Whats up with Hannafords/Meredith ?

[ripley]

Please pardon my rant !

Been shopping most of the summer at Hannafords /Meredith.
Every week it seems that I have another thing that really bothers me...Is it just me?
I try to save money and sometimes I will buy the store brand.
Now white minute rice is white minute rice, no?
I tried their brand of minute rice, saved 40 cents and it is crap. Normally the store brand is just as good s the name brand but because they don't have to advertise it, you save money, usully for the same thing..Not at Hannafords !
White rice is crap .
I buy their soup, just like campbells..but 20-30 cents less. I buy it for my dog...just add a tablespoon of it into her dish and ad hot water ..a bit of a treat for a 10 year old dog !
3 weeks ago, late one night, I went hunting for something to eat. Found a can of hannafords vegetable beef soup...what the heck ..I give it to my dog so I tried it ..
could not believe what garbage it was ..I thru it away as I could not eat it and I will never give it to my dog again!!
One other thing: I have been buying their B-B-Q chickens from the deli all summer those are pretty good ..
recently I was in the gilford store and I find them for $4.99...I have been paying $7.99 in meredith !!! same darn thing..I asked one of the guys in the meat room what gives ??? he said "because we can" apparently the lack of competion lets them feel that they can do this to us ..

sorry for the rant ...just makes me mad !!!!!

[The Phantom Gourmand]

The Meredith store is not in the same "region" or whatever they call it, as the store in Gilford. The pricing structure in Meredith is completely different and quite a bit higher. The Gilford store uses the same ad flier as the Nashua store and every store in between... "Because they can".
When in Meredith, we use the Meredith Hannaford as a convenience store...seems like pricing there isn't much better than most convenience stores.
The consistently best prices, and the best store brands are at Market Basket. They don't mess around with their pricing structure...it is the same for all their stores.

[Sunbeam lodge]

Originally Posted by ripley

Please pardon my rant !

Been shopping most of the summer at Hannafords /Meredith.
Every week it seems that I have another thing that really bothers me...Is it just me?
I try to save money and sometimes I will buy the store brand.
Now white minute rice is white minute rice, no?
I tried their brand of minute rice, saved 40 cents and it is crap. Normally the store brand is just as good s the name brand but because they don't have to advertise it, you save money, usully for the same thing..Not at Hannafords !

Oh Oh!
Back when Jackson Star used to gouge us, someone on the forum suggested as soon as there was competition Jackson Star would go under.
When Hannaford's came in Jackson Star went under. Now Hannaford is charging us as though there is no competition.
Sounds eerily familiar to the debate about competition over the health care system.
Maybe there is something to say about what we learned growing up that the only thing that protects us from the greed in the capitalistic system is "competition"

[Acres per Second]

Originally Posted by ripley

"...Found a can of hannafords vegetable beef soup...what the heck ..I give it to my dog so I tried it ..could not believe what garbage it was ..I thru it away as I could not eat it and I will never give it to my dog again...!!"

Canned soups—and even frozen foods (!)—are extremely high in salt content. (Check "sodium" on the label).

While my Vet advised "people food" was OK for my canines, aged dogs most often succumb to kidney failure. (A dog should benefit from less salt).

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

"...The pricing structure in Meredith is completely different and quite a bit higher..."

Higher than their Alton store?

[Rag Top Daze]

You can go to the Hannaford website and look up the weekly flier for each store. You will see that the weekly specials at the Gilford store are often times lower than the Meredith store. It's been that way since they opened in Meredith.

[ripley]

Thanks,
I also learned that I can return my box of "rice " to Hannafords and get double my money back !!
which I shall do !

Their pricing still S$%&*KS
they are being devious and they seem to prey upon people.the people in Meredith are stuck with them as now there is no competition....they have the second highest profit margin in the entire supermarket industry ...now we know why ...they screw us geographically

[tummyman]

Market Basket is ALWAYS cheaper. We drive to Tilton and still save money in total, including paying for the gas just to save on food prices. Had hoped Market Basket would move a store closer...like Jackson Star or a new store in Gilford that would be closer than Tilton. Quality in Market Basket is very high...even store brands. NOTE....we tried Hannafords a few times, but now shop locally at Heaths in Center Harbor. Even cold cuts...the same brands...cost less at Heaths than Hannafords. People need to support the local folks at Heaths instead of the chains like Hannafords that just screw people. When will people wake up...... Go back and try Heaths.....the selection isn't as vast, but the prices are better than Hannafords on many things. MARKET BASKET, where are you ??? If they even come to town in Gilford, good bye Hannafords, Shaws, and everyone else....

[Irish mist]

Shaw's is worse than any other supermarket in the state on prices It's not even close ! I go in there for SALES only. Speaking of Shaw's: How in the world is the Tilton Shaw's staying open ? I've never seen more than 10 people at a time in that store ! It's always empty. Hannaford's in Gilford has excellent prices on many items, and believe it or not are close to Market-Basket in price. What we need in the Lakes Region is a Super-Walmart....that would help control food costs right quick

[Green's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by Irish mist

Shaw's is worse than any other supermarket in the state on prices It's not even close ! I go in there for SALES only. Speaking of Shaw's: How in the world is the Tilton Shaw's staying open ? I've never seen more than 10 people at a time in that store ! It's always empty. Hannaford's in Gilford has excellent prices on many items, and believe it or not are close to Market-Basket in price. What we need in the Lakes Region is a Super-Walmart....that would help control food costs right quick

Comparable items are often less expensive at Market Basket than Super Walmart.

[ripley]

[Canned soups—and even frozen foods (!)—are extremely high in salt content. (Check "sodium" on the label).

While my Vet advised "people food" was OK for my canines, aged dogs most often succumb to kidney failure. (A dog should benefit from less salt.


Higher than their Alton store? yes,higher than their Alton Store ! Hard to believe ,huh ?

I am very careful what I give my dog ..When I use the soup as an additive,I am only talking a teaspoon every few days ,and its usually cream of chicken.

The prices are rising even as commodities are dropping..they are raising prices even as the cost of goods are falling..."Because they can " !!!!!

[Kamper]

I don't think Hannaford's prices are "better" anywhere. They may not be as high as Shaw's (down here) but Demoulas/Market Basket is usually 10-30% less on the things I like to buy. Usually worse on milk.

There are Shaw's 1/4 mile and 3 miles, and a Hannaford's 7 miles from my house. There are 3 MB's within that same distance and I usually shop at one of those even if I have to pass by one of the other companies. Even if I am doing other business in their plazas.

You should go to the Hannaford web-site and let them know that you would shop there but you aware that they are profiteering form their market situationand you can no longer afford to support them.

Good luck!

[Lakesrider]

Originally Posted by Rag Top Daze

You can go to the Hannaford website and look up the weekly flier for each store. You will see that the weekly specials at the Gilford store are often times lower than the Meredith store. It's been that way since they opened in Meredith.

Well yeah. They have Shaws, and Wal-Mart right next door. "Competition"

I still say boycott Hannafords. I do. Maybe they will get the picture.
However that said I did go a while back and found a few items had dropped a bit in price. Ticked me off when even the Bananas were up over .20 a pound more than Shaws. Yikes!

[dpg]

Originally Posted by Green's Basin Girl

Comparable items are often less expensive at Market Basket than Super Walmart.

When you say "comparable items" do you mean the EXACT same thing or MB's brand? I've said it here before and I still think Walmart sells a lot of junk. I do how ever go in there for brand name things, soaps, bathroom needs, etc. Their tuff to beat for that stuff. At least around me they are. You couldn't pay me to wear one of their pair of slacks though.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by dpg

When you say "comparable items" do you mean the EXACT same thing or MB's brand? I've said it here before and I still think Walmart sells a lot of junk. I do how ever go in there for brand name things, soaps, bathroom needs, etc. Their tuff to beat for that stuff. At least around me they are. You couldn't pay me to wear one of their pair of slacks though.

Went to SuperWalmart in Salem, NH last week to buy a 12 pack of Sam Adam's Winter Ale only because I was already there for something else and bought it there for no other reason than convenience. Walmart's price, $13.97. Hannaford's price, $11.99.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by gtagrip

Went to SuperWalmart in Salem, NH last week to buy a 12 pack of Sam Adam's Winter Ale only because I was already there for something else and bought it there for no other reason than convenience. Walmart's price, $13.97. Hannaford's price, $11.99.

Interesting, good to know.

[gtagrip]

Originally Posted by dpg

Interesting, good to know.

I figured the price would have at least been the same as Hannaford's and was surprised when it was actually higher.

[LIforrelaxin]

LOL.... well first we saw a thread like this for Jackson's Star, and now for Hannafords.

People you need to remember one thing. You are paying for convenience. Unfortunately this is horrible for permanent residents. But for the Summer residents most of them don't care they just pay for the convenience.

Convenience of what you may ask. The convenience of not paying Heath's prices. The convenience of not having to drive to Gilford or further. Convenience... it is the name of the game......

[twoplustwo]

The convenience of not paying Heath's prices.

IMO, for the basics, Heath's prices aren't much higher than Hannaford's. Heath's has been having better sales of late, as well, which is making them more competitive. Hannaford's meats are really lousy and overpriced, IMO - Heath's completely kicks their butts on all parts there. Avoiding their death lot is also so appealing, it's worth a few extra bucks, especially now that Senter's Market has widened the parking lot up front.

Heath's truckload meat sale is Wednesday. You'll see me there, for sure.

[Pam]

I've enjoyed having the Meredith Hannafords nearby so much that I can't let this thread go without an alternative point of view. Though the prices are higher than Market Basket, the Meredith Hannafords is a small attractive store, has a nice selection of products, and ripe produce, and decent specials.

I force myself to go to Market Basket for large shoppings because of the prices, but it's a miserable shopping experience. Also, talk about the store brand lacking quality! I've found the Market Basket brand inedible and downright disgusting on several occasions and will no longer even consider buying their brand.

Though I also find the price discrepancy between Meredith and Gilford annoying, I love the Meredith store. If the prices were just a little lower, I would never go to Market Basket again.

[SAMIAM]

2+2 is right about Heath's...best meat in the area and their seafood is really good also. We use the same supplier and he picks up fresh haddock, cod and swordfish right at the pier in Portland. Heath's prices are better than Hannifords in most cases........plus, you are supporting a local biz and local people.

[fatlazyless]

....yeah, like the day-old stuff at Heath's, from the plain little rack way off in the back of the store with bread, muffins, cupcakes, rolls, cookies, bananas, and roast beef & turkey & pastrami sandwiches is fresher and better quality than the best stuff at Hannaford's. Heath's has better day-old food than Hannaford's has for today's new food (& for a lot le$$)!

....plus, Heath's has freebie, courtesy coffee in six flavors. The last time that Hannfords gave away a free cup of coffee was in 1971.
.................

There was an article in the Union Leader business section on Hannaford's about a month ago. It was pretty interesting. It said it costs 15-mil to build a new super-store in the U.S., and that high health care costs in the U.S. prompted their building ten new stores in europe as opposed to the U.S.

When a U.S. employee of Hannaford's needs a hip joint replacement, they fly them to Thailand for the operation where it costs $10,000 as opposed to $50,000 here in the U.S. Hannaford's is a Belgium owned biz with over 2500 stores in about eight countries including Thailand and the U.S., so it probably has first hand experience with varying medical bills.

Someone.....help....post a working link to the Union Leader, Hannaford's, hip replacement and general info news article. For the U.L.. it was a decently written and lengthy article.....probably because some outside business news service wrote it.

[Winnigirl83]

I agree with SAMIAM, whenever I can go to a local merchant, I will. That's why I go to Heath's. It's a little further for me, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something for our local economy.

FLL-
I read that article, too. I'm trying to post the link. If it doesn't work (because my computer skills are so good), you can go to the Union Leader's website, search past editions. I typed in "employee hip replacement" and the article popped up.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...9-4d5cac977272

[Redwing]

We have been shopping at Heaths since the 1950s and have always found their meats to be outstanding; prices are extremely fair & competitive, as well. And, as I have mentioned in earlier posts, I can buy my old-time favorite Mateus at Heaths! Makes me feel as if I am still in my 20s.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by Winnigirl83

I agree with SAMIAM, whenever I can go to a local merchant, I will. That's why I go to Heath's. It's a little further for me, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something for our local economy.

FLL-
I read that article, too. I'm trying to post the link. If it doesn't work (because my computer skills are so good), you can go to the Union Leader's website, search past editions. I typed in "employee hip replacement" and the article popped up.

http://www.unionleader.com/article.a...9-4d5cac977272

Wow! I was surprised at the end of the article, where the health care provided was contacted by US hospitals, offering to do the procedure for 15/20 k. As opposed to the norm, which is 50K (in the US). That goes a long way to explaining how messed up health care is in this country.
"Don't have 50K? OK, how much ya got?" "18??" "It's a deal! Come on down."

[Lakesrider]

OK....wanna laugh now. I am not feeling so well and did not feel like going shopping for food tonight. (We just got back from Vegas) So my Kathy stopped at Hannafords on her way home. I opened one of the bags and there was a pair of tenderloins in one of those little saran wrapped stryrofoam thingys. The price was $3.99. I laughed and said wow good deal. She thought so as well and picked it up for that reason. However upon further inspection the label said Ground beef on it.......oops. Thank you Mr. Butcher man!

[ripley]

You are not gonna believe this one.
I needed a couple things and I was next door so I went into Hannafords.
When I was all done of course i went thru the checkout. Cashier hands me 3 receipts. One was my reg. receipt, second was a coupon and the 3rd was a coupon that reads:
the next time I go in, if I buy 8 cans of dog food, they will give me a coupon for the time after that, if I buy 8 more cans of dog food
Ossipee price =BBQ chix are on sale $5.99 rg price is supposedly $5.99 but it has been $6.99 for the last 3-4 months
Meredith ..same price
Gilford is $4.99 reg price posted is $4.99 pork roast ,chea end = ossipee 1.29 lb at ossipee and meredith, $1.19 in Gilford
3-4 other items are much cheaper in gilford and meredith is always the highest ..unless you are buying Tenderloins !!!
Meredith price $ 5.99

[SAMIAM]

Forgot to mention that Heath's also sells lots of LOCAL produce. Unlike the chains that get everything from Mexico and Chile.....Heaths stocks vegetables from several farms in Sandwich. Local apples, peaches, pears, corn.......during the season there are scores of local items. Just another reason to support them in my opinion.
Keep in mind that most of these items are organic and don't have the same shelf life as the imported fruits and veggies that are treated.....because of that they suffer a lot more spoilage.

[upthesaukee]

Alton Hannaford was selling produce from Beans N Greens (Gilford) and I believe one other local farm this summer. FWIW.

[The Phantom Gourmand]

...and the Meredith store featured produce from Brookdale Farm in Hollis. I am in no way a fan of the Meredith store, but I do stop in occasionally when it is convenient.

[BroadHopper]

For those who drive up 93 to Meredith, you can do your shopping off Fort Eddy Road in Concord. There is a Market Basket, Shaw's and Hannaford on that strip. I usually exit onto 393 East and enter Fort Eddy Road the back way. Market Basket is right on your left.
If the stores are closed, I would go up 393 to 106. There is a 24 hour Wally World (Super Walmart) on 106 South. They may not have the best produce but you can get everything else!
For those who come up Rte 28 to the South side of the lake, I-393 in Concord will take you onto Rte 4 that will take you to 28.

With the three stores next to each other, prices are the lowest I've seen.