Sunday, September 23, 2007

Price book tool

I've discovered something new for my "target price" tool kit. I can no longer juggle a pen, a pad, and my one-year-old in the grocery cart.

Instead, I snap a quick picture whenever I see a new product or price I want to remember. It's easy to compare it against my price list at home...or share the photo with you.

So, Sams Club shoppers, how does this bulk yeast stack up to the warehouse price? It's from the new Gordon Food Service Market, which sells restaurant-size foods without membership fees.

23 comments:

TracyMichele said...

OH MY! Do you KNOW how much I spend on yeast?! That is one of my big ticket items! Thanks for sharing. :)

Leah Spencer said...

I paid no more than $3.79 for that exact size and brand at Costco. I think it might have been $3.59. I know it used to be like $3.19 two years ago.

Cool idea of taking the picture though. :)

Anonymous said...

That is about the same as the price I paid. I make bread several times a week. (I use the bread machine to do the 'work' and I shape the bread and bake it in the oven, or make pizza crust with it) I have not had to buy yeast in almost a year, but the last time I brought it at Sam's I paid $4.19 for it...so like I said about the same price as you show. Same size package. I always put my yeast into a jar and keep it in the fridge. Roxie

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Leah. I thought it was more expensive than what I used to buy at Sam's club, but then again, I wouldn't need a membership to pick up more yeast whenever I needed it.

Stephanie said...

I just looked on the Sam's website (I buy their yeast, but double checked the price online) - $2.79 for 2 16 oz. packages.

Jane said...

Love the idea of taking a picture of a price! That is so smart! I forget that my cell phone has a camera.

Anonymous said...

That new store sounds like the "Smart & Final" chain here in Sacramento. For me it's way better than paying a membership fee or paying gourmet shop prices for something like Torani syrup (for fancy coffee drinks and shaved ice at home).

Milehimama @ Mama Says said...

I paid $3.88 at Sam's for 32 oz. of yeast - I think it must vary by location.

I also paid $4.96 for 25 lb. of bread flour (which is great because our local WalMart Super AND the three local grocery stores don't carry it).

Sam's does have a policy that you can get a full refund on your membership price, so you can get your $35 back if you start shopping at the restaurant supply store!

Anonymous said...

This might sound strange, but I would use caution (or ask in advance if you are concerned) about using a camera in a grocery store. Our Albertson's store (though I can't remember if I have seen it posted elsewhere or not.) has a sticker posted on their front doors (a permanent one like what they use for the store hours, etc.) that says that no photography or videotaping is allowed. I think it came about as a result of some of those news magazine shows with their hidden cameras, but still, the policy is in place. I don't know how big of a deal it would be, but it might be something people should check on. I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade. I think this is a great idea.

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! One of the reasons I've never been successful at making a pricebook is that I'm too lazy to go look at everything I bought to see how much the container holds.

But if I had pictures, I could just look through them at the computer. Brilliant!

Sara said...

I paid about $3.50 at Costco for the same package (Red Star, 2 lbs)--however, I dropped my Costco membership ($45) when I decided I could do just as well on stock up sales. Also, our closest Costco OR Sam's is over 1/2 hour away, so I had to justify the time/expense of the trip. I miss it for certain things - I will have to see if there's a restaurant supply store open to the public in my area!

Jenn @ Frugal Upstate said...

I've been doing this with my cell phone camera-but then I have to look at them on there because I have a pay as you go phone and it would cost $.25 to send each image to my computer. :) Still, it beats trying to find a pen in my purse to write it down. . .

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

What on earth have I been doing paying for those little packets of yeast?! I can't believe the price difference! I'm going to have to start buying it in bulk now.

Meredith said...

It's a savings, even if you only use a tenth of a bag.

Amy said...

I love buying my yeast in bulk and it is around $3 here. I go to GFS for their lunch meat and cheeses because they do the free slicing and I love the quality.

I use my phone in the same way, but for household projects. When we were renovating our bathroom, we couldn't both go to the hardware store at the same time so using my phone was a great solution to sharing what I was looking at. I even took pictures of the aisle signs because I tend to get lost in super stores.

Great job!

Kate said...

We have had Gordon's around us for years. Some things are good priced and other items are actually cheaper at Aldis. I like to watch their sales add (you can access it online). They also have some of the friendliest staff.

Nicola said...

i just paid $3.19 for the same 2lb package of red star yeast at costco.

Nicola said...

about the membership fees. costco has just gone up to $50/year. we split ours with my brother and we all use services other than just in warehouse shopping. i have been disappointed at the disappearance in some products i normally buy (dry milk is one) and filed a complaint. they took it seriously and submitted it to the store manager. we'll see if my products come back.

Cyndi Lewis said...

Nea,

My husband works at Costco. I asked him about dry milk a couple of weeks ago and he said they dropped it because there wasn't a demand. If all of us who want the dry milk back drop a suggestion at the store it is required to be sent to corporate. The corporate office takes these very seriously. With milk prices on the rise it we very well could get it back on the shelves.

Kathryn said...

My favorite is the Saf yeast that doesn't have a price under it in your picture. I just got a new bag for $2.79. My mom practically swears by the Saf yeast and she ran a Mennonite home bakery for years.

On my Mom's advice, I keep yeast in the refrigerator in a container with a tight-fitting lid. It lasts forever this way and you waste none of it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks! I was driving out of my way to a scary bakery warehouse in the city to buy my yeast! I will have to try Gordon's next time.

Jenny

Anonymous said...

Does any one know the name of the yeast at Sams ?? or what company ? Annette

Anonymous said...

Annette