85 replies to this topic

[folsom500]

My Daughter shops at WF and I have seen some of her receipts- Rediculous- Dozen eggs- $3.99 or more - can get jumbo at Traders for $1.69. Avacadoes- $2.99 EA- I can get just as good ones at Safeway for $0.87 fix price using my online specials through December 31. I finally convinced her to try Traders for the special stuff and she is saving a lot of $$$$$...

I might look at the store, but between Trader Joes, Winco and internet specials at Safeway, I hardly think I will ever spend any money there...

[ambrno33]

It is a beautiful store- but their prices are crazy! I will stop by every now and then for a good piece of fish or something special, but the prices are double my grocery budget for most other stuff. I'm glad to see so many people there though, it seems like it's drawing a huge crowd (hopefully from up the hill and bringing more business to town). Seems like a nice addition to town.

[aztransplant]

Like I said, there ARE deals to be had if you look for them. Right now, organic fuji apples are about 20 cents per pound LESS than Costco. I haven't seen organic, fair trade bananas in any other store in Folsom (including TJs), and 99 cents per pound + 10% discount for a case is a steal from what I've found.

For the most part though, yes, highly overpriced! Working toward becoming self-sustaining in the produce department is my long-term goal . . .

[Steve Heard]

My Daughter shops at WF and I have seen some of her receipts- Rediculous- Dozen eggs- $3.99 or more - can get jumbo at Traders for $1.69. Avacadoes- $2.99 EA- I can get just as good ones at Safeway for $0.87 fix price using my online specials through December 31. I finally convinced her to try Traders for the special stuff and she is saving a lot of $$$$$...

I might look at the store, but between Trader Joes, Winco and internet specials at Safeway, I hardly think I will ever spend any money there...

Winco often has the same stuff as the other markets for far less. Their produce department is excellent. I go to some of the other major chains and they often have inferior product for more money.

Going down to the Asian markets in Sac you can get all kinds of stuff even cheaper.

You don't get the Whole Foods ambiance, but you get great fresh food at reasonable prices.

It is a beautiful store- but their prices are crazy! I will stop by every now and then for a good piece of fish or something special, but the prices are double my grocery budget for most other stuff. I'm glad to see so many people there though, it seems like it's drawing a huge crowd (hopefully from up the hill and bringing more business to town). Seems like a nice addition to town.

My mother-in-law went the other night and said the halibut was $21.99 per pound! That is crazy.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

My mother-in-law went the other night and said the halibut was $21.99 per pound! That is crazy.

The last time I checked, the wild Alaskan halibut at Costco was very expensive, too -- I'm pretty sure right in that same range. Halibut prices are up this year due to boat quotas; in some places it's $35/lb. http://wildlittlefish.com/

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

These posts are hilarious!

As if anything bought at Winco would compare even remotely to the far superior quality of all the products at Whole Foods.

I challenge you all to buy a steak at Winco then buy one at Whole Foods, cook both to medium rare (don't turn it into rubber) then compare the quality, the texture, the source, etc. They won't even be close.

Whole Foods is where you buy your fresh vegetables and proteins, not preprocessed foods, or cans of re-fried beans.

The diversity and high quality is what they're all about. I'd never, ever buy a prepared salad or entree at a typical grocery store because it never tastes homemade -- it always tastes store bought (=lower quality). Whole Foods, on the other hand, has delicious pre-prepared items. I usually prefer to cook from scratch, but if I wanted something that was pre-prepared I'd absolutely go to Whole Foods and pay a little more to get that high quality.

And there are things I just can't get in other stores -- the variety of cheeses (Camembert, Dutch Leidse Kaas, etc.). If any of you are into buffalo meat -- you'll find it at Whole Foods.

[Darth Lefty]

Whole Foods is showing you the actual cost (plus profit, sure) of making and selling food that is organic or imported, or otherwise more moral or natural or interesting. Organic meat and dairy products are especially expensive because an organic cow eats a lot of organic feed, which is also far more expensive for the rancher. Cheese from France adds French labor rates, overseas shipping, and import duties. Of course the Winco stuff is cheaper. That's what the industry does for you. If you don't like the industry, pay the price. This is their business model. If you don't care, then don't go.

[folsom500]

For the most part "organic" is a bunch of phooooy and pretty much of a scam ... can you taste the difference ? does it make you live longer ? Does it reduce the carbon footprint and if so - that much ( Organic cows still poop and release toxic gases)
I have had organic this and that and can't define any difference that the price would justify ...

Also - A lot of what Whole Foods sells is not organic...

As far as meats- I can imagine some are of a higher quality the demands somewhat higher prices- And of course there is the variety that WF has that you cannot find at a supermarket-- if you are looking for exotic veggies and cheese...

But overall - I would consider it a specialty food store- and would first go to Trader Joes and with WF at the end of my special items list...

[aztransplant]

For the most part "organic" is a bunch of phooooy and pretty much of a scam ... can you taste the difference ? does it make you live longer ? Does it reduce the carbon footprint and if so - that much ( Organic cows still poop and release toxic gases)
I have had organic this and that and can't define any difference that the price would justify ...

Also - A lot of what Whole Foods sells is not organic...

This is very true that the majority of what WF sells is not organic. That said, I prefer, as much as possible (of course, no way to be 100%), not to take my chances ingesting pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides. I don't fool myself thinking this is going to prevent me getting cancer, but perhaps I do fool myself thinking that it is one small thing I can do to help my body in the face of all the other crap it has to put up with (such as stress and lack of sleep to name just two). For me, TJs is not high on my list as their fruit is rarely ripe and it's mostly from other countries. But, that's just me. Sac Natural Foods Co-op, Soil Born Farms, Otow Orchards, and my own garden are at the top of my list. If I'm in the area, I'll keep my eyes peeled for deals at WF.

[4thgenFolsomite]

These posts are hilarious!

As if anything bought at Winco would compare even remotely to the far superior quality of all the products at Whole Foods.

I challenge you all to buy a steak at Winco then buy one at Whole Foods, cook both to medium rare (don't turn it into rubber) then compare the quality, the texture, the source, etc. They won't even be close.

Whole Foods is where you buy your fresh vegetables and proteins, not preprocessed foods, or cans of re-fried beans.

it may be true about the meats, but I think if you did a side by side blind comparison of produce and bulk foods from Winco and from WF, you would see they are the same. Obviously the same goes for canned items (which WF has lots of) and condiments.

WF has an edge by offering a great selection of unique items. I can't think of another store in Folsom where you can buy five brands of kefir and goat milk, goat yogurt and goat ice cream.

there is room for all so enjoy and abide!

[Steve Heard]

These posts are hilarious!

As if anything bought at Winco would compare even remotely to the far superior quality of all the products at Whole Foods.

I challenge you all to buy a steak at Winco then buy one at Whole Foods, cook both to medium rare (don't turn it into rubber) then compare the quality, the texture, the source, etc. They won't even be close.

Whole Foods is where you buy your fresh vegetables and proteins, not preprocessed foods, or cans of re-fried beans.

Really? ANYTHING? The can of beans at Whole Foods is better than the same brand at Winco?

The bell pepper is far superior?

You are comparing one item, a steak, and judging the superiority of Whole Foods based on that?

Maybe they should call themselves 'superior steaks and rare stuff' and sell only that.

If, however, they are going to sell staples, and they are the same brands and quality as found elsewhere, but their prices are far higher, regular folks will take notice and voice their opinions.

I understand overhead costs and all, but there is no reason to pay $3 for an 87 cent avocado, or $3 for an 89 cent can of beans.

A bell pepper is a bell pepper no matter where you go. To me, the difference is whether or not the item is fresh, and Winco has never disappointed.

Perhaps I'm just a low-lander who doesn't appreciate good marbling in a steak.

[4thgenFolsomite]

by the way, did you check out their gelato selection? Awesome!

[traceyl]

A co-worker of mine visited last week. He bought something at the sandwich counter and was greeted by a very grouchy employee who was up training from Los Gatos. She had absolutely NOTHING nice to say about Folsom, the store, or the customers. He was astounded by her behavior. Not a great first impression Whole Foods...

[4thgenFolsomite]

A co-worker of mine visited last week. He bought something at the sandwich counter and was greeted by a very grouchy employee who was up training from Los Gatos. She had absolutely NOTHING nice to say about Folsom, the store, or the customers. He was astounded by her behavior. Not a great first impression Whole Foods...

funny. I noticed that the people who have been hired to work at WF in Folsom looked pretty friendly, while some of the trainers (clearly identified by their aprons embroidered with their home store, like "Cuptertino", etc.) looked like they were slightly less than excited to be having to rub shoulders with the suburbanites. LOL. Surely they can't be confusing us with the 1 percent!