Cheaper than the grocery store?

Hez · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 01:43 PM

Yesterday I was shopping at the drugstore near my house, and walked through their small grocery aisle to get to the tills...and I noticed that they sell milk and it's cheaper than at the grocery store. Not by much--only 40 cents cheaper, but considering how much milk I buy that definitely adds up! And this drugstore is only a one minute walk from my local grocery store, so it's not a hassle to buy my milk there.

Before, I would never have looked twice at the grocery items here because I figured I'd have to pay "convenience prices" for them. I guess it goes to show I should always keep my eyes open to find the best prices!

CoryWM · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 02:12 PM

Actually, it's because the normal groceries stores gouge you on the prices of items, it knows most households need, but don't want to go to a different store store. Almost all gas stations/convience stores around here sell a gallon of milk for 2.00-2.29. While every grocery store you'd go too, you'd pay 3.79 a gallon, without a coupon.

momof1in150 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 02:33 PM

Actually, it is the drug stores/convenience stores that take a loss on the milk because they expect you to buy other items. Why do you think the milk is usually the farthest from the register? It is part of the marketing placement of the product.

Ima saver · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 02:45 PM

I never knew that, but I hardly ever buy milk.

disneysteve · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 08:08 PM

We buy milk regularly, but hardly ever go to a drugstore, so I wouldn't make a special trip just for milk, even if it was 40 cents cheaper.

Your point is a good one, though. No one store always has the best prices on everything and it is important to always be on the lookout for bargains.

mom-from-missouri · #6 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 11:11 PM

Actually, milk prices are set by federal law--just as fuel is. There is a certain markup % that you are not allowed to go over. If you do go over it, there are hefty fines to pay.
But, you can go under that % to bring in more business, any time you want!

Tree0164 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 05:16 AM

I buy my milk at the convenience/gas store. We go through 3-5 gallons a week so the savings adds up. I am not going out of my way either so that makes it better!!

fairy74 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 11:36 AM

I also buy my milk at the gas station, it is ususally .50 to a dollar cheaper than at the grocery store. It pays to look around

MaureensAvon · #9 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 01:30 PM

I usually buy milk at Walgreen's, it's cheaper than the market, and it's on the way home!

Beccagold · #10 (**permalink**) 06-11-2007, 02:21 PM

I've noticed other items are much cheaper at Target, as well. Duncan Hines cake mix at my supermarket is 2.79, it's .99 at target!

PrincessPerky · #11 (**permalink**) 06-13-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mom-from-missouri

Actually, milk prices are set by federal law--just as fuel is. There is a certain markup % that you are not allowed to go over. If you do go over it, there are hefty fines to pay.
But, you can go under that % to bring in more business, any time you want!

Not always...first intro to why I am a libertarian was a big 'ole sign 'milk sold at state minimum prices'....

disneysteve · #12 (**permalink**) 06-13-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrincessPerky

Not always...first intro to why I am a libertarian was a big 'ole sign 'milk sold at state minimum prices'....

Cigarettes are similarly regulated. I often see signs saying stores are selling at state minimum prices.

cicy33 · #13 (**permalink**) 06-14-2007, 08:33 PM

not our gas stations. Ours are either just as high as the store or higher. milk is really getting pricey. interesting isn't it, the things that are healthy for you are getting to be almost too expensive to buy. If I bought the "correct" amount of fresh fruit and veggies they recommend for my size family I would be spending about $50 a week or more just on that. and if I bought the amount my kids would like to have I would spend even more! I simply cannot afford that much money for something that does not last long. so I buy what I can manage and they get the some but not nearly as much as they would like!

shelbylovesmelby · #14 (**permalink**) 06-20-2007, 11:47 AM

I agree w/ CICY. I'd love to have more fresh everything but the prices are sooo much higher than buying canned. I bought grapes last week 4lbs & they were gone in 2 days. Mind you my kids are still small what if they were bigger?!??! I hate to think about how much they'd inhale!

Milk I agree is crazy, it's a comodity comparable to gas the way it fluxuates. Just wait til companies like Dean who say they are being pushed to have the milk they buy come from cows that don't use a FDA approved hormone that makes the cow eat more & produces 15% more. So much like the gas companies they will find a way to jack the prices up because of it being "hormone free" or label it organic.

Ciggies.... we have the same thing here where they say they are selling @ state minimum's. However, if you happen upon a Native American Reservation they are abt 30% cheaper. So when we head up that way dh stocks up.