Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Trader Joe's, How Do I Love Thee...

Let me count the ways. Ahem, as many of you already know, I am passionately in love with Trader Joe's. And if you ever utter the following phrase to me: "Trader Joe's? I've never been there...is it any good?" well, consider yourself warned. I will grab you, sit you down, and then proceed to share the gospel of Trader Joe's with you and tell you exactly how it has changed my life. So I thought it was about time to tell you exactly why Trader Joe's is not just an ordinary grocery store. Here goes,drumroll please, in no particular order:


1. You can purchase most of your basic grocery staples, plus, they carry ultra-unique products that you can't get at any of the major grocery chains. (example: Thai and Indian simmer sauces, imported Greek yogurt)

2. Most of TJ's products are organic and even if they're not organic, they're made without artificial ingredients.

3. The organic and "whole food" products are often cheaper than at the major grocery chains! And they are waaaaay cheaper than "Whole Foods" grocery stores!

4. Their return policy is out-of-this-world! You can return ANY product, even if you already ate it (bring back the empty container), for a FULL, cash refund...NO QUESTIONS ASKED! That's right folks, no little form to fill out, no showing your driver's license...you're in and out with cash in your pocket. Seriously! The first time I returned something, it took me a minute to catch my breath, that's how easy it was. And it encourages their customers to try new products, cause if you don't like it, you get you money back.

5. They help promote "living green" by offering a variety of reusable bags for purchase (ranging from $.99 to $2.99). And then, you're rewarded every time you bring in your own bags when you shop by being entered in a bi-monthly drawing for free groceries. One of these days, I'll actually win!

6. They have lots of fun stuff for the kiddos, including a "treasure hunt," which is a stuffed animal hidden on one the shelves in the store. If your child finds it, they get to pick out a prize from the treasure chest. Plus, their are child-sized carts for them to push, balloons and stickers, too.

7. TJ's customer service is also superb. Every employee who is working there genuinely seems to love their job. (And this isn't a store that's overrun with annoying, teenage employees. They're all adults.) They is no limit to how they will serve their customers. One time, I was in the check-out line right before the store was closing and as I reached into my purse, I suddenly realized that I had forgotten both my check book and my debit card. Any normal grocery store would've put my groceries back on the shelf and I would've had to come back and start over the next day. But not Trader Joe's...they bagged up all my stuff, labeled it, and put it in their storage refridgerator, ready for me to pick up and pay for at my convenience! I was so thankful that I nearly started crying. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad experience at Trader Joe's.

Man, I could go on and on about Trader Joe's (and if you know me, you've probably already heard me go on and on!). But I hope you get the drift that if you've never shopped there, you're missing out on a life-changing grocery shopping experience. And if this isn't enough to entice you, let me show you just a few of my family's favorite products:

Peanut Butter Pretzels

These pb-filled nuggets of joy are my husband's favorite snack from TJ's...the moment I get home from the store, he's breaking into the bag. Looking for a quick, pick-me-up in the afternoon? Late night snack? Anytime snack?? Look no further!


Chocolate Chip Meringues

This is my pick for an awesome, indulgent and healthy treat! Sarah, did you say healthy? That's right, my friends, they're actually healthy!! These bad boys have just the perfect balance of meringue and chocolate, without being overly sweet, and they will literally melt in your mouth. There are 3 different varieties of meringues at TJ's and I've tried all of them. But these are, by far, the BEST! You can eat 4 whole meringue cookies with only 120 calories total. Yes, 4 whole cookies, not 4 little tiny bites. The perfect treat for the healthy lifestyle.

This is only the beginning! I'll be posting my Trader Joe's "Pick 'O' the Week" product on a regular basis...so stay tuned. And I'd love to hear YOUR awesome Trader Joe's stories, too!

4 comments:

Ben and Anna said...

You are too funny! Have you thought about getting a part time job there? Because you would be exactly who they would be interested in hiring!

Sarah said...

Thanks, Anna! Yeah, I actually did apply for a job there like 2 years... Man, if I worked there, I'd upsell their products like nobody's business!

emily said...

She's not kidding...she really will sit you down and tell you all the great things about Trader Joe's. In fact, when I mentioned I had never been there, she made a shopping date with me and helped me navigate through the many wonderful aisles of Trader Joe's! Those peanut butter pretzels and meringues have become staples that I buy every time I'm at Trader Joe's! By the way, I think Trader Joe's should give you some kind of gift certificate or discount because of the free advertising you're giving them on your blog!!

Sarah said...

That's a really good point, Emily. Trader Joe's...are you listening??

And it was so much fun going to TJ's with you! Although making a shopping trip with a 4 year old and a baby can be a challenge, but it was still worth it. If anyone else is interested in a personalized introduction to the many wonders of Trader Joe's, you know where to find me!