When shopping I always cast an eye round to see if there is CCTV coverage of certain counters and then as I am about to act, glance to see if I am being observed by any member of staff.
I then proceed, with as little natural movement as possible, to reach to the back to obtain a purchase with as long a sell by date as available. Well, when you live on your own and you buy a sliced wholemeal loaf for example, if you don't get a fresh one it will be out of date by the time you get to the last few slices!
Does anyone else do this and am I being unfair to people who might come into the shop late, or is that of their own making for being less well planned out?
Plim :cool:
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Supermarket stealth . . .
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I do that all the time in Tescos, but then I know their stock rotation is so high that they won't be left with a load of stuff on the shelf that's gone out of date. In my own shop, however, it really pees me off when people blatantly do that because my turnaround is much slower (it's only a little village in the middle of nowhere). It's a good job my kids have been trained to be ambivalent about sell-by dates 
Sex God
Supermarket shopping IMO is something you do as fast as possible.
In and out, job done.
The trollies never go where you want them.
Kids running around all over the place.
Often no rolls (or the ones I want hae sold out) for the lunches
In and out, job done.
The trollies never go where you want them.
Kids running around all over the place.
Often no rolls (or the ones I want hae sold out) for the lunches
Sex God
Quote by Ste_n_Kez
I spend more time making sure someone can see up my skirt than checking dates
Moving to Cheshire :wink:
Sex God
We always walk past the short code section, like someone said use by dates are a con.
as for the blue fluffy bits, I like fluff
as for the blue fluffy bits, I like fluff
I always grab the stuff with the longest use-by dates, and I've trained the kids to do the same thing. Best-before is another story.... we're always using stuff past that and I've never noticed any difference.
Mind you, one thing you have to watch out for more and more these days are the bulk-buy "bargains". For example, our local Asda's started to sell double packs of our favourite brand of cheddar cheese. They've spent so long conditioning your mind that it's automatic to think that two has to be better value than one. Nah ah! Buying two single packs is a lot cheaper than the new double.
Another one yesterday was dishwasher tablets. The ones we get are boxed at nearly £9 for 60. But the smaller boxes of 15 were only £1.... less than half the price of the big boxes.
Moral is.... never assume bulk buying is better! :thumbup:
I must be getting old.... supermarkets used to just be a place to pick up single women!
Mind you, one thing you have to watch out for more and more these days are the bulk-buy "bargains". For example, our local Asda's started to sell double packs of our favourite brand of cheddar cheese. They've spent so long conditioning your mind that it's automatic to think that two has to be better value than one. Nah ah! Buying two single packs is a lot cheaper than the new double.
Another one yesterday was dishwasher tablets. The ones we get are boxed at nearly £9 for 60. But the smaller boxes of 15 were only £1.... less than half the price of the big boxes.
Moral is.... never assume bulk buying is better! :thumbup:
I must be getting old.... supermarkets used to just be a place to pick up single women!
we always buy food with a long use by date, id never use meat or dairy products past its use by date
altho we have such a full household that normally food gets eaten long before it goes off
we are also careful about "bargins" cus they often arnt lol
persil wash powder is one ... you would think it would pay to buy the bigger boxes but the middle size ones work out far cheaper at the moment :)
as you can see my life seems to be sooooo exciting lol
however one bargin we always go for and it seems to be a good one is the wine ... half price so we can drink twice as much .......... lol
altho we have such a full household that normally food gets eaten long before it goes off
we are also careful about "bargins" cus they often arnt lol
persil wash powder is one ... you would think it would pay to buy the bigger boxes but the middle size ones work out far cheaper at the moment :)
as you can see my life seems to be sooooo exciting lol
however one bargin we always go for and it seems to be a good one is the wine ... half price so we can drink twice as much .......... lol
Sex God
Quote by Plimboy
When shopping I always cast an eye round to see if there is CCTV coverage of certain counters and then as I am about to act, glance to see if I am being observed by any member of staff.
I then proceed, with as little natural movement as possible, to reach to the back to obtain a purchase with as long a sell by date as available. Well, when you live on your own and you buy a sliced wholemeal loaf for example, if you don't get a fresh one it will be out of date by the time you get to the last few slices!
Does anyone else do this and am I being unfair to people who might come into the shop late, or is that of their own making for being less well planned out?
Plim :cool:
I do the same as you Plim, with absolutely no twinge of guilt whatsoever. I take as much time as I need to make sure I don't end up with e.g.: tins with dents, apples with bruises, and yes...items with a use by date too soon for me, as I am also a one-person household. Plim, it's just being sensible...or "using yer loaf". lol
Sex God
Quote by Cubes
Best-before is another story.... we're always using stuff past that and I've never noticed any difference.
I read a while back that the government is making legislation to do away with best before dates. They hope it will lessen food waste as some people always chuck food away at the best before date which there is no need to do.
Sex God
Quote by tweeky
Best-before is another story.... we're always using stuff past that and I've never noticed any difference.
I read a while back that the government is making legislation to do away with best before dates. They hope it will lessen food waste as some people always chuck food away at the best before date which there is no need to do.
It's about time too. To be honest, I've never really taken much notice of 'sell-by' or 'use-by' or 'best before' dates. I rely on my eyes and my nose when checking food. I've never had food poisoning either.
Sex God
My shopping philosophy :-
I always get the longest sell-by dated stuff I can - and (sorry to all small shop owners) I don't care if anyone objects - I'm paying, I will choose.
I check fruit and veg over thoroughly. I don't care much about shape but I won't buy anything with damage that means it will be rotten before I use it.
I smell parsnips, cucumber and celery because they can often be flavourless so I don't buy them (or most fresh stuff) in plastic packaging. The only cut veg I buy is half cucumbers, all the rest is always whole. Pre-chopped veg have no nutrients or flavour and are an utter waste of money. It takes 5 minutes to chop enough carrots for a meal - no-one doesn't have that time to spare.
I won't buy tins that are dented at the rim (and why is it always tomatoes that are dented?) since that can cause tiny cracks that allow the food to spoil. Dents in the main part seem to be ok.
I always buy cheese and many other things according to the price per weight. And I do compare multi-buys with single buys. I've been known to stand thare for ages doing the maths of the labels aren't clear. LOL
I always buy mature (or stronger) cheddar cos mild cheese is just fat with no flavour. I can use a lot less mature cheese in a sauce.
I test whether to throw stuff out by how it looks and how it smells. NOT by the dates they put on. I've had real trouble training my son to do the same - he's thrown away perfectly good eggs and the day they went 'out of date'. I have NEVER found a bad egg yet and I keep them weeks past the date. And there are always things you can do with food that's a bit 'tired'.
I try to buy UK, local if possible, but I have to compromise on cost quite a lot. Often I simply do without.
I'm really, really annoying to go shopping with. :giggle:
I always get the longest sell-by dated stuff I can - and (sorry to all small shop owners) I don't care if anyone objects - I'm paying, I will choose.
I check fruit and veg over thoroughly. I don't care much about shape but I won't buy anything with damage that means it will be rotten before I use it.
I smell parsnips, cucumber and celery because they can often be flavourless so I don't buy them (or most fresh stuff) in plastic packaging. The only cut veg I buy is half cucumbers, all the rest is always whole. Pre-chopped veg have no nutrients or flavour and are an utter waste of money. It takes 5 minutes to chop enough carrots for a meal - no-one doesn't have that time to spare.
I won't buy tins that are dented at the rim (and why is it always tomatoes that are dented?) since that can cause tiny cracks that allow the food to spoil. Dents in the main part seem to be ok.
I always buy cheese and many other things according to the price per weight. And I do compare multi-buys with single buys. I've been known to stand thare for ages doing the maths of the labels aren't clear. LOL
I always buy mature (or stronger) cheddar cos mild cheese is just fat with no flavour. I can use a lot less mature cheese in a sauce.
I test whether to throw stuff out by how it looks and how it smells. NOT by the dates they put on. I've had real trouble training my son to do the same - he's thrown away perfectly good eggs and the day they went 'out of date'. I have NEVER found a bad egg yet and I keep them weeks past the date. And there are always things you can do with food that's a bit 'tired'.
I try to buy UK, local if possible, but I have to compromise on cost quite a lot. Often I simply do without.
I'm really, really annoying to go shopping with. :giggle:
Sex God
With you all the way (to the shops?) Foxy :thumbup:
Sex God
Quote by Freckledbird
With you all the way (to the shops?) Foxy :thumbup:
Oh, thank God, it's not just me.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D So when I see someone holding two packs of cheese, staring at each in turn and muttering I'll come over and introduce myself :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Sex God
Quote by foxylady2209
With you all the way (to the shops?) Foxy :thumbup:
Oh, thank God, it's not just me.
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D So when I see someone holding two packs of cheese, staring at each in turn and muttering I'll come over and introduce myself :D:D:D:D:D:D:D
Yep, that'll be me
Quote by foxylady2209
I'm really, really annoying to go shopping with. :giggle:
as am i but it has sooo much more to do with packing of shopping, no one will pack for me that knows me lol, i am sure we have done this before in an old thread, but i stack the checkout in the way i want to pack my shopping and i pack my shopping in the way i want to unpack my shopping lol
i am really annoying
oh then we get onto tins facing the front in the cupboards in the rows of same product etc and sorted into categories
:whistle: waits for DG & FB :twisted:
Sex God
Quote by earthchild
I'm really, really annoying to go shopping with. :giggle:
as am i but it has sooo much more to do with packing of shopping, no one will pack for me that knows me lol, i am sure we have done this before in an old thread, but i stack the checkout in the way i want to pack my shopping and i pack my shopping in the way i want to unpack my shopping lol
i am really annoying
oh then we get onto tins facing the front in the cupboards in the rows of same product etc and sorted into categories
:whistle: waits for DG & FB :twisted:
well you've seen my pantry And my cupboards
ops:And my fridge magnets :oops:
Oh, and if I go shopping alone, I pack/unpack in a particular way. If someone goes with me, it's too difficult to explain so it all gets put on the conveyor belt and I sort it out at home
Quote by Freckledbird
I'm really, really annoying to go shopping with. :giggle:
as am i but it has sooo much more to do with packing of shopping, no one will pack for me that knows me lol, i am sure we have done this before in an old thread, but i stack the checkout in the way i want to pack my shopping and i pack my shopping in the way i want to unpack my shopping lol
i am really annoying
oh then we get onto tins facing the front in the cupboards in the rows of same product etc and sorted into categories
:whistle: waits for DG & FB :twisted:
well you've seen my pantry And my cupboards
ops:And my fridge magnets :oops:
Oh, and if I go shopping alone, I pack/unpack in a particular way. If someone goes with me, it's too difficult to explain so it all gets put on the conveyor belt and I sort it out at home
my work colleague is getting quite good at it lol but as i tend to shop on a lunch time when she is with me, she even makes sure i dont have bags too heavy to lift for my back
Sex God
Quote by Kaznkev
you may already know this but supermarket eggs can be anything up to 28 days old before they go on the shelf,the buggers can pretty much last for are lucky and get ours from a friendly druid(dont ask) usually no more than 48 hours old.
We were given our sense of smell mainly to determine the rotteness of food,thats why we have a gag reflex,you sound a lot less annoying to me foxy than people who want there food bland and hermetically sealed
When I can get my ass in gear, I go to a local social famr called Happy Hens and get my eggs there. Free range, very fresh, and half the price of Asda free range.
But they close at 5 in the week so I often miss them. For whatever reason I often don't make it there on Saturdays.
But they are lovely eggs.
:D:D:D I have been conditioned to buy in bulk, not by supermarkets, but by my mum. I have a larder a chest freezer AND a spare in the shed...Meat by the half animal, tins and dried goods by the case... My nearest shop 10 mins walk away, but I cant get out of the habit 
My parents live 40 miles from their nearest small shop, and often need to use a boat because the road is frequently impassable.
Mum buys all of her dried and tinned goods in bulk. Last time I visited She asked me to fetch her something from the larder.... a 4kg bag of Bombay mix is something to behold..
The time she miss ordered toilet roll is legendary, not realising when she ordered 100 she was ordering 100 cases...with 48 rolls in a case!
Have you tried keeping 4800 rolls of loo roll dry in a small open topped boat? :eeek:
My parents live 40 miles from their nearest small shop, and often need to use a boat because the road is frequently impassable.
Mum buys all of her dried and tinned goods in bulk. Last time I visited She asked me to fetch her something from the larder.... a 4kg bag of Bombay mix is something to behold..
The time she miss ordered toilet roll is legendary, not realising when she ordered 100 she was ordering 100 cases...with 48 rolls in a case!
Have you tried keeping 4800 rolls of loo roll dry in a small open topped boat? :eeek:
Thanks to all those who contributed sensible comments: I especially liked the ones about tins with dents; bulk offers; fresh fruit and veg checking and mild cheese being full of fat.
Nice one, Nimbus, about going to the shop in a boat, if global warming gets any worse, we will all be doing that soon!
Plim :thumbup:
Nice one, Nimbus, about going to the shop in a boat, if global warming gets any worse, we will all be doing that soon!
Plim :thumbup:
Sell by or use by dates are only designed to make you buy. You only buy them at the most earliest date because you believe you can keep them longer (Which is theoretically what you are not supposed to do).
Once they are in your house they become irrelevent, because you may still attempt to eat them or let them rot at your own leisure.
Also some things don't need such dates. They will preserve for a great length of time.
besides if we returned to having corner shops, we wouldn't need fridges and produce would be fresh nearly every day. My granny had a slab of marble to keep her dairy products cool. mind you she always made the same food for each day of the week.
Once they are in your house they become irrelevent, because you may still attempt to eat them or let them rot at your own leisure.
Also some things don't need such dates. They will preserve for a great length of time.
besides if we returned to having corner shops, we wouldn't need fridges and produce would be fresh nearly every day. My granny had a slab of marble to keep her dairy products cool. mind you she always made the same food for each day of the week.
Sex God
Quote by varca
Supermarket skips are wonderful !!!
Sell by dates are stupid ......follow ya nose
Vegetables can be grown in pots anywhere you have an bit of space.
You don't... do you??? Pictures Flower scavenging in a skip and the night staff shouting 'BOGOF will ya!!!' :grin:
I have never yet stuck to use by or best before dates... apart from chicken and fish that is. The rest, I judge by smell and how it looks. I've not yet poisoned anyone either
Ok !! I`ll admit supermarket skips were in my past ....many moons ago but I understand there are some new guys taking it up :thumbup:
You been giving scavenging lessons? :grin: Hope you are on a commission! :D
I'll never forget driving down one side of a duel carriage way at 2am having just taken a three piece from a skip at the back of the local Courts (Courts the now defunct shop not legal ones). We had it on top of a Mini 850 :lol: tied on with climbing rope. The police driving along the other side of the carriage way slowing down to 5 mph and waving gestures at us to pull over as we conveniently managed not to see them. There was no was across for them as it has a metal barrier.
Sex God
I always use the 10p off a bag for life voucher. The bags only cost 9p, so I get paid a 1p to take the bag!
