Buying in bulk isn't always the best deal

[disneysteve]

One of the things we are doing for our daughter's Bat Mitzvah in September is making molded chocolates to give out as favors. We asked a friend who is a professional baker where we can buy the melting chocolates in bulk, figuring she would know a place that was cheaper than buying a bunch of the 1 lb. bags at the craft stores. So yesterday, we took a ride to the baking supply store she told us about. They did sell the stuff in bulk. They had 5 lb. bags for $15.99. We didn't buy them, because we realized that we could actually do better buying the 1 lb. bags at AC Moore using their 40% or 50% off coupons.

Today, we went to AC Moore. We actually had two 50% off coupons. They had a 2.5 lb. bag for $4.99, so even without the coupons, it would have been cheaper than the other place. With the coupons, we got two 2.5 lb. bags for $2.50 each. End result was we got 5 lbs. for $5.00. A lot better than the $16.00 it would have cost us the other way.

To be fair, the chocolate at the baking place was better quality, but we really don't care and are perfectly happy with this stuff.

[sweeps]

Buying bulk is often not the best deal. With a little effort of watching the sales, using coupons, and buying store brands, I've often found better deals (and I don't have to bring home a whole pallet!). That's why I quit Costco.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

For plain white flour we checked the price of large bags at Costco when we first joined. They did not even come close to Aldi's price for the ordinary 5 pounder.

[mom-from-missouri]

I think it depends on where. I quit the Cosco and Sams club for this reason. Their prices seem higher.

But, it is far cheaper for me to buy my baking supplies and oatmeal and grains at the Amish bulk store than at the grocery stores.

[Caoineag]

That's one of the reasons that I trained my dh, my friend, and myself to look at cost per unit. Sometimes bulk is a lot cheaper, sometimes, it is a lot more expensive.

[rob62521]

And buying in bulk is only cheaper is you use it! If it spoils or goes to waste, that's not cheaper. That's why I quit my Sam's membership -- some of the stuff wasn't really cheaper and some of the stuff I didn't get used before it went bad.

[Exile]

And buying in bulk is only cheaper is you use it! If it spoils or goes to waste, that's not cheaper. That's why I quit my Sam's membership -- some of the stuff wasn't really cheaper and some of the stuff I didn't get used before it went bad.

It really comes down to practicality. What good is it to buy a large economy Coke for example if you can't finish it in one sitting? In a few hours, the reamining contents have become flat.

The same holds true for bulk purchases. Imagine opening a large sack of rice or a large jar of mayo and not being able to finish the contents in a timely manner before they spoil. It might be better to buy smaller packages at the retail level using coupons.

[jc3900]

Buying Bulk is usually a good idea so long as the place you are doing the buying is not named Sams Club. This is just for my families buying habits though. I swear Sams club is making a killing off my family with that yearly fee.

[cooliemae]

I have had a Sam's club membership for years now and usually, over the course of year, easily double the cost of membership. But I buy things that don't spoil. I buy my dog food, canned foods, laundry supplies, nuts, and some bathroom supplies there on a regular basis. Though I do agree that you have to look at the cost per unit and keep an eye out for sales.

[noppenbd]

Imagine opening a large sack of rice or a large jar of mayo and not being able to finish the contents in a timely manner before they spoil. It might be better to buy smaller packages at the retail level using coupons.

I never heard that rice could spoil... what is the shelf life of rice?

[disneysteve]

I never heard that rice could spoil... what is the shelf life of rice?

I think anything (except honey) can spoil eventually. I think with rice it would depend on how it is stored. If you keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, I think it is good for a long, long time.

[rob62521]

Doesn't rice and flour get bugs if not stored correctly?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

My tip for flour storage is learned from my mother long ago. Put whole bay leaves in with the flour to repel bugs. Truth is, bay is a little bit toxic to humans and the leaf should always be removed from cooked stews and the like, not eaten. Bay can be expensive, but if purchased from an import store, I find I can buy about twenty times the bay for 1/5 the cost. I guess you'd call that buying in bulk, as compared to those little bitty bottles in the spice section at the supermarkets. But it is still a small bag.

[disneysteve]

My tip for flour storage is learned from my mother long ago. Put whole bay leaves in with the flour to repel bugs.

We were always taught to freeze flour when we get it. The flour beetles larva are actually already in the flour when you buy it. Freezing kills them so they don't develop.

[Aleta]

Steve: That is a very good tip about freezing flour. I have been able to keep the bugs at bay with the Bay Leaves as well. Didn't know that they were toxic to humans though. I would be concerned about some bay leaves being so small and crumbling and getting lost in the dish cooked if that is correct.

Steve: You said that honey doesn't go bad. Are you talking about raw honey in its comb or just the one we buy in the bottle? I do know that it can get a little hazy looking but I turn it upside down and you can place it in warm water and it goes away.

We use honey in our teas and herbal drinks.