We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.

[MichMan]

35. I've never seen electronic prices at grocery stores

Unless everyone has a microchip implanted, how would an electronic price know who it was walking up to it? "Hey, here comes MichMan. He just got his SS check, so let's raise the price on him"

In my state the prices are marked on the shelf under each item with a small paper tag. In order to change the price, someone physically would need to change the tag. Sale items have a larger yellow tag adhered over it. Those are applied after midnights on Saturday for the upcoming week. Occasionally, they miss pulling one which means you still get it for the old price if you bring it to their attention.

If you get overcharged at the check out and complain, you get a price adjustment. The state law does allow for a $5 penalty if you insist, but I like the store chain and am fine with the adjustment if that ever happens. The scanners are very accurate with the marked prices. In almost every instance I thought I didn't get the sale price, I didn't read the tag correctly. They do have self scanners throughout the store, so you can verify prices of any items before getting to the checkouts.

The psychology with sales prices I find interesting. Something like a can of Baked Beans that sells for $1.69 will have a big yellow sale tag next to it with a price like $1.60. Only 9 cents off, but the shelf will be emptied out as people react to the yellow tag with the words "Sale" on it in big letters. I really love the store (Meijer) but I do get frustrated by some of their sale promotions. They are big on promotions like "Three for $12" or "Buy 5. get $1 off each" Any lesser quantities are full price. Hell, who needs to buy 5 bags of Fritos?

Their loyalty program is quite good. Beside accruing points every purchase that you can eventually add up and use for $1 off per gallon at their gas station, they also send you coupons monthly that are actually for things you have bought before.