Grocery shopping tips during Coronavirus quarantine #3

[BetteDavisEyes]

^^^^^ 'browsing' is something we did in the Beforetimes. Another fun thing bites the dust.

It was warm in TO as well.

A few lovely days ahead of us. yay!

If I go to Nino's alone, I would probably do some "browsing" despite the pandemic. I love my Nino's and always feel uplifted after I've been there. I chat with employees, check out new products, read labels, and take my time making my way through the store. When DH goes to Costco, Meijer, or Nino's, he gets what's on the list (or in his head), and that's it. If we shop together, he gets annoyed with my curiosity

 

[PayrollNerd]

If I go to Nino's alone, I would probably do some "browsing" despite the pandemic. I love my Nino's and always feel uplifted after I've been there. I chat with employees, check out new products, read labels, and take my time making my way through the store. When DH goes to Costco, Meijer, or Nino's, he gets what's on the list (or in his head), and that's it. If we shop together, he gets annoyed with my curiosity

Sounds like my ex when we would travel. God forbid I take a moment longer than necessary. So I quit going anywhere with him.

 

[MimosaMornings]

^^^^^ 'browsing' is something we did in the Beforetimes. Another fun thing bites the dust.

It was warm in TO as well.

A few lovely days ahead of us. yay!

I vaguely remember “browsing”. Lol
Indoors in a grocery store? Heck no!
Especially since only half wear masks and it’s not enforced.
I have gone in sporadically when I needed an item or two between curbside pickups but it’s straight in and out.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I vaguely remember “browsing”. Lol
Indoors in a grocery store? Heck no!
Especially since only half wear masks and it’s not enforced.
I have gone in sporadically when I needed an item or two between curbside pickups but it’s straight in and out.

Oakland County (Michigan) has enforced masks, and everywhere that I have been during the pandemic - Nino's, hair salon, nail salon, pharmacy, greenhouse, dentist, physicians - everyone is wearing a mask. When you enter Nino's, there is a large sign indicating that you MUST wear a mask. They will provide one if you don't have one. Absolutely no exceptions in any public venue in my county.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Oakland County (Michigan) has enforced masks, and everywhere that I have been during the pandemic - Nino's, hair salon, nail salon, pharmacy, greenhouse, dentist, physicians - everyone is wearing a mask. When you enter Nino's, there is a large sign indicating that you MUST wear a mask. They will provide one if you don't have one. Absolutely no exceptions in any public venue in my county.

Wow. That is awesome!
Sounds like they are doing it right!
Physicians - yes.
Other places - nope
I go very few places because of that.
Oh yeah, there are large signs here too.
It’s a mandate not a law is commonly heard too.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

This weekend (Friday-Sunday) is the annual Hallmark store holiday preview. I'm not crazy about Hallmark store under normal circumstances as I feel that the sales associates are way too pushy. During these holiday preview weekends, the store is packed I went once and said, "Never again!" I don't know how they are handling the crowds this year, but I would not go anywhere near that store because there is no way that they can provide patron safety and social distancing. The store is overloaded with merchandise. It's going to be 73* today, so maybe they have some items outdoors like they do for the summer sidewalk sale. I have no plans to go to Hallmark this holiday season and tossed the gift guide and discount coupons when they arrived in the mail

 

[LadyL]

Sounds like my ex when we would travel. God forbid I take a moment longer than necessary. So I quit going anywhere with him.

If I go to Nino's alone, I would probably do some "browsing" despite the pandemic. I love my Nino's and always feel uplifted after I've been there. I chat with employees, check out new products, read labels, and take my time making my way through the store. When DH goes to Costco, Meijer, or Nino's, he gets what's on the list (or in his head), and that's it. If we shop together, he gets annoyed with my curiosity

same with my hubby
he triggers my anxiety in stores
we've mostly been doing curbside pickup though

 

[dixiegirl1035]

same with my hubby
he triggers my anxiety in stores
we've mostly been doing curbside pickup though

Speaking of curbside, Kroger for months and months have been doing free pick and fill your trunk. I just did my order today and unless you purchase more than $35, it has now gone back to $5.95 fee. It was great while it lasted! Most every time I purchase more than $35 so I guess it's not going to impact me much and I can always buy a couple of things to push it over that limit. It's so worth it and it's so easy and addictive to do now that I am used to doing it that way.

 

[kalvis]

Speaking of curbside pickup, in the spring I was doing a grocery curbside pickup and noticed another customer tipping the delivery person after the groceries were loaded into his car. I know tipping is optional but I am curious what others are doing in regards to tipping.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Speaking of curbside pickup, in the spring I was doing a grocery curbside pickup and noticed another customer tipping the delivery person after the groceries were loaded into his car. I know tipping is optional but I am curious what others are doing in regards to tipping.

I used to tip the folks at Kroger when I picked up groceries. Then one day the person loading my car said they were not allowed to accept tips any more. I felt really bad for them. I like to tip. Even 3 bucks will by a coffee or a bagel or even a beer LOL!

 

[dixiegirl1035]

Speaking of curbside pickup, in the spring I was doing a grocery curbside pickup and noticed another customer tipping the delivery person after the groceries were loaded into his car. I know tipping is optional but I am curious what others are doing in regards to tipping.

It's not allowed at the store that I shop at.

When I was told this, I spoke to someone at the store and they informed me that doing such creates issues among employees/jealousy of positions and they aren't set up like waitresses etc. That if done, those that did that job could make 2x or 3x more than others in the store. That they are on the same payscale and was reinforced to please not to tip.

Just an FYI from the store's standpoint, although I do know that some leave $$ in an envelope in the trunk anyway in a way so that store management or other employees don't see it happening.

 

[LadyL]

Speaking of curbside, Kroger for months and months have been doing free pick and fill your trunk. I just did my order today and unless you purchase more than $35, it has now gone back to $5.95 fee. It was great while it lasted! Most every time I purchase more than $35 so I guess it's not going to impact me much and I can always buy a couple of things to push it over that limit. It's so worth it and it's so easy and addictive to do now that I am used to doing it that way.

yes here Independent was free, now $3 and Walmart is still free I believe after a certain amount

 

[LadyL]

Speaking of curbside pickup, in the spring I was doing a grocery curbside pickup and noticed another customer tipping the delivery person after the groceries were loaded into his car. I know tipping is optional but I am curious what others are doing in regards to tipping.

no I do not tip

 

[LadyL]

too many jobs expect tips IMO - the taxi/uber, the hairstylist, the manicurist, the restaurant, the food delivery person, the mailman etc. etc. etc. - where does it stop - most of these people make more money than me to begin with

 

[JDG]

Oakland County (Michigan) has enforced masks, and everywhere that I have been during the pandemic - Nino's, hair salon, nail salon, pharmacy, greenhouse, dentist, physicians - everyone is wearing a mask. When you enter Nino's, there is a large sign indicating that you MUST wear a mask. They will provide one if you don't have one. Absolutely no exceptions in any public venue in my county.

We do have medical exemptions for the few who truly cannot wear a mask. I'd say about 96/98% wear masks.

The chain grocers here have a policy of asking if you have a medical exemption, that's all they can ask. They are not allowed to proceed once you say 'yes'.

If you say 'no', you either wear one or are escorted out.

Smaller and independent stores have varying policies about how 'firm' they wish to be. Most will try to accommodate you with curb pickup or delivery.

 

[kalvis]

I would like to thank everyone for their input about tipping the curbside delivery employees. I will find out what the store policy is where I shop. Thanks again!

 

[PayrollNerd]

Here in FL, the biggest grocer is Publix and tipping is not permitted. I'm sure people do it on the sly but I don't. I go to the cancer center and valet parking is required. I do see some people tip the runners who bring up the vehicles. I don't think in this situation that should be an expectation. Sure there are cancer patients who can afford to but really, the vast majority of us have been financially devastated. They've changed the valet companies a couple of times over the past 3 years. I'm sure it's because there's no money in it so to speak. There shouldn't be. We're all too dang broke!

 

[mickey2942]

Yeah, remember those days when we used to just go shopping for fun? Wander around the store?

Not any more.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Picked up my produce today. Everything looks good except the cantaloupe and the veg skewers. Washing up the strawberries and romaine now. Once again entirely too many cucumbers. Oh well. I’ll munch on them and put them in my salad. Maybe look up my tzatiki recipe too.

 

[mickey2942]

Picked up my produce today. Everything looks good except the cantaloupe and the veg skewers. Washing up the strawberries and romaine now. Once again entirely too many cucumbers. Oh well. I’ll munch on them and put them in my salad. Maybe look up my tzatiki recipe too.

I had a really good salad tonight with cucumbers.

Smashed Cucumber and Carrot Salad (Whole30, Low Carb) - Nom Nom Paleo®