Grocery aisle searches
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I currently ask for canned black olives, if that helps. I have the same problem!
Also, I sometimes ask about drinks like Ensure because they are in various aisles, depending on what store you are shopping.
We like Vigo's yellow rice which comes in small seasoned packets because it is good for starting a quick paella. In some stores it is with rice, in some with 'boxed dinners' and in some with 'ethnic foods'. Honey and molasses are also sometimes with sugar, sometimes with syrups. Soy sauce is sometimes with various sauces like A1 and Worcestershire and sometimes with 'ethnic foods'.
Why are you looking for "find" items? I asked for "where is/are...........items". Where are light bulbs, nail clipper, eggs and so forth? The salesclerk is------->to offer escorting. I refuse the escort, but give the SA credit for offering. If you have the salesclerk escort you to have items you need to ask about, you will be spending more time walking up and down the store. Who has all that time? Ask, offer an escort, and move on.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 06:15PM by sojo917.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2016 06:15PM by sojo917.
Lava Bar Soap ( the red package), Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice tea, Steel cut oats, canned lemon curd, Candied Ginger.
I figure the MSC is paying me to do it. If I don't like the scenario, I can choose not to do the shop. Getting lots of good ideas especially for products in the "specialty" area that could be anywhere in the store. I have found there are various layers of "offering help." Some tell me the aisle number, some go to the trouble of putting their hands on the item and handing it to me. I assume the client wants to know what the clerk does when asked the question. Haven't had a shop rejected for providing too much information.@sojo917 wrote:
Who has all that time? Ask, offer an escort, and move on.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
Sounds as though you are doing exactly what you are supposed to be doing, PuaM. Shortcuts do tend to eventually come back and bite you in the behind.
"Specialty" items also give you an opportunity to back away from the purchase because you were asked to get a different brand or a different type. A quick scan of the shelf will let you see if they carry 'Mushroom soy sauce', which is a real product but usually not carried in grocery stores. You were hoping they had alfafa honey and all they have is clover. You were hoping for sorghum molasses and they only have blackstrap, etc.
"Specialty" items also give you an opportunity to back away from the purchase because you were asked to get a different brand or a different type. A quick scan of the shelf will let you see if they carry 'Mushroom soy sauce', which is a real product but usually not carried in grocery stores. You were hoping they had alfafa honey and all they have is clover. You were hoping for sorghum molasses and they only have blackstrap, etc.
Thanks, Flash, and everyone who contributed. You have great ideas. I knew I could count on you to provide a variety of items. I do a lot of baking so the molasses idea is genius as we head into gingerbread and molasses cookie season!@Flash wrote:
A quick scan of the shelf will let you see if they carry 'Mushroom soy sauce', which is a real product but usually not carried in grocery stores. You were hoping they had alfafa honey and all they have is clover. You were hoping for sorghum molasses and they only have blackstrap, etc.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
I ask for semi-obscure things but here's my typical asks
Won-ton wrappers
egg-roll wrappers
skewers
no-salt /salt free alternative/ potassium salt
paprika
dill relish
low sodium ketchup
baby dill pickles
smart water
weight watchers cream cheese
dairy free creamer
cumin
baking powder
apple cider vinegar
(some of these items are on checkout 51 a lot so I ask about those)
also, I will occasionally browse an aisle, find something I like, and write it down, then go ask about it so I can grab it and buy it. I planned on getting lemon juice and asked where to find it. guy walked me to it, so I snagged up two and put in the buggy. Woohoo. I felt good, he felt good, win-win.
Won-ton wrappers
egg-roll wrappers
skewers
no-salt /salt free alternative/ potassium salt
paprika
dill relish
low sodium ketchup
baby dill pickles
smart water
weight watchers cream cheese
dairy free creamer
cumin
baking powder
apple cider vinegar
(some of these items are on checkout 51 a lot so I ask about those)
also, I will occasionally browse an aisle, find something I like, and write it down, then go ask about it so I can grab it and buy it. I planned on getting lemon juice and asked where to find it. guy walked me to it, so I snagged up two and put in the buggy. Woohoo. I felt good, he felt good, win-win.
MegglesKat
The one chain I do shops in always has protein bars in a different place in every single store. I always use that as the item I'm looking for.
Pimientos, pearl barley, french fried onions, unsalted cashews, lemon grass, dates.
After the associate walks me to the item, I thank them and start perusing the item. The associate walks away. I've never had one linger to see if I put in my cart.
After the associate walks me to the item, I thank them and start perusing the item. The associate walks away. I've never had one linger to see if I put in my cart.
I use the "Do you carry ---?" scenario. I asked for sparkling coconut water, sparkling green tea water, cold pressed watermelon juice, asian food ingredients like soy sauce, noodles or green tea. Most stores don't carry these items so you can put in your report how the associate responded. Did they help you look for them, check with a co-worker about the products, apologized for the inconvenience?
'Sewing notions'. I was in a grocery store today and actually needed a tape measure for sewing as mine seems to have taken a walk. They were sure they had sewing stuff but had no idea where it might be.
Excellent! I have also noticed that some of my stores that do not have pharmacies have very limited cosmetic choices (no nail polish for example.)@Flash wrote:
'Sewing notions'. I was in a grocery store today and actually needed a tape measure for sewing as mine seems to have taken a walk. They were sure they had sewing stuff but had no idea where it might be.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
Unblanched whole almonds. Wanna guess where they are? Not natural foods, unless you want to pay double. Not baking. Not snacks. Produce!
I used to ALWAYS ask for Capers (which i love!).. but, I've started in on different each time.. so, wet wipes, gluten free waffles, Tang (member THAT?!) sugar free cookies, truffle oil, or walnut oil.. natural peanut butter, wooden skewers for shiskabobs, muffin tin liners.
These are great! I would hate to pick a favorite, but Tang has to be in a Top 10 list. First, the 20-something has to have heard of Tang.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
Asking about a retro product always results in a blank stare, then 5 minutes of explaining what the product is, followed by an escort to three departments and an entirely wrong product. Too much to report on for my taste. But Yes, there are some awesome suggestions in this thread!
I ask for baking POWDER. While baking SODA is often readily available, baking powder is more obscure.
Maraschino cherries. In real life (non-shop) I have the worst time finding them. Some grocery stores have them in the canned fruit aisle, some have them in the baking aisle, and some have them with the alcoholic drinks.
How funny! The stores around here stock them with ice cream toppings.
@amberngriffinco wrote:
I used to ALWAYS ask for Capers (which i love!).. but, I've started in on different each time.. so, wet wipes, gluten free waffles, Tang (member THAT?!) sugar free cookies, truffle oil, or walnut oil.. natural peanut butter, wooden skewers for shiskabobs, muffin tin liners.
Tang is always with the kool-Aid! They even have pineapple now.
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