Why Trader Joe’s is So Ridiculously Cheap

[@PolyMatter]

Also, Charlie from the channel Our Changing Climate just made a great video about Trader Joe’s sustainability. Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6jGgGegaauHfsU

[@lucacyrus665]

But is so good

[@mvalthegamer2450]

Nice

[@oliverm1255]

They always upload the nebula videos onto KZbin in the end.

[@TheMDVeed]

Yeah, I was about to say, "It can't be a coincidence that both of you uploaded a Trader Joe's video on the same day". Lol

[@williamkentorasmussen2090]

mngvjh gdfgh I thought you were a old man living in your mum’s basement after seeing your comment I know u are

[@LeeorEngelstein]

Trader Joe’s experience: Bought a kosher turkey for thanksgiving. Thanksgiving morning we found that the turkey was rancid. Only place that was open thanksgiving with kosher turkeys was whole foods. With guests coming that evening we had to bite the bullet on a turkey that was double the price. Morning after we went to return the bad turkey to Trader Joe’s and tell the manager what happened. He refunded us the whole foods price and gave us 2 bottles of wine. Trader Joe’s fan and customer for life.

[@falconJB]

Trader Joe’s sold me a rancid turkey -> Customer for life

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@falconJB Errors happen, what matters is hw you repair them ^^ In that case, refnding the price of the turkey they did not purchase in the store and offering two bottles of wine is a very good excuse XD

[@falconJB]

@@krankarvolund7771 Any store whose tolerance for errors includes selling rancid meat does not really care about their customers no matter what they do to keep you from suing them. There is nothing a store could do after selling me rancid meat that would get me to risk buying poison from them again. No wonder people compare Trader Joe's to a cult.

[@RetsamX]

@@falconJB In America you can get sued for every single thing and lose even if it is ridiculous. Of course companies try to avoid that. Only in the USA...

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@falconJB He did not say when he bought the meat, it could be a week before ^^

[@xBris]

It's surprising to watch a 10+ minute video about Trader Joe's without ever hearing the word "Aldi". Joe Coulombe sold his company only 12 years after opening his first shop, while Aldi (Nord) owns the chain for more than *40 years* now. So sure, Joe Coulombe might have thought up the tropical theme but the rest is heavily influenced by the (significantly older) Aldi philosophy.

[@AF-bh5ol]

ok

[@gamescomgamer]

Aldi rules the world (except southern germany)

[@workingguy-OU812]

I agree. I don't recall the reason I subbed to this channel, but if this is the level of garbage this kid likes to put out, it may be time to unsubscribe. I'll have to look up another video to see if he just leaves entire things out of it. Moreover, I've been to Trader Joe's multiple times - I don't get the 'snobby' description at all. meh, heck with it - unsubscribed. Good luck, PolyGarbage.

[@notasmurph1899]

Working Guy lol, why unsubscribe for just one video? Or have there been other mistakes I haven’t picked up on? Just curious

[@workingguy-OU812]

@@notasmurph1899 I disagreed with the 'snobby' read on the stores, and when I looked up Joe Coulombe, then Trader Joe's, it was nearly enough. I'd really rather not subscribe to unreliable, or perhaps in this case merely lazy, sources. This is why I don't own a television. Really, this channel may be more for teenagers and young 20-somethings who are OK with just getting the general jist of a concept or thing.

[@einfachnurleo7099]

Funfact: Trader Joes is owned by german Aldi and at least in germany, Aldi stores carry products labeled as "Trader Joes" ;)

[@danieldeburgh8437]

Aldi carry nothing labelled trader joes in Ireland

[@einfachnurleo7099]

@@danieldeburgh8437 well here they do. Nuts and salads and stuff.

[@jonjohns8145]

@@danieldeburgh8437 There are 2 Aldi Companies .. Aldi South (or Aldi Süd) and Aldi North (or Aldi Nord) .. Trader Joe's is owned by Aldi Nord, while Aldi in the UK and Ireland Is mostly Aldi Süd, hence they don't carry that brand.

[@jonjohns8145]

In the US, Aldi is Actually Aldi Süd while Trader Joe's is Aldi Nord.

[@HenningGu]

Halt. 🤯

[@gabrielj.1215]

Why didn't you mention that it is owned by the German family who run ALDI?

[@AF-bh5ol]

lol

[@nessy3098]

He mentioned Trader Joe’s in his aldi video idk

[@OZUndead]

Because Yankee education and indoctrination

[@overworlder]

My immediate reaction too.

[@daniel_960_]

Now all the brands without the original brand label makes sense lol

[@declaniii6324]

Fun fact: about 2% of people can write a comment on this video not talking about aldi

[@majorfallacy5926]

Also funfact: all the arguing what aldi does or doesn't is pointless because there isn't one aldi. there are 2 that are entirely different companies, and both are german grocery stores with an international presence

[@declaniii6324]

The irony is that in my own comment complaining about people talking about aldi, I mentioned aldi

[@Tensho_C]

@@declaniii6324 you're a part of the majority then

[@declaniii6324]

Thomas_KT yeah I realized that after I posted. It’s in the reply I made

[@TecrasTrash]

@@majorfallacy5926 Entirely different companies that have started working together again in Germany and might even merge soon. Even the new store design, as in the architecture, is very similar between the two.

[@Avi2Nyan]

This was more like a 10-minute Trader Joe's ad than an in-depth explanation why they're so affordable. Most of the video was about how ~ amazing ~ the store is and about what makes them successful, not so much about how they can keep their prices low. It's mentioned, yes, but it's sandwiched between praise for the store

[@satoshiketchump]

exactly

[@pranayjain2373]

Yaaa😂

[@frida507]

Yes, it was kind of an ad. We don't have them in my country and it made me want to go there. When I have to buy groceries on the way home from work, already tired, I would like a store without too much clutter, no self checkout and not too many choices of brands etc. I'm thinking, "I already worked a long day, I don't want to be my own cashier. Let them keep their jobs!"

[@goyonman9655]

True

[@SpidermanandJeny]

Yeah, he's not very good at actually explaining what he claims to be explaining. Kind of a knock-off company man.

[@Dogsnark]

As others here point out, TJ’s (Trader Joe’s) is essentially an up-market version of Aldi and owned by the same German family. I have never thought of it as particularly ”Californian” or, for that matter, cheap. It’s definitely not as expensive as Whole Foods, but it’s not as cheap as Aldi, or even a lot of other smaller chain grocery stores. Shopping exclusively at TJ’s would actually be more expensive than shopping around, which I think is how most of us shop. A banana for $.25 is not such a bargain when bananas are frequently $.44/lb at Aldi. TJ operates almost exclusively in locations in or near well-to-do urban or suburban locations for a reason, and the typical TJ shopper is younger and more affluent appearing than the shoppers at a Safeway or Kroger, for example. I really like TJ’s, so don’t get me wrong, but it seems to me that a number of the characterizations in this video do get it wrong. I wish TJ would put a store in my city, but several attempts by community groups to get the chain to locate here, have failed. It’s a just not a “hip” or upscale enough market for TJ’s, apparently.

[@bruhdabones]

Phil Hjemboe exactly. I live in an area where Woodmans, a local chain, is the cheapest place around. Of course, finding fresh produce there is a pain, and because of the pandemic they seem to be sourcing stuff that other stores couldn’t sell... it’s not normal to see canned Campbell’s soup that expires in two months. They’re sketchy but it saves a ton of money, and it’s a lot cheaper than TJs with a wider selection

[@SDLordHUN]

Of course it isn't, it's just European quality lol

[@bruhdabones]

RobinH too bad that quality doesn’t apply to our cars...

[@SDLordHUN]

@@bruhdabones dunno, I prefer Teslas

[@nathanielme2622]

that is probably for the best for the small community trader joe attracts the wrong kind of crowd ... TJ is dirt cheap compared to local supermarket more selection but comes at a cost of humiliating yourself by going in the store and in worst case caught in going by someone you know...

[@deadlyshizzno]

As an employee at TJs, probably the number one misconception people have is thinking it's pretty expensive. Not to say it's the cheapest out there, but the prices are actually super solid.

[@nathanvalle6997]

@array s Lol you don't know hipsters. Hipsters shop Farmers Markets. People who shop at Trader Joes are upper-middle class bougie wino women in their mid 40s.

[@josephsmith2259]

My area of Southern NH/Northern MA, Market Basket overwhelming tends to be the preferred store. Mainly because of price and availability.

[@kevinjoseph517]

@@nathanvalle6997 all types at the local tjs

[@mahumike7531]

Well read the title! Prices are NOT rediculously cheap. Theyre not even cheap at all. Lots of good to say about them but prices? Gimme a break!

[@souljaboytellem4945]

@@nathanvalle6997 Guess it depends where you're from. When I lived in California this was mostly true, here in Queens it's definitely almost exclusively people in their 20s or early 30s coming in and buying up all my damn favorite hashbrowns >:(

[@ab3040]

When did Polymatter become company man?

[@goyonman9655]

right?

[@carlos_d8]

Well almost all the topics in the world are related directly or indirectly to products and services, which are produced by companies

[@KWheel_]

But not near as well researched as company man

[@chopanthefreak7161]

POLYMATTER’S FACE REVEAL kzbin.info/www/bejne/kH_PqXythKZ6fJI

[@couergarnet]

They aren't the same people? Lol

[@BarelySociable]

Trader Joe’s is cheap?

[@IndyClipz]

yeah wtf is he talking about

[@shotelco]

The greatest psychological privilege of becoming wealthy is not having to think about things from the perspective of the 98% less financially fortunate.

[@RuthCuadrado]

It IS cheap. But they don’t sell cheap stuff. In other words... you only get good quality stuff, for a cheaper price that you’d get elsewhere, but you won’t get the low quality stuff you could get at walmart

[@shotelco]

@@RuthCuadrado You've bought into to their corporate branding message. You have no idea where TJ's sources their private branded products, as they keep that info hidden from the public. Even PolyMatter's pinned referral link to 'Our Changing Climate' channel,'s presentation - Why is Trader Joe's so popular? Exposes TJ's for the ethical frauds they are. TJ's sources their private label, so-called "good quality stuff" from Corporations like Pepsico. I get it, there is a virtue signaling, pretentious sanctimoniousness need we all have, but $13 Billion Corporations like TJ's, and it's $38 Billion parent Aldi Nord understand how to manipulate the average consumer via highly sophisticated marketing schemes.

[@everettengineers]

Yeah, like what? It's so expensive..

[@jorgesolis5055]

PolyMatter: Trader Joe's is ridiculously cheap. All the low-income families in the US: sure... we just like Walmart's decor better.

[@HaydenX]

Trader Joe's is ridiculously cheap* *as compared to Whole Foods, Sprouts, or any of the other "health food" stores...

[@HaydenX]

@@Killing_Field That's your problem. "Organic" is a BS myth used to charge out the ass for inferior produce.

[@Killing_Field]

@@HaydenX Organic is one of the biggest scam ever that everyone fell for. Too bad my Trader Joe's fell for that scam.

[@aspenpawarts9333]

The ppl here saying Organic is a scam are idiots....

[@HaydenX]

@@aspenpawarts9333 "Organic" is a designation which means very little other than using outdated pest-control methods that result in lower crop yields at a much higher price. If every farm in the world switched to "organic", half the world's population would starve to death.

[@freundlichermensch7540]

meanwhile, in Germany; Trader Joe's is just the in-house brand of Aldi for everything related to USA(like Peanutbutter, Hot Dog Buns, Burger Patties), because Trader Joe's is it is owned by Aldi(north)

[@joebyrne1885]

Just to clear it up. In 1979 Aldi Nord acquired all Trader Joe’s in the United States, but continued to let them “operate independently.” On the other hand, Aldi Süd is the parent company of Trader Joe’s in Europe and Aldi locations in the United States.

[@Bruh_69_]

Karen: "look at me, I'm the captain now."

[@seanlambert-knight4735]

ReadyRedRed lmao

[@SAFFY7411]

Haha!

[@luisg.15yearsago18]

Lol

[@tristantully5029]

Hahaha that’s a good one

[@thegameowl11]

Lol.

[@SmithMrCorona]

I've been in a lot of Trader Joes in a lot of places, but I've never felt any "local culture" in any of them. The artist they hire seemingly follow a pretty strict house style. I've never walked into one and thought "WOW! They captured the essence of this shit city!"

[@kamranrowshandel6395]

Is there any doubt that you've implied that your lifespan overlaps with the duration of time when cities exist?

[@SmithMrCorona]

@@kamranrowshandel6395 huh?

[@danielhungerford5480]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lcarpetrondookmariot7620]

Mine used to have a mural of our entire downtown. Sadly it got painted over

[@dylan-5287]

My TJ has a few hired actors who camp out in the corner of the store looking like homeless people smoking crack. Really captures the feeling of the local city.

[@Ashres]

*laughs in Aldi*

[@MorganL4]

You said That Trader Joe's, Costco and In and Out were all founded in California. Costco got its start in Kirkland Washington. Hence the "Kirkland Signature" brand.

[@staminadaddy]

Isn't Washington on the west coast

[@xraymind]

What is now Costco is a merger of Price Club and Costco with Price Club founded in California in 1976, years before Costco founding in 1983. Fun fact, both companies was about the same size when they merged. The merger happened because Price Club didn't want to be bought out by Walmart and turn into Sam Club. Anyway, all of the former Price Club stores were renamed a couple of years after the Price family left the newly formed PriceCostco company.

[@xxsknnylgndx1357]

Brian Bailey he said west coast and Washington is..... on the west coast

[@jg1692]

Bruh

[@jedkronfeld6948]

@@staminadaddy 8:48 he specifically says southern California

[@donjulio1166]

Compared to Aldi (T.J sister chain) Trader Joe's is expensive. I would not consider this place cheap by a long shot

Garrett Snook / it’s cheap in regard to the products they sell (organic, vegan, whatever). most people don’t buy that stuff though.

[@Jsjsjd123]

Aldi isn't it's sister chain it's owned by Aldi nord wich is a different company than Aldi süd wich operates the Aldi stores in the U.S.

[@oliverm1255]

Aldi is cheap... But terrible quality

[@Jsjsjd123]

@@oliverm1255 you get what you pay for

[@danieldeburgh8437]

@@oliverm1255 aldi has great quality! That is just a myth

[@iancypes5911]

"They exclusivley hire smart, conversationalist, extroverts" Me: **Laughs in introvert**

[@henk-3098]

Same I will never get a job.

[@cmooreHD]

Yeo

[@correctionguy7632]

sounds like a nightmare to shop at

[@Sara3346]

@@correctionguy7632 trust me I've been there multiple times, and I've never had any of the staff or crew bother me unless I ask them a question it's really not so bad.

[@roadracerdave7645]

I have NEVER thought Trader Joe's as being cheap. In fact, quite the opposite. I've always wondered why everything at Trader Joe's seem more expensive?

[@mageyeah7763]

The mac n cheese in the video illustrates what they mean by cheap. It's a premium product that is nearly half the price of literally the same product sold elsewhere. But still more expensive than cheap mac and cheese.

[@robertewalt7789]

I agree, at least my store in NJ is higher price, but better quality. Lots of staff on the floor, at the checkouts.

[@-i1007]

Tj is often located in more expensive shopping districts

[@GroverJ83]

@@mageyeah7763 " Premium" Mac N Cheese. Trader Joe's is essentially for people to buy unhealthy boxed food but make them think they aren't buying crap because the packaging on their food is visually stimulating. The produce section is good but most local options are cheaper or similiarly priced

[@TM-nu5vd]

Definitely not cheap.

Why do I feel like I just watched an 11 minutes Trader Joe’s ad?

[@mustachewalrus]

You did and you liked it :eyes:

[@oliverm1255]

Because you did.

Mustache Walrus: I didn’t 😕 I quite enjoyed the Costco one but this video just felt like a lazy ad.

[@mustachewalrus]

oh 😀

[@linusssuli]

the staff culture sort of reminds me of my days at MUJI, serving customers were very tiring but when you treat them sincerely they become unbelievably nice

[@rubes8065]

I like this channel a lot but the title is misleading. Trader Joe’s is not ridiculously cheap, because their veggies are just as expensive, if not more so than everywhere else. And that’s arguable half the store.

[@madamehearse9379]

Yeah the produce isn't cheap but other items in the store like alchohol is pretty inexpensive. Trader joes is definitely a specialty store and id reccomend not doing your full shopping there. [I work at Trader Joe's and I order write.]

[@alexfritschi2552]

Did he even mention that they were owned by Aldi? That's why the two stores are similar. The reason the two stores exist differently at all is because of the breakup of the Aldi's in Germany. In the United States, Aldi Süd became just Aldi's, while Aldi Nord has Trader Joe's.

[@rockstar100ify]

I know tons of introverts who work there. Just because you’re introverted doesn’t mean you can’t be sociable and friendly.

[@davidbaldwin9830]

Then they probably are not real introverts.

[@g1ng3r_b1tch]

David Baldwin or perhaps you’re just misinformed on what an introvert is. introvert does not mean rude distant loner

[@richhobo1216]

@@davidbaldwin9830 introvert only means they enjoy being alone more than being with others, it doesn't mean they act super awkward in front of others or anything

[@irishpotato8786]

I work at Trader Joe’s, there are lots of introverts who work there. The job forces you into social positions and the introverts have learned how to navigate without draining their batteries

[@Kromiball]

@@davidbaldwin9830 Introverts are people who like being alone, introverts aren't necessarily shy or socially awkward. Heck, Extroverts can be shy and socially awkward aswell.

[@DaveAtUofL]

"Only grocery store with a cult following." Oh PolyMatter, let me suggest you look up Jungle Jim's...

[@paulsz6194]

DaveAtUofL haha. What a name. Probably came up with it to compete against Trader Joe’s.

[@DaveAtUofL]

@@paulsz6194 compared to Traders... I'd take Jungle Jim's. :) throw it in google my friend! only Grocery store to get a Modern Marvels episode.

[@jeff2424]

I like Jungle Jim's variety and presentation much better than Trader Joe's. It's fun to walk through Jungle Jim's whenever I'm in Fairfield, OH!

[@elmikeomysterio5496]

Man... I really wanna work at Joe's now. I worked at dollar general and my manager actually gave me a hard time for leading people to items and "taking too long" discussing products or figuring out exactly what customers needed.

[@elmikeomysterio5496]

@array s I think it has more to do with dollar general. She was under extreme pressure to have 2 stockers shelve 32-40 containers (about 3k boxes of smaller boxes) of product in an 8hr day 2 days a week. Corporate had a 30second maximum customer interaction limit and she got shit when the regional manager would randomly show up to inspect and check tapes. If he saw any employee stop what they were doing to help a customer he would say we were wasting time. She was doing her job, its the company that sucks.

[@aspenpawarts9333]

North County Finance 18?!?! Most other places in my area are around 12, WITH a boost in wages for quarantine!

[@aspenpawarts9333]

North County Finance darn. I need to work there lol

[@juergenpaton5004]

Sounds like poor manager skills to me. Customer service is part of what makes or breaks a store.

[@cyborgbob1017]

I don't think you'd want to. Any store that believes "the customer is always right" is down to be given a lot of shit from entitled customers. I'd reccomend finding something else, although its been a year so maybe you can tell me otherwise :)

[@mgroh5564]

Trader Joe’s is cheap? I don’t think I’ve ever heard it described that way in the Midwest.

[@jays0909]

M Groh per capita income, and less value given to health compared to California residents is probably why. Compared to other healthy groceries it def is . Apples to apples comparison .

[@zach99998]

I mean I guess if you're getting all your food from Walmart instead of regular grocery stores, but even then you can't get non-bulk products like that at bulk prices like you often can at Joe's

[@seleciaa]

It's considered affordable for those of us in the northeast :)

[@RuthCuadrado]

Depending what you are comparing.... a walmart pesto made with food coloring, soy, and corn syrup will always be cheaper than TJ’s home made organic kale and basil pesto with no preservatives. But if you were to buy that second high quality pesto elsewhere it would cost a fortune

[@bestcity0979]

Orgainc apples r 3$ jewel is 6$ at 10 pound bag

[@zach99998]

It exports California? At no point shopping at Trader Joe's have I ever thought it was representative of California

[@umangmalik]

you have clearly never been to California

[@clayg5739]

Umang Malik or left California

[@DestinationMayhem]

I totally agree an I live in south Pasadena.. where the first store is actually located. It’s a different municipality so I think it’s worth mentioning

[@Sara3346]

@@umangmalik I've lived in Cali nearly all my life and I agree with this dude. It represents californian idealism though.

[@NotDanValentine]

Just went to Trader Joe's today. I always feel like I'm being watched by the employees when I shop there. TJ has the cheapest frozen fruits & veggies, natural peanut butter, and dairy free chocolate. So I just go buy $100 of those 3 items every time I go. Everything else is cheaper at a big grocery store.

[@Leib33]

That might be a LOT of peanut butter. Tread carefully, peanuts are high in oxalates and could contribute to kidney stones. Believe me, THEY are painful as hell to pass! 😩

[@travis1240]

I appreciate the fewer SKUs and lack of sales. You just buy what you need and don't need to compare 5 brands in 6 sizes for the best deal, because a regular grocery store will have ridiculous prices for everything that's not on sale. At TJs I just pick it up and know I'm getting a fair deal.

[@dunggg]

I recently shop at Trader Joe’s, its not cheap

[@8765-g3e]

I've never been there and thought that it was really expensive because it looks like a hipster store, guess I'll check it out after the quarantine

[@Cool_Papa_Funk]

I went there once, and it was full of hipsters. I also thought it was pretty expensive (more so than Wegmans, at least).

[@cJames404]

You should. Just ignore the hipster shoppers. It can be intimidating at first since you won't see familiar brands but once you get hang of how store is organized it gets easier to shop.

[@aspenpawarts9333]

If you go get their Latkes! Their the best!

[@jerpgrayson425]

Thought the same thing until I started shopping there lol

[@nahor88]

It's a mix of cheap and expensive, but all their exclusive products are good quality. I can't even tell you how many times I've gotten a TJ's exclusive product and been blown away. That being said, quality does not equate to "healthy". They'll make it as unhealthy as necessary to achieve the "great taste". The atmosphere of the store also just puts you in a better mood, which is largely a by-product of the friendly staff.

[@night3042]

Costco was not founded in California - it is from a suburb of Seattle named Kirkland (Kirkland signature)

[@lefthandslaps8722]

> selling wine in the Trader Joe’s *cries in Pennsylvania*

[@epicbacongaming2k117]

2 BUCK CHUCK

[@ethangooch1819]

Where I live you can only get alcohol at a liquor store

[@pilotgrrl1]

It's like Trader Joe's in Illinois can sell spirits, while TJ's in Texas is limited to beer and wine.

[@Cjnw]

Normie

[@glarder]

grocery stores can sell alcohol now in pa

[@OurChangingClimate]

Great video as usual! It's always fun to cover the same topic :)

[@markozabic2255]

You uploaded at the same time

[@OurChangingClimate]

@@markozabic2255 Coincidence or collaboration? We shall never know.....

[@henk-3098]

It's clearly plagiarism ;-)

[@thatdude9091]

@@henk-3098 they both plagiarised each other.

[@juliaxiao5320]

Damn as one of ur subs I didn’t expect to see you here.

[@m1dos391]

Where I live, Trader Joe’s only has food items you don’t need, that are very expensive

[@donnab6391]

You are SO right about the parking lot! The lot at the Trader Joe's in Creve Coeur, MO (suburb of St. Louis) is way too small.

[@slugerknot]

If it exported California, why aren't the aisles filled with homeless people?

[@jeff2424]

'Cuz all the hipsters creep them out.

[@davidbaldwin9830]

Yep, all you have to do is look at ant list about the BEST places in America to live and you will see few Californian cities. In 20-30 years the Democrats turn a great State in to a $hithole.

[@rogierburlage]

The real question is: do they have toilet paper?

[@paulsz6194]

Rogier Burlage if they did, it would be private label, so who knows what you’re getting. 🧻 🤔

[@zsalim2871]

Who cares lol It’s usually sold out doe

[@kelleybright3113]

Lmao it's funny bc who can wip ther ass that much on the way2 heaven. Ir hell ppl

[@trevinbeattie4888]

When I went shopping three weeks ago, they were the *only* store thad had toilet paper of the three places I tried. Wasn't my preferred brand though. ;)

[@kathyl9222]

They do but it’s made from recycled paper

[@marcelo1458]

Trader Joe's certainly knows the art of the trade. He will trade anything with you. Trader Joe even manages to trade sand with Arabs. You can put your trust in Trader Joe. He can trade you as well.

[@henk-3098]

can he trade my wife for a pizza?

[@lucasdaignault3466]

Market Basket in the north east is pretty similar in the sense that they have cheap goods and have no loyalty program. They also have a pretty dedicated customer following and it is not uncommon to see associates that have worked with the company for decades. Great video!

[@josephsmith2259]

I would go further that Market Basket is cheaper than Trader Joe's, from packaged goods to produce.

[@mabelpines1533]

I can’t keep myself away from trader joes because everything always tastes good it’s pretty incredible

[@carlavv5302]

I've been a costumer for T'j for the last 10y as my primary store and whole food as a second. BUT now more than ever I stick with T'j foravee. Reason, with the covid outbreak it was the first store on my community to started lining up costumer outside, sanitizing shopping cars and offering you hand sanitizer when you enter and exit the store. Couple days after they offer SENIORS hours in the morning. In my personal opinion they care for the community.

[@aspenpawarts9333]

Carla V V + in my area they limited how many items you could buy, a bit annoying but way worth it! They were the last people sold out of toilet paper!

[@elizabethblane201]

In my area they became nasty about covid rules and even had some serious run-ins with customers. Their usual happy demeanor became hard-line; they fell from grace with some shoppers. In my book I will never forget their nastiness during covid.

[@kennyz1898]

0:15, Why is there a cow chilling in the middle of the road? lol

[@Brick-Life]

why not

[@eXeLtheking]

Me (being poor) after reading “Trader Joe’s is cheap: 👀😭

[@ddude987]

Wegmans, whole foods, and Hannafords have cult followings too; Joe's isn't one of the only ones.

[@amapparatistkwabena]

All of this and not one mention that German-owned Aldi purchased Trader Joe's over 40 years ago? I found that out when I moved to Europe and kept seeing Trader Joe's labeled products in ALDI. I checked it out and there it was as big as can be all over the web. I'm just surprised they don't make us pay a deposit on shopping carts back in the States!

[@ugiboogy1111]

I always feel so out of place when I go to Trader Joes... like all the rich kid hipsters and granola karens are judging me

[@ex0stasis72]

Was anyone else confused about Trader Joe's being called cheap? For me, I see it as one of the most expensive places to buy groceries.

[@allisonrios5913]

It depends what you get. Like compared to Whole Foods and Sprouts

[@pauleohl]

I shop food carefully and regularly. Trader Joe is not cheap for much and when it is cheap, it is not by much, So far the only cheap item I buy at Trader Joe is sunflower kernels. I used to buy cocoa powder at Trader Joe, but now ALDI is cheaper. Trader Joe is never cheap for produce or dairy.

[@Eltener123]

Not having self-checkouts is actually the most annoying thing ever. Wouldn't ever shop there. Don't want to have to wait behind someone's whole week's shopping if I just want a pack of gum.

[@zach99998]

lol I've never spent more than 3 minutes waiting in line, they always have most their registers open. I regularly have to wait at self-checkouts

[@Eltener123]

@@zach99998 maybe American self checkouts are just bad then. I usually don't even have to wait in line to use a self checkout, and if I do it's only like 2 people because there's like at least a dozen of them

[@trevinbeattie4888]

One of the things I love about the T.J.'s I went to is that they make a point of bringing additional cashiers out whenever there were more than two people in a line, which keeps the wait short. I rarely if ever see that at larger grocery stores.

[@KurogawaGray]

"Trader Joe's" and "cheap" do not belong in the same sentence without "isn't" between them.

[@paulsmallriver6066]

Compared to the major stores it sure is less expensive.

[@brendanl8390]

It’s one of the cheapest options in my area

[@adamgomez2706]

We tried going there a few times because of all the hype, but it seems like we can't get more than 10 items without exceeding $100.

[@hamsterdam1942]

That ad switch tho. For many years, you're first who fooled my ad radar. You're scaring me.

[@ienjoydrpepper5938]

Every Trader Joe's I've been to has hella jacked up prices

[@3DJapan]

Cheap? I mean, they're not super expensive, but I wouldn't say cheap.

[@Alex-ft5tn]

Classic click-bait...

[@shaguftaiqbal745]

7:30 See Trader Joe’s totally reminds me of my job at Marks& Spencer Food here in the UK, we were trained just like! 😁

[@MC_MMV]

yes but at Waitrose you get a free coffee and newspaper ☕️📰

[@shaguftaiqbal745]

Michael Chater aha if only there was a Waitrose near me, though I am happy in my job at M&S Food, it would be nice to visit!

[@normanforest3952]

TJ does sell toothpaste, soap, and detergent. They tend to be natural, environmentally friendly versions. TJ advertise by junk mail by sending out newsletters.

[@conner8528]

You always make my day, thank you Polymatter!

[@ocfos88]

Wait, American stores don't normally restock shelves during the day? Every single shop I've been to here in Denmark does that. Hearing this feels rather alien.

[@IFearlessINinja]

ocfos88 They do during slower times, but tend to save the bulk of restocking before or after the store is open to stay out of customers' way

[@adamwynn1643]

Only grocery store with a cult following? I feel like Wegmans, the One True Grocery Store, will have something to say about that.

[@bengali481]

Wegmans' is egregiously expensive.

[@RobertStCyr-pe7ic]

He forgot to mention that Trader Joe's doesn't waste money on excessive advertising. The customer pays for a product not for absurd marketing. They also have VERY good quality products. Most frozen dinners for instance are as good or often better than anything available in most restaurants. They also cost a fraction of what those restaurants have to charge. They are no frills. In the early days they didn't even have refrigerators or freezers. Everything was sold unpackaged from bulk bins. I still miss that bulk coffee. I think wistfully about it every ery time I pass the coffee isle. They sell good quality products. I've been shopping at Trader Joe's since 1985 and I've only disliked a product purchased there enough to not eat it twice. I've purchased thousands of different items and they are always fantastic. Whoever does their purchasing is the best in the industry.

[@yahhoo69]

Exclusively recruits smart, energetic,conversationalist extroverts. Me, an introvert : I will never getting hired at Trader Joe's

[@cmooreHD]

I thought the exact same

[@roseywinter]

Trader Joe's is one of the most expensive grocery stores I've ever been in... especially since they have limited variety due to their package rebranding (taking 1 brand, changing the "brand" to their label... and then offering only that single version of that particular food item). Honestly, I'd rather shop at Walmart, Bel-Air, Target, Sprouts, Safeway, Whole Foods, or the commissary. I can get "store brand" stuff there too, as well as a bunch of other brands, all with varying prices, all much more affordable. EDITED to add: I shop at all of these stores, including Trader Joe's. Honestly, love them all, because I wouldn't be able to get a lot of my allergy-safe foods without them. And I love that the staff at Trader Joe's are pretty much always really nice & helpful. But if I'm looking for variety/price for the majority of items, there's other stores. :)

[@Harry777]

Trader Joe's.. is cheap..? On what planet?

[@h3llo0cto]

@7:12 I want to argue with you on one particular point. I am an introvert. DEFINITELY. I have worked in retail/service long enough to hold a decent short conversation, but there are a number of people at my store who are also introverts and less skilled in "faking it". TJ's doesn't just hire "smart, energetic, extroverted" people. They DO hire people who care about treating customers decently, even when the customer is "difficult". There is a whole support structure underlying this, so if you're feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable, there's always someone available to help. We are NOT all talkative extroverts, but we ARE all people who try to be courteous. Oh, and, yeah, I've worked at TJ's for a couple of years now.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

“Fifteen thousand square foot Californian Embassy” you’re not wrong

[@TheTechyDan]

You said that Trader's is the only grocer with a cult following, I'd suggest you look into Wegmans, a grocery store with seemingly a similar business model, with a huge chunk of the store with it's own brands, often being cheaper if not better than the alternative. If you go to Upstate New York, or watch The Office closely, you can see its influences everywhere, from cakes to bottled water, all in house, all about as good as the pricier alternative

[@Andreas4696]

I thought that was an expensive store.

[@shotelco]

Trader Joe's *IS* cheap ... when you live in West Coast areas where 1BR apartment rents are above $3,000/Month. I've never seen a TJ's anywhere close to a poor(er) neighborhood.

[@zach99998]

What how

[@Andreas4696]

@@zach99998 Seems like an expensive hipster store with its focus on organic food. I thought it was another Whole Foods.

[@garyermann]

@@Andreas4696 At least where I live produce at Trader Joe's and more basic things like yogurt, juice, milk, eggs, etc. are cheaper than the average supermarket. It may have that feeling of being like Whole Foods because it doesn't have the typical brands everywhere and you find things like "gluten free" or "vegan" throughout the store, but if you're looking at comparable products to your grocery store, things are almost always cheaper.

[@DaniMrtini]

What trader Joe's you shopping at? Lots of products I've seen in southern California amd southern Nevada (Vegas area) are overpriced as shit.

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

Trader Joe's? Don't you mean Aldi Nord?

[@florianreinhardt4689]

@@freehelicopterrides5778 Well in north Germany it's Aldi Nord...

[@MrrGNB]

@@freehelicopterrides5778 so you have never traveled across the aldi line? like you are aware that germany is split in half between aldi süd and aldi nord, if not look up aldi equator

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

@@freehelicopterrides5778 Aldi Sud is the part of Aldi which only operates in the south of Germany, UK, US (using the Aldi name), Australia and a few other places in Europe while Aldi Nord only operates in Northern Germany, the US (under the Trader Joe's name), Portugal (I think...) and a few other places in Europe.

[@wclifton968gameplaystutorials]

@@freehelicopterrides5778 I'm from the UK and from what I've seen its that Aldi Sud seems to look a lot more modern than Aldi Nord when looking at photos of each business' stores.

[@lastnewsnetwork6299]

Trader Joes is owned by one German Brother and Aldi is owned by the other brother. very different model. Aldi appeals to low prices, Trader Joes to interesting tasty food temptation.

[@retnikt1666]

Why are there so few animations in this video? I prefer them to the loose collection of stock footage or "wandering around my local Trader Joe's" stuff.

[@Skidmark0606]

“Trader Joe’s is ridiculously cheap” is an oxymoron.

[@prathamrawal5757]

8:35 refering to Graham stephans aren't you

[@IoEstasCedonta]

You make me never want to go to TJ's again. It's gone in my head from a slightly tackier Aldi's to that couple who took down our street sign and replaced it with a garish monstrosity.

[@whenallissaiddonewaisad5376]

Oh wow. That Trader Joe's is the Winter Park Florida one! I just know it!

[@filipmazic5486]

The palm trees and the Orlando City shirt sealed the deal

[@whenallissaiddonewaisad5376]

@@filipmazic5486 There's the one off of Sand Lake road though. So recognizing the differences in the store layout narrows down which of the 2 Orlando stores it could be down to only Winter Park

[@phz7107]

trader joes is the only store i can find crunchy rice mochi chunks. if youve never tried them before theyrre sooooo good! theyre like crunchy, salty addictive goodness

[@temistogen]

Polymatter and Our changing climate. Same vid same time.

[@agentt3557]

Yep wondering the same. I've never heard of Trader Joe's before.

[@maxemore]

Probably a coincidence

[@Avi2Nyan]

They actually link to each other. It's not a coincidence

[@trevinbeattie4888]

Trader Joe’s reinforces my observation that the more a company spends on advertising, the more they overcharge you for their products. One of the things I love about T.J.’s is that they don’t spam you with ads; the fact that their foods are less expensive and generally as good or better quality than the chain stores is just a bonus.

[@KokkiePiet]

Trevin Beattie It’s like movies, the more advertising it has, the worse it is.

[@DarthAwar]

Fun pack trader Joe's it's not American at all it is a division of Aldi

[@Rich-rd5te]

Fun fact. Technically that’s correct however. Trader Joe’s is still an independently run company as both it and Aldi thought it would be beneficial to have a loose connection.

[@room007]

This is basically American Lidl with bells.

[@smoothjazzfails]

TJ’s is American. It’s founder is Joe Coulombe in Pasadena, California in 1967. It wasn’t until 1979, that German entrepreneur Theo Albrecht bought TJ’s. Theo Albrecht. The Albrecht's family also owns the German supermarket chain ALDI Nord.

[@CVerse]

I've lived in CA all my life, it never occurred to me that Trader Joe's actually had some connection with Jungle Cruise

[@BobTheBuilder12]

You and I have a different definition of cheap lmao

[@eskilbuchardt2658]

Wait a 25 cent banana? That's pretty expensive

[@reddysetgo1341]

Trader Joes: A Millenials Dream

[@nathanvalle6997]

Honestly it's mostly bougie Boomers and Gen Xers who shop there.

[@BaoZedong]

"Dinner is calling in a St. Louis suburb" Oh no, he's also from St. Louis. Poor guy...

[@reidspencer4829]

I really wanna see one of these for Chick-fil-A

[@nickbrown4175]

Title : "Why Trader Joe's is So Ridiculously Cheap" What is discussed : Lots of things, but not why their prices are what they are.

[@wunder1385]

Now I want to go to a trader Joe's. But there is none in my country :/

[@henk-3098]

It's owned by Aldi

[@jacobarmour6325]

Wait is this just American aldi cos aldi is so cheap that I get a bag of peanuts 3 litres of water a pack of choc raisins and a 4 pack of rolls for £1

[@everythingabout3232]

Trader Joe's: where you can find the perfect "knockoffs" at an affordable price

[@joshieassassin1484]

Come to Fairfield Connecticut Trader Joe’s. It’s very small and pricey. Customer service from the college kids are not as friendly as the older adults who work there.

[@Quantum-yz9fc]

Umm, excuse me, Costco was founded in Kirkland, Washington, not in Southern California.

[@doujinflip]

Although the idea was imported from the Price Club, which did start in Southern California and later merged with

[@-i1007]

I believe he said west Coast not California

[@julesvandenbossche9195]

where can you find all this information from all your videos?

[@CEKROM]

I don't know this company but I watch it =D

[@lt2143]

Trader Joe's is not cheap. Actually they should be cheaper considering they're carrying "generic" store brand. Plus, they should offer more incentives for expecting their customers to bag their own groceries.

[@duthegee]

There is a Trader's Joe a block away from my university and I always thought it was so expensive to shop there.

[@spacetoast7783]

we fell for the clickbait

[@Cooe.]

6:18 ... That's really not that strange at all. Running a retail goods business in Hawaii is an expensive damn nightmare. Let alone one that requires as much hands on inventory management as Trader Joe's.

[@msjoq6158]

was this paid for by them?

[@dmfraser1444]

When I first moved to California in 2001, to the city of Orange, a Trader Joes was my corner store. I became a fan the first time I set foot in one. However when I moved to COsta Mesa in 2003, the nearest ones were driving distance away and the parking lots were so full all the time I am afraid my visits dropped off. Then when in 2010 I returned to Vancouver BC, I have several times attempted to go to the Trader Joes in Bellingham WA and except for the one time, I have never been able to get a parking spot. However my local Wal Mart has a rack of some foods branded as "Joe's Tasty Travels" and I get my fix of a small variety of Trader Joes similar foods that way. When I can get in as the store, a former Woolco location, also has too small a parking lot.. Are you noticing a theme here. AT my age in the late 60s and with a handicap, cannot walk from the far end of a parking lot and this has cost Trader Joes a lot of business over the years from me. But I still love the store. When I lived in California, heir Fearless Flyer was always one that I checked out. In shopping there I never found them to be especially cheap. But that was not the point. It was getting stuff no one else had.

[@aspenpawarts9333]

DM Fraser handicap spaces?