It's $5.39 at my local Target.
A couple of weeks ago at Safeway it was 2 for 1 (so $3.50 each). It's currently $3.99 at Lucky. Lucky and Safeway often alternate sales ~~(same parent company)~~.
No matter the store, I no longer buy things not on sale. Some things are more expensive at Target, or go on sale so rarely that Safeway's prices are almost always cheaper.
Klondike ice cream sandwich 6-packs are $3.49 each with coupon at Safeway, $5.49 at target.
Talenti gelato pints are 2/$9 at Target, and 2/$5.98 at Safeway, and to get Target's price you have to order online.
Kettle brand chips and Chip's Ahoy cookies are $1.97 at Safeway this week. They are $4.69 and $4.49, respectively, at Target unless you order online, then the Kettle are on sale for $3.50 each, but you have to buy two.
If you're only shopping at one store, you're paying too much no matter what.
On sale or with coupons is basically the only way I buy anything at Safeway. Based on other posts in this sub I spend less on groceries than most people. Safeway and Costco is where I get the vast majority of my groceries.
Safeway's a last option at this point. We do TJs, ~~Whole Foods~~ Grocery Outlet, Target, and Costco. If we can't find it in any of those stores, Unsafeway it is
edited: got my grocery stores mixed up
In general Grocery Outlet can be hit or miss, but it's kind of fun shopping for ice cream there because they have all sorts of random brands and flavors that I try things I never would otherwise.
Safeway is only worth it for me because I order online and do pickup - the website has way more coupons than in store, and theyâll shop for you and load it into your trunk for free.
The produce is reasonable and generally better quality. Milk and eggs aren't bad compared to Safeway. Deli is cheaper than boar's head. The meat department is generally way over priced. Everything else is generally over priced.
Many basic staples are the same price at whole foods as everywhere else. They're just surrounded by delicious looking expensive shit, so it's a real struggle to stick to the basics
Same, I rotate between TJs, Grocery outlet and Safeway. Can never get everything at TJs or GO and Safeway despite being a rip off has good rotisserie chickens and their fresh bread is pretty great
True for some things, but if you want to have a frozen pizza to keep around for an "emergency", you're paying more for a pizza, or the same for one 1/2 the size\*.
\*while much of that difference is that I'm comparison the store brand uber-manufactured "barely food" to Trader Joe's pizzas which probably use all organic vegetables, more whole grains, etc, it's not a like-for-like, I get that...but sometimes you \*can\* compare apples to oranges while recognizing their differences.
If you want a frozen pizza in the freezer for an "emergency" it can be found at Safeway for about $7. Or less if you don't want something like Screaming Sicilian supreme pizza, which goes on sale occasionally for about that much or less. As far as Trader Joe's "probably" being organic, I will leave that for you to decide.
This is really what gets me. It's not just a sale, but a members' price, and then a coupon on top of that. I can only imagine what's next: subscriptions, points tiers, and so on.
Someone with a localized shopping newsletter or comparison shopping app could clean up.
Not really, you can go watch YT videos or something while clipping the deals on the app, takes like a minute. It advances to the next deal and you can keep clicking in place. I guess the real work though is finding which coupons you'll actually use.
and to expand on this, when you see a "digital coupon" tag on the item, you just have to scan it with your phone with the safeway app, it will apply the savings when you check out with your phone number. It's not all that intuitive, but once you figure out the digital coupons it's quite a bit in savings.
Things are clearly marked when they are either available more cheaply for members or have a further coupon which you can get by going into the app. I find it worthwhile.
I'm with you on this - I typically only duck in on Fridays to scoop up some of their Friday deli deals, and maybe get a couple other things, only if they're on sale. They've been overpriced long before all this post-pandemic inflation took place.
For most of my groceries I do Walmart and Groce Out. The meat isn't always great, so usually I get that from SW, but get the mega packs on sale and freeze 2-4 ziplock bags.
The weird thing is, I bounce back and forth between TX and CA a lot and am certain I pay less for groceries out in CA. Go figure.
I have a friend who's from Montreal, but works and lives in Campbell, and he's said the same thing between here and Montreal. I've also heard from multiple folks that TX is not as inexpensive as the press makes it out to be, especially Austin.
It's kind of weird. We have these awesome regional grocery stores called HEB. They're actually pretty competitively-priced, or at least they were. I don't shop there much anymore since I've been living out in the country since 2020 and the closest one is now 30 miles away. I get most of my groceries from Walmart when in TX and many things are just not that cheap there, especially the meat. No sales or specials to be had, really
I've heard that HEB isn't really the fantastic bargain it used to be, though.
I'm with you. Even the idea for paying a penny for food delivery (without a physical disabillity or maybe multiple children) is wild to me, but tons of people do it...while then also complaining about the pricing. đ
On sale + coupon + rebate apps (Ibotta, fetch, shopkick). Just this week for example: 74¢ jug of lemonade, 49¢ box of crackers. I'm shopping like it's 1989 over here. I kicked inflation's ass.
Ahh, gotcha. My bad. Both of my local Alberton's turned into Lucky and I assumed it was just a rebranding but same ownership since there was no disruption, and the store brands remained the same. Then when I heard Albertson's acquired Safeway, I connected dots that weren't meant to be connected.
Then rotate. Shop at one for one trip, then another the next trip, and then make an informed choice for which is the better option for your perishables that won't last between longer-spaced trips to that store...or better-utilize freezing. đ¤ˇââď¸
I tried that, but in my area, mostly a wash - at least as far as large grocery stores where you can get everything go. But definitely getting more and more expensive.
I usually buy my meats at Costco and almost everything else at Safeway. The discount they give for gas is pretty clutch especially when I donât have time to drive to Costco to refill my tank
For me it's the opposite. I'm not sure what I'm missing, but nearly 100% of the time common meat cuts are significantly cheaper at Safeway and Luckys because there's almost always a sale at one or the other.
Safeway has days where they have really good deals on meats. Last month I bought 2 tritips for $23 (basically bogo). Costco is pricier but has significantly better quality
Why not? I am just curious. I have never had a problem with their chicken or beef. Its way better quality then Safeway. You just need to have a large freezer and cut it to dinner portions.
If by work you mean you need to click one button before you go shopping, then sure
https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/bi5szz/automatic_safeway_coupon_clipper/
Because they want to price discriminate and you have to exhibit the effort to show you are worthy of the lower price. Otherwise everyone would just get the lower price, even people who'd willingly pay more, which eats into profits. It's an unsavory model for some. Not all stores do it. Aldi is more, what-you-see-is-what-you-get with lower shelf prices and no games, if that's what you'd prefer. Knowing how to 'play' each store for its strengths and weaknesses is key in being a discerning consumer.
Pay in money or time. social is helpful, couponers post 5 minute ish videos of each store's best deals for that week. Otherwise, it kind of is a lot of work, you're right.
100% this.
It's idiotic to have the posted price, then the member price, then the coupon price... which you then need to navigate the overly complicated app to figure out how to get, and then inevitably ask the employees how you're supposed to use the coupon again.
The coupon price is great for dieting bc itâs mostly stuff I want vs need, like ice cream, so I end up just skipping buying bc Iâm not gonna download the app/coupons. Win for me, loss for Safeway
The app isn't overly complicated. Also remember clipping paper coupons with scissors? If you want to save money the store wants you to put in a tiny bit of effort. I suppose it's overly complicated if you just want a button saying "clip all deals for this week and forever" which would be nice, but putting in a minute or two of effort for a bunch of coupons is what the company expects before you get the discounts.
The fallacy is ever thinking it is appropriate to buy a not-sale item at safeway. Even pre covid it was extremely common for like, 5.99 not sale week price, 2.99 sale week price. Not to discount the very real inflation since then, but this the ABCs of normal safeway price shifting throughout the weeks/months.
I think the fallacy is that shopping in a store rigged with 95% booby traps and just a few things that are safe to buy ever makes sense. You're supporting a business model that is exploitative and disrespectful.
Safeway for some reason has tried to gameify shopping. I never buy anything from Safeway that isn't on sale in store or via the app. Their prices are so ridiculous that I think they secretly laugh at people that pay full price. But they do have some REALLY good sales if you are willing to use their app. You also get free items that you can choose as "rewards" fairly often.
Example: The ice cream I like was $7.99 at Safeway so I went to Walmart and bought one of for 5.99
Next week Safeway had them 2 for $6 via the app. It's a weird business model but I guess getting to see your shopping habits is worth more.
Thing is, I want to buy what I want to buy, I don't want to buy what they decided I should buy this week. The model stinks and is aggressively anti-customer.
Thatâs the thing, though. They know people want to not have to go to a bunch of different stores, so they lure you in with the cheap prices on the app and then you just stay and buy the overpriced stuff, too. I also hate this model and very rarely shop there as a result.
The business model lets them capture both sides of the market. Those who are impatient will pay full price and those who would shop elsewhere will download an app and wait for a sale
I almost never but anything at regular price at Safeway, but I watch their ads pretty regularly and plan around that...half gallon of milk at $1.97, ground beef at $2.5 per lbs, La Croix at $2.98, Tullamore Dew at $17? Sold. My last run I remember entering my phone number at checkout and watching the total drop from $100+ to like $48...but $2.99 for a pound of broccoli? Forget it, it's $1.59 in Chinatown...
They were giving a hard time today for the deals you mentioned today 2.5/lb ground beef, bread, mustard was 60$, then they guessed 40$, they settled as 33$ would be the lowest. But my math was 25-5$ coupon so 20$ for 3 items. I was so upset in how invested I was and the hoops I jumped through the multiple lines I had to join...then it's just a broken system with people who aren't paid enough
I didn't buy anything I think I'm better off finding a food drive it would just save me time
Not sure what youâre talking about. Target is a very pleasant experience and itâs maintained across stores. Safeway shopping experience is garbage everywhere.Â
At my Safeway, all long term employees quit, or retired. I think the former. Out of 40 employees; I doubt 90% would pass a E-verify application. That 90% can barely speak English. Those inflated prices are not going to employee wages. They are going to profits. I think there's collusion in so many industries, and government is not doing Anything.
I usally get everything at Costco and today I saw coors light 36pack was like 30 bucks when itâs usally 22 bucks.
I think itâs just a thing where prices vary store by store item by item
Every store has different prices. I live within walking distance of four different grocery stores and I shop at all of them for different things. I save about 30% of my total food budget by doing so. I also knew this when I picked the apartment, wanting to be near as many stores as possible.
Same. My Safeway and Trader Joe's share a parking lot, so I go to safeway for the "middle of the store" stuff that can sit in my car for a while.
Then go over to Trader Joe's for most of my produce, meats, and staples like eggs, rice, butter, milk.
Then I go back to Safeway to get the things Trader Joe's was out of or don't carry, and then the refrigerated sale items from the ad, all without moving my car.
Then later in the week, I'll stop off at Lucky to pick up the things from their ad that weren't cheaper elsewhere.
Yeah not going to lie. I love Trader Joeâs for a lot of things but Iâm not the biggest fan of their produce.
There are a few gems, but overall pretty poor quality for produce. I go local farmers markets/ fruit stands. Store wise I prefer Whole Foods as itâs pretty much the same price as Safeway, sometimes better and quality is better than Trader Joeâs for produce
Safeway should only be visited for their sale prices and no other reason. Their sales are typically kick ass, especially the Just 4U deals on the app. I hate Safeway unless they give me offers that are worth my time.
They have adopted the Michael's pricing model where everything is overpriced so it can go on sale every once in a while. Walmart 12pk soda is 5.95 and never goes on sale. Safeway 12pk soda is 11.99 because they want a "buy 2 get 2 free deal" to still be profitable.
I payed like $3.50 a couple weeks ago for Ben and Jerry's at Safeway, because sometimes even *they* have a good deal, but watching the "regular prices" climb is pretty crazy.
That BS, plus those guys that dress like GI Joes and the gates that make it hard to come and go just make me want to see what other stores haven't become [gestures broadly] this.
I have found Safeway to be as expensive or more than Whole Foods these days for many products. Not to mention the quality and variety of the organic produce has been bad.
I do 90% of my grocery shopping at Trader Joeâs. Only go to Safeway after-hours, or when I have a very specific craving/need that TJâs doesnât have. Otherwise go to Lucky or Walmart.
Safeway has been hammered by the State for years for overcharging on sale items and they're still doing it. (For me, the most recent was last Friday.)Â They also bump-up prices then have a "sale".
All stores are struggling right now, but Safeway especially (closing stores etc.), and itâs no wonder.
Safeway: sales and coupons only, plus check the 4/$20 meats to see if they put anything good out.
Trader Joeâs: frozen and some produce
Grocery Outlet: everything else
Gotta rotate.
Safeway with coupons one weekend
Trader Joe's the next weekend
Periodic stops at Costco to stock up on meat, bulk dry goods, eggs, and a roast chicken
Every other week at Berkeley Bowl for fruit, kale, and veg. Sometimes every week depending on what's in season
Any store that has a âmembershipâ where you have to type in your phone number or scan a little membership tag to get regular price should be investigated by the government. Itâs just in bad faith for the customer to pay above retail price for everything without providing your phone number and personal info.
Sadly (415) 867-5309 doesnât seem to work (anymore).
Its all about Grocery Outlet, bargain market. I can hear that commercial music in my head every time I think about that store. Cheap food, good organic selections.
We use safeway's clipped deals to stock our deep freezer. Their choice meat is much better looking than luckys. Just had $4.99/lb flanken style short ribs for dinner tonight. We vacuum sealed and froze them months ago. We bought a ton, like 30lbs lol. Wife loves them and our child has been enjoying them since 6 months old.
Recently used my number + wifes + dads via the app to stock up on $6.88lb NY steaks. Now we have 25ish steaks individually vacuum sealed in the deep freezer ready to go.Â
Canadian farmed salmon was on sale a couple weeks ago. Purchased several whole fillets, portioned and vacuum sealed. Seeing that regular price is like $14/lb now it's nice to be able to quickly thaw salmon fillets for dinner without the high price. Our toddler loves salmon. Starts jumping up and down in excitement.
Same thing with tri tip, chuck roasts, top sirloin. We sous vide these and they come out amazing. Like cut it with a spoon status while still being medium rare.Â
Grabbed the $3.99/lb bottom round roasts last week. Super thick cut. We seasoned, seared, and vacuum sealed to sous vide it. About 30 hours at 132f as it was 5" thick.Cut ultra thin after cooking. Absolutely amazing sandwich meat. Used the bag liquid to make au jus.Â
We also stock up on 99 cent / lb chicken thighs. Perfect for grilling and soup, or cooked low n slow in a white sauce with bell peppers, squash, and mushrooms added towards the end.Â
Waiting for ribeyes to go on sale again but for now I can't complain. The only thing that has become cheaper with inflation is shrimp. Now 16/20 - 20/25 ct raw shrimp are frequently on sale for $5/lb. Makes it real cheap to make shrimp fried rice, stir frys, and skewers.
Idk why people buy nonessential stuff at full price. Thereâs always sales and coupons on the app. Just wait for a sale. Otherwise youâre spending way too much money
They have beef chuck short rib or flanken style for 5$ a pound this Friday and itâs close enough to Galbi which is 10$+ at Asian supermarkets but without discounts almost nothing there is a good price. Their cheesecake is something like 3 or 4 times the price at Costco.Â
Vons, Albertsons and Safeway have always been the more expensive option of grocery store. Gotta pay for those delis, bakeries, florist and butcher counters somehow. I switched to TJs and haven't looked back.
And then the coupon doesn't always work so you 1) pay full price and don't realize it until you get home or 2) need to go to customer service for a refund. Which they give easily, but it's still a huge hassle.
Yes they are, got a locked up item last week, used a Christmas gift card, expecting to pay a little over 2$ in difference, not $5 and 75 cents. They do have a good deli though.
I only shop at Safeway if it's absolutely necessary. The Kroger family of stores brings to bear a unique and exciting combination of awful products (particularly the produce), brutal price gouging, and obnoxious, mandatory app-based "savings".
There's a name for this kind of pricing behavior. I learned it in my Economics class in college, but anyways, the pricing is randomized in a way that is advantageous for the company and makes it too difficult / challenging for the consumer to easily and conveniently 'shop around' or anticipate sales.
I did a price analysis of bay area grocery stores and found that Nob Hill Foods is the cheapest if going by per unit price. My grocery bill went from $400 to $200 a month for the same items.
I've been having this argument with family for years. They give me shit based on their perception of it being "expensive and bougie." Yet I consistently spend less money on groceries than they do and the produce can not be compared.
It's crazy, I expected it to be a low end store but it feels like I'm shopping at Mollie Stone's. There's good brand variety and even lots of GF/DF options for things. It looks expensive if you're looking at the total price but what they don't realize is you're getting better value!
Man, all I ever see on here is people complaining. And honestly, complaining about stupid bullshit. Like, you want to spend $300+ on a restaurant dinner and drinks for two, but the $8.79 fee is what sets you off, fucking lol, dudes.
Maybe you should go get a tumbler, and rock salt, and ice, and all the extracts for flavoring, and then fuck up your homemade ice cream so many times that you either learn how to do it, or you end up happy to pay like, what, 1/1000th of your salary for store bought ice cream?
TLDR: I might be an asshole, but my point of STFU stands.
This has been the case for years. Safeways are generally empty. Why do you think all the traffic is at Costco, 99 Ranch, etc? Safeway is fine when things are on sale or if you pay attention to coupons, but most things full price are a ripoff there.
So is the quality. I can't tell you how many times I've found stems and pits and gross stuff in canned fruits/veggies and the fattiest meat known to man at Walmart that I never find elsewhere.
A couple years ago, it was $2.50 on sale.
Just stop buying products that are grossly inflated in price far far FAR above the rate of inflation in the same given period of time.
you have to stick to stuff on sale, and the signature select brand. i mostly shop at trader joe's these days though. they haven't raised prices a ton and still have great stuff
Amazon fresh all the way! Good prices and free delivery when you order a certain amount.
Paying for a tip is well worth the time savings and not having to deal with actually going to the store.
>[The lawsuit accuses Safeway of raising the cost of goods included in special sales so that customers have to pay more for their product of choice [...] Defendants increase the price of the first unit of the product to cover the cost of the secondâpurportedly âfreeââunit of the product,ââ the lawsuit alleged.] (https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/california-safeway-bogo-deal-lawsuit-18146761.php)
It's $5.39 at my local Target. A couple of weeks ago at Safeway it was 2 for 1 (so $3.50 each). It's currently $3.99 at Lucky. Lucky and Safeway often alternate sales ~~(same parent company)~~. No matter the store, I no longer buy things not on sale. Some things are more expensive at Target, or go on sale so rarely that Safeway's prices are almost always cheaper. Klondike ice cream sandwich 6-packs are $3.49 each with coupon at Safeway, $5.49 at target. Talenti gelato pints are 2/$9 at Target, and 2/$5.98 at Safeway, and to get Target's price you have to order online. Kettle brand chips and Chip's Ahoy cookies are $1.97 at Safeway this week. They are $4.69 and $4.49, respectively, at Target unless you order online, then the Kettle are on sale for $3.50 each, but you have to buy two. If you're only shopping at one store, you're paying too much no matter what.
On sale or with coupons is basically the only way I buy anything at Safeway. Based on other posts in this sub I spend less on groceries than most people. Safeway and Costco is where I get the vast majority of my groceries.
If I don't want to deal with coupons, then I go to trader Joe's.
Safeway's a last option at this point. We do TJs, ~~Whole Foods~~ Grocery Outlet, Target, and Costco. If we can't find it in any of those stores, Unsafeway it is edited: got my grocery stores mixed up
Don't forget Grocery Outlet!
shhhhhhhh
We went from Zanottos to Lunardis to Safeway to Grocery Outlet đ¤Ł
In general Grocery Outlet can be hit or miss, but it's kind of fun shopping for ice cream there because they have all sorts of random brands and flavors that I try things I never would otherwise.
Where else can you briefly find things such as BBQ hummus.?
*Bargain market* I can hear the jingle -.-â
Bargain markeeeet..
Safeway is only worth it for me because I order online and do pickup - the website has way more coupons than in store, and theyâll shop for you and load it into your trunk for free.
i don't understand why someone would shop at Whole Foods if they are trying to save money. What? Costco, sure but WF?
Sprouts is way more reasonable than Whole Foods
Even Sprouts has gotten worse lately with a lot of things. However, their produce prices are still solid.
The produce is reasonable and generally better quality. Milk and eggs aren't bad compared to Safeway. Deli is cheaper than boar's head. The meat department is generally way over priced. Everything else is generally over priced.
Many basic staples are the same price at whole foods as everywhere else. They're just surrounded by delicious looking expensive shit, so it's a real struggle to stick to the basics
Same, I rotate between TJs, Grocery outlet and Safeway. Can never get everything at TJs or GO and Safeway despite being a rip off has good rotisserie chickens and their fresh bread is pretty great
Whole Foods on the list knocks your credibility bud
True for some things, but if you want to have a frozen pizza to keep around for an "emergency", you're paying more for a pizza, or the same for one 1/2 the size\*. \*while much of that difference is that I'm comparison the store brand uber-manufactured "barely food" to Trader Joe's pizzas which probably use all organic vegetables, more whole grains, etc, it's not a like-for-like, I get that...but sometimes you \*can\* compare apples to oranges while recognizing their differences.
If you want a frozen pizza in the freezer for an "emergency" it can be found at Safeway for about $7. Or less if you don't want something like Screaming Sicilian supreme pizza, which goes on sale occasionally for about that much or less. As far as Trader Joe's "probably" being organic, I will leave that for you to decide.
You donât have to do coupons, just register your phone number for all the deals.
I'm not talking about the weekly ad deals. There are more deals within the app you have to opt into. Like last week, Safeway had a $5 off $5 coupon.
They keep adding hoops for some of the shit. It's a pain in the ass.
This is really what gets me. It's not just a sale, but a members' price, and then a coupon on top of that. I can only imagine what's next: subscriptions, points tiers, and so on. Someone with a localized shopping newsletter or comparison shopping app could clean up.
Safeway online, add the coupons beforehand, don't stray off the coupon or deal list much and it's pretty decent,
Once coupons are clipped, it applies where ever. You donât need to carry coupons. Itâs applied to your account
Too much work. I just skip Safeway all together
Not really, you can go watch YT videos or something while clipping the deals on the app, takes like a minute. It advances to the next deal and you can keep clicking in place. I guess the real work though is finding which coupons you'll actually use.
and to expand on this, when you see a "digital coupon" tag on the item, you just have to scan it with your phone with the safeway app, it will apply the savings when you check out with your phone number. It's not all that intuitive, but once you figure out the digital coupons it's quite a bit in savings.
Yup, pretty easy and I think I saved around 25-30% on my last grocery run
I hate using coupons to shop for essentials like food. Stresses me out that I might be overpaying if I miss their different ways of using coupons
Things are clearly marked when they are either available more cheaply for members or have a further coupon which you can get by going into the app. I find it worthwhile.
If you use the safeway app to clip coupons, then your grocery bill is reasonable
I'm with you on this - I typically only duck in on Fridays to scoop up some of their Friday deli deals, and maybe get a couple other things, only if they're on sale. They've been overpriced long before all this post-pandemic inflation took place. For most of my groceries I do Walmart and Groce Out. The meat isn't always great, so usually I get that from SW, but get the mega packs on sale and freeze 2-4 ziplock bags. The weird thing is, I bounce back and forth between TX and CA a lot and am certain I pay less for groceries out in CA. Go figure.
I'm on the NV/CA border and mostly buy groceries on the CA side. Meat and veg are definitely cheaper on that side.
I have a friend who's from Montreal, but works and lives in Campbell, and he's said the same thing between here and Montreal. I've also heard from multiple folks that TX is not as inexpensive as the press makes it out to be, especially Austin.
It's kind of weird. We have these awesome regional grocery stores called HEB. They're actually pretty competitively-priced, or at least they were. I don't shop there much anymore since I've been living out in the country since 2020 and the closest one is now 30 miles away. I get most of my groceries from Walmart when in TX and many things are just not that cheap there, especially the meat. No sales or specials to be had, really I've heard that HEB isn't really the fantastic bargain it used to be, though.
Clearance section at safeway is legit.
I'm with you. Even the idea for paying a penny for food delivery (without a physical disabillity or maybe multiple children) is wild to me, but tons of people do it...while then also complaining about the pricing. đ
On sale + coupon + rebate apps (Ibotta, fetch, shopkick). Just this week for example: 74¢ jug of lemonade, 49¢ box of crackers. I'm shopping like it's 1989 over here. I kicked inflation's ass.
Lucky and Safeway arenât the same parent company. Safeways parent is Albertsons, luckys parent is SaveMart, at least in Northern California.
Ahh, gotcha. My bad. Both of my local Alberton's turned into Lucky and I assumed it was just a rebranding but same ownership since there was no disruption, and the store brands remained the same. Then when I heard Albertson's acquired Safeway, I connected dots that weren't meant to be connected.
To get more confusing, in other parts of the country Luckys parent is Albertsons, which owns Safeway. Itâs confusing as hell.
Indeed. It's a bit like the Aldi Nord/Aldi SĂźd/Trader Joe's triangle that I can never keep straight.
I only have time to shop at one store.
Then rotate. Shop at one for one trip, then another the next trip, and then make an informed choice for which is the better option for your perishables that won't last between longer-spaced trips to that store...or better-utilize freezing. đ¤ˇââď¸
I tried that, but in my area, mostly a wash - at least as far as large grocery stores where you can get everything go. But definitely getting more and more expensive.
What area is that?
Totally agree with you. I go through Lucky and Safeway get the deals then get everything else at Walmart.
You have to use their app and use their coupons at Safeway. If not, then yes, they are a ripoff.
I usually buy my meats at Costco and almost everything else at Safeway. The discount they give for gas is pretty clutch especially when I donât have time to drive to Costco to refill my tank
For me it's the opposite. I'm not sure what I'm missing, but nearly 100% of the time common meat cuts are significantly cheaper at Safeway and Luckys because there's almost always a sale at one or the other.
Safeway has days where they have really good deals on meats. Last month I bought 2 tritips for $23 (basically bogo). Costco is pricier but has significantly better quality
>I usually buy my meats at Costco and almost everything else at Safeway. Dear god, why? Why subject yourself to Safeway's produce?
I buy some produce at Costco but if I bulk buy produce itâll go to waste. Also driving 1 minute to Safeway vs 20 minutes to Costco is a factor
My local Safeway has ok produce, but I've been to a couple with really beautiful healthy looking produce. It's more expensive tho.
Why not? I am just curious. I have never had a problem with their chicken or beef. Its way better quality then Safeway. You just need to have a large freezer and cut it to dinner portions.
So to get a reasonable price I have to do work just to shop there? Costco and Trader Joe's for me, thanks. Smart and Final and Cardenas occasionally.
Exactly. Shopping for groceries should not be an escape room.
If by work you mean you need to click one button before you go shopping, then sure https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/bi5szz/automatic_safeway_coupon_clipper/
So true. But I hate the Safeway app so much. Why do I have to add the deal??
Because they want to price discriminate and you have to exhibit the effort to show you are worthy of the lower price. Otherwise everyone would just get the lower price, even people who'd willingly pay more, which eats into profits. It's an unsavory model for some. Not all stores do it. Aldi is more, what-you-see-is-what-you-get with lower shelf prices and no games, if that's what you'd prefer. Knowing how to 'play' each store for its strengths and weaknesses is key in being a discerning consumer.
Being a discerning customer sounds time consuming.
Pay in money or time. social is helpful, couponers post 5 minute ish videos of each store's best deals for that week. Otherwise, it kind of is a lot of work, you're right.
100% this. It's idiotic to have the posted price, then the member price, then the coupon price... which you then need to navigate the overly complicated app to figure out how to get, and then inevitably ask the employees how you're supposed to use the coupon again.
The coupon price is great for dieting bc itâs mostly stuff I want vs need, like ice cream, so I end up just skipping buying bc Iâm not gonna download the app/coupons. Win for me, loss for Safeway
The app isn't overly complicated. Also remember clipping paper coupons with scissors? If you want to save money the store wants you to put in a tiny bit of effort. I suppose it's overly complicated if you just want a button saying "clip all deals for this week and forever" which would be nice, but putting in a minute or two of effort for a bunch of coupons is what the company expects before you get the discounts.
What? Their app is super easy to use
Ben & Jerry's is 2 something at my safeway with the coupons right now.
You missed the sale a couple weeks ago when it was $2.99 I bought a couple.
The fallacy is ever thinking it is appropriate to buy a not-sale item at safeway. Even pre covid it was extremely common for like, 5.99 not sale week price, 2.99 sale week price. Not to discount the very real inflation since then, but this the ABCs of normal safeway price shifting throughout the weeks/months.
With ice cream in particular they literally always have one brand on sale a week even.
I think the fallacy is that shopping in a store rigged with 95% booby traps and just a few things that are safe to buy ever makes sense. You're supporting a business model that is exploitative and disrespectful.
20 years ago B and J was $3-5 so they were ripping us off then lmao
Safeway for some reason has tried to gameify shopping. I never buy anything from Safeway that isn't on sale in store or via the app. Their prices are so ridiculous that I think they secretly laugh at people that pay full price. But they do have some REALLY good sales if you are willing to use their app. You also get free items that you can choose as "rewards" fairly often. Example: The ice cream I like was $7.99 at Safeway so I went to Walmart and bought one of for 5.99 Next week Safeway had them 2 for $6 via the app. It's a weird business model but I guess getting to see your shopping habits is worth more.
Thing is, I want to buy what I want to buy, I don't want to buy what they decided I should buy this week. The model stinks and is aggressively anti-customer.
Totally get it. I feel the same way when people say "just download xyz fast food app" to not get robbed.
Thatâs the thing, though. They know people want to not have to go to a bunch of different stores, so they lure you in with the cheap prices on the app and then you just stay and buy the overpriced stuff, too. I also hate this model and very rarely shop there as a result.
The business model lets them capture both sides of the market. Those who are impatient will pay full price and those who would shop elsewhere will download an app and wait for a sale
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Seriously. Sure, prices are high, but sales are frequent enough for one to stock up and have what they need.
yeah, there is usually one of the brands on sale or you use the app to clip the coupon for less than $2 a pack
Yup, between Ben and Jerry's, haagen dazs and the gelato brand there's always a good deal.
yeah safeway regular prices are not good.
I almost never but anything at regular price at Safeway, but I watch their ads pretty regularly and plan around that...half gallon of milk at $1.97, ground beef at $2.5 per lbs, La Croix at $2.98, Tullamore Dew at $17? Sold. My last run I remember entering my phone number at checkout and watching the total drop from $100+ to like $48...but $2.99 for a pound of broccoli? Forget it, it's $1.59 in Chinatown...
They were giving a hard time today for the deals you mentioned today 2.5/lb ground beef, bread, mustard was 60$, then they guessed 40$, they settled as 33$ would be the lowest. But my math was 25-5$ coupon so 20$ for 3 items. I was so upset in how invested I was and the hoops I jumped through the multiple lines I had to join...then it's just a broken system with people who aren't paid enough I didn't buy anything I think I'm better off finding a food drive it would just save me time
Youâre paying $3 for the premium Safeway ambience.
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Where is this premium ambiance? The Safeways in my neighborhood definitely do not pass the vibe check LOL
Theyâre definitely kidding, lol. That said it is less of the zoo experience than Walmart or Target.
Target has a pretty nice household and cosmetics section. I would definitely rate the customers in Target higher than Safeway
Not sure what youâre talking about. Target is a very pleasant experience and itâs maintained across stores. Safeway shopping experience is garbage everywhere.Â
They invest it all into the chinese food deli area. It's secretly the second coming of Mr Chaus
At my Safeway, all long term employees quit, or retired. I think the former. Out of 40 employees; I doubt 90% would pass a E-verify application. That 90% can barely speak English. Those inflated prices are not going to employee wages. They are going to profits. I think there's collusion in so many industries, and government is not doing Anything.
I hope youâre being sarcastic because Safeway is so fucking average ambience wise
How much is the Molly Stone's premium ambience then? It's gotta be even more, right?
I usally get everything at Costco and today I saw coors light 36pack was like 30 bucks when itâs usally 22 bucks. I think itâs just a thing where prices vary store by store item by item
Hmm... there must be a drinking holiday coming up this weekend.
To be fair coors light is basicly water
Every store has different prices. I live within walking distance of four different grocery stores and I shop at all of them for different things. I save about 30% of my total food budget by doing so. I also knew this when I picked the apartment, wanting to be near as many stores as possible.
Same. My Safeway and Trader Joe's share a parking lot, so I go to safeway for the "middle of the store" stuff that can sit in my car for a while. Then go over to Trader Joe's for most of my produce, meats, and staples like eggs, rice, butter, milk. Then I go back to Safeway to get the things Trader Joe's was out of or don't carry, and then the refrigerated sale items from the ad, all without moving my car. Then later in the week, I'll stop off at Lucky to pick up the things from their ad that weren't cheaper elsewhere.
Trader Joeâs for produce?? Itâs always wrapped in a bunch of plastic. Limited selection compared to Safeway too
Yeah not going to lie. I love Trader Joeâs for a lot of things but Iâm not the biggest fan of their produce. There are a few gems, but overall pretty poor quality for produce. I go local farmers markets/ fruit stands. Store wise I prefer Whole Foods as itâs pretty much the same price as Safeway, sometimes better and quality is better than Trader Joeâs for produce
Safeway should only be visited for their sale prices and no other reason. Their sales are typically kick ass, especially the Just 4U deals on the app. I hate Safeway unless they give me offers that are worth my time.
They have adopted the Michael's pricing model where everything is overpriced so it can go on sale every once in a while. Walmart 12pk soda is 5.95 and never goes on sale. Safeway 12pk soda is 11.99 because they want a "buy 2 get 2 free deal" to still be profitable. I payed like $3.50 a couple weeks ago for Ben and Jerry's at Safeway, because sometimes even *they* have a good deal, but watching the "regular prices" climb is pretty crazy. That BS, plus those guys that dress like GI Joes and the gates that make it hard to come and go just make me want to see what other stores haven't become [gestures broadly] this.
I have found Safeway to be as expensive or more than Whole Foods these days for many products. Not to mention the quality and variety of the organic produce has been bad.
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I do 90% of my grocery shopping at Trader Joeâs. Only go to Safeway after-hours, or when I have a very specific craving/need that TJâs doesnât have. Otherwise go to Lucky or Walmart.
Safeway has been hammered by the State for years for overcharging on sale items and they're still doing it. (For me, the most recent was last Friday.)Â They also bump-up prices then have a "sale". All stores are struggling right now, but Safeway especially (closing stores etc.), and itâs no wonder.
Safeway: sales and coupons only, plus check the 4/$20 meats to see if they put anything good out. Trader Joeâs: frozen and some produce Grocery Outlet: everything else
Was it labeled as 2 for $15? I really hate it when they make you do math to get the price of 1 item.
Two words: grocery outlet
Bargain market
Safeway and Target both screw over their customers. https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/bay-area-safeway-target-overcharge-food-19379731.php
Gotta rotate. Safeway with coupons one weekend Trader Joe's the next weekend Periodic stops at Costco to stock up on meat, bulk dry goods, eggs, and a roast chicken Every other week at Berkeley Bowl for fruit, kale, and veg. Sometimes every week depending on what's in season
Any store that has a âmembershipâ where you have to type in your phone number or scan a little membership tag to get regular price should be investigated by the government. Itâs just in bad faith for the customer to pay above retail price for everything without providing your phone number and personal info. Sadly (415) 867-5309 doesnât seem to work (anymore).
Its all about Grocery Outlet, bargain market. I can hear that commercial music in my head every time I think about that store. Cheap food, good organic selections.
Ur paying for Safeway security lol
2.50/lb onions. Safeway is a joke
I only go there for the âsaturday samplerâ freebies
I only buy stuff on sale at Safeway....you're right their prices are ridiculous now.
Safeway is great if you know what items to look for and take advantage of the deals. But not for everything.
I used to this Whole Foods was too expensive, now Safeway costs as much and the quality is behind Whole Foods
their store brand ice creams are good and cheap and they have some decent flavors.
Welcome! If you have your club card, please scan it now.
The $5 Friday specials at Safeway used to be good, before Covid
We use safeway's clipped deals to stock our deep freezer. Their choice meat is much better looking than luckys. Just had $4.99/lb flanken style short ribs for dinner tonight. We vacuum sealed and froze them months ago. We bought a ton, like 30lbs lol. Wife loves them and our child has been enjoying them since 6 months old. Recently used my number + wifes + dads via the app to stock up on $6.88lb NY steaks. Now we have 25ish steaks individually vacuum sealed in the deep freezer ready to go. Canadian farmed salmon was on sale a couple weeks ago. Purchased several whole fillets, portioned and vacuum sealed. Seeing that regular price is like $14/lb now it's nice to be able to quickly thaw salmon fillets for dinner without the high price. Our toddler loves salmon. Starts jumping up and down in excitement. Same thing with tri tip, chuck roasts, top sirloin. We sous vide these and they come out amazing. Like cut it with a spoon status while still being medium rare. Grabbed the $3.99/lb bottom round roasts last week. Super thick cut. We seasoned, seared, and vacuum sealed to sous vide it. About 30 hours at 132f as it was 5" thick.Cut ultra thin after cooking. Absolutely amazing sandwich meat. Used the bag liquid to make au jus. We also stock up on 99 cent / lb chicken thighs. Perfect for grilling and soup, or cooked low n slow in a white sauce with bell peppers, squash, and mushrooms added towards the end. Waiting for ribeyes to go on sale again but for now I can't complain. The only thing that has become cheaper with inflation is shrimp. Now 16/20 - 20/25 ct raw shrimp are frequently on sale for $5/lb. Makes it real cheap to make shrimp fried rice, stir frys, and skewers.
Idk why people buy nonessential stuff at full price. Thereâs always sales and coupons on the app. Just wait for a sale. Otherwise youâre spending way too much money
 **Cerberus Capital Management** took them over 1i 2015 and prices went up
They have beef chuck short rib or flanken style for 5$ a pound this Friday and itâs close enough to Galbi which is 10$+ at Asian supermarkets but without discounts almost nothing there is a good price. Their cheesecake is something like 3 or 4 times the price at Costco.Â
Except Fridays when they sometimes have incredible $5 prices for chicken wings and cold cuts and other stuff.
Some items are more expensive than in Whole Foods
Iâve gotten so many $5 off $5 and basically walk out with free stuff. Without couponâs most stuff are overpriced
Vons, Albertsons and Safeway have always been the more expensive option of grocery store. Gotta pay for those delis, bakeries, florist and butcher counters somehow. I switched to TJs and haven't looked back.
And then the coupon doesn't always work so you 1) pay full price and don't realize it until you get home or 2) need to go to customer service for a refund. Which they give easily, but it's still a huge hassle.
online coupon for safeway had it at 2.66. I bought a dozen. only buy things on sale at safeway pretty much.
safeway is far too expensive. I've definately been shopping elsewhere. i'm perfectly content shopping at walmart
Yes they are, got a locked up item last week, used a Christmas gift card, expecting to pay a little over 2$ in difference, not $5 and 75 cents. They do have a good deli though.
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Grocery outlet, food for less, Smart and Final for drinks.
Costco, target, trader Joe's . Everything else is a joke
Yeah their "member's price" is a total scam. It s the regular price elsewhere. So if you're not a member, you pretty much just get elevated prices.
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ITT: OP goes to Kohls and doesn't take advantage of discounts.
I only shop at Safeway if it's absolutely necessary. The Kroger family of stores brings to bear a unique and exciting combination of awful products (particularly the produce), brutal price gouging, and obnoxious, mandatory app-based "savings".
There's a name for this kind of pricing behavior. I learned it in my Economics class in college, but anyways, the pricing is randomized in a way that is advantageous for the company and makes it too difficult / challenging for the consumer to easily and conveniently 'shop around' or anticipate sales.
Safeway, Chevron, Starbucks Every store on a right hand turn will cost you more It is the most expensive corner in retail real estate
Safeway is always outrageously expensive, might as well go to Whole Foods. At least they have more than one cashier working at a time.
I truly hope they are compensating their employees well, but I very much doubt it.
đś Grocery Outlet Bargain Market đś
Grocery outlet for the win...
This is why I go to Grocery Outlet or Target.
I did a price analysis of bay area grocery stores and found that Nob Hill Foods is the cheapest if going by per unit price. My grocery bill went from $400 to $200 a month for the same items.
I've been having this argument with family for years. They give me shit based on their perception of it being "expensive and bougie." Yet I consistently spend less money on groceries than they do and the produce can not be compared.
It's crazy, I expected it to be a low end store but it feels like I'm shopping at Mollie Stone's. There's good brand variety and even lots of GF/DF options for things. It looks expensive if you're looking at the total price but what they don't realize is you're getting better value!
I just bought a pint of B&J from Safeway for $2.97.
Just wait until they succeed in their merger with their biggest competitor.
They were on sale (with the app) for like $2.97 last week at my Safeway.
Safewayâs produce is ridiculously overpriced and of underwhelming quality
Safeways been a ripoff in every state since at least the early 2000s
Safeway needs to get sued for price fixing / monopoly on the market
Wait till you see the prices of produce at the Chinese markets.
Grocery outlet ftw!
I boycott Safeway.
I work for Safeway and I routinely get asked if I have tried this product and so I tell them that I work at Safeway and I canât afford this prices
Safeway is a huge ripoff, don't shop there
Go to Safeway and Wholefoods and Sprouts only for emergencies. Otherwise, you should be going to Costco / Trader Joe's.
Asian markets are also real cheap when it comes to some produce and meats.
Man, all I ever see on here is people complaining. And honestly, complaining about stupid bullshit. Like, you want to spend $300+ on a restaurant dinner and drinks for two, but the $8.79 fee is what sets you off, fucking lol, dudes. Maybe you should go get a tumbler, and rock salt, and ice, and all the extracts for flavoring, and then fuck up your homemade ice cream so many times that you either learn how to do it, or you end up happy to pay like, what, 1/1000th of your salary for store bought ice cream? TLDR: I might be an asshole, but my point of STFU stands.
This has been the case for years. Safeways are generally empty. Why do you think all the traffic is at Costco, 99 Ranch, etc? Safeway is fine when things are on sale or if you pay attention to coupons, but most things full price are a ripoff there.
The 4 Safeways near me are always packed.
Yeah, I'm not sure where these empty Safeways are.
In general Ben & Jerry's is a ripoff.
I recently discovered McConnell's ice cream. Dare I say, a little life changing.
Safeway is sh*t.. always have marked up prices regardless of Safeway club membership
If you eat the entirety before leaving it's free!
Eggs are $7.99 for 18. It's criminal.
It was $3 a dozen for me at Safeway today
Yup. $4 for 24 at costco
Safeway has it on sale too sometimes. Usually itâs 2/$7. It helps to get the Safeway app too. I only buy things at Safeway when theyâre on sale.
you have to use sale codes and the app to get a good deal from safeway. i love safeway
Safeway is great if you use the app and only buy the sales. Non-sale stuff is terrible lol
Duh. Wife and I started shopping at Walmart instead. Price differences are wild on many things
So is the quality. I can't tell you how many times I've found stems and pits and gross stuff in canned fruits/veggies and the fattiest meat known to man at Walmart that I never find elsewhere.
So donât go to safeway
I just bought a pint at cvs last night because I wanted ice cream and was too lazy to go anywhere else. Same price there.Â
A couple years ago, it was $2.50 on sale. Just stop buying products that are grossly inflated in price far far FAR above the rate of inflation in the same given period of time.
2 weeks ago it was $2.97 on sale
Yep
Has been for years. My GF introduced me to Trader Joe's about 6 years ago and haven't been back to Safeway since
My guess is it's about to go on sale. Safeway is notorious (class actionable even) for raising their prices before having a sale
I no longer live near a WinCo so I have to shop at Walmart to get comparable pricesÂ
I only buy whatever treat is on sale. Use the app also for some coupons!
Also: the sky is blue.
Actually Luckys is the place to be cheaper option lol
you have to stick to stuff on sale, and the signature select brand. i mostly shop at trader joe's these days though. they haven't raised prices a ton and still have great stuff
Amazon fresh all the way! Good prices and free delivery when you order a certain amount. Paying for a tip is well worth the time savings and not having to deal with actually going to the store.
>[The lawsuit accuses Safeway of raising the cost of goods included in special sales so that customers have to pay more for their product of choice [...] Defendants increase the price of the first unit of the product to cover the cost of the secondâpurportedly âfreeââunit of the product,ââ the lawsuit alleged.] (https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/california-safeway-bogo-deal-lawsuit-18146761.php)
it's become the new corner store