LET’S GET FRANK WITH THE SAVINGS STACK UP!  

I was able to attend the preview of the opening of Good Cents and learn what all the new Grocery Store on McKnight Road was about.  I waited about a week and then I went ahead and shopped at it so I could give you what I feel is a fair assessment.   I am usually an advocate for most of the stores that I visit unless I just really feel things are off-base.  I felt that after visiting Good Cents, while I clearly understood what they were doing, I think I am more confused as to what Giant Eagle is not doing or why the stores could not just find some common ground or had they with PRICE LOCKING?

I look at grocery retailers for quality of product, items offered, name brand versus their store brand pricing as well as taste.  It really does not matter to me if there are build-ins like a pharmacy or other things because in general, I am not using those services, I am there for ONE thing—Groceries.  I know that anything else being offered in a store drives costs up, and it also deters me from my original mission and then can possibly cause me to spend more money.(the idea of one stop shopping, convenient but with a price tag attached)   It is possible based just on those statements that Good Cents is the right choice for many of us, however, it is a bit frustrating as to how it all is compared and contrasted within the store itself.  Don’t get me wrong, one stop shopping is wonderful, but there is always a cost associated with it, and I do not find Good Cents to be a One-Stop Shop after shopping there as I once thought I might have.

While there is a plethora of Fresh Vegetables, ALDI and BOTTOM DOLLAR have great produce sections as well and the pricing is amazing in those stores, albeit they are not as ‘loaded’ with choices.   Good Cents has a nice produce department but not all prices are cheaper than the other stores mentioned.  (lettuce,carrots, cucumbers were my basis for comparison as I buy those every week) and it is possibly because they are offering a Larger department, so does this affect the pricing in Good Cents?  I would say at least as observed on the lettuce there was a .50 differential on Artisan lettuce as compared to ALDI price which is Always $1.99 or Lower.

My readiness to try out a new store has never been greater than this latest installment of Good Cents.  Through the sign changes and announcements I have to say my curiousity was peaked.

I love a good value and there are some to be found at Good Cents, but I am not blown away by any of the pricing. I am happy with it, because some of their prices (especially the cheese are outstanding) but I am at the same time  disappointed because I really do feel it is Giant Eagle just competing with itself.  I know there are many people shopping there, but I have seen really great prices at many other stores and they are pretty consistent with their pricing guidelines.  Every one has to find their own favorite store, so this will provide yet another choice among thrift shoppers who know their prices.

One of the Good Cents good buys!

Some Things to Know

Did you know that you can use manufacturer coupons at Good Cents?

You need to bring your own shopping bags or they are 5 cents a piece

There are Good Cents Shopper Loyalty Cards You Get These At The Store

Oh.. and if you don’t like shopping here, you are literally feet away from Bottom Dollar so One Stop Shopping is right within walking distance and I watched people doing just that… shopping between each of the stores.

I understand that the store does not have any amenities like Eagle’s Nest, Butcher Shop, or a Dry Cleaners, but I also don’t agree with the signs posted all over the stores that ‘others sell this for” because truly the “others ” selling at those prices are Giant Eagle and Market District.  The statement that was made was that “we are not competing against Giant Eagle” kind of fell to the wayside in my mind.

I actually feel like it is Giant Eagle competing against itself in so many ways.  Let’s take for example the signs in the store that say “other sell for”  – realistically, the ‘OTHERS’ is Giant Eagle and Market District because all the others are way below that listed pricing.If you are buying those products in that cheap, and you can offer that pricing at that great level, why not spread the great pricing across the stores and alleviate the need for yet another ‘frugal’ chain.  If corporate is already doing the mass buying then it would just reason to say that Giant Eagle as well as Good Cents should offer the same prices?  (I am sure the mass buying has to be because of all the stores as a conglomerate or is this bad of me to do any assuming? )This picture gets to the root of what I am discussing – who else sells Valu Time? Giant Eagle…. so the OTHERS referred to has to be Giant Eagle.

WHO ELSE SELLS THIS BRAND? Giant Eagle

One item that stood out LARGE in my mind were the Crab Cakes that are Frozen.  I often had purchased the Giant Eagle Crab Patties in the frozen section.  They are $10 at Giant Eagle and there are 10 in a bag.  Same product, Good Cents freezers, $7.99.  This really got my attention.  What about the current price locks at Giant Eagle is that their answer to saying they are not competing with themselves?   Why the large cost differential.  I was offered the explanation that they are not competing against Giant Eagle, that  Good Cents is just able to be a NO FRILLS store without employees in every aisle to direct you to things you are looking for, without child care and without a pharmacy, bank,etc.  Hmmm. The price paid for convenience is steep.

Same ones at GE for $10

I did see a lot of great values, but none that would have made me run right into Good Cents rather than a Bottom Dollar or ALDI.  I do like the fact there is a Deli/Cheese section in the store, this makes it more convenient than a Bottom Dollar or ALDI if you purchase these items, it again becomes one stop shopping on a more limited basis.

CHEESE DEPARTMENT

cheese pricing
*may not reflect current pricing

I also shopped at Bottom Dollar the Same Night just to get a gauge of pricing and I found a great number of Bottom Dollar Deals that absolutely made it worth my time to take the few steps next door.  Tuttorosso with a coupon was Free for one and one bought was only .99 while ‘OTHERS’ sell it for $1.99 A CAN! Bottom Dollar is also giving $10 OFF COUPONS WITH many of their orders and their overall pricing is a bit more on target with being Bottom Dollar.

Again, I am up and down with MY thoughts on Good Cents.  I don’t think it will be my regular, but each store has its specialty.

I also want to make a note that I was SO disappointed in a coupon that I pulled from Good Cents Coffee Display.  If offered that if you purchased the KCUP for Brewed Iced Tea you would get a free tumbler ~ THE coupon actually was only good for purchases made prior to September 30, 2012.  Interpret this as you will, but I will post the coupon. The store only opened a few weeks ago, which was not in SEPTEMBER.

the pricing on this was Excellent

Please note the date of submission had been one month past from when the store had opened.

This coupon with receipt submission could not have been used – it expired September 30 and last date of Submission was the beginning of October. The store was not even open then

The Good Cents store has many end cap and aisle displays that offer coupons, I wonder if this was the exception or the rule?

If you are looking to save money, you can save at Good Cents. There are some really good buys and the cheese department is really great!  However, there is only the one on McKnight so unless you live close I would not make the trip.  ALDI and Bottom Dollar offer many locations around our city and are able to provide you with great pricing and fair brands.  If you shop Giant Eagle, use the sale flyer, e-coupons, SavingStar and your Advantage Card to really get the most out of your trip there   to maximize your savings, you can score great deals at the old Eagle!  Watch the price locks, many seem to replicate pricing at Good Cents without making the trip there.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

All prices in this article may vary and are subject to change. PFM is not affiliated with Giant Eagle, Market District, ALDI, Bottom Dollar or any of the like. These are my opinions, we all have them, I choose to write mine, yours may vary drastically.

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