Anybody shop salvage stores?

[cheapchick]

I was reading an article on them a couple years ago and decided to see if there were any in NE Ohio. I discovered some Amish salvage stores and started doing some shopping there. I know there are chain salvage stores and some that take coupons and food stamps too (not here). Most of the ones here are Amish run and have no electric; they are lit by kerosene lanterns that hang from the ceiling or use propane lights (Hank Hill would be proud!). Since I began couponing last year I really haven't hit the salvage stores as much. I found most things are cheaper if I combine a sale with a coupon at a regular grocery store. But the salvage stores did have canned vegetables for 25c and I can't get canned ones at the grocery store that cheap. There are some pretty good deals there. I also buy bread from the "bread stores" and freeze it. Much cheaper than the grocery stores and I can get the reduced calorie bread and buns there and not pay $2.50 a bag for them. I never see too many bread coupons anyway. I also like the salvage store because sometimes I can find "weird" foods there for cheap then I can try them out! I found some organic choc. chip cookies that had chopped dates in them and I loved them!

I was wondering if anybody else shopped at salvage grocery stores? What kind of deals do you get? Does your family think "Ew! Expired food/squashed packaging!" I've mentioned salvage stores to people and they either want to know where they can get those deals too or think it's for poor people or the food is all expired or damaged and therefore inedible. I've been eating expired foods and I haven't died! Nope, not even once!

[uummm]

I have a grocery salvage store about 5 miles from my house. It has been there for about 2 years and I have never ventured in. I feel I do well enough in my grocery stores and drug stores that I don't need to hit those other stores...

My Goodwill carries Natures Own bread too.

[bluechicken]

This is the first place we lived with one nearby. It too is run by the Amish. I love standing under the gas lamps during cold months ... they put off heat. :) Some items I pass on if the expiration date is pasted too far or if the packages are too damaged. But not all things are passed or if so they are items that are okay if pasted the dates by a short time. They also carry bread for just over $1 rather than the $3.50 the same loaf costs me at the regular store. Ours used to take coupons, but stopped a few months back.

The only thing I have had problems with is buying pepperoni from a local source that had mold in several different packages. Everything else has been okay, I just don't buy that perpperoni anymore. Sometimes it is an adventure to go (you never know what kind of juice will be there) and other times a bit annoying (when they don't have something they had last time that you knew you should have picked up then). I wouldn't use them for regular weekly grocery shopping, as I too can find some better deals at the store, unless you don't have other stores close by. But I do like going there and stocking up on some items.

[Queenkim98]

In my area of PA, there is a chain of stores called "Ollies". They have a lot of closeout items. If you are looking for a certain something, you might be able to find it. As far as food, I really don't and won't buy things from there because there prices are so high. $1.99 for a box of hamburger helper or $2.50 for a bottle of ketchup........???? I can get a box of hamburger helper for 50¢ at the grocery store when its on sale........and the ketchup on sale too.....I don't know if anyone buys their food!

Kim

[MoneySavinDiva]

We have an Amish run one around here too...in my precouponing days I shopped there pretty regularly for my canned and boxed goods, but since I've started couponing I've only been there a few times and haven't ever left with much. They used to have great prices on canned goods (33c for a can) but now it's just as exensive as the grocery store...I think they know they are the only grocery store (besides a small hometown SKY HIGH prices locally owned place...) within a 30 mile radius, so they are getting a lot of customers based on that alone and can price higher than they used to.

I do shop pretty regularly at a bulk foods store run by the Amish though...they sell flour by the 50 lb bag for $15, 1-2 lb. bags of spices for $1 or less, 2 lbs. cocoa for $1 and some change, vanilla for way cheap...I love that place! They also have stuff that's sky high in the grocery store like flax seed, wheat germ, etc. for dirt cheap too! Love it!

[Kellybelly]

Originally Posted by MoneySavinDiva I do shop pretty regularly at a bulk foods store run by the Amish though...they sell flour by the 50 lb bag for $15, 1-2 lb. bags of spices for $1 or less, 2 lbs. cocoa for $1 and some change, vanilla for way cheap...I love that place! They also have stuff that's sky high in the grocery store like flax seed, wheat germ, etc. for dirt cheap too! Love it!

I wish I had something like this near me. We do a lot of our cooking from scratch. :sad:

[nurseannette]

I actually posted a thread on this very subject. I LOVE to shop at these stores. Get great deals. Doing this plus couponing I can't forsee ever paying ridiculous prices again.

[MoneySavinDiva]

Originally Posted by Kellybelly I wish I had something like this near me. We do a lot of our cooking from scratch. :sad:

I do a lot of cooking from scratch too and this store has helped to keep the cost of homemade -vs- storebought for some items down!

[434Teresa]

dates dont mean anything...there been several tv shows about that..

I have two here but one I dont shop at(ever) for (I known)(LOL)a lot of the dates on the can food is years out(no kidding I mean like 1998 (thats just to out of date)..the other is ok but for cereal and box foods I can get cheaper at walmart when I price match sales ads and use my coupons. And every now and then food gaint has can vegs cheaper so I try to stock up then..but i drop in the salvage store from time to time just to see what they have..but not often since I became a full time coupon queen

[cheapchick]

Originally Posted by Queenkim98 In my area of PA, there is a chain of stores called "Ollies". They have a lot of closeout items. If you are looking for a certain something, you might be able to find it. As far as food, I really don't and won't buy things from there because there prices are so high. $1.99 for a box of hamburger helper or $2.50 for a bottle of ketchup........???? I can get a box of hamburger helper for 50¢ at the grocery store when its on sale........and the ketchup on sale too.....I don't know if anyone buys their food! Kim

An Ollie's opened up here late last year. I don't buy the food but since my mom and I are fixing up my grandma's house to sell, Ollie's has helped. We bought a carpet, lamp, paint supplies, towel bar, etc.

I haven't been to the Amish salvage stores in about a year. I've got so much better at couponing.