Name: What Customers Should Know Before Stepping Foot In Trader Joe's
Uploaded: 2020-03-01T20:10:09.000Z
Duration: 11 min 29 s
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Chances are that if you've been to Trader Joe's, you're already a fan.

Modal verbs - B1

Shopping hacks at a place that doesn't even have a frequent shopper card may seem unusual,

but there are some tips and tricks to save you time and money.

Watch this before shopping at Trader Joe's again.

One of the best unknown perks of Trader Joe's is its samples policy.

You might have your standby products that you get every time you visit the store, but

Trader Joe's comes out with new products all the time.

If you're dairy-free and wondering if the Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage will suit

your taste buds, or you're feeling on the fence about Bloody Mary Salsa, ask an employee

PopSugar points out that there are some exceptions to this amazing policy.

They're not going to let you get sick by sampling raw food, and you wouldn't be able to tell

if a frozen food is worth it without heating it up.

You won't get to try any of the alcoholic products either, so stick to asking for samples

of ready-to-eat foods like boxed snacks, jars of jam, or cheese.

PopSugar interviewed a former Trader Joe's employee who confirmed that you can return

Seems like the type of thing that might get taken advantage of, right?

"This was shipped like this so we are gonna need a new one."

But, overall, the policy works in everyone's favor.

Employees don't waste time arguing with customers about what can and cannot be returned, and

Trader Joe's gains valuable insight about products that customers don't care for.

Trader Joe's definitely has a cult following, and with mass appeal comes massive crowds.

There's nothing that ruins the shopping vibe faster than overcrowded parking lots, long

Instead of wasting your time, take advantage of people who have done their research and

are willing to share the best time to hit Trader Joe's.

The Daily Meal suggests avoiding Trader Joe's on any weekday during lunchtime.

Unfortunately, that doesn't just mean the noon hour; the lines don't die down until

around 3 p.m., so stay away until well after conventional lunches are over.

"Once in a while I'll take a long lunch."

You won't want to dilly dally too long, though, because things pick up again after 5 p.m.

When it comes to weekends, both Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening are popular shopping times,

According to a Redditor who claims to be a Trader Joe's manager, the best time to avoid

the crowds is as soon as they open on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

You'll have the store to yourself and access to all the products that sell out quickly

If you do happen to find yourself on a long line, entertain your brain by picking up a

Trader Joe's describes the flyer by asking, "Is it a newsletter?

Basically, it's an illustrated bi-monthly publication that's supposed to announce new

Informative, yes, but we mostly read it because it's hilarious.

The pages are filled with old-timey cartoons with witty captions, and the product descriptions

have more cringe-worthy puns than you thought possible in a 16-page publication.

Their corn salsa is an "a-maizing" condiment?

Add in some weird comics and off-the-wall humor, and you'll find yourself craving a

line just to take the time to read the thing cover to cover.

Trader Joe's does sell some big-name brands, but why would you pick up a $5 box of cereal

when you can get a Joe's brand for $2 less?

Opting for private-label products is one of the easiest ways to save money at the grocery

store, and you don't have to sacrifice quality when you shop at TJ's: Big brand suppliers

may make some of these private-label products.

In 2010, Fortune suggested that Trader Joe's pita chips were made by Stacy's, and that

Stonyfield Farm supplied much of the yogurt on the east coast.

Eater took things one step further and used the Freedom of Information Act to request

recall information that mentioned Trader Joe's by name.

That allowed them to identify a few potential suppliers, like Wonderful Pistachios and Snack

Of course, big brands wouldn't want you to know that you can pick up their food for less

at Trader Joe's, so it's unlikely any of these comparisons will ever be confirmed.

Even the former VP of marketing, Mark Gardiner, told Eater that he was in the dark about who

It's a secret agreement, and no one is allowed to talk about the products' suppliers.

Trader Joe's doesn't market themselves as a Whole Foods-type store or a gourmet market,

The low-key grocery store has been selling wine since the 1960's, and their successful

low-cost formula has allowed them to offer affordable versions of gourmet cheeses, specialty

Many of these products would have been considered gourmet at the time they arrived, and Trader

Joe's continues to stay a step ahead of food trends by offering innovative new products

According to the Trader Joe's website, its private label brands contain high-quality

They don't use artificial flavors or preservatives, MSG, GMO ingredients, or partially hydrogenated

Their labels may not say GMO-free on the product, but Trader Joe's assures customers that their

brands don't contain any GMO ingredients.

They also claim to sell tons of organic products, and their organic options can be less expensive

Unfortunately, Trader Joe's doesn't have everything you'll find in a normal grocery store.

A typical Trader Joe's has an average of 4,000 products in each store, compared to the 38,900

That means if you're looking for necessities like toothpicks, diapers, corn starch, or

aluminum foil, you'll have to make a stop at another store while you're out.

You also won't find all the choices of brand variety that you may be accustomed to.

"I don't want this pomade I want Dapper Dan."

"Well I don't want Fop, G------it, I'm a Dapper Dan Man!"

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What Customers Should Know Before Stepping Foot In Trader Joe's

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