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Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
Mon Aug 18, 2014, 02:15 PM Aug 2014

Are you a Market Basket customer?

I have sympathy for the workers at MB but I am feeling this strike in my pocketbook.
I hope I don't seen selfish but I sure wish the management and workers would come to some agreement so that the stores would be open and stocked. Hopefully at the same price points as before this current strike,
I am on a fixed income and am feeling a great loss by not having the opportunity to shop at MB.

To give you a quick example:
Hormel cryovac pork roast MB price=$6.99
My local market=$9.99

Romaine lettuce MB=.99
Local+2.99
Cat food MB 5/4.00
Local .99
Kitty litter 'Fresh Step
MB 14lbs 4.99
Local 7.99
American cheese MB3.99
Local:5.99
The list goes on and on.

Everything I buy seems to cost at least 30% higher at my local store or at the regional chain markets near me. (I don't even include WF(Whole Paycheck) in this equation).
Everyone I know near me is a MB customer and all of us are complaining about the prices we are paying because of this strike.
I hope this does not seem selfish but this situation is hitting the customers of MB in the wallet badly. There will be a lot of good will lost if the employee/management issues are not solved soon.

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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canoeist52

(2,282 posts)
1. The stores ARE opened. The "strike" is between the board of directors, two cousins and CUSTOMERS.
Mon Aug 18, 2014, 03:50 PM
Aug 2014

There is little fresh food in the stores because there is no point in ordering food if the customers are boycotting in support of the former CEO's return to leading the business. The Board is holding out on accepting the former CEO. Artie T's offer to buy the other half of the now failing business.

I miss my Market Basket shopping too! This is killing our budget. But if we don't support the boycott, we will have lost our affordable pricing through the new management CEO's policies anyway.

rox63

(9,464 posts)
2. I want my supermarket back
Mon Aug 18, 2014, 07:23 PM
Aug 2014

I have been paying a lot more shopping at other stores, although there are some good sales on select items. But I would love to go back to shopping where I like, for the products I like, at the prices I like. I'm afraid the company may go under completely if this goes on much longer.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
7. The company will not go under. The real estate alone is valuable.
Fri Aug 22, 2014, 12:51 PM
Aug 2014

The lawyer for the unpopular side of the company made that clear on TV from the beginning. Financially, they don't need to keep the stores running. Or so he said.

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
4. Wish we had a Wegmans near but we don't.
Tue Aug 19, 2014, 10:18 AM
Aug 2014

I have heard that one may open about 75 miles away. Maybe they will expand to my area.
I have also heard that the store is great and prices are good.
I think Market Basket has cut its own throat. They have lost of their regular customers. Family feud or not, they have an obligation to serve those people who have been faithful customers---my thought only.

How many millions of dollars does this family need to settle their fight?

Agschmid

(28,749 posts)
5. I'm lucky the chestnut hill one is right by my job. j
Tue Aug 19, 2014, 10:21 AM
Aug 2014

There is one in Northborough and the one in Burlington opens in October.

merrily

(45,251 posts)
6. I do not think it is realistic to believe that
Fri Aug 22, 2014, 12:48 PM
Aug 2014

the other wing of the family will keep the prices low if they could manage to get the place going again. In fact, I would not be surprised if the low prices are one of the reasons they want to take management out of the hands of the popular cousin. What else could it be? He's popular with employees and customers. So, I can't think of any reason they'd want him out of control, except that they think they could do better financially.

I only wish I were a Market Basket customer. Or a Wegman's customer Or even a Johnny's (RIP) customer.

The only market really close to me now that Johnny's closed is Whole Foods. Stop and Shop runs a shuttle once a week to my neighborhood, but S &S is more expensive than all of the above, except for Whole Foods. So, my only two choices realistically are the more expensive ones.

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
8. I bet you are right about price increases.
Fri Aug 22, 2014, 04:42 PM
Aug 2014

In the long run, we customers and the store employees will lose.
The MB owners hold all the cards. Fight as they might, they still own this chain of 72 stores. Even if they sell out, what is a few million between the family.

I wish I felt that someone within the MB organization card about serving their customers.
This strike is severely hurting a huge number of people.

cleveramerican

(2,895 posts)
9. Price Chopper
Sat Aug 30, 2014, 09:41 AM
Aug 2014

I am also a market basket customer. I have three teenage daughters who eat endlessly. I have been staying away from MB like so many others. I have used the time to explore other options. I have nine (9!) supermarkets within a 20 minute drive.

I would suggest Price Chopper to everyone who seeks to reduce their weekly food budget.
Excellent prices, good variety , wonderful hot-food-to-go section.


I am so gald they worked it out, but now I know more than I used to

Paper Roses

(7,473 posts)
12. Hi, I never heard of Price Chopper. Will Google
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 10:07 AM
Aug 2014

Thanks for the tip. Just checked, all of the Price Chopper stores are in the mid or western part of the state.
Wish they were nearer. The closest one is about 60 miles away. Too far to make the trip worthwhile.
Gas, tolls, time etc.

With MB opening (restocking) now, I will be back to normal-I hope by next week. Not going to the store until the opening rush is over.

rox63

(9,464 posts)
13. They are mostly stocked back up again
Sun Aug 31, 2014, 02:31 PM
Aug 2014

Only a few bare shelves left. And lots of happy people. The crowds aren't bad at all. I thnk some percentage of their old customers will end up staying with their new stores. But most of the old MB customers will come back.

rox63

(9,464 posts)
10. Glad to have my supermarket back!
Sat Aug 30, 2014, 10:48 AM
Aug 2014

I stopped into one of their stores on Thursday night, the first time in several weeks. I've never seen so many smiling people in a supermarket before. There are no Price Choppers or Wegmans near me. My other choices are Hannaford's, Stop & Shop or Shaws (and Walmart, but let's not go there), all more expensive than MB. I ended up at Hannaford's most of the time during the strike. But I'm glad to have MB back in the game.

chelsea0011

(10,115 posts)
11. Not a MB customer. I have many grocery choices near wher
Sat Aug 30, 2014, 08:51 PM
Aug 2014

I live and MB isn't on my lists places to shop. The price savings are all on items I don't buy. That being said, it has been a long time that workers and customers united on an issue and put it all on the line for a cause. They should be commended and wishes that all will be back to normal for them. This action took courage even if I had trouble understanding a work stoppage over a change in the board when very few changes had been made. But as I said, I am not an MB person.

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