pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,817
Jun 27, 2014 23:12:07 GMT
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Post by pyccku on Mar 16, 2024 21:02:49 GMT
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Post by Merge on Mar 16, 2024 21:50:55 GMT
The one near me has a parking issues & walking into the store issues because it’s in the parking lot of Costco. A significant number of Costco shoppers loose their minds & driving skills when they go to Costco. Kinda nasty about it too. Every Costco I’ve ever been to the parking lot is like that movie where they try to run over people for points. 🙄 it’s actually one of the reasons I won’t join. The worst Trader Joe’s parking lot I’ve ever been to is between Allwood rd & Rt 3in Clifton NJ That parking lot is a zoo I’ll take a Costco parking lot any day of the week over a Trader Joe’s. Here they’re like night and day different. Costco lots are big and have nice HUGE parking spaces where if you’re parked decently in the middle of the space you don’t have as big a risk that someone parked next to you is going to dent your doors with theirs. The one I go to most has added a bunch of stop signs to help the flow of traffic in and out and it has helped. The cart racks are conveniently placed which encourages people to use them. The TJ lots are horrifically small, with teeny tiny parking spaces that make me wish I carried a can opener so I could get in and out of my car once I’ve driven around the lot 18 times and finally wedged it into a spot. Then there’s no outdoor cart rack so in order to be a decent human I have to hoof the damn thing all the way back to the store (which I always do, because I am a decent human). I don’t even drive a very big car so I can’t even imagine how much worse it would be if I drove a mini van or some other bigger vehicle. I can honestly say there have been times when I too have given up trying to even get a spot in a TJ’s lot and just went somewhere else. We have a few TJ stores in my area and every one has a disaster of a parking lot. One store even has a parking ramp which is a special level of hell. The only thing worse than my closest TJ’s parking lot is my closest Whole Foods parking lot. They’re both nightmares. Another strike against Trader Joe’s for me is the lack of curbside shopping. I get that they can’t have in-store shoppers blocking the narrow aisles in their crowded little stores, but that also makes the inside of the store a place I don’t want to be.
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Post by teacherlisa on Mar 16, 2024 23:40:03 GMT
I love it!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 17, 2024 0:54:26 GMT
I’ll take a Costco parking lot any day of the week over a Trader Joe’s. Here they’re like night and day different. Costco lots are big and have nice HUGE parking spaces where if you’re parked decently in the middle of the space you don’t have as big a risk that someone parked next to you is going to dent your doors with theirs. The one I go to most has added a bunch of stop signs to help the flow of traffic in and out and it has helped. The cart racks are conveniently placed which encourages people to use them. The TJ lots are horrifically small, with teeny tiny parking spaces that make me wish I carried a can opener so I could get in and out of my car once I’ve driven around the lot 18 times and finally wedged it into a spot. Then there’s no outdoor cart rack so in order to be a decent human I have to hoof the damn thing all the way back to the store (which I always do, because I am a decent human). I don’t even drive a very big car so I can’t even imagine how much worse it would be if I drove a mini van or some other bigger vehicle. I can honestly say there have been times when I too have given up trying to even get a spot in a TJ’s lot and just went somewhere else. We have a few TJ stores in my area and every one has a disaster of a parking lot. One store even has a parking ramp which is a special level of hell. The only thing worse than my closest TJ’s parking lot is my closest Whole Foods parking lot. They’re both nightmares. Another strike against Trader Joe’s for me is the lack of curbside shopping. I get that they can’t have in-store shoppers blocking the narrow aisles in their crowded little stores, but that also makes the inside of the store a place I don’t want to be. OMG this too. The aisles are barely big enough for two of their tiny little carts to pass. It’s almost like they should go to the one way traffic down certain aisles like Aldi did during Covid. Which was also ridiculous.
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Post by rymeswithpurple on Mar 17, 2024 1:05:03 GMT
There's one in the basement of the building where the org I work for is. I would go if I was at work and needed a quick lunch, but I'm basically WFH all the time now, so no need to go. DH likes their fall stuff, so if I'm at the office during fall, I'll pick up a few things for him.
I do the majority of our shopping at Aldi and Giant, and the occasional Costco run.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Mar 17, 2024 6:02:57 GMT
I used to do a lot of shopping there but most of my favorites have been discontinued. If it were only one or two items it wouldn’t be so bad but there isn’t much left to buy there as we haven’t found anything to replace them. We still love their frozen kung pao chicken but I add extra veggies to it. I do buy their bum bum body butter dup as well as supergoop sunscreen dup. I used to buy more fish and shrimp there but haven’t lately.
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Post by tuva42 on Mar 17, 2024 15:24:44 GMT
Love!! And the closest one is 4 hrs away. So when we do go we load up. I don’t get the over priced comments at all!!! It’s very reasonably priced, if not cheaper than some groceries! We love all the fried rices, the soup dumplings, egg rolls, all the cheeses!! Pita crackers I make my lunches with, everything but the bagel salmon, I could go in. Love I’m puzzled by the price comments too.. everything I buy is always cheaper than the grocery store. I haven't compared a lot of prices since I haven't bought much at my local Trader Joes, but the produce at ours is much more expensive than at Kroger or Meijer.
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compeateropeator
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,001
Member is Online
Jun 26, 2014 23:10:56 GMT
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Post by compeateropeator on Mar 17, 2024 17:52:35 GMT
Truthfully, I don’t know? I have only been to one 3 or 4 times. We have one close to me now but it is not in an area I got to a lot so it would probably be a special trip. The parking lot was alway so congested and didn’t seem big enough so that was enough to deter me. I think ours is considered a small one but wouldn’t swear to it.
I keep saying I have to check it out again. They now have a back way in so maybe I’ll try again.
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Post by kamper on Mar 17, 2024 22:51:19 GMT
No. The produce section is awful. It just seems like a bunch of processed foods. I do not understand how it is popular.
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Post by Bridget in MD on Mar 17, 2024 23:55:54 GMT
I don't have one near me and I am not sure I've been in one. I was getting it confused with Whole Foods. So I dont think I have. They just opened up one in my DD's college town, and she could walk there. She doesn't like it and prefers to shop at Lidl's or Giant.
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Post by candygurl on Mar 18, 2024 13:13:36 GMT
I have one less than 10 min away but rarely shop there. It’s fun to get the seasonal items to fun items to try. If I go, I try to go by 9am or it’s too crowded.
I do love thier Ghost pepper chips and guilt free Mac and cheese
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,710
Location: Houston, TX
Jun 25, 2014 22:47:49 GMT
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Post by smartypants71 on Mar 18, 2024 14:17:14 GMT
I don't really love going to a store where I can't complete my entire grocery order. I also don't eat frozen/processed meals, so there goes 90% of the store.
The one closest to me is a PITA to get to and park.
However, when I need to put together a flower arrangement, TJ's is my go to. Great selection for a good price.
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SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,612
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
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Post by SweetieBsMom on Mar 18, 2024 14:29:12 GMT
I like TJs but it's a PITA. It's about 12min from me, at Patriot Place (which limits when you can go....football, concerts, soccer, etc). It's always packed and the parking lot is always a problem. I may feel differently if I didn't work and could go during the week but as it is, I don't go.
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Post by papersilly on Mar 18, 2024 16:47:25 GMT
i don't love them but i find their products interesting.
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3boysnme
Full Member
Posts: 156
Aug 1, 2023 13:28:26 GMT
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Post by 3boysnme on Mar 18, 2024 16:51:12 GMT
I've only been to one TJs and will not be returning. We don't have one nearby, so I drove about 40 minutes to the nearest one, and was not impressed. Maybe if one opened up close by, I might give it another go.
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Post by fiddlesticks on Mar 18, 2024 21:50:39 GMT
There are a few things that my family likes from there. I maybe go once every couple of months. DD LOVES the already cooked brown rice so we always have that on hand. I buy like 4 boxes at a time. We love the chicken potstickers and since we have been eating out less I try to keep a bag in the freezer for those nights I wish I could order Chinese food. And there are a few different things in their frozen section that we like to get if we are having an appetizer party (like on Christmas Eve). I usually end up finding a thing or two to try when I do go but it isn't a must have for us.
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Post by zuke on Mar 25, 2024 10:09:52 GMT
I'm not a fan. Having 4 kids, we could never afford to shop there. Their produce dept was always limited and higher priced, sometimes double of what I could get from grocery stores. Their frozen foods, I'd have to buy multiples of to have enough to feed the family and they were costly. My biggest issue was their dangerous parking lots and rude shoppers. I had 2 close to me and the few times I went, I came out of there so stressed! I do like their cut flowers though!
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The Great Carpezio
Pearl Clutcher
Something profound goes here.
Posts: 2,930
Jun 25, 2014 21:50:33 GMT
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Mar 25, 2024 11:22:51 GMT
Our closest is 40 minutes away. There are a lot of things I love there, and we stop fairly often (it’s between us and the Twin Ciites). I probably average about once or twice a month.
I agree it’s not a place to get all your groceries, but since we buy our beef from a local farm, I could do it if it was closer. I don’t find them more expensive.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,842
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 25, 2024 11:35:36 GMT
Someone commented on the thread about the viral Trader Joes totes "And who doesn't love Trader Joes." Me. I don't. Anybody else not love Trader Joes? I feel like its mostly snack food or frozen dinners, or overpriced produce. I have walked out with nothing several times. Usually, I only shop there for party food. I agree on some of your points but the produce is far cheaper than any of the reputable grocery stores in my area. There are stores that I am sure sell it for less but the quality is disgusting. Their pizza crusts are great because they are cheap and you can freeze them. We usually buy 10 or so and then freeze them. I like their pre-minced garlic and ginger cubes and their frozen veggies are so much cheaper and better than the big stores. I also like their cheese section. I don't buy their breads because without all the preservatives, it usually goes bad in a day or two after opening the package.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,842
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 25, 2024 11:37:07 GMT
Our TJ’s parking lot is also a nightmare death trap. I have more than once wanted to try something I saw on social media and just given up without going inside due to the parking lot. I also think it is VERY expensive for what it is. Everything comes in teeny tiny packages that are the same price as a giant Costco package. It’s a rich people store. If anything, it is much cheaper. Nuts are less than half what others charge, produce is much cheaper. I really don't know what store you are shopping in.
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
Posts: 3,842
Jun 26, 2014 17:47:08 GMT
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 25, 2024 11:38:10 GMT
No. The produce section is awful. It just seems like a bunch of processed foods. I do not understand how it is popular. In ours the salads and wraps are on a few shelves in a huge produce section.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Mar 25, 2024 12:31:09 GMT
Yes, I love it. The closest one is 45-60 min away but I try to stop there when I’m in the area. I love the flowers. The produce is cheaper than most places in my area, and I like the produce and salad mixes that they have. They also have good prices on oil, spices, sauces, etc. Now that we have feeer people in the house I have gotten some of the frozen meals for nights when we need something fast.
ETA that I think Trader Joe’s is less expensive than most of the other stores. I also haven’t had a problem with the produce that I have gotten. I’m confused about those comments.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,531
Oct 11, 2014 3:17:29 GMT
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Post by bethany102399 on Mar 25, 2024 13:43:49 GMT
you guys are cracking me up with the parking. We have one that is remotely close to us at 30 minutes away. The last time I was in the area I thought oh, I'll stop in. Yep, the parking lot was a ZOO. It's in this shopping center that shares a lot with a target but it's an odd shape, and there was a semi trying to park and unload in there along with every car in the city. Took me as long to find a parking space as it did to get over there.
That said, their chocolate croissants are amazing (in the freezer section) and I also picked up a chicken dish that we all liked. I couldn't do weekly shopping there, but for an every couple of months or hey I'm in the area? I'll go.
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Post by HelenaJole on Mar 25, 2024 15:56:49 GMT
Our Trader Joe's also has the parking lot from hell. I have taken to actively avoiding it. (I'll park behind the shopping center and walk around.)
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Post by karenk on Mar 25, 2024 16:10:17 GMT
I have been buying their jumbo eggs for quite a while. They were 1.99 and the price jumped a while ago. But I get a few double yolks. We used to eat 4 eggs and now eat 3 between us. Someone else mentioned the frozen croissants…they are great. And I like the pumpernickel bread.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,003
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Mar 25, 2024 17:37:09 GMT
I love mine and there are three by me, pretty much surrounded by them.
Some of these comments are really odd to me. The produce is great, I love that lot of it is prepackaged so grab and go. The prices are wonderful too.
I love going, I never know what new thing I'm going to find. We get all our snacks there, most of my produce and condiments and dairy. I'm addicted to the spice blends, so fun like Everything but the Elote, the onion powder, the Everyday Seasoning in the grinder jar.
Garlic EVOO, bottled curry sauces, cartons of soup, I love the little TJ cup of noodles for a quick lunch.
Love the frozen fruit blends, veggies, the frozen croissants are better than any grocery store croissants ever.
Love buying fresh flowers and potted plants.
Shopping at TJ is always fun. Crowded parking lots rarely upset or bother me. Everyone is pretty polite and follows the rules. TJ shoppers are generally cool people.
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Post by sabrinae on Mar 25, 2024 18:30:46 GMT
I like it for certain things and find it’s much cheaper in those products. The closest one is 2 hours away so I only go when I’m already in the city for Dr appointments or work conferences. The nuts and dried and freeze dried fruits have a much better selection and lower price than I can get anywhere else. I like their selection of crackers, cheeses and charcuterie meats which are also at good price points. Their jars of marinara sauce are only $1.99, minimal ingredients and no added sugar - same for their jarred pizza sauce. Their seasonal products can be fun and tasty. I like their bottled French lemonades for a treat. Their olive oil is a good price. I really like their boxed Thai wheat noodles and some of their bottled/jarred sauces for quick meals. I like some of their seasoning blends. The everything but the elote is good. I love their cocoa powder for baking.
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Post by kluski on Mar 27, 2024 0:43:32 GMT
I’m not a fan. However, I recently went GF so walked thru with different eyes. Still not a fan EXCEPT for the ginormous GF coconut oatmeal cookies. Oh.em.gee. I am a fan of those cookies.
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Post by worrywart on Mar 27, 2024 2:33:14 GMT
I like it a lot but it took me some time of shopping there to find out what I like to get there. Fresh salmon, goat cheese, super skinny fresh green beans, zucchini and a decent selection of lunch meats and cheeses. They have a huge frozen food section and tons of snack items. Low carb tortillas. Great prices on flowers and plants.
No way I could buy all my groceries there. I have certain things I like at many different stores. Plus, no parking trouble we usually go around 8 on a weekend morning to avoid crowds.
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