On May 25, 7:57*pm, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
> On Fri, 25 May 2012 16:58:08 -0800, Mark Thorson >
> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Granted the cups and coffee are free, but it does
> >seem like a sneaky way to reduce costs -- the sort
> >of thing I expect from Safeway but not a good store
> >like Trader Joe's. *A store that cares about its
> >customers and doesn't try to shave a little cost
> >at every opportunity. *I hope this is not a harbinger
> >of things to come. *That would ruin Trader Joe's.
>
> What is sneaky about it? *Should they announce that our free coffee is
> now smaller?
>
> Sneaky is when you charge the same price and reduce the volume, like
> the 57 ounce OJ, the smaller jars of mayo, etc.
>
> A store that cares about is customer watches costs so they can
> continue to offer good service. *Nothing is "free", but wrapped into
> the costs that all customers pay. *That little old lady in line behind
> you paid a portion of your free coffee.

On the other hand, if a store featuring so many house brand products,
which moreover it keeps rotating in and out, did not offer samples to
customers, many products would just languish on the shelves. (Sure
they offer a money-back guarantee, but who brings over, say, a half-
eaten can of tomato sauce for a refund? Uneaten food goes in the
garbage, never to be bought again. )

The cost of samples is really a marketing expense. But you're not
meant to nourish yourself on them. Maybe at Costco you can get away
with it.