Trader Joes

[Crankin]

The thing I dislike the most at TJs is the slowness of the check out people. It's like they are all in another world. I generally run in to buy a few things and I hate waiting, nor do I want to be chatted up.

[PamNY]

The thing I dislike the most at TJs is the slowness of the check out people. It's like they are all in another world. I generally run in to buy a few things and I hate waiting, nor do I want to be chatted up.

The checkout people are consistently good at our TJs -- much better than Whole Foods, where the whole concept of exchanging money for groceries seems to be new to a lot of the folks.

I'm always amazed at how well TJs handles the long lines. They do tend to be chatty, but I'm from the south so I'm used to that.

[indysteel]

There's a TJs near where most of my doctors' offices are. One day a year, I schedule all my annual exams. Typically, I have a bit of time to kill between appointments in the morning, so I go to TJs. Well, that's prime time for the stay-at-home moms in the area, with their small children in tow--small, precocious children who are given their own child-size grocery carts to wheel around with playful abandon. The mothers are invariably on their cell phones and are playing little attention to their offspring. It's like a roller derby in there; I'm lucky to get out alive.

[PamNY]

Child size grocery carts? Oy.

[Eden]

Child size grocery carts? Oy.

The co-op I shop at has a couple of them too..... toddler sized, they are just the right height for slamming into knee caps or shins.... (which nearly happened to me last night)

[indysteel]

Apparently, TJs calls them "customer in training" carts. Oy is right.

[sookiesue]

The thing I dislike the most at TJs is the slowness of the check out people. It's like they are all in another world. I generally run in to buy a few things and I hate waiting, nor do I want to be chatted up.

There are two Trader Joes in my area that I go to, and the checkout people are outstanding. I am happy to wait an extra minute or two in line to be treated kindly and have someone answer my questions if I have any. I am also happy to wait a bit for the people ahead of me to be treated with similar decency. It's refreshing to see.

A couple of years ago I was there and I had my 2 year old in the seat in the shopping cart and had was carrying my 3 month old in a sling across my front. The checkout guy not only offered to help me out to my car to unload the bags, but he pushed the cart for me and delighted my 2 year old with funny faces and other silliness. When he got to the car he loaded my bags into the trunk for me while I buckled the kids into their car seats. I wrote a letter to the company when I got home commending this employee for his great attitude and kindness that went beyond the store doors.

A little humanity like that goes a long way these days, I think.

As far as what I buy - the ones here have decent organic selections: milk, peanut butter (best price I've seen anywhere), veggies and fruits - these aren't always available but are priced well when they have them, nuts, pasta, wine, juice.

[Catrin]

It's been interesting reading the different perspectives of this store. The one I go to has very quick and helpful service. A few years back when I was much heavier and had major problems with hypoglycemia, one of their employees gave me some orange juice when I suddenly had a problem with it - and wouldn't allow me to pay for it.

[OakLeaf]

I'm really glad they finally signed the Fair Food Agreement. They're the only grocery chain in my area that's signed it. Unfortunately I'm using the phrase "in my area" loosely, since the nearest store is about 45 miles away.

I like their cheese selection. They've got a private label Ossau-Iraty that's not too bad.

[Crankin]

I fully admit I have no tolerance in the store, for lines, chatting, or anything. I have my food unloaded quickly for the cashier and my method of payment is ready to go.
I am only like this in grocery stores. It's different in smaller, local businesses. I plan my shopping at times when it's generally not busy, so it doesn't stress me out. I like cooking and eating, so hence, I want my shopping experience to be pleasant. I know this might sound b*t chy, but I do notice, that compared to my regular store or even the natural foods store that is smaller, I sometimes think the employees at TJs are all stoned.

[Pedal Wench]

I've become a complete addict for TJ's Goddess Dressing. It's a salad dressing unlike anything I've had - a kinda sesame-tahini-garlicy yummy-ness that makes me want to like the salad bowl clean. Yeah, that good. I don't have a TJ's anywhere near me, so I buy 10 bottles at a time.

Like others have said, their junk food is amazing - SLIGHTLY healthier than regular junk food (brown rice crisps, sesame crackers, etc.) and their candies are wonderful - pistachio toffee, dark-chocolate covered cherries, espresso beans, it's all good. Might be time for a road trip once my dressing stash gets a bit lower.

[AppleTree]

The thing I dislike the most at TJs is the slowness of the check out people. It's like they are all in another world. I generally run in to buy a few things and I hate waiting, nor do I want to be chatted up.

I am with you there. Not that I want to be rude... or mind making some small talk about weather...whatever. But I really, really, really hate when they ask me what my plans are for the weekend. Like they care... sheesh. Like I am going to tell them anyway...

But our TJs isn't like that... mostly.

Love their oatmeal, nuts, cheese, whole wheat pastas, olive oil. Those big giant dark chocolate bars with almonds....wow, are those good. My husband loves their vanilla ice cream. Oh, and the Prosecco...really good, and a great price. Sometimes our local TJs has Brunello wine from Italy...at a great price. Normally about $50 in a regular wine shop they usually have it (when they have it) for about $20.

[Crankin]

The TJs brand olive oil is really made by the Nunez de Prado family, in Baena, Spain. I went on a "field trip" there, on my bike tour in 2010. It's not their top level press, but very impressive. There's a reason why it tastes good!
Despite my crankiness at the employees, I go to TJs every other week for 72% chocolate bars, cheese, and nuts.