It’s undeniable that mega stores like Walmart, Target, and Sam’s Club have lower prices. They can pressure suppliers to bring prices down from a volume perspective, then they pass those cost savings onto the customer. Simple economics.

But these stores that take up 3 city blocks and have their own internal weather systems, are they actually costing you more money in other ways?

A friend of mine told me recently that she goes grocery shopping at Target, and that they have awesome prices.

Probably true, but here’s what may happen when you go to Target and you only need groceries.

You walk in and the first thing you see is the end cap display just past the entrance with the super duper sale on blenders, or vacuum cleaners. It’s there for a reason.

So you stop and take a peek.

“Wow, that’s cheap. Never seen a Vitamix that low… hmmmm..”

You deftly avoid that initial visual assault and push on, bolting right to the food even though you still have to pass toiletries and school supplies to get there. Look straight ahead, just keeeeeep focused….

So you’re cruising up and down the food aisles getting things done and things seem to be on task. Winning. Then you think…

“Well, being I’m here and all, let me just run over to housewares to see if they have any candles on sale”

Never mind that you have plenty candles at home already. You love candles, it’s your thing. Plus you haven’t been sleeping well lately and you need a pick me up. Something to boost your spirits.

So since you’re already in Target and they carry lots of candles you go and take a peek. Harmless right? On the way to the candles you have to pass the stationary section, the window blinds and curtains, and the lamps.

“Ooo, that’s a cool lamp.. nahh… too much… Hmm, do we need any curtains?”

You press on, still trying to resist. The last thing you pass to get to the candles is the patio section. It’s late March and the first weekend of beautiful spring temperatures is predicted for the upcoming weekend. There’s a kitschy looking set of outdoor drink ware on sale, complete with colorful plastic martini glasses and a trendy looking pitcher to serve up mojitos.

It’s only $10.00!!

Your mind quickly flashes to a sun drenched scene of your family and friends on the patio, the first glorious weekend of patio partying. The scene in your head takes it’s cues from the endless TV and magazine ads you’ve seen over the years of attractive models doing the same, laughing and imbibing, holding up their shiny and colorful plastic martini glasses full of goodness. It paints a dream like picture, you want to be in that picture.

Voila! – the drink ware set is in your cart. Ten bucks gone. It happens that fast. Damn imagination. Damn attractive models.

And you still have yet to get to the candles.

But should you have even been in a store that has an entire patio section in the first place? Or lamps? Or curtains? You mainly needed pasta sauce and meatballs for tomorrow night’s meal plan. What just happened?

We’re From The Internet & We’re Here To Help

I do probably 90% of my non-grocery shopping online these days. And for groceries I’m increasingly turning to Amazon Prime Pantry for non-spoilable items. I do go to Target or maybe another big box store once every few months, but generally I shop online.

Why so much online?

It’s faster, time is money.

I’m not using my car which is a massive waste of money and the most dangerous thing most of us do each day

Nowadays it’s often cheaper.

Rarely do I need an item right now

Regarding that last item, Amazon is working that issue with the Amazon Prime Now experiments and 2 hour delivery. I tried it once when I needed laundry detergent that day. Not only was the detergent cheaper but sure enough, they were at my door an hour and a half later.

I do enjoy using my bike to go to a store, usually the grocery store or just CVS since I get fresh air and exercise and I can throw in some hill repeats on the way. But mostly, I shop online.

Turn Off Temptation

If you’re the type of person who succumbs to temptation and you choose to go to brick and mortar stores often, then you should try to choose a store that’s as singular as possible based on what you need. By singular I mean they should sell as few “classes” of products as possible.

In other words, if you need groceries go to the grocery store.

A traditional grocery store like Safeway sells groceries, but also some other things such as toiletries, some housewares, and of course pharmaceuticals.

But they don’t have blue jeans, mini blinds, video game systems, flat screen TVs, and GPS watches.

When you only need groceries, picking Safeway over Target minimizes the possibility that shiny squirrels will kidnap you and take you to the shoe department. Because you like shoes. Those damn squirrels know that you like shoes. They’re going to get you. Safeway has no shoe department. You can win a battle with the squirrels at Safeway.

Will you pay more for groceries at Safeway? Maybe. But again, this advice is personality dependent based on your situation. If your grocery bill at Target is $7 less overall than Safeway, you’ll kill that savings if you also walk out with a new coffee bean grinder you didn’t need.

I do most of my in store grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s or Aldi. Everything they sell is pretty much edible. No aisle crammed with duct tape, spatulas, and corning ware. They keep a very small toiletries section with sunscreen, toilet paper and some other basics. Besides that, it’s food.

If you are not the type of person who is easily distracted, tempted, or kidnapped by shiny squirrels then big box stores are probably your best bet. Or, if you like to do all of your shopping at one time – meaning get groceries, some clothes for the kids, and and new external hard drive, then stores like Costco will probably save you money.

Possession Is Nine Tenths Of The Law

Here’s another problem with brick and mortar stores. Research of shopping behaviors shows that a person is far more likely to buy something once they’ve touched it.

Picking up an object in a store starts a subliminal process of hypothetical ownership. You start feel the objects weight, gauge the quality. Your mind is already picturing what it would be like to own it.

When you shop online you can’t touch it. Sure, you’re taking more of a leap of faith as the to the quality of the product, but that’s what reviews are for.

If you’re trying to rein in your spending, not being around shiny new things that you can touch with “buy me I’m on sale!” signs on them is one of the best ways. And nobody has more shiny new things in one confined, attention-getting place than the gargantuan big box stores. You’ll save a lot of money being ignorant of all those seemingly amazing bargains by just not going through the front door.

Your Turn readers – do you shop at big box stores? Do you ever get kidnapped by the attention deficit squirrel posse when you do?