Groceries
May 27th 2016 | 8:37 am
#931
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: Groceries
May 27th 2016 | 8:52 am
#932
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,876
From: BC, Canada
Re: Groceries
Neither of us has ever been in a Costco. We have friends who go regularly, and swear by the deals they get, but we do prefer to buy certain brands of TP, facial tissues, paper towels, sauces, etc.
We went to the local Real Canadian Superstore when it first opened years ago. They had fewer than half of the brands that we prefer, so we had to do a trip to Safeway. We wasted so much time finding our way round the Superstore and in driving around that we decided not to bother again. Our time was more valuable at that time than the few cents that we saved (and it WAS only a few cents!).
We have gone back to the Superstore a couple of times in the last couple of years ....... it is one place where we can buy the non-dairy frozen dessert that I like when Safeway doesn't have it, and it is cheaper than at the "organic" places.
OH now usually does the grocery shopping by car on a Friday afternoon between about 4 and 5 pm ...... it's quite quiet then, and it's one big shop-in when he can load up items on special (like TP rolls, etc etc).
We went to the local Real Canadian Superstore when it first opened years ago. They had fewer than half of the brands that we prefer, so we had to do a trip to Safeway. We wasted so much time finding our way round the Superstore and in driving around that we decided not to bother again. Our time was more valuable at that time than the few cents that we saved (and it WAS only a few cents!).
We have gone back to the Superstore a couple of times in the last couple of years ....... it is one place where we can buy the non-dairy frozen dessert that I like when Safeway doesn't have it, and it is cheaper than at the "organic" places.
OH now usually does the grocery shopping by car on a Friday afternoon between about 4 and 5 pm ...... it's quite quiet then, and it's one big shop-in when he can load up items on special (like TP rolls, etc etc).
May 27th 2016 | 9:01 am
#933
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 56
Re: Groceries
Now that summer has rolled around I'm currently thinking of "upgrading" to an insulated one, so I can make trips to Costco on the bus (around 30-40 minutes away) to buy meat without having to bother my husband to drive me on the weekend.
May 27th 2016 | 9:04 am
#934
I need a walk
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 4,899
From: Okanagan
Re: Groceries
I can't drive and do almost all the grocery shopping on foot or using public transit. A few months ago I gave in and bought one of those "old lady" shopping bags on wheels and its been fantastic, I can normally fit in enough food for the two of us for a week.
Now that summer has rolled around I'm currently thinking of "upgrading" to an insulated one, so I can make trips to Costco on the bus (around 30-40 minutes away) to buy meat without having to bother my husband to drive me on the weekend.
Now that summer has rolled around I'm currently thinking of "upgrading" to an insulated one, so I can make trips to Costco on the bus (around 30-40 minutes away) to buy meat without having to bother my husband to drive me on the weekend.
May 28th 2016 | 5:32 am
#936
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,787
From: Qc, Canada
Re: Groceries
[...]
So a week or so ago I had someone coming to the door saying they were with whatever company it was (the name escapes me) who carry local, organic, "happy" meat and would we like a free sample to try. So I said sure. She said great, someone would be around tomorrow with a sample. The next day they called me to make sure I was home, then said someone would be by. The chap came, seemed nice enough. Started talking about how their plans work, different packages worth of meat, a selection of different cuts and such, then he asked if my husband was home as it's easier to talk to both of us. Um, what? No, he's at work... "Oh, we usually prefer to speak to both couples at once." "Why??" "Well, we only have flexibility on price on the first visit."
Okay, this pisses me off. We went through this last year with DirectBuy as well and is an immediate red flag. I said that my husband wasn't home, I wouldn't be making any decisions then, and even if he was we wouldn't be committing on the spot, we like to do some research and compare with grocery bills etc to see if it's worth it. Blah blah blah. I asked him if he had some kind of pricing sheet I could look at to compare, and he said you can't really work out the various prices of individual meats because you buy a year's worth at once and it's a mix of different things. Yeah, okay. So I shut that down.
[...]
The guy was nice, but that was just completely bonkers.
So a week or so ago I had someone coming to the door saying they were with whatever company it was (the name escapes me) who carry local, organic, "happy" meat and would we like a free sample to try. So I said sure. She said great, someone would be around tomorrow with a sample. The next day they called me to make sure I was home, then said someone would be by. The chap came, seemed nice enough. Started talking about how their plans work, different packages worth of meat, a selection of different cuts and such, then he asked if my husband was home as it's easier to talk to both of us. Um, what? No, he's at work... "Oh, we usually prefer to speak to both couples at once." "Why??" "Well, we only have flexibility on price on the first visit."
Okay, this pisses me off. We went through this last year with DirectBuy as well and is an immediate red flag. I said that my husband wasn't home, I wouldn't be making any decisions then, and even if he was we wouldn't be committing on the spot, we like to do some research and compare with grocery bills etc to see if it's worth it. Blah blah blah. I asked him if he had some kind of pricing sheet I could look at to compare, and he said you can't really work out the various prices of individual meats because you buy a year's worth at once and it's a mix of different things. Yeah, okay. So I shut that down.
[...]
The guy was nice, but that was just completely bonkers.
When a similar thing happened here (I was "referred" to the company in question by a acquaintance), I'm afraid I told the "sales rep" to F**k off.
The prices were outrageously uncompetitive too, btw.
Jun 18th 2016 | 9:52 am
#938
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 14
Re: Groceries
Hey guys, new Brit in Toronto here (hence the username) - where's the best place to buy cheap groceries?
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
Jun 18th 2016 | 10:33 am
#939
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 40,070
From: Ontario
Re: Groceries
Hey guys, new Brit in Toronto here (hence the username) - where's the best place to buy cheap groceries?
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
Jun 18th 2016 | 11:39 am
#940
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,787
From: Qc, Canada
Re: Groceries
I think I might have been in that branch last week. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality & price of *some* of the meat there; the store overall was 'orrible.
Maxi (Qc version of No Frills for most of you) has specials on red peppers & avocados this week, as well as chicken legs "with back" (89c/lb - + a 30% off sticker because they were close to sell-by date tonight), & pork shoulder roasts. Also various types of lettuce/salad greens at 2/1$.
Maxi (Qc version of No Frills for most of you) has specials on red peppers & avocados this week, as well as chicken legs "with back" (89c/lb - + a 30% off sticker because they were close to sell-by date tonight), & pork shoulder roasts. Also various types of lettuce/salad greens at 2/1$.
Jun 18th 2016 | 4:55 pm
#941
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,878
From: SW Ontario
Re: Groceries
Hey guys, new Brit in Toronto here (hence the username) - where's the best place to buy cheap groceries?
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
I used to shop at Aldi at home and loved the bargains there, but I get the impression that there's not an equivalent here in Canada. I'm not hugely fussed about getting the highest quality stuff, I'd just like to be able to buy food that doesn't taste horrible whilst also not costing a fortune.
Thanks in advance.
Food Basics have been pretty reasonable I've found, as have Freshco - I'm presuming the prices will be similar in Toronto.
You quickly learn to stock up (and freeze if necessary) meat etc., when it's on offer!
http://freshco.com/flyer/
http://www.foodbasics.ca/en/flyer.html#resultat
Jun 18th 2016 | 8:05 pm
#942
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,098
Re: Groceries
Welcome to BE!
Food Basics have been pretty reasonable I've found, as have Freshco - I'm presuming the prices will be similar in Toronto.
You quickly learn to stock up (and freeze if necessary) meat etc., when it's on offer!
Flyer – FreshCo
Flyer
Food Basics have been pretty reasonable I've found, as have Freshco - I'm presuming the prices will be similar in Toronto.
You quickly learn to stock up (and freeze if necessary) meat etc., when it's on offer!
Flyer – FreshCo
Flyer
Jun 19th 2016 | 3:48 am
#945
Bex in the city
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,900
From: Vancouver, BC
Re: Groceries
I used to love Aldi as well. I use cost-co and superstore now - I find I spend a lot more on food but its probaby better quality.
With superstore I have a PC card so I get points when certain things are on offer. I have an app for this and it's based on stuff I have purchased before. I try and complete my grocery shop and meal plans around that as I can use my points for money off my bill and/or gift cards.
With superstore I have a PC card so I get points when certain things are on offer. I have an app for this and it's based on stuff I have purchased before. I try and complete my grocery shop and meal plans around that as I can use my points for money off my bill and/or gift cards.
