Grocery Auctions Save Money, But Bidders Beware
Bidding on Groceries Benefits Consumers, Tests Buyers' Self Control
Auctioning groceries offers consumers a way to buy food and paper products at low prices. Residents show up at the site – usually a warehouse, community center, or other spacious facility – and bid on dry foods, canned goods, meats, paper items, pet food, and anything else found in a grocery store as the items are displayed and held up for sale.
Food and products come from overstocked warehouses, restaurant supply houses, or are discontinued store items. Some food items may be slightly damaged, and some may be out of date. Customers should keep check on the freshness dates of any purchased items.
Benefits of Grocery Auctions
- Save money on the family food budget.
- Consumers bid on as many items as desired.
- Prices are reduced from retail store markups.
- One avoids temptation at the checkout line.
National radio show host John Tesh, in an article on the Intelligence for Your Life Web page, "You Can Bid on Your Food at a Grocery Auction" (2009), states "Some auctioneers even accept food stamps."
Grocery Auction Bidders Beware
An item purchased to satisfy the "thrill of the hunt" and not because one needs it is not a savings at all. If one buys food items beyond the "sell by" date, the taste and quality might not be as expected. Bidding on groceries tests a buyer's self control.
- The "thrill of the hunt" entices inexperienced grocery bidders to bid 'til they win. He or she ends up spending too much money on items worthless to the individual.
- Bidders should know ahead of time how much items are worth at the supermarket so as not to overspend on grocery auction items.
- Some popular items may run out quickly.
- Winners must have the means to haul purchases home, including boxes or bags.
- Auctions may be too time-consuming for some individuals.
- The drive to attend an out-of-town auction may not be worth the trip.
- The purchase date may be expired on some items and others may be damaged.
Time Magazine photographer Matt Rourke provides a grocery auction photo essay for an event conducted in Dallas, Pennsylvania. The auctions are popular as people need to eat even as they struggle during hard times.
ABC News' "Good Morning America" gives an online account of how much can be saved at at typical grocery auction. GMA's Elisabeth Leamy and Cindy Smith's report, "How to Save at Grocery Auctions" (April 2009), stated "The savings are phenomenal. By bidding for groceries instead of buying them, "Good Morning America" found you can save 50 to 90 percent." The authors also add, "There's always somebody who catches auction fever and bids too high because they feel like they're winning something instead of buying it. But the veterans know when to bow out."
Grocery auctions have put auctioneers back in business. The popular auction events provide bargain hunters and savvy shoppers the opportunity buy everything from frozen foods and canned hams to toilet tissue, household cleaners, and much more. It's wise to bring along a list of needed items and know the store prices ahead of time, to avoid overspending.
Auctions for grocery items may not be for everyone, especially those persons prone to bidding on anything just for the sake of winning. Experienced thrifty shoppers bid on needed items, and know when to bow out of a sale. Grocery auctions do save money, but only when all factors are considered, such as drive time, time spent on the event, and retail price comparisons.
Take a List to Avoid Overspending
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Auctioning Surplus Produce
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Avoid High Grocery Store Prices
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Grocery Auctions Save Money
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Grocery Auction Winner Carries Goods Home
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