19 Mistakes People Make When Shopping At Wegmans
With just 111 locations across nine different states in the Northeast, Wegmans is nowhere near as large as several other grocery retail chains. Yet, despite the relatively few stores, Wegmans has built a solid reputation with both current customers and those hoping for a new location to spring up near their homes. If you're lucky enough to live by a Wegmans, then you already know that the store has a different feel from a traditional grocery store. If a new Wegmans is being built near you or you're moving to a place that is close to one of its locations, you're undoubtedly excited to give the retailer a try.
However, despite the chain's loyal followers, many people make mistakes when shopping at Wegmans. If you're getting ready for your first — or next — trip to the grocery store, you'll want to learn about these common mistakes. Otherwise, you might end up missing out on all that Wegmans has to offer, spending more than is necessary, or not enjoying the shopping experience as much as you should.
Not signing up for the Shopper's Club
Most grocery stores have loyalty clubs, and Wegmans is no different. If you want to get the most out of every shopping experience, then you should definitely join the Shoppers Club. As a Shoppers Club member, you'll have access to digital coupons. When you've logged into your account and clipped a digital coupon, it will be linked to your account. Then, when you check out at Wegmans, the discount will automatically be applied to your total. There are several other perks to being a Shoppers Club member. These include getting personalized produce and recipe recommendations based on your purchases, receiving information about any product recalls that may affect you, being able to create organized shopping lists, and managing your prescriptions through the Wegmans pharmacy.
Not downloading the Wegmans app before shopping
Signing up for the Shoppers Club is important, but it will be even more helpful if you download the Wegmans app to go along with it. This way, you'll be able to scroll through the digital coupons, create your shopping lists, and take advantage of all of the other membership benefits directly from your phone. With the app, bringing your organized shopping list along with you will also be much easier since it will already be right on your phone, rather than trying to print it out from the computer. App users can also easily place orders for curbside pick-up or delivery. The Wegmans app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play.
Not looking for coupons before shopping
Not taking a few minutes to look for coupons before your Wegmans shopping trip can be a costly mistake. Clipping a few coupons for items you're going to buy anyway can really add up and help you save more on each trip. We already shared that you can find digital coupons through the app or when logged in to your Shoppers Club member account on your computer, but Wegmans also accepts manufacturer's coupons. The store will even double most manufacturers' coupons that have a value of $0.99 or less. Just note that you can only use one manufacturer's coupon for each item and that Wegmans will only accept up to four manufacturer's coupons for the same brand product each day.
Not using cash back grocery apps
If you want to save as much money as possible on each grocery trip — and who doesn't — then make sure you're using one or more cash-back grocery apps. With these apps, you can upload your receipt to effectively receive money back for each purchase you make. There are several different apps available for download. Some, such as Ibotta, allow you to scroll through the available offers and select the items that you want to purchase. Once you complete your purchase and scan your receipt, the offer is added to your account. Other apps, such as CoinOut, reward you for simply scanning all of your receipts from your various grocery trips. As your rewards accumulate with these apps, you can redeem them for gift certificates or even direct deposits to your bank account, depending on the specific app you're using.
Not planning to grab lunch or dinner from the Market Café
One of the many things that differentiates Wegmans from many other grocery stores is the Market Café. Shopping at the store without checking out everything the Market Café has to offer will certainly be a mistake. When you visit the café section of the store, you can order coffee and hot dishes from several different cuisine options. Choose from Italian favorites like pizza and pasta bowls, Asian-inspired cuisines such as sushi, egg rolls and potstickers, fresh salads, and several other ready-to-eat options. The next time you plan a visit to Wegmans, go around lunch or dinner time so you can bring home a delicious meal. You could even plan to meet a friend or colleague at the Market Café to grab a satisfying meal. With the wide range of options, there's something for everyone.
Not checking out the selection at the Cheese Shop
There are several departments within each Wegmans store that you won't want to miss. One of these is the Cheese Shop. The cheese made by Wegmans is so much more than just your typical grocery store cheese counter. The various offerings are ripened in special caves that were built by Wegmans for this sole purpose. These caves are designed to create an environment that matches that of the famous cheese caves in Europe. This special ripening process isn't the only factor that contributes to just how amazing the various types of cheese available through Wegmans are. During the ripening process, the cheeses are monitored, flipped, and washed using special ingredients to enhance the flavor. Each Wegmans cheese case also features special misting technology to keep the cheese in the ideal environment to maintain its taste and texture.
Not planning enough time to wander the store
If you've never been to Wegmans before and are getting ready for your first trip, plan to take longer than you might think. While your average grocery store is about 46,000 square feet, Wegmans are much larger. Smaller stores start at about 75,000 square feet, with some of the larger ones reaching 140,000 square feet. With this extra space, Wegmans is also able to offer a wider selection of products than most other retailers — about 70,000 compared to 42,000. Once you enter the store and start realizing just how different it is from other grocery retailers, you're going to want to wander through the aisles looking for new products to try. Take this wandering time, along with the larger footprint of each store, into account when planning for your shopping trip.
Not trying Wegmans branded items
If you've had a bad experience with store-brand items from other retailers, you may be hesitant to add any Wegmans-branded items to your shopping cart. However, skipping over items that carry a Wegmans label is another mistake that you don't want to make. First, Wegmans branded items are typically less expensive than comparable items from national brands. However, its lower cost does not mean lower quality, as you may think. In fact, just the opposite is true. Many customers swear by various items sold under the Wegmans brand label. There are several organic options, fruits and vegetables that come from family farms in the area, as well as items that are made without any artificial flavors, trans fat, and other questionable ingredients. Wegmans has even worked to help customers easily identify which items are best for them through streamlined labels. For example, a green circle with an A inside of it means that the item may contain one or more allergens. A red circle means that the item is heart-healthy and lower in fat and saturated fat content. You can view all of the labels, read about what they mean, and even shop for specific products under each category through the Wegmans website.
Not picking up a ready-to-cook entrée for a quick and easy meal
In addition to the wide assortment of prepared foods, Wegmans also sells several ready-to-cook meals. These items are assembled and ready to go into the oven or slow cooker. Because all of the prep work is already done for you, they can make an excellent choice for a quick and easy dinner on a particularly busy night. Availability can vary based on location and when you shop, but some of the different meal options to try include the butter chicken meal, braised beef with vegetables meal, salmon with citrus soy sauce meal, chicken cacciatore meal, rosemary lemon chicken meal, Mediterranean cod meal, crab cakes meal, and chicken fajita meal.
Not shopping at the right time
Because of how popular it is, choosing to shop at Wegmans at the wrong time could be a big mistake. You could face long lines, crowded aisles, and a generally less-enjoyable shopping trip. If you want to avoid the crowds, try to shop on a weekday morning around 8 a.m. This is the best time to shop at Wegmans because the majority of people are working and thus unable to hit the grocery store. Mondays are the best day to shop because the stores are typically restocked on Sunday nights, meaning you're less likely to have to worry about items on your list being out of stock. If you're unable to shop at 8 a.m. on a weekday morning due to work, school, or any other reason, most stores should be pretty calm any time after 9 p.m.
Not trying the Produce Step Savers to cut down meal prep time
If you like cooking your own meals, but hate how long it can take to wash and chop vegetables and fruits, then you'll want to take a look at the Produce Step Savers available at Wegmans. These items are washed and often cut before being packaged. They're ready to grab right out of the bag and add to your favorite salads and recipes. Some of the available Produce Step Savers may include sliced onions and peppers, shaved Brussels sprouts, cut cauliflower, and cut fruit bowls. There are also various salad kits to try. A few of these include the BBQ Ranch Chopped Salad Kit, the Asian Chopped Salad Kit, the Everything Bagel Chopped Salad Kit, and the Dill Pickle Chopped Salad Kit.
Not becoming a Wegmans Insider
Do you like sharing your opinions about different products? Do you want to help Wegmans further improve the shopping experience for each customer? If you answered yes to either of these questions, make sure to sign up for the Wegmans Insider Club. Insider Club members complete a few surveys each month to share their feedback on various aspects of shopping at Wegmans. When you complete these surveys, you'll also receive an entry into the monthly drawing for a $100 Wegmans gift card. Each survey you complete earns you an entry, so be sure to complete them all to further increase your chances of winning. Club members also receive emails with exclusive coupon offers.
Shopping without a list
Shopping without a list at Wegmans is almost as bad as shopping on an empty stomach. First, because the store is so large, you don't want to realize you forgot to grab the pack of eggs you need when you're already on the opposite side of the store. Another reason you want to have a list prepared before your shopping trip is to minimize impulse buys. It is too easy to see several new products that you want to try. However, do you really need all of them, or need to try them right now? If you have a list prepared, it will be easier to convince yourself to stick to the meals you already have planned and what is on your shopping list. When you make your list through the Wegmans app or your online Shoppers Club account, it will even be organized by department. This is a huge benefit that will help you find each item much more quickly.
Not using the meal planning tools to help you create your shopping list
If you haven't been checking out the EZ Meals section of the Wegmans website before planning your weekly meals and compiling a shopping list, you've been making a big mistake. This page is an excellent resource for finding new recipes to try. When you're signed in to your Wegmans Shoppers Club account, you can even view personalized recommendations based on your past preferences. When you see a recipe you want to try, you can save it to make it easy to find when you're ready to cook. You can even add each of the ingredients needed to make the recipe to your shopping list for your next Wegmans trip.
Not saving your receipt
Not saving your Wegmans receipt is another mistake you will want to avoid. First, if you toss your receipt, you won't be able to use it with the various cash-back apps we discussed earlier. The rewards from using these apps can really add up, so you could be missing out on big savings. You should also save your receipts in case you end up needing them to make a return. Without a receipt, Wegmans won't be able to credit your original payment method, so you'll have to accept store credit. Wegmans also has a 30-day price adjustment period for home and entertaining items. If an item you purchased within the past 30 days goes on sale, you can request a credit or refund for the difference. However, if you do not have your receipt to prove how much you paid, you will not be able to receive the credit or refund.
Not paying attention as products are scanned at the register
When you shop at Wegmans, get yourself in the habit of looking at the screen as the cashier is scanning your items. Wegmans has a pricing guarantee that states that they will refund the difference for any items that scan for the wrong price. They will also give you $1 for bringing the pricing error to your attention. While it is unlikely that products will scan at the wrong price, it can certainly happen. You don't want to be overcharged for something that you thought was on sale. Every penny adds up.
Placing an order for curbside pickup or delivery instead of shopping in-store
Wegmans offers both curbside pickup and delivery for grocery orders placed online. While this can certainly make your life more convenient, it may not be the best option if you're trying to keep your grocery bill as low as possible. Curbside pickup orders do not have any delivery or service fees associated with them, but most products cost about 15% more than if you were to walk into the store and purchase them yourself. That amounts to an extra $15 for each $100 you spend on groceries. Delivery, which is provided through Instacart, will cost you even more. If you're not an Instacart+ member, you'll be charged a $3.99 delivery fee and a 7% service fee for every order.
Not using Wegmans to cater your next event
Whether you're in the midst of planning a large event for work or a family get-together, you should consider using Wegmans catering services. There are several different catering packages available through Wegmans Meals2Go. The various packages include items such as fruit and cheese boards, veggie platters, sandwiches, sub sandwiches, and fried chicken. Most packages require a minimum of 18-hour notice, with some only requiring you to order at least 90 minutes in advance. You can also add plates, napkins, cups, and cutlery to your order to make sure you're ready to serve your guests.
Searching for a weekly ad
When you're planning a shopping trip to many other grocery stores, it is always a good idea to look through the store's weekly ad. This helps you identify which items are on sale to help you save as much money as possible. However, don't waste your time searching for the Wegmans weekly ad before embarking on your trip to the store. Wegmans believes in offering consistently low prices to help its customers afford the items they need when they need them. The retailer doesn't want to make people feel like they need to wait for something to go on sale or buy something just because it is on sale. However, you can find flyers around holidays to provide you with some ideas to help you plan for special meals or entertainment.