I’ve given you some insights on the advantages of doing your grocery shopping at a discount store. Although you can save quite a bit of money by not shopping the bigger retailers, there are some disadvantages to shopping discount grocery stores. Here are some things that you may need to keep in mind.
Discount Grocery Stores Disadvantages:
No Credit Cards Accepted
There are some grocery stores that will only accept debit cards. This may be a turn off to those who prefer to use their credit cards, especially if they receive cash back or reward points for their purchases.
No Late Night Shopping
Some of the bigger grocery stores may stay open until about 10 pm or even stay open all night long, but discount grocery stores may not have those types of hours available. Discount grocery stores may close earlier, therefore, you would have to plan your shopping trip around those hours.
No Specialty Items
Discount grocery stores will just have the basic of everyday items and probably will have a smaller section than a regular supermarket. If you are looking for certain spices such as tarragon or a special cheese such as brie, than you would have to shop for those types of items at a supermarket.
No Name Brand Items
If you have shopped at a discount grocery store before, you may have noticed that they may only offer their own generic brand of items. There may be only a few national name brand items available for purchase, if any. So if you are set on not eating generic brand foods, then these stores may not be on your list of stores to shop.
Tips:
Make sure to examine closely the items that you are wanting to purchase.
Canned items should not be badly dented, rusting, bulging or have bulging lids.
Certain staples should be avoided at discount grocery stores, however, these are a matter of personal preference and the quality of the items. These may be dairy, meat and/or produce.
Check dates on food packaging, although these can be nebulous.
- Sell by: Products should be bought before this date.
- Best if Use by: This is the recommended date for the best quality, but the food is safe to eat after the date has passed, within reason.
- Use by: This date is required by federal law to be on baby food or baby formula which should never be given to an infant after the “use by” date has passed. Other products “use by” date is similar to “best if used by.”
