One question I’ve been asked numerous times is if buying in bulk saves more money. One of these days I’ll do a more “official” study but just glancing at unit prices at the warehouse stores and on the bulk aisle at the grocery, I say more often than not, you save buy NOT buying in bulk on certain items. Part of this is because you are unable to use coupons at the warehouse type stores or are only able to use one coupon on multipack items.
For example, we had a short shopping trip today and wanted to pick up some toothpaste because as much toothpaste as we have in our stockpile, we really prefer Crest Pro Health over all the other brands. While, I would normally wait for a sale, I felt we could a splurge a bit on the toothpaste which we both prefer.
Sounds hilarious, SPLURGE on toothpaste.
However, I still did want to get the best possible deal even without coupon, Extra Bucks, or some other kind of savings. We knew we wanted to purchase two tubes, so we started to reach for the two pack – $7.08 for (2) 6.0 oz. Crest Pro-Health or $3.54/each. These caught our eye first because they were at our eye level.
Then we looked up, and we could buy the exact same product separately for $3.00 each – exact same product except NOT prepackaged.
Lesson Learned: Look up and down before grabbing the first item that catches your eye! We save $1.08! While, this may sound like a little a $1 every shopping trip could add up! In this case, buying in “bulk” would not have been beneficial to our pocketbook.
Have a coupon myth you would like debunked? Email me at bargainbriana@gmail.com.
I am laughing at this post because I noticed this a while ago too. I also noticed that the same product placed at different areas of the store also have varying prices. Crazy right?
I have frequently seen the same thing, where multi-packs or larger packages cost more than smaller packages, and this is with many different types of item in the grocery store.
To me it doesn’t make sense, especially when by buying bigger you are being “supposedly” offered a better deal. It happens in the UK too – almost fell into the trap last week.
While I don’t go overboard on coupons, and eating healthy doesn’t allow me to use all the coupons for processed or junk foods, I do use them, and they can make a big difference if you shop wisely.
Good advice…I’ve noticed that about the twin packs on alot of things too. My eyes have really been opened up since I started couponing!
We prefer the Pro Health too, so I just don’t even bother getting the free stuff with my Crest coupons…I save them for a sale on the Pro Health.
Great tip! I don’t like buying in bulk because I don’t have that much space and don’t like a lot of clutter, but find it’s still easy to save money.
Briana!
I can NOT believe you paid for TP, lol!! just kidding! when are you coming to WI? I have a box of those for you. mwah!
Mercedes