[flapattie]

This is an article I just posted on Facebook. I am hoping I have the right area to post this on AFC ? If not, can a moderator please move it for me ? I have priced shopped my local Downtown Orlando stores and thought this pricing list and store reviews could assist some AFC members in the area. :-)

This link provides a PDF file of my 6 store shopping assessement :
Downtown Orlando Pricing Assessment Project 5.28.09

I am new to the coupon savings world and trying to save as much money as I can lately. Problem is, how do I know if something on sale is really a good deal or not? To preface, let me start by admitting that I both #1) HATE grocery shopping (it's always SO DARN COLD in those stores! Plus I hate cooking..and shopping always leads to cooking) and #2) since I hate it so, John (my husband) usually does most of the shopping..even if I go with him. Confused? Well, I usually will dissociate as we walk down the aisles, not paying attention to prices at all. Occasionally perking up to look at shades of hair dye or showing interest when we pass the make-up aisles.

With couponing, this simply won't do. You have to be aware of prices. John, has always been a Wal-Mart fan. The closest one to us (or so we thought) is a really run down store on Colonial/50 and I always feel like a need a round of antibiotics after I leave there. It's not uncommon to see a baby diaper lying on the floor. It's always packed too. I'm guessing your Wal-Mart might resemble this also. Plus they just opened up this BEAUTIFUL brand new Target Superstore right down the street. Surely Target is just as cheap as Wal-Mart prices, right?

So, I am now a member of Grocery Coupons & Deal Forums - A Full Cup - Coupons and have been studying the site feverishly, trying to glean as much savings info as I can. I've also been watching sales flyers now.... an item I used to throw away as garbage when I received them in the mail. John and I decided to scope out Winn Dixie as a result of the recent mail out flyer. But does Winn Dixie REALLY have the best grocery pricing in my area? Actually, they turned out to be dead last with savings on only one item.... Niagara spray starch.

How do I know? Well, I decided to conduct a very scientific double-blind study. Armed with a list of 91 items my husband and I routinely consume/use on a monthly basis, I set out to 6 stores closest to our condo. Technically not ALL items on the list are items we frequently purchase....there are about 3% that I added on there just because I have coupons for them and wondered where my coupon dollar can go the farthest. NOTE: You won't see any produce or meat on the list because we found this AWESOME place near us Freshfields Farm - Ultimate destination for the finest quality, freshest meats and produce. that has rock bottom quality produce and meats for rock bottom prices. We love to get to the store early on a Saturday morning to be able to get $ 5.00 bacon wrapped fillet mignon. Just wanted to point this out as our shopping list looks a little odd. :-)

The stores I priced shopped are :

Super Target ~ 120 W Grant St., Orlando, FL 32806 (For locals, it's in the new SODO shopping center off of Orange Ave. and Grant Street.)

CVS/pharmacy ~ 2702 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32806

Walgreens ~ 408 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806

Publix ~ 400 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801

Wal-Mart Supercenter ~ 2500 South Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32811

Winn Dixie ~ 2415 E Colonial Drive , Orlando , FL 32803

1) Super Target

I arrived at 3:50pm, excited to start my comparisons. One thing John likes about this store is the fact that it's so dead. There are never any crowds. After our first visit a few months ago he made the joke that the outside looked like the rapture because there was no one around, no one in the store, yet there were all these carts strewn all over. As I was writing down some comparisons, two men walked by and commented to each other on how dead the store was and how it's an apocalyptic store. It's really a shame because the store opened in October '08 and is a beautiful store. Covered parking garage and everything. As I wrote down my prices I was seemingly unnoticed at this store. I was really pulling for this store to have the best prices in the end. Next I went to ....

2) CVS/pharmacy

It was 8:30pm by now (I had stopped to have dinner with John after 2 hours at Target) and I was happy to notice this store is open 24 hours. This store is an older store and is located near a liquor store. There are also usually quite a few homeless people meandering out front. As I went on my merry way, doing my price comps I was really surprised. Since learning about couponing a few weeks ago, I have seen many a video on youtube.com (ex:

YouTube - CVS Basics

YouTube - CVS Basics

) showcasing savvy coupon shoppers who can get a cart full of items for only $ .60. The interesting thing about my research however proved that many prices were actually much higher than Target. ...even the supposed "deals". Perhaps this was just an off week where everything was marked up. Or maybe I need to hone my coupon skills more. Next off to...

3) Walgreens Pharmacy

By now it's around 9:30pm and I am yet again happy to discover this store is also a 24 hour store ! Good to know for the future. This is also an older store but is kept in better condition. CVS had an odor about the store, but no odor here. I also should point out that I LOVE Walgreens. I really think I find a lot of deals at this store...prior to my coupon training. It's also a hometown thing......Walgreens started up North and I was really happy to see them springing up - almost weekly - in Central Florida. I arrived and immediately spotted the Maybelline rack and wrote down my comps for my most used beauty items. A woman walked up and said "Hello" to me. It was at this point that I realized carrying around a clipboard warrants attention. I just said back and then made my way across the aisle to write down the price for Aveno shaving cream. She walked away and then in a few seconds was back. "Are you with....what are you doing?" she inquired rather bluntly. I always think honesty is the best policy and responded with "I am shopping my local stores doing some price comparisons. I was recently laid off". She looked like she wanted to bounce me from the store right then and there but instead she said nothing and walked away. I was a bit worried she would hound me for the next hour but when we were down the same aisles (she seemed to be organizing shelves) she just ignored me. When I got to the aisle to write down the price for a gallon of milk a man who had been staring at beer for about 10 minutes looked at me and asked "Do you work here?" - I told him no. He looked confused and kind of chuckled and I replied "I know- I look like I should....but I don't". He just walked away. Next up was..

4) Wal-mart Supercenter

By now it's around 11pm and I pass through one $ 1.00 toll on the way. I am secretly again hoping Target's prices are cheaper. I don't want to have to eat crowe with John. As soon as I walk through the doors though I wonder where has this store been all my life ?!? HUGE store, plentiful stocked shelves with every imaginable item and variety. I found I think FIVE varieties of Tuna Helper alone! FIVE !!! I was relieved to see they carry my favorite flavor , Tetrazzini ! I also became aware of the party-like atmosphere at this time of night. Workers were having fun, talking to other associates, laughing as they were stocking shelves. It made me almost want to work there. As I made my way through the store, completing my research I was BLOWN AWAY by how low the prices were! Everything seemed to be the lowest of all stores I visited that day. I got to the milk aisle (what is it with that area !?!?) and was yet again mistaken for a worker. The gentleman who was stocking milk thought that I worked for "my own company" as I was writing info down. I guess who in their right mind would be at a Wal-mart Supercenter, close to midnight on a Tuesday night, writing stuff down ? But I was on a quest....

5) Winn Dixie

Since I finished my Wal-mart comps and didn't get home until after 1am I had to wait until the next day to finish shopping my other stores. I arrived at Winn Dixie around Noon. This is an older store and it also smells......even worse than CVS. It's a cramped store. Not many shoppers in this store even at this lunch hour and despite their large banner proclaiming "$ 5.00 FOOT LONG SUBS !" . I was saddened to see a lack of a scale as I walked in. When I visited Florida on vacation in '98 (before I moved down from Chicago) I was so amused by the fact that Winn Dixie's had scales in the front as you walked in. When I moved down to Florida in '02 I first shopped at a Winn Dixie and it had a scale. Maybe this location has a scale but I did not see it on this trip. As I wrote down prices I immediately knew this store had to be the highest, even before I had tabulated all my results. I wondered how they stay in business this way. Their commercials tout that they are "Getting better all the time" - but I just did not see it on this visit. Oh, and they only had ONE TYPE of Tuna Helper, and not my beloved Tetrazzini !!! That was enough of a reason to not shop here again. This store had many workers....it seemed every other aisle had someone stocking items and they seemed a bit curious as to what I was doing. Finally halfway through I happened upon an aisle where the store director happened to be working. He asked what company I worked for. Dressed in jeans, tennis shoes and a hoodie I wondered what company would allow someone to work like that? I again recited my lay off speech. He was captivated my by Excel spreadsheet and even asked to take my clipboard to look at it. "Oh YOU created this? Wow. Are these all the items you frequently purchase? How many people are in your family?" - it was like I had a new best friend. And then the wrench in the friendship appeared as he told me "Oh we take Internet coupons but only ONE per item. We had people coming in with stacks of coupons and we couldn't have that". I wondered why, but lack of confrontation is my nature so I just nodded. That was enough for me to scrap my whole assessment of his store but I knew I should complete the data. As I walked away he told me that I should start my own business doing this for a living. And lastly........

6) Publix

This is the newest of all stores reviewed and it's located just four walking blocks from our condo. We have made this trip a few times and they also have a free parking garage for days when we are lazy...like I was today. This store is hip, light, bright, and loud...but in a good way. They blast 80's new wave and Pop music. It's not uncommon to hear New Order or Rick Springfield blaring from the speakers. This store is a blinkie paradise !!! I didn't count but estimate there to be at least 20 of these coupon issuing machines. I have recently become aware of Publix's great BOGO deals and really hoped this store would have good pricing, since, as their motto "Shopping is a pleasure"....and it truly is. Oh ! I forgot to mention they also have a scale as soon as you walk in too. :-) The cashiers are very friendly and the stocking clerks are too. This one young man asked me THREE TIMES if I needed help as I walked down the aisles and made my notes. I have never seen a larger ice cream section in my life. I guess they think yuppies want comfort food. I forgot to mention this Publix is in the low level of a 17 story building that includes office space and 313 condo units. Their website will give you a feel for the building : Paramount on Lake Eola - Nothing Brings You Closer . Towards the end of my trip I went to Customer Service to inquire about sales flyers and to see if they matched Albertson's special $ 10 / $ 30 deals I have heard about on afullcup.com. He said they do but don't take competitor coupons for Wal-mart or Target. I had found this out first hand over the weekend.

I realized later that night that I had neglected to find out about Wal-marts coupon policy so I stopped by the run down Wal-Mart on Colonial on my way home from class. The manager said they don't take "some" IPC's. I asked how would I know which ones they DON'T take ? Does he have a list ? He seemed a bit annoyed by the question and told me the cashier will just look at the address of the coupon.......he thought El Paso, TX was one coupon address that was fraudulent. This worries me as I am excited to start saving some big money by coupon shopping and wonder if I might be too late to jump on this craze. I could get greeted by a sign like this one on my next shopping trip : Security Fix - Hacking Groceries: Internet Coupon Fraud


So last night I pulled another all-nighter and excitedly plugged my prices into my Excel spreadsheet. The results are found here : Downtown Orlando Pricing Assessment Project 5.28.09

The yellow highlighted blocks are the products with the lowest prices.
Turns out we will be doing the majority of our shopping at Wal-Mart now while keeping an eye open for keen sales. John tried not to gloat as I broke the news the next day.

While time consuming, I found this to be a very rewarding project. The thought ran through my head that everyone should try it when they move to a new city to get a sense of where the best deals are. I hope this pricing list and store reviews will assist the local AFC shoppers in my area.

[SLance68]

Well I have lived in Orlando my entire life. # 1 there are a lot better Super Wal-mart stores than the one in Pine Hills/Metro West (Kirkman Road store you should NEVER be in that store it is a very dangerous area)- are you CRAZY going to that store? Go to the one either at Sand Lake and John Young Parkway or the new one in South East Orlando at New Goldenrod Road and Hoffner (this is my to die for WM). There is even a WM Neighborhood store at Goldenrod and Chickasaw Trail. If you are up for an adventure go to the SWM on Turkey Lake Road near I Drive - they have lots of stuff you will not see in any other SWM that caters to the tourists.

As for Super Target - prices do vary store to store - I prefer the one at Waterford Lakes - the one you went to at Michigan and Grant doesn't have as large of a grocery section as the one at Waterford Lakes (get there at 8:00 to 9:00 in the morning and the store is pretty empty).

CVS is only a good deal if you have ECB's, Coupons and it is on sale. There will NEVER be anything there that is cheaper than the above stores same goes for Walgreens.

The Publix downtown is not as big as the one at Orange & Michigan, however they have better prices than Winn Dixie.

Haven't checked out Freshfield Farms - it use to be Mom's Meats and Pop's Produce and their reputation was horrible therefore I stick to Clemons Produce on Curry Ford and Crystal Lake. As for meats - I would stick with Publix they always have good cuts and again buy when on sale.

I hope you had fun with your price searching around town. I would just be careful of that Wal-Mart even if it is your DH going I still would never set foot in that area of town.

[flapattie]

Acutally I avoid the Walmart on John Young and Sandlake since a woman was raped there last year...I just don't trust that area.
Surveillance Video Released Of Wal-Mart Rape Suspect In Parking Lot - News Story - WFTV Orlando

I didn't know the location on Kirkman was a bad area. It did not seem bad when I visited. I will heed your warning and be careful when I shop there. It will NEVER be that late at night again....I was just focused on my project and wanted to get my data as fast as possible.

We might check out the other locations you mentioned, however it gets to be a gas issue. The one on Kirkman is closer to our condo and has all the items we are looking for so it just makes sense to go to that location. Again, not at night again...I get your message.

We never visited when it was Mom's Meats and Pop's Produce so I can't weigh in on the former management but this new management team ROCKS ! It's amazing how busy the stores are and how much stuff people load into their carts ! We love their cuts of meat and the prices can't be beat. Produce is also always very fresh.

We used to shop at the Publix on Orange & Michigan but when the Downtown location on Central opened, we knew we had our store home. We like to shop in and around Downtown Orlando to keep our tax dollars here instead of outside. Speaking of which, have you heard of the new Buy Local Orlando Program ? If you haven't, it's a very new program and not many stores are signed up, but hopefully it will grow in the future. Buy Local Orlando - Why Buy Local?

Have you found that the Wal-mart's you shop at will accept your IPC's easily ? Is it true as their policy says on their website that you can only use one coupon per item ? Talking to that manager at the Colonial/50 store and reading the Wal-mart forum on here has me a little worried when I try my first Wal-mart coupon shopping expedition this weekend. :-(

Thanks for your input. It's nice to have a veteran's take on this.

[SLance68]

I use IP's at Wal-mart all the time without a problem. They will also price match but you have to ring it up, pay for it then take the items to customer service - just too much of a hassle for me to do. Now I will admit that I have a copy of the coupon policy in my coupon box just in case they ask about it - funny part is since I put it in there last year I have never had a question about a coupon.

A lot of people don't realize that Metro West is a really bad area - it is nice and pretty and dangerous. The one at JYP & Sand Lake I have been going there since it opened without a problem. I am sure there are problems at all of them just due to the size of Orlando and the amount of gang activity here. Yes we have over 1000 active gangs here. I personally don't like going downtown at night just because of the Parramore area. I only go down there at night for an occasional Magic game.

The SWM at Turkey Lake road is actually not farther than the one on Kirkman - just take I-4 to the Sand Lake exit - go right and make the first Left on Turkey Lake Road. There is also a Whole Foods store there on the corner of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake.

I guess I will have to break down and go to Freshfield - I got a coupon in the mail last week and just haven't had a chance to get over there. It was $ 5.00 off of $ 20.00 so that alone would make it worth driving over there.

Have you tried Aldi's yet? The one's I have tried at 436 & Curry Ford and Aloma and Forsyth roads are both very nice. Great prices like Honey Wheat or Whole Wheat bread for about $ 1.18, eggs for 99 cents, milk really cheap - I use Soy milk and buy it at Costco it is cheapest there. They also have good produce and most of their cereals are made by Post even though they have the Aldi brand. All of the "junk food" chips, cookies, cake mixes and stuff are really reasonable and their mild salsa is awesome. If you go to their website and sign up you might be able to get a coupon from them also. HTH

[flapattie]

My husband and I just checked out one of the Walmart Supercenter's you recommended :
Wal-Mart Supercenter Store #3782
5991 New Goldenrod Road
Orlando, FL 32822

And we were VERY impressed !!! This is the newest Wal-mart store I've ever visited and it was the LARGEST ! This will be our Wal-mart to shop at !!! A nice feature was that it is VERY close to the Hershey's Ice Cream shop that we stop at almost every weekend (bad habit, but we can't stop !) and even though this Wal-Mart isn't the closest one to our house, it was a convenient stop to add it on after we had our ice cream !!!

I am so thankful to AFC for showing me the light in many, many ways to reduce spending and I am especially grateful to YOU SLance for seeing my post and for letting me know #1) the Kirman was in a bad area (I believed the hype that Metro West is nice.....I mean isn't Dr. Phillips close to that too ?) and #2) suggesting a way better Wal-Mart that I wouldn't have considered based solely on miles from my home.

There aren't enough smileys on here to express how thankful I truly am !!!!
__________________________________________________ __________________________
And to everyone that I suggested going to the Kirman location, please disregard that message and go with SLance's suggestions instead !!!

[flapattie]

Also, I missed replying about Aldi's........no I haven't been there yet. My closest would be on West Colonial...another bad area. I have bad memories of Aldi back up North when my Grandma used to make me drive her there as a teenager. I know I should put that aside, but also I don't like how Aldi doesn't take coupons. I know, most of their stuff is not brand name (or so it states on AFC) so coupons are not needed, but I think I'm too much of a brand girl...and I have to admit I am now addicted to clipping coupons and using them and seeing that grand total just FALL after I give them to the cashier. ;-)

[southernbird]

I remember going to Mom and Pops and Clemons years ago.
I would be careful at any Super Wal-Mart I live nears the Casselberry
Super center and they have had incidents there.

[neidert]

what about aldi sorry didnt see the post on aldi

[SLance68]

I have been to the SWM in Casselberry it is pretty nice it is on 436. People get up in arms over things happening at WM stores - I have never had a problem at any of them. If you will also notice it is the ONLY store/chain in Orlando that has 24/7 security in the parking lots. If you think about the number of people that shop at one of those SWM stores in just one day verses the amount of incidents that are reported it is actually a very small percentage. But hey I am a Wal-Mart junkie.

So glad you liked that new SWM - I love it and it is HUGE. I was so happy when they put that one in I actually stalked that store until it opened. Sometimes working for a construction company has it's disadvantages, I knew when they started construction and I drove down there every week just waiting to see them putting in the shelves.

Neidert - I had asked her if she had been to the Aldi's over on my part of town. Actually you might want to check the one out at 436 & Curry Ford. It is pretty clean and nice. Yes they don't take coupons but some stuff you will get cheaper there and their brands are not bad. I get my bread there even if I have to make a special trip (yeah it is all of 3/4 of a mile there) it is good and $ 1.18 per loaf. I do understand about the brand preferences - I am the same way on a lot of stuff but I just kept a open mind and realized that boneless skinless chicken tenders that are cheaper actually taste better, same goes for catfish, flounder and talapia. There meats are pretty good also. Give it a try just one time - just make sure to bring your bags and a quarter for the shopping cart.

[anneh]

Hello,
I don't live downtown Orlando, but East side Orlando by Chickasaw trail, Lake Underhill, Curry Ford area
You did good research- It will be nice to compare prices- i will try to touch base with you and others- (sometimes it gets hard with working to devote enough time, but I will try) Thanks, A

[dmorey]

I'm in Oviedo and can't stand going to Walmart. (I'm closest to the store on 50 near Alafaya Trail.) I have found, however that the Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are a decent place to go. (I go to the one by UCF in Orlando.) Same prices, nicer and not crowded. Other than that I'm a Publix and Target shopper.

[SLance68]

Originally Posted by dmorey

I'm in Oviedo and can't stand going to Walmart. (I'm closest to the store on 50 near Alafaya Trail.) I have found, however that the Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are a decent place to go. (I go to the one by UCF in Orlando.) Same prices, nicer and not crowded. Other than that I'm a Publix and Target shopper.

I don't like that Super Wal-mart either. I go to the Neighborhood Market's at Underhill & Chickasaw and the one at Curry Ford & Alafaya. I do like those when I don't need stuff from the "big" Wal-Mart.

[anneh]

What gets me is the lines at Super walmart-it never is a quick trip!
Are there certain coupons that you always need? I don't have any young children so if you need Diaper coupons, etc, let me know.
Looks like we are fairly close to each other that we shop the same stores-

[miralys]

Very interesting to see the comparisons; you really took your time on that! I have gone through several schools of thought since I started couponing. Now for groceries I do BOGO items with Publix and during off-weeks I go to Aldi to supplement my meal planning. If you haven't tried Aldi's, I highly recommend them. I work in downtown Orlando, so I might stop by some of these places on my lunch break.

[SAHM2OneLovey]

Wow!!! You did spend a lot of time and energy with this. You must be very determined. I am in awe

[flapattie]

Sorry everyone! Haven't been back to my posting in a long time.

Anneh ~ Thanks for the coupon offer. It's just a small family of two - me and the husband, so we are pretty set with our Sunday paper only...and we buy two if we have a extremely good coupon week. :-)

Miralys and SAHM2OneLovey ~ I was unemployed when I did this comp, so it was something to make me feel productive. :-) I was also taking the free Excel (and MS Office, Photoshop, etc.) class at the Orlando Library so creating this was a change to use my newly learned skills so I wouldn't forget what I learned. :-) We still need to visit Aldi. Thanks for the positive feedback. And Miralys.....best wishes on that upcoming Marathon! That is incredible. I could never do that!

[hotmama111]

Your spreadsheet has been deleted.

[flapattie]

Sorry! I switched over to Google Docs.......here is the new link: Google Docs Sorry for the inconvenience.

It will be a year in May so I think I need to do this again....

[jhike1]

Originally Posted by dmorey

I'm in Oviedo and can't stand going to Walmart. (I'm closest to the store on 50 near Alafaya Trail.) I have found, however that the Walmart Neighborhood Market stores are a decent place to go. (I go to the one by UCF in Orlando.) Same prices, nicer and not crowded. Other than that I'm a Publix and Target shopper.

We are in Oviedo too! I seem to get better deals matching BOGO's at Publix, (I use the one on Alafaya, and Red Bug, not the UCF one), the brand new Aldi, that is right across the street from that Publix, the Winn-Dixie off Lockwood Blvd, than I do at the Walmart neighborhood market. LOVE the Aldi-check it out if you haven't already; its CLEAN, and I've had good luck with fast check outs so far!