FYI Trader Joes FAQs and policies

[Flash]

About Trader Joes: Just what is this thing we call Trader Joe’s? Well, we’re a grocery store, sure, but really so much more. Our shelves are stocked full of delicious foods and beverages from the basics like milk, bread and butter to more exotic fare like imported cheeses, organic produce and hand-tossed pizza from Italy. We taste every product before we decide to sell it, and we guarantee you’ll like it.

You might expect indulgences like these to come with unbecoming prices. But at Trader Joe’s, we’re as much about value as we are about great food. In other words, we keep our costs low, cut out the middleman whenever possible and pass our savings on to you in the form of terrific everyday prices. So you can afford to be adventurous without breaking the bank.


Product Categories:

• Meals
• Snacks and Sweets
• Healthy Choices
• Entertaining Choices
• Organics
• The Basic, TJ’s Style
• Wine and Beer and Such

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PRODUCT GUARANTEE: We tried it! We liked it! If you don’t, bring it back for a full refund, no questions asked.

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FAQs from the TRADER JOES website:

A Note About Eggs:
Over the past several months we have been listening to what our customers tell us about the choices we give them, specifically about their choices related to eggs.

As of today, all Trader Joe's brand eggs will come only from cage-free hens. Customers looking for cage-free eggs need to look no further than the Trader Joe's label. Any conventional eggs sold at Trader Joe's are now in a brand name carton, not under the Trader Joe's label.

We expect this change will help further boost the proportion of sales of cage-free eggs at Trader Joe's. We believe this change will give our customers a clear choice when it comes to the eggs they want to purchase. We are proud of this commitment, and hope that our customers are as well.



Do you have weekly specials or sales on your products?
"Sale" is a four-letter word to us. We have low prices, every day. No coupons, no membership cards, no discounts. You won’t find any glitzy promotions or couponing wars at our stores. If it makes you feel any better, think of it as all our items are on sale, day in and day out.


Why do the prices and selection vary from state to state?
We try to source goods locally where we can. Because of this, we have a selection of fresh deli products, breads, dairy and juices that will vary in most states.

At the same time, we want to offer the best prices on all these local yokels. Laws, taxes, deposit requirements and our distribution costs are different in each state for a variety of products. This is true most notably in sodas and alcoholic beverages. Since our costs are different according to these regulations, our prices may vary on the same item in different states.


Why does TJ’s frequently discontinue products?
Our mission is to bring you the best quality products at the best prices. To do this, we have to manage our store space well. Each of our products must "stand on its own," meaning it must pay its own way. Each product passes certain criteria in order to earn its way onto our shelves * including a rigorous tasting panel.

There may be several factors that determine why we discontinue products:

• It may be a seasonal product - for example, strawberries, which are in season only specific times of the year.
• The gang way factor - because we introduce 10-15 new products a week, we have to eliminate 10-15 items in order to give our newest items a fair chance.
• The cost of producing the item may increase, which would in turn increase the cost to you - if the item is not a strong seller, we may choose to discontinue it.

Can I order your products online?
No. We’re just old-fashioned. We set up our stores with care, finding just the right crew and adding a flavor of paradise. After considering the options, we’re still just big ‘ole fans of the neighborhood grocery store where we can say hello when you’re looking around wondering - what’s for dinner?


What do the bells mean at my local Trader Joe's?
It’s a kind of Trader Joe’s Morse code. Those blustery PA systems just didn’t feel right to us, so we came up with a simple system to communicate * island style. One bell lets our Crew know when to open another register. Two bells mean there are additional questions that need to be answered at the checkout. Three bells call over a manager-type person. Honestly, it’s much easier than the ole message in a bottle trick.

How can I tell if a Trader's Joe brand product is Vegan, Vegetarian, No Gluten, etc?

From the October "Fearless Flyer"

We've created some pertinent, attractive (we hope) symbols to signify certain attributes. You'll start to see these icons appearing on [Trader Joe's Brand] labels where appropriate. We're starting with but a few labels, but we hope to be under full steam in due course.

[derketchup]

While the FAQ on the website says that Trader Joe's won't take coupons, my store will! They will take manufacturer's coupons -- but no duplicates. I.e. if I have 5 muir glenn coupons that are identical I can only use one per day. Mine won't take IP coupons, either.

It's totally YMMV, but ask your local store. You may be happily surprised!

[Flash]

I'm jealous :)

I've heard that some TJs take coupons -- mine always looks at me like I'm insane when I ask, and the website says they don't...I wonder if it's a local competitiveness thing, like double coupons are in some areas (for other stores).

Thanks for the info!

[jr08]

I don't know if there's anything on the website about coupons, but mine has been taking them for years. I only use a couple at a time though, so I'm not quite sure if there's a limit. (i.e. one at a time)

[derketchup]

Updated the FAQs!

[scoopdecoop]

I used a bunch of weetabix coupons there a couple of months ago. They took my printable almond breeze coupons too, had 3. I'm planning a stock up tomorrow.

I'm thinking of making a price list for TJ's as their prices are so good and my supermarkets' are so lousy. I can only get over there once a month or so, but it would be worth my while to stock up on some yummies, I love their frozen foods, & w. all the savings w. coupons I can splurge a litttle.

Anyone interested?

[derketchup]

Sure! Start it as a new thread, and also pinpoint where you live if you don't mind. Some prices depend on regional issues.

[jenjacobs]

I found some chocolate at my Trader Joe's today that expired 11/2007 - I asked them if they would give me a discount because it expired but they said no.