I just wrote a fairly lengthy post and went back to insert some links when the web browser crashed. It’s partially my fault since I upgraded Safari today with the new Safari Public Beta. Ugh.
We have friends of the family arriving today which means I need to hurry up and clean the house. Having people in from out of town is great, something we always enjoy. The only downside is the need to clean floors and dust – especially when I just realized we are out of Swiffer dusters.
I apologize for not being able to link anything here today so you are going to need to find things on your own if you so choose.
So we went to Vons on Sunday for the first time. They had pop on sale so we figured it was worth a trip down Sunset Blvd. It was quickly apparent that Vons was a little more like the grocery stores back in the Midwest. If I am not mistaken Vons is owned by Safeway which is also the parent company of Dominick’s, a name familiar to those in the Chicagoland area.
Aside from the ability to earn United miles while shopping at Vons we managed to notice a few good things and the odd bad thing. It’s becoming readily apparent we will be spreading our shopping needs over a few stores in the future. Why? We aren’t rich and just can’t pop downstairs to Ralph’s to buy everything.
So what was good at Vons?
When they have a sale, they have a sale. Pop was on sale for what worked out to be $5 a case as opposed to the current promotion downstairs at Ralph’s were it’s $9.29. Ground beef was discounted and a few other things were cheaper all around. Produce was cheaper and fresher than Ralph’s for sure; Fresh and Easy is usually inexpensive but their fruits and vegetables are usually only good for a few days. Canned goods – cheaper than Ralph’s but more expensive than Fresh and Easy. You like deli meat? This is your place. I bough black forest ham for almost $5 less a pound than Ralph’s. The aisles were a little narrower than Ralphs and Fresh and Easy and the clientele was more diverse and polite.
So how will this play out in the future? We will probably only run downstairs when we need something in a pinch. It’s too bad really since Ralph’s is a nice store and obviously convenient, but unless we win MegaMillions tonight it’s just too damn expensive.
Fresh and Easy is great for canned goods and a few other things however their selection is somewhat limited, great than say a Trader Joes but not as expansive as Vons.
Vons is worth a trip because of their sales and selection for sure. Their every day price also seems to be cheaper on some items like deli meat and produce.
Which Vons did you go to? The closest one is on Glendale, but we prefer the one on 3rd and Vermont even though it’s farther–it’s much bigger, was recently renovated and has a great produce section.
The one on Sunset Blvd. It appeared to be updated, clean and the people were very friendly.
Sunset and Vermont more or less.
Nice..Vons is good- love their selection and they are cheaper than Albertson’s for sure.
I still have my Vons,Albertson’s and Ralph’s cards…lol
I went to Superior grocers, the large independently owned chain in LA and i was surprised at the lower prices but the trade off was the limited selection and variety. Plus you bag your own groceries
just like Food 4 less.
I Still like going to Costco for the big value food staples and such.
I am also a Vons fan. I go to the one on 3rd and Vermont. It’s directly across from a Ralphs that probably has similar prices, but the interior lighting and decor of Vons is so much more appealing.
I just got the weekly Vons circular in my mailbox today – it includes a $10 off coupon for any bill $50 and over. You can pick one up in the store if you don’t have it, but hurry fast, it expires 2/28!
Nicole and Li – Thanks for the heads up on the coupon and for all the good things about the Vons at Vermont and 3rd.
Fresh and Easy always has coupons on their website as well if anyone shops there.
Love&Hate – I hear ya with Costco, we just don’t have anywhere to store things.
Heads up–Ralphs has Coke products on sale–3 for /$11 for 12-packs.
Thanks Hilary!
Just got an e-mail from Fresh and Easy – 24 packs of Pepsi products for $4.99.
Thanks Hilary!
Just got an e-mail from Fresh and Easy – 24 packs of Pepsi products for $4.99.
You know how they have a website showing the gas prices around town? You could start one with soda prices…
$10/off at Vons, what a deal. And I have to make my way to a Fresh and Easy…I hear so much about the place and have never been.
Are you thinking something like “SodaBuddy”?
The Fresh and Easy is fairly easy to get to and worth the trip on a weekend morning. I say that because there are few worse driving experiences than trying to get on the 5 from downtown.
Ahh Vons I say I was not going to go there as much but I still do. I guess because I seen how it got more expensive then a few year’s back but then again everything has. I gone to the Vons on 3rd and Vermont as well and it is more updated and nicer then the one on Alvarado near Sunset. I just go to the Alvarado one to pick up quick item’s that are on sale only of course. I never been to the fresh and Easy around here I only been to one by my job in Torrance I am going to have to go check it out. Does anybody know if Vons does double coupon still? I been meaning to ask but I forget.
The Turd and Vermin Vons location? Isn’t that in Tijuana?
LOL
@ Cop
yeah only a cop would say racist comment like that, next time keep it to your self. No need to add the hatred from your job onto the blog.
Oh Dona,
Before you spout off about racism, learn what the meaning of the word is first.
Here’s a hint: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/racist
It’s amazing how some people can’t read a joke and automatically become a PC Pez Dispenser and puke out “that’s racist”.
Makes you wonder who the true racists are when that’s all that is clouding their minds 24/7.
Hmmmm.
No use arguing with a cop, anyhow sorry Carter, I will stay withen the topic and ignore gibberish on the sidelines.
No use arguing when you know you’re wrong.
Good thing you live in LA Junta and not Chicago.
They’d eat you alive verbally out there. Correct Carter’s Dad?
Hillary,
Are you talking about the deal at Ralph’s where you have to also buy two boxes of Ritz crackers for $5.00 to get the discount on the cokes? Turns out not to be such a good deal after all.