at most major grocery stores you only need to buy 1 to realize the savings! Its just crafty advertising! Just buy what you actually need, not what the store is suggesting that they think you need.