Grocery shopping is supposed to be a pleasant non, eventful occurrence. I go into my local grocery store armed with my food list, headphones, and sweet tunes to help me navigate the lines and give me patience at the hot food cafe. I don’t have time for supermarket psychology tricks!
The Beginning of Sales Trick
At the end of this particular shopping trip, I had a few extra dollars left over after grabbing everything I needed on my shopping list. In the mood for a somewhat diabetes-friendly snack, I settle on almond granola bars with protein added. I stroll to the cereal aisle and park in front of the granola bar section. I grab a box of my favorite flavor and toss them into the cart.
Lo and behold, what did I see right before my very eyes? A big green sign that read “Nature Valley 2 for $4 all varieties” made me feel as if I had just won the lottery. My eyes and mouth watered as I uttered thank you, Jesus. I know you are thinking, why not get 2? Well, the way my broke budget is set up, it only allowed me to get one, and my fight against greediness said to leave one there.
Supermarket Psychology Tricks Continue
I get to the register, so proud of myself because this is the closest I have been to spending nearly exactly my allotted budget of $25 per week (check out my $25 grocery challenge) since I started the challenge. The clerk greets me, and I greet her as she rings up my groceries. Beep beep beep….as she scans the food, my eyes watch the price of the items. Beep beep…..Nature Valley…$4.39….wait, What? Those are on sale 2 for $4. The cashier looks at me and then reaches for the light to call the supervisor over. I know the people behind me couldn’t have been happy when they saw the blinking light come on.
The supervisor comes over, and the cashier tells him there is a price discrepancy, “These are ringing up $4.39 and not 2 for $4.” The supervisor looked at me as if I had made a mistake, “The store brand is on sale, not these.” I looked at him and said, “Then why is the bright neon green sign 2 for $4 right in front of the Nature Valley products with the store brand nowhere in sight.” All I got were crickets. Pure, supermarket psychology tricks going on!
I had the cashier remove the granola bars, and I walked away feeling sad and happy. No snacks for me, but my grocery budget remained intact.
STRAIGHT TRICKERY!!!
The worst! Our grocery store has been doing things where it looks like it’s a good sale, but then it’s “must buy 3” to get the sale price! I don’t have room in my kitchen for that many snacks! Oh well, it’s usually something I didn’t need anyway.
Isn’t it the worst! I’ve learned to look carefully at the sales tags!
I am trying to see the difference but math isn’t my best subject. I always thought the 2 for $6 is a good thing. I’m really want to make these changes and budget
The 2/$6 is for the store brand not the Nature Valley Brand that the sale tag is in front of. It taught me to read the actual sign and not assume it’s for the item it’s in front of.
Yes, I’ve learned how to speak up more too. In the past, I would’ve just bought it anyway and went over my “budget”. I read all the print now, lol.
You and me both!