Grocery deals!

[Andy M.]

I can't justify paying for the yearly membership. The nearest Costco is 25 miles and even if someone gave me a free membership, I probably wouldn't shop there much because of that. And we've got 4 grocery stores within 5 miles of my house that have good sales fairly often competing with each other. But that's a good deal on those eggs!

I also use a Costco VISA which gives me 2% back on Costco purchases. We used to spend more there but our needs have dwindled over the years. We buy some clothing, meats, paper towels, TP, facial tissues, eggs, half&half, vitamins and other OTC drugs. Our biggest savings was in 2021 when we both got great hearing aids for less than half the outside retail price! Also, 2% cash back.

 

[In A Pickle]

I also use a Costco VISA which gives me 2% back on Costco purchases. We used to spend more there but our needs have dwindled over the years. We buy some clothing, meats, paper towels, TP, facial tissues, eggs, half&half, vitamins and other OTC drugs. Our biggest savings was in 2021 when we both got great hearing aids for less than half the outside retail price! Also, 2% cash back.

I went deaf in my 30’s. Not totally but quite shockingly and here the NHS takes care of that stuff so I can’t imagine a scenario where you pick up hearing aids with your groceries.

How does that work? You buy them and take them to an audiologist?

 

[Jusa]

I went deaf in my 30’s. Not totally but quite shockingly and her the NHS takes care of that stuff so I can’t imagine a scenario where you pick up hearing aids with you groceries.

How does that work? You buy them and take them to an audiologist?

Do they have Costco in the UK or other similar membership retailers where they sell groceries, gas, electronics, clothing, etc.?

 

[Gone Hiking]

I also use a Costco VISA which gives me 2% back on Costco purchases. We used to spend more there but our needs have dwindled over the years. We buy some clothing, meats, paper towels, TP, facial tissues, eggs, half&half, vitamins and other OTC drugs. Our biggest savings was in 2021 when we both got great hearing aids for less than half the outside retail price! Also, 2% cash back.

We take advantage of that card as well. Our nearest Costco is ~20 minutes away, but it's close to my office, so I often go in after work to load up on things we need.

I went deaf in my 30’s. Not totally but quite shockingly and her the NHS takes care of that stuff so I can’t imagine a scenario where you pick up hearing aids with you groceries.

How does that work? You buy them and take them to an audiologist?

Most Costcos have a hearing aid and/or vision center in their stores that are staffed with audiologists/ ophthalmologists and have rooms to take your hearing/eye exams. Their prices are typically MUCH less than anywhere else. When I bought my hearing aids years ago, the audiologist wanted ~$6,000, while an equivalent pair at Costco was ~$2,500.

 

[In A Pickle]

Do they have Costco in the UK or other similar membership retailers where they sell groceries, gas, electronics, clothing, etc.?

They do.
I looked it up and they have hearing aid centres in some of them?!

 

[In A Pickle]

We take advantage of that card as well. Our nearest Costco is ~20 minutes away, but it's close to my office, so I often go in after work to load up on things we need.


Most Costcos have a hearing aid and/or vision center in their stores that are staffed with audiologists/ ophthalmologists and have rooms to take your hearing/eye exams. Their prices are typically MUCH less than anywhere else. When I bought my hearing aids years ago, the audiologist wanted ~$6,000, while an equivalent pair at Costco was ~$2,500.

I read these things and appreciate how lucky we are to have this stuff provided on the NHS.

I do wonder who is using the Costco hearing centres though.
The audiology services in the UK on the NHS are excellent. It’s one of the few areas you’d be hard pushed to find better service with anywhere.

One of my hearing aids stopped working a few weeks ago. I made an appointment for the next day, they fixed it at the appointment (as they do for 90% of people) and away I went furnished with new tubes, filters and big box of batteries all free.

 

[Andy M.]

I went deaf in my 30’s. Not totally but quite shockingly and here the NHS takes care of that stuff so I can’t imagine a scenario where you pick up hearing aids with your groceries.

How does that work? You buy them and take them to an audiologist?

Costco is more than a grocer. They have a pharmacy, optometrists and eyeglasses, hearing aids, auto tires, clothing, etc.

At the time I bought them, one of Costco's hearing aid offerings was provided by Phonac, a top maker. I visited an ENT doctor and had my ears tested by an audiologist. Took that report to Costco and they programmed the HA to the audiologist's report. I have been completely satisfied.

 

[The Ghan]

The pay more get less trend is happening here as well - corporate greed.

But then look at what you get when you buy (if you do) a packet of chips ... a handful of chips and a bag full of air. All your really paying for is the over inflated packaging.

With that being said - we still get a dozen eggs in a carton or 18 in the larger cartons; however, a month or so ago we were paying $10 for a carton of 12 eggs - apparently all of the US chickens wanted a pay rise or they wouldn't lay

 

[Gone Hiking]

The pay more get less trend is happening here as well - corporate greed.

But then look at what you get when you buy (if you do) a packet of chips ... a handful of chips and a bag full of air. All your really paying for is the over inflated packaging.

With that being said - we still get a dozen eggs in a carton or 18 in the larger cartons; however, a month or so ago we were paying $10 for a carton of 12 eggs - apparently all of the US chickens wanted a pay rise or they wouldn't lay

Wow, they're around 2 bucks / dozen in PA, which is down by half from a year ago. But yes, shrinkflation on many things kicked off bigly following the reaction to Covid.

 

[Linda0818]

The pay more get less trend is happening here as well - corporate greed.

But then look at what you get when you buy (if you do) a packet of chips ... a handful of chips and a bag full of air. All your really paying for is the over inflated packaging.

With that being said - we still get a dozen eggs in a carton or 18 in the larger cartons; however, a month or so ago we were paying $10 for a carton of 12 eggs - apparently all of the US chickens wanted a pay rise or they wouldn't lay

Yep, the Lay's "party size" bag of chips used to be 16 ounces. Now it's 12.5 ounces and costs $5.99.

6 bucks for a bag of potato chips that's nearly 4 ounces less than it used to be.

 

[The Ghan]

Wow, they're around 2 bucks / dozen in PA, which is down by half from a year ago. But yes, shrinkflation on many things kicked off bigly following the reaction to Covid.

Admittedly they have come back down to more realistic prices. I think I am paying $3.50 a dozen give or take here.

 

[blissful]

Speaking of eggs. There is a large factor farm (more than 1) about 15 minutes west of us. Our friends live near it. Bird flu was found and the authorities had to have it shut down to prevent the spread of that flu. Another bird egg farm was also closed down. During that time they had to scoop out millions of chickens and the waste products of the chickens into dump trucks hundreds of them over the course of weeks and then they piled it on different property. The smell was horrible according to the newspapers as reported by the neighbors. For a period of time, no one within so many miles was allowed to sell eggs, or maybe chickens too. This happened this fall into winter. It was pretty horrible by all accounts. My intention in mentioning it was to remind us that the price of eggs went up when less eggs were available. That will still happen from time to time. Eggs are 1.49/dozen, $2.19/18 ct.

 

[Jusa]

Speaking of eggs. There is a large factor farm (more than 1) about 15 minutes west of us. Our friends live near it. Bird flu was found and the authorities had to have it shut down to prevent the spread of that flu. Another bird egg farm was also closed down. During that time they had to scoop out millions of chickens and the waste products of the chickens into dump trucks hundreds of them over the course of weeks and then they piled it on different property. The smell was horrible according to the newspapers as reported by the neighbors. For a period of time, no one within so many miles was allowed to sell eggs, or maybe chickens too. This happened this fall into winter. It was pretty horrible by all accounts. My intention in mentioning it was to remind us that the price of eggs went up when less eggs were available. That will still happen from time to time. Eggs are 1.49/dozen, $2.19/18 ct.

Yeah, I was going to mention the avian bird flu...also it takes laying hens longer to reach the age where they can lay eggs, whereas fryers and broilers reach an age where they can be used for food earlier, so the prices on chicken meat weren't affected as much as eggs.

 

[In A Pickle]

Costco is more than a grocer. They have a pharmacy, optometrists and eyeglasses, hearing aids, auto tires, clothing, etc.

At the time I bought them, one of Costco's hearing aid offerings was provided by Phonac, a top maker. I visited an ENT doctor and had my ears tested by an audiologist. Took that report to Costco and they programmed the HA to the audiologist's report. I have been completely satisfied.

I know Costco is more than a grocer, we have Costco here too.
I just wanted to know how it worked, if you bought them there and had them programmed elsewhere or vice versa

I have Phonaks too, great tech on Phonaks.
We’re very, lucky the bulk purchasing power the NHS means they can buy the best possible hearing aids at the lowest prices.
If you break or lose one you will be charged a replacement fee but that’s only £70.
When I lost one of mine in a motorcycle oopsy and it got crushed by cars on an autovia they were sympathetic and didn’t charge me.
Of course I had nearly killed myself trying to retrieve it because losing your hearing isn’t the same as losing your keys or passport (that also went flying down the autovia) but lets not set off the ptsd this early in the morning

 

[Kathleen]

I can't justify paying for the yearly membership. The nearest Costco is 25 miles and even if someone gave me a free membership, I probably wouldn't shop there much because of that. And we've got 4 grocery stores within 5 miles of my house that have good sales fairly often competing with each other. But that's a good deal on those eggs!

I'm fortunate to have Costco fairly close by. I save enough on gasoline to pay for our membership twice over. Plus, the other services are great. If it were 25 miles away, I would likely opt for another options.

 

[The Ghan]

Apparently wegmans has a home delivery service but to be honest, and the standard untrusting person I am, I prefer to select my own groceries, especially fresh foods like apples and bananas'. Yes I know, the store staff touch them when they stack them etc - but they have to wear gloves and are required to follow hygience protocols - who knows what the door dash (or who ever they are) are or do.

Heck I wont even get a pizza delivered

 

[blissful]

Apparently wegmans has a home delivery service but to be honest, and the standard untrusting person I am, I prefer to select my own groceries, especially fresh foods like apples and bananas'. Yes I know, the store staff touch them when they stack them etc - but they have to wear gloves and are required to follow hygience protocols - who knows what the door dash (or who ever they are) are or do.

Heck I wont even get a pizza delivered

During covid mr bliss would not allow us to get delivery of foods. He wanted to pick out every vegetable and fruit. He still does to this day. He never did get covid. (neither of us did) We both would have nightmares having young 20 year olds with questionable hygiene get our groceries for us.

 

[The Ghan]

During covid mr bliss would not allow us to get delivery of foods. He wanted to pick out every vegetable and fruit. He still does to this day. He never did get covid. (neither of us did) We both would have nightmares having young 20 year olds with questionable hygiene get our groceries for us.

Couldn't agree more, covid or not. I am sure there are some very hygenic and considerate people who do that door dash and the like, but like you - I'm not prepared to take the chance on getting the ones who aint that consciencous ...

If I can't get off my butt and do my own shopping or have someone I trust help me in the event of a medical issue impairment, then I can't want what ever it is all that much or that badly.

 

[taxlady]

I kind of like that the three places where I order groceries all deliver from their warehouses. That means that customers haven't been handling the food while checking it out or coughing on it as they walk by. Sure, the staff is touching it, but that is still fewer people. Also, I believe that two of those places have automated systems to fill the boxes or bags that go to the customers.

 

[The Ghan]

I went deaf in my 30’s.

Sorry I am very behind the times here but going deaf in your 30's?? That is terrible!!!