NFriday -
Probably something you already know since you follow shopping deals:
You might be able to get that Rao's for cheaper if you look at the Jewel ad weekly. Stores jack up the price in small print, and throw the big fonts at "BOGO."
3 very quick examples I found when looking at this week's Jewel ad. I look through the ads religiously on Wednesdays when they come out, so I can plan my shoppping trips. I live very close to , or, I drive by the big grocery stores to/from work, so I can pop in and grab the loss leaders during slow traffic times, so I keep an eye out for what's good:
Quaker Instant Oatmeal - 3.99 BOGO.
They frequently have this on sale for 3 for $5.
The big jug of Vinegar is 2.99 BOGO
I'd rather pay the 99c price it usually goes on sale for.
Also note that their ad doesn't have prices on some things. I looked at the shelf price of the nabisco crackers and cookies BOGO, because there is no price in the ad. My store's shelf price was 3.99. Again, they frequently have them at 3 for $5. Matter of fact, I think only a few weeks ago (just before Bird Day) they had that price, and I bought quite a few.
If the person you saw didn't split up her cart at paytime, she may have gotten hosed. The Raos has a limit in the ad for my store.
OTOH:
The Doritos price of 1.88 this week...
Mark my words, you'll see them priced at 3.99 or 4.29 BOGO sooner than later.
Of course, none of these specific products matter if you are not interested in them, but just beware of these pricing shenanigans these stores employ. I don't blame them for doing it - I would too.
My targets this week at Jewel:
Saturday's ghiradelli choc chips at 99c.
Choice NY Strips at 4.99 for the freezer.
Doritos at 1.88 (I've seen better Jewel prices, but we are road tripping for xmas. Solidifying the snacks is worth the few cents more)
The Navel Oranges at 59c/lb are pretty strong. We've eaten a few, and they are better than we were expecting. Heavy and huge!
Progresso soup 1.99 BOGO. The "light" soups are good for that price, imo. And Jr likes a few varieties of the regular ones for thermos lunches. We stocked up big time. Usually, the 99 cent sales are only the basic varieties of progresso. This 1.99 bogo is pretty much all flavors.
Oikos 88c (I have a Toasted Coconut addition)
We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.